Would a 36" be my best bet?

[new2thebiz]

I just got started this year and am currently using a 42" riding lawn tractor for my larger accounts and a 24" commercial self propelled push mower for my smaller ones. I plan to get a new commercial walkbehind in the spring, and was wondering if I would be better off to go with a 36", which I could use on all of my lawns, or if I should just get something bigger like a 52" to cut back more time on the larger lawns?

Right now I have 12 accounts,

5 are about 1/2 acre, or about 1 1/2 hrs with the rider.
1 is about an acre, 2 hrs 15 min with the rider.
The other 6 are small, 30-45 min withe the 24".

These times include trimming and blowing, and I plan to grow about 20 accounts for next year, I'm guessing the size ratio will stay about the same.

So what do you guys thinkwould save me more time overall, a 36" on all of them, or a 52" on just the larger ones?

[gml9]

36 no question...then your set for any lawn since you have a larger rider....those 30 minute lawns will take 12 minutes or so going to a 36. Trust me on this....I started with a 46 rider and push, then got a 52 WB with a 21 SP...and I still need that 36....6 yrs and counting.

[EastProLawn]

Originally posted by gml9
36 no question...then your set for any lawn since you have a larger rider....those 30 minute lawns will take 12 minutes or so going to a 36. Trust me on this....I started with a 46 rider and push, then got a 52 WB with a 21 SP...and I still need that 36....6 yrs and counting. Yep, what he said..........

[new2thebiz]

thanks for the advice, I was leaning towards the 36 anyways, but just wanted to get some oppinions from people with more experience than me first.

[HOOLIE]

No doubt, a 36 is a must-have for any LCO. Fits thru almost any gate, but still big and fast enough to get some grass cut.

[Lawn Sharks]

Not to be nosy but why does it take 1.5 hours to mow a half an acre with a 42" rider? I have a client whose half acre is so weird that I cant do it with my 48" so I do it with the 21" Toro and it only takes me about 50 minutes. Getting a good commercial 36 is good advice as it sounds like you speeds are too low with the rider.

Best of luck.

[new2thebiz]

Originally posted by Keth
Not to be nosy but why does it take 1.5 hours to mow a half an acre with a 42" rider? I have a client whose half acre is so weird that I cant do it with my 48" so I do it with the 21" Toro and it only takes me about 50 minutes. Getting a good commercial 36 is good advice as it sounds like you speeds are too low with the rider.

Best of luck.


They dont all take me 1.5 hours, it ranges from a little over an hour to an hour and a half. But yea I do go pretty slow with the rider. Its only a 900.00 mtd lawn tractor, far from getting a commercial looking cut unless you keep the speed at about 2 mph. I figure that since I only have a dozen accounts for now, I might as well take a little extra time to make them look as good as possible so I can get some referrals and be able to afford that 36.

[Lawn Sharks]

Ahh, good for you. Take your time and do it right and new accounts will come.

Best of luck.

[Lawnboy112]

If you want something fairly good and cheap, go with the dixon zeeter or zeeter HL they have 30" 36" and 42" models. 30" starts a 2099" there ztrs so there a little more $$$ but worth it. I have the Dixon 4515B 42" 15.5 Briggs. Works like a horse. Great power. Just my two cents. Good luck.

[Trevors Lawn Care]

Just recently bought a 36 and am loving it. Saves 2 hours per week

Trevor

[dcondon]

we had a 42in W/B, we sold it and bought a 36in W/B. Best thing we ever did. Ended up picking some new accounts because of getting through small gates.

[new2thebiz]

thanks again guys, looks like I'll get a 36" for sure then.

[Lawn Sharks]

If you have a Wright dealer nearby look at the Wright 36" Stander. We don't have them around here but the other day the wife and I went over to Saratoga to watch the horses run and we saw a guy unloading a Wright 36" so I pulled over to watch. Nimble little machine that not only was fast but made nice stripes. Worth looking into in my opinion. Nearest dealer is 25 miles away so it may be tough for me but I was intrigued. They went through a small gate at about 6 mph. He he. :)

Best of luck in your decision.

[new2thebiz]

Yeah the Wright standers do look nice, I wonder how they would be on hills? Doesnt really matter for me though, no Wright dealers anywhere nearby. I'm looking at Gravely, JohnDeere, and possibly the Quick 36. Still have to demo the Gravely and the Deere, probably sometime next month. Anyone have any of these in a 36? Any comments would be appreciated.

[MImowerkid]

no offense lawnboy112 but I would caution anybody who wants to get a dixon they get pretty upset if they find out if you mow more than one lawn with the tractor , I have a long story , but to cut to the chase they ignore all warrentys pretty quickly if you are doing 5 lawns of so like in my case , they also don't hold up very well at all I ended up selling mine after a year and getting a real mower .

[PMLAWN]

Started with a 48 and had to use a 21 a lot. Now we use a 36 on most of our RES. and it works great. Get the 36-get a few more lots that it works well on and make money and than go get a 52.

That was the easy part, now try to figure out what color.

[LHSlawnman86]

the toro 44 inch t-bar W/B is awesome , go for that

[BostonGuy]

I have a 36" Gravely with a 14 hp Kawasaki. It will be a night and day difference going to one of these from a non comercial rider. Nicer cut and at least twice the speed. I've never used any other so I can't compare them for you. Good luck. Hope you are able to afford a new 36.

[new2thebiz]

BostonGuy,

So your saying that even though the 36" will be 6" less than my rider, it will still be able to cut the larger lawns in less time?

[BostonGuy]

I don't have a sulky. I can mow as fast as I feel like walking/jogging. If you can mow at that speed with your rider, then no. Make sure you don't skimp on the motor. You will regret it until you buy another.

[new2thebiz]

Yeah I guess I really didnt think about the speed difference, I have to go Real slow with the rider that I have now. How do you like the Gravely 36" that you have? I've been leaning towards that mower since I have a dealer close by that has a prety decent reputation. Do you have a gear or hydro drive?

[txlawnking]

New, I, too would suggest a 36" machine of some type.. I NEED one in the worst way... If you can pony up the bread for one, I'd deffinatelly get the Wright Stander... If not, get a cheap belt, like a Lesco..