one more newbie looking for a 36" W/B

[gotgreen?]

So I am interested on starting on the lawn care buss, but I am limited on funds, I went to price different W/B and i found the better price to be for the SCAG SW36A-15K, $2499.00 wich is a belt drive, I have been doing some reading on this forum and have come accross people complaining about belt drives, I told this to the salesman and he said that this is may happen more if a sulkie is being use but not a real problem if only walking. Also found on the Internet the Better Quick36 witch is a hydro for an even better price, $1995.00. I still need a trailer, 2 trimmers and 1 back pack blower, a b/u hand held and maybe an edger also, by the way, all RedMax. Later if this works out I will like to get a rider Z/T with a 52"deck, maybe a hustler or a Toro witch will compliment a 36" very well for what I have read on this forum, but now this is about the W/B and the point of this is I like to stay on the $2500 or less for this, (W/B) to keep all these in a budget. Any opinions or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Rustic Goat]

You started out on the right foot, Scag that is, then your post went downhill from there.

Folks are more willing and go out of their way more to tell you a negative or tell you of trouble. Some even about trouble they think they know about but never really experienced.

I've a 36" 15 HP, belt drive Scag, used on residential properties of all types, sizes, terrains.
Have never had a bit of trouble with drive belt slippage, even in wet grass, even in the rain.

I'm not built small, I use a sulky all the time, up and down some fairly steep inclines. So steep, going horizontally is a problem keeping the mower going straight.

NEVER have had the slightest bit of problem with drive belt slippage.

Only belt I had to replace this last year was the blade drive belt and that was caused by the high dollar blades I was trying out clogged and jambed, burned a spot on the belt.

[grassrootsinab]

I have a gear drive 38" Deere. I bought it used for about 1/2 of new cost with only 200hrs on it. After running it for a year and a half, I notice that my productivity would go up if I didn't have to three point turn or go around the whole yard a second time to get rid of the "tear-drops" left when I turn. The hydro drive WB will turn a little better (the inside wheel actually turns back) so you're not left with the unfinished turn. Cleaning this up can take a few extra minutes per yard. I'm wishing now I'd spent a bit more on a hydro drive.

As far as tracking or pulling a sulky (I have a single velky), it pulls me no problems (I'm 225 pounds) and haven't experience any slipping. It does cut nicer without pulling me though.

[creek chub]

I agree with grassroots. I just bought a emark belt drive, I'm happy with it's overall performance. However, a hydro will be more productive if you can afford it.

If you can't that's ok. It'll make you appreciate the day you can afford a hydro. I'm already planning on a larger hydro next and use my 36" belt drive for misc. stuff and gated yards.

Good Luck

[blankenshiplawncare]

I find myself not as concerned with the belt drive as the ability to adjust the deck with out a hydraulic lift and a pit crew. I agree with the weight issue, I am no light weight at 205 and my Exmark 36" pulls me on a single wheel skully fine (belt driven). I just can't stand changing the deck height. I have found on most residential yards I need to use my WB because of weight of the mower. I have a JD 717 and it will leave mud tracks on a wet yard.

Good luck on your venture.

[lawnranger44]

We have an eXmark metro 36" and it's belt-drive. It satisfies our needs but a hydro would be a lot more productive. I would recommend looking into the better quick 36. I have not used it personally but you might want to get more details and maybe demo it.

[creek chub]

do a search on the quick 36! If I remember correctly, it didn't get great reviews.

[The C Man]

Originally posted by creek chub
do a search on the quick 36! If I remember correctly, it didn't get great reviews.

You remember INcorrectly. I've had mine for a month. It's light, easy to maneuver, and compact as heck.

[creek chub]

My bad c man. The bad reviews were for their aerators.

Creek Chub

[The C Man]

Originally posted by creek chub
My bad c man. The bad reviews were for their aerators

Well you're one up on me, I didn't even know they made aerators!

[creek chub]

I didn't either. I found it when doing a search on the quick 36. Which I confused with the mower.

[gotgreen?]

Well after some research, I think I will be going with the Quick36, mainly for the lower price plus it has good reviews and I kind of like the idea of 3 blades, also I have asked a couple of local guys, who have not heard about the Quick36 by the way, about trimmers and blowers and they said to start with products from Home Depot or Lowes, then if this takes off to go with the commercial stuff, this to keep a lower budget. Does anybody agree? Your opinion with pros and cons will be appreciated.

[Steve9]

Nothing wrong with the Home Depot versions to get started. Thats what i have and Im not upgrading until they give out. Well that was a long time ago. Im still using my Toro 22 thats still hasnt quit to compliment my Skag. I have the xact Skag your looking at. Built tough, nothing fancy but will last forever and esy to work on.

[luv2fly]

Gotgreen,

I purchased my Echo weed eater, edger and JD WB mower at Home Depot. Because they had no interest or payments for a year. That was three years ago. At that time it was for my son who had six yards including ours. Well things expanded and I upgraded to an Exmark. Back to your question. I now have 18 yards and the Home Depot stuff is doing just fine. When they die I will go the higher end equipment.

Good Luck!

Luv2fly

[SCAG POWER]

After looking a severial different types of walk behinds i went for the SCAG 15 HP. V-TWIN KAW, liked the design of the mower, and the service from the dealer.

Then about a month ago i added a ZTRACK 727A from JohnDeere, the reason is that Deere had a good program.So i went with it.

Most of the people that i see run SCAG or Deere and they seem to be doing well.:gunsfirin

[gotgreen?]

I guess a bargain can be expensive after all, still looking for a lawnmower, the Quick 36 still the best price, but I visited another 2 dealers and I found out that dealer support can be very important in the business, I went to look at the Exmark Metro 36" M3615KCC belt drive with ECS control for $2499 and Ferris UltraBelt GD 36" BGF36KAV15 with pistol controls for $2599, both more expensive than the Quick 36, but this 2 dealers offer something that the Quick 36, an internet dealer, and the SCAG dealer do not: if the machine needs repair and they can not fix it the same day they will let me borrow another machine to keep on mowing, also this 2 dealers are a lot closer to my home. I really like the ECS control and also the Exmark being $100 in my pocket, I don't worry much about the Kohler engine, I know for personal experience that they are good engines, and I don’t like the feeling of the pistol controls, so I guess I have a winner on my look for a commercial lawnmower. Am I on the right track? Is dealer support really worth the extra $500? (I think it is) Your opinion and critics are welcome. Thank you.