the best walk behind

[ronslawncare]

i was thinking of getting two scags a 32 for the gates and a 36.the reason i choose scag is because every1 use them in my neighborhood and the scag dealer is in my town.i seen some ,toros,exmark,lescos ect around but mostly scag is scag the best in longisland most propertys around here are somewere around 100by100 or larger .wut would u recomend for me to start with .thanxs again 4 all yur help

[Keith]

First, you probably would be better off buying a 32" and a 48-52". Plus a 36" fits through most gates. As far as Scag being best....not in my opinion. They were quite popular here too. My 48" Scag, the loaner 48" Scag and replacement 48" Scag all were substandard and overpriced.

But you should demo a few and make your own decision.

[ronslawncare]

im definately gona demo them but whitch walkbehind in your opinion gives the best looking cut.yeah definately go with a 32 and a 48 good idea .48 for the front and houses with out gates and 32 with gates .

[Keith]

Well I like the BobCats and the Exmarks. The Toro ain't bad either. But my opinion is not as valuable as someone else in your area. Afterall you aren't cutting St. Augustine and Bahia :)

Make sure you demo a 52 when demoing a 48. That is a whole different machine. The 4" larger deck is very deceiving. It is a much bigger machine and tends to not "bounce" around like a light weight 48.

[65hoss]

Exmark

[Duncan IN]

I purchased a snapper 52in and love it the only down fall was i used it on 3 acre places before i got my z and it started to give me carpals tunnel, my hands turned numb, other than that it is a really good machine. Get a walkbehind with Kaw instead of a Kohler!

Levi Duncan
Lone Tree Lawn Care

[Skookum]

TORO,

That T-bar setup is the best. You'll never want another grip type steering machine - ever!

[KirbysLawn]

I would not even consider any mower with the "squeeze" or "grip" type handles. Toro and Great Dane have the best handles that I have tried, I did not like the T-Bar system on the Toro and was very impressed with the Great Dane Scamper's system.

It has push-forward, pull-backwards controls, and is very simple to use, best of all no carpal tunnel problems! It even has an adjustable max speed bar (the solid black bar in the photo) that allows you to control how fast it will go when the bar is pushed all the way forward. :)

Ray

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=681893&a=6961231&p=23467291&Sequence=0&res=high

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

I think a 32 inch wb would be almost as productive as 36 while it allows you access to more yards, combine that with some sort of 48, 52, or 61 inch wb and you can really move.

[ronslawncare]

i definately need the 32 for the gates alot of gates around my way and im tired of the 22 illefinately check out the toro and the greatdane demo plenty thanxs again...

[Mark]

I have scags, but my best walkbehind is my snapper 52 16hp vangard with sulky, 6yrs and only replaced 1 belt-- and there like tanks i run mine in very rought yds-- so my vote is the Snapper with Loop Steering Marks Mowing Service.

[Grassman]

I'd look at the Gateway by GreatDane. They are a 52' unit that folds to a 36" for clearing gates. I don't own one so all I can say is chek one out for yourself. I have 4 Bobcat walkbehinds, 2 36" & 2 48" with pistol grip controls and they kill my hands. The rest of the machines design is great, strong structure and reliable. However, I wouldn't by another pistol grip mower.

[ronslawncare]

thanks grassman yea alot of people on the forum say grips hurt there hands i went down to the scag dealer in my neighborhood i saw the toro with the tbar setup that looks very nice .i want to go with a hydrowith a floating deck i guess i should paymore now save later huh

[Nathan]

You should probably go out and measure most of your gates. If you don't need a 32 don't get one. We run a 32 exmark and it will be for sale before next season, we just don't need it and it isn't half the machine our 36 is. Our 36 fits through every gate we have, some are very tight but it is possible. As far as brand goes I would try some out for yourself, everyone has a preference. Don't limit yourself to t bars. I think that everyone who says that pistol grips wear out your arms have been sitting on their lazers for too long.
In my opinion most of the companies have done enough testing to the point that no new mower will cut a huge amount better than another.
In my opinion Exmark or Bobcat have very nice overall machines.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

I love pistol grips. I can arm wrestle like a bear. Seriously, its a rather good work out. More imporantly for me, I feel very secure with my grip on the mower. More so then when I've tried t-bar types.

