Exmark Metro HP ?

[Mowman]

Anyone out there running this machine? If so what size engine would you suggest? Looking at the 48" deck. Are you running their mulching kit? Any input will be much appreciated. Getting ready to buy. My 21" Toro Commerical took a $hit yesterday. Guess now may be the time to upsize? Thanks Again. Mowman

[lawrence stone]

I have a 44&quot; Toro with a toro bagging kit I would like to sell in PA for $1200 in<br>great turn key condition.

[Toroguy]

Mowman,<br>I bought a Metro Hp this spring. No complaints. Mine has 16 horse Briggs Vanguard, hasnt bogged down yet. I side discharge but plan to mulch this Fall.

[Kevin]

I have an 48&quot; eXmark metro hp with a 15hp kohler and the micro mulch plates. I'm just not a kaw engine fan. It works excellent, stripes awesome.

[Toddppm]

I have the 36 12.5 Kaw with the mulch kit, belt drive. Good machine except for the belt on one side comes off when pulling machine backwards alot. Getting to ready to make the last payment! Just had to put a block gasket on it too. Also have the 48 Viking Hydro w/15 Kohler , thats a sweet machine no problems at all.

[Richard Martin]

I have a 2000 Exmark 36&quot; Metro. I love this machine. I replaced a 1990 Woods 36&quot; hydro with it and it really is saving me a lot of time. The only problems I am having with it are the 12.5 Kawasaki, they have replaced the base (block) gasket twice and the oil filter adapter continues to leak oil.

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Glad I read this post. I was planning on buying a 36&quot; WB this week and was leaning towards the Metro but this make 4 reports of block gasket problems I've heard of (2 online and 2 local). Think I'll have to reconsider the eXmark. Maybe a Gravely? <p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

[Lazer]

Last time I checked neither Exmark nor Gravely made their own engines.<p>If you're into buying an base price mower, it's tough to beat the Toro 48&quot; fixed deck 14HP Kaw for 1900.00

[Richard Martin]

Grassroots Lawn Care wrote:<p>{Think I'll have to reconsider the eXmark. Maybe a Gravely?}<p>Anyone that would buy a Gravely over an Exmark hasn't done their homework. The Gravely comes with the same 12.5 Kawasaki engine that the Exmark comes with. That is where the similarities end though. The Exmark is just plainly a better machine than the Gravely is. My buddy has a 36&quot; Gravely and I let him try out my new 36&quot; Exmark. He said he liked the Exmark better.

[Evan528]

well its not like i love gravely particularly but i must say that 36 is a great machine. my gravely 36 is over five years old and i have not spent a nickel on it for repairs since ive had it! thats about the only gravely mower id buy again. i had a gravely rider i just sold and i hated it... cut like crap and always something breaking... its funny how a company can make to diffeent mowers with such diffrent level of quality. i think the gravely 36 with a 14hp kawisaki are 2000 now... for that price you should grab one.

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Richard, <p>I have indeed done my homework and think that a Gravely would be a better machine for my business. I have had several people (online and locals) tell me about the problems they have had with their Exmarks. Sure it gives a great cut. How's it cut when it's in the shop for repairs? Not too good I'd assume. Meanwhile I have several friends in the business that have run their Gravelys into the ground, some with 7 years on them that have never needed any repairs. Also I have a Gravely dealer within 10 minutes of my two major cutting routes and the Exmark dealer is over 45 minutes away. Done my homework. Made my decision. Thanks for you input.<p>PS The Gravely does NOT come with the same 12.5 Kaw engine that the Exmark comes with. Its equiped with a 14 HP Kawasaki.<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida<p><br>&lt;font size=&quot;1&quot;&gt;Edited by: GrassRoots Lawn Care<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: GrassRoots Lawn Care

[Richard Martin]

GrassRoots Lawn Care wrote:<p>{Done my homework. Made my decision. Thanks for you input.<p>PS The Gravely does NOT come with the same 12.5 Kaw engine that the Exmark comes with. Its equiped with a 14 HP Kawasaki.}<p>I'm sorry, I thought you were soliciting advice with your statement: &quot;Maybe a Gravely?&quot;. Also, the Gravely 36&quot; comes standard with the 12.5 Kawasaki, the 14 is an upgrade. <p><br>

[John DiMartino]

I have a friend with a gravely 36 pro,it has a 12.5 Kohler command.it is 5 years old and never has had a wrench turned on it,other than blades and filters/oil.it is bulletproof-even fell off the trailer and didnt get hurt.I'd buy one in a minute if I had a residentials.<p>----------<br>John D<br>

[Tim O]

I realize this response has nothing to do with the Exmark HP, but I noticed the thread got sidetracked to discussing the Gravely 36.<br>I am a homeowner with a large lawn and just put a downpayment on a Gravely PRO 150 with a 14hp Kawasaki and 36 inch deck. It was the best deal out there for a 36 gear drive in my area. Any comments on how satisfied you are with the cut quality? Bagging ability? Mulching? of the 36 inch Gravely. I am just looking for some assurance that I made the right move buying this machine. Thanks, Tim

[Tim O]

<p>&lt;font size=&quot;1&quot;&gt;Edited by: Tim O<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: Tim O

[Richard Martin]

Okay, this will be my last word about Gravelys. I have one, a 50&quot; Pro 150. So far to date (the machine is a little over two years old) I have had these problems: Microswitchs for the safety in the handlebars went bad, left hand tension spring for the drive belts broke, both of the single sided caster yolks keep bending, the mower deck frame is bent, the shifter lever bolt keeps backing out and the caster yolks kept tightening up in the plastic bushing and eventually would not let the front wheels rotate making the machine difficult to turn. All of this might make you think that maybe I just got a bad machine but my buddy has an identical machine and he has had a lot of the same problems.

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Richard,<p>I can certainly understand why you do not like Gravely machines after the list of problems you have had with yours. Did the dealer offer an assistance with you problems?<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

[rixtag]

Just in case anyone cares. I an eXmark 36 belt drive that is over 10 years old (honda powered) and it is an awsome machine. Doesn't use a drop of oil and it stripes very well. It take plenty of use and abuse with out affecting the cut or any downtime. I will defintely upgrade when due to another eXmark woith the blink of an eye. Dealer support is awsome. With eXmark if you pay to overnight the parts needed for repairs and it does not ship, you get the part for free ( non warranty). Just a few thoughts from an eXmark only owner.

[Richard Martin]

Mike (GrassRoots Lawn Care) wrote:<p>{I can certainly understand why you do not like Gravely machines after the list of problems you have had with yours. Did the dealer offer an assistance with you problems?)<p>Yes, he helped with every single one. But, it's like buying a alternator from Trak Auto that has a lifetime warranty. The warranty doesn't do you any good out in the middle of nowhere. I need machines that will perform flawlessly day-after-day. I take excellant care of my machines and I expect the machines to take care of me.