Permagreen, real deal or bad deal?

[Stripper]

I'm sure this has been discussed in countless other posts, but I'm trying to figure out what the problem could be.

I was in Lesco today buying next application and asked the employee about the PG they have in stock. He told me they've had trouble out of all the PG's they sold this year. In a nutshell, he had nothing nice to say about them. He likes the idea of the machine, but thought it was too unreliable. I don't know if this is true or not, but he also told me I would not be able to buy parts directly from Permagreen, would have to go through dealer?

What I'm trying to figure out is, does Permagreen have a quality control issue or is it the operater. Guy at Lesco said they had trouble with pumps, clutches, throttle cables, and electrical problems. These were 2004 models he was talking about. From what I've heard so far is, you either love it or hate it.

Permagreen have been perfecting this machine for around 10 years now? I can't believe they are having this much trouble with the ultra? :confused:

[James Cormier]

There are soo many posts on this site about all these issues, get a cup of joe and take a sunday afternoon and search, click on my search button you'll find a lot...

I assume you read the perma green post at the top of the pesticide page right?

we ( the consumer ) are PG's R&D department, that is the reason for the quality control problems, I own 2 different types ( centri & ultra ) I haven't had much " problems " like some, but I have issues with overall design of both machines

Small example, the gas tank on the ultra works fine, its just way to small and its put somewhere you cant see the level and impossible to fill with out spilling a little. Thats piss poor design.

the machine is full of those.


Would I ever go back to pushing and pulling ?, no way, would I ever buy another PG? nope.

IF Tom Rich built a 36" machine with a lesco hopper I would buy it tomorrow, Better yet I think Tom Rich should get some investors and buy the perma green patent and merge both machines and it would be killer.

Feel free to email as well or call me sometime, my phone number is on my website

[mcambrose]

I've been considering the PG or Z spray for a couple of months. Just thought you should look at all of the feedback in old messages. It seems the Z-spray is a much sturdier unit. If I buy, it will be Z-spray based on overall comments here. I think the new design using a hydraulcally driven spreader is the best out there.

[ArchiesLawns]

Hey Stripper,

Read my reply at the top of this page.

Should answer your question!

I agree with James C. go with the Z-spray.

It cost alittle more, but you get what you pay for.

Plus, do a search on Z-spray and you don't find the negative responses like you do on the PG.

Archie

[rob1325]

I own PG and IMO I love mine. I dont have many problems with it. They do require a lot of maintence. I looked at the Z-Spray but do not like the Spyker Hopper and the medal parts. I had one on my older PG and it did not spread good at all and always used to gum up on adjuster. I don't know if Spyker improve on this at all though.

[LwnmwrMan22]

I think it just depends on how much you're going to use it as well.

In my other posts, I state that I merely use it for spraying broadleafs and spreading granular applications.

I did try to use Primo Maxx with the sprayer one time, however with the droplet size, not actually submersing the entire plant in liquid, I believe that the carrier was my problem.

Anyways, I do 28 or so stops throughout the year, 4 apps.

I've only 1 problem so far, and that's my starter is out.

I haven't taken the time yet to see if it's a wire that came loose, or the actual starter went out.

However, any time I take it off to do an app, everything else has worked fine.

[James Cormier]

Starter problems...ahh another great pg let down, From what I heard from a pg insider, almost all ultra's had bad starters ( 1st year models ) Everyone at all lesco stores didnt work when I bought mine last spring.

It was mid rd1 when I got mine so I didnt worry about it until I got done with rd 2 to fix it, I was a little surprise to find out Pg wanted to charge my credit card for the new starter until they got the old one back.

I called them on that, they told me " your lucky where offering to cover it, we ( pg ) didnt make the starters but where eating them to keep you guys happy "

I m not kidding this is what I was told over the phone, I was stunned, I said chevy dosent make every part on my truck, but they stand behind the whole thing cause they sold me the whole truck, why dosesnt this apply to you machine?

but hay its sure is better than pushing a spreader all day:)

[LwnmwrMan22]

James -

That's not the first time I've had a company tell me they're not covering a part.

A "big company that has red mowers that bought out the competition that bascially made the same mower" mower company told me they were going to charge me for a hydraulic pump until they get reimbursed for the one that broke under warranty, then they'd give me a credit at my local dealership for other parts.

I said no, then stopped using Toros after 10 years.

[James Cormier]

22, I would assume in that case the dealer let you down, Ive bought stuff from that same big comapany and had problems, but my dealer wanted my business so he stood behind me,replaced the part then he fought behind the scenes with the manufactour.

With Pg, that was different, my first pg I bought direct from them, when I had problems I had to wait for parts and then fix them myself, I wasnt very happy with that

So my next machine I bought from lesco, thinking that would solve that problem, lesco should stock parts for machines they sell right? well not the parts that break, they were just the middle man, I would go in an say part x broke, they would call pg, order the part then call me an say its in, then leave the machine with them to ship to a store that has service and wait for it too come back.

That dosnet work much better.

[LwnmwrMan22]

James -

Yeah, that's why I figured I'd get mine straight from PG, the Lesco service part. Not that they have bad service, but I can fix my own, rather than truck it in 30 miles, to drop it off, to drive 30 miles again to pick it up.

However, unlike you, I don't make my living doing apps.

I've got mine, I'd say more or less as a toy.

I'm starting round 3 and have 35 hours on my PG if that says anything. :)

[golfgreen]

Its such a bummer that pg has its problems with service and working through kinks on the ultra. (as James stated R&R is the buyers) They have a cool product and I must admit, I am new to them(riding sprayer/spreaders), being in the Golf business so long.

Hopefully they can rebound. I have always based my loyalty to companies on service. Most people do. As an example, I purchase fertilizers/seed/ and chemicals from a local, independent company. What a difference from using lesco. Nothing against Lesco but they are similar to the huge, conglomerate called Trugreen. Service is everything.

I want to buy a ride on spreader/sprayer and looking at other options. The only one I know of is Z Spray and I need more info on it. Is there another option?

Golggreen

[James Cormier]

Golf, Lesco has their HPS ride on spreader, its seems good, hydro drive but no spray system. I’m not sure how tough it is because it’s kind of like a 100lb stainless with a sulky.

Pilgrim has one, I’m sure he would answer any questions.

There’s a company in FLA that makes a sit down spreader sprayer that is based on the walker chassis, I like that idea cause it allows you to spray at higher rates, but it’s a much bigger machine and you really need a trailer for it.

You really hit the nail on the head with the PG, It’s such a great design and concept, its small enough to get onto