[ronslawncare]

ok ill buy one of each then lol no ill demo both so basically im on my own with this one

[boozoo]

I can't believe no one has piped in about the Hustler walk-behind. I've tried the Pistol grips and the T-bar, and neither come close to the ease of use of the H-bar system that the Hustler employs. And the learning curve is short - I felt proficient after about 5 minutes. My helpers and I love it! The decks are tough, the stance is superior, the warranty is good. And the price was relatively low. Do you have a dealer in your area?

[jeffyr]

I don't know if anyone mentioned, but dealer location means alot to me. How far are you willing to drive and do you like the dealer?

jeffyr

[Skookum]

BOOZOO,

Is that Hustler like a motorcycle? Wrist forward to go forward, wrist back to go back. If that is correct, does that get to your wrists after a long day?

I can see the Hustler turning part being simple, it is just like a T-bar which is just like a steering wheel, which is why T-bar is easier to learn that grips.

[AB Lawn Care]

I can't tell you how scag does compaired to other brands,becouse I have never owned any other brands!But I can tell you that I love our scag walkbehind.It is a 36'' dual hydro.It also has a bagger,44'' sweeper and a 44'' blade.It is a 14hp and has awsome power!!!No repairs to date!I know that exmark is better if you plan to multch.Our 36 gets through most gates,but there are allways a few you can not get through.It is a great small lawn machine,and the cut is the best I have ever seen!

[ronslawncare]

i need one walkbehind one rideon 2trimmers,edger,backpackpack
blower,trailer ,new truck ,website,aerator,
the only dealer that is around me that i can get two when my machines breakdown is scag .but i might want a toro my mechanic pretty good he gets all my equiptment i need out in within a hour unless i need parts...i can get a exmark 4 towns away from me which were i dont work but its not to bad.im still debating ill whillpost my final decisions over the winter ..and i thankyou for all your help

[darryl]

I use a Toro 36 gear drive with the T-bar. It works great and is very easy on the hands and wrist. Main difficulty with gear drive is backing up, I don't back up alot so it does'nt bother me. I agree with the others get a 48 inch or larger cut and smaller mower.
A option to the 32 or 36 inch for gates is the Snapper 26 inch self propelled hi-wheel mower. It bags, is light(150 lb.s) compared to 400 lbs for lthe 32" walk behinds, and it sells for about $1100. This would increase your productivity on inclosed property and free up about $1000 more to spend on you larger mower.

[double e]

If your going to buy a scag- Atleast test drive a Torro
As everyone else I like the T-bar. You can use for 2 hrs., let go and feel fine. I have one 44" Torro and love it.
I can't say much about the scag, for I never used one.
But as everyone else says- Get one with close and reliable dealer.

[Scape Sculptor]

ExMark in my opinion. 48 and a 52, how many lawns with a gate do you do?

[Edited by Scape Sculptor on 11-20-2000 at 11:53 PM]

[turfman99]

In the 38 inch catogory, you should be looking a a ZTR type unit.

In 48 inch, the Great Dane Super Sufer is the way to go. Both those units are at least 25 % to 35 % more productive than the conventioanl walkbehind.

Why walk when you can ride?? You be surprised how much better you feel at the end of the day.

Check my web site for a review on the Dane.

[toddman35]

I agree with turfman a ztr will feel better at the end, but if you do want to go with the walkbehind, i would recomend toro, the T Bar steering works very good, and it wouldnt wear you out. you can also use them 1 handed which you couldnt do with a pistol grip walk behind. Plus toro and exmark have a great deal going on now, no down no intrest till april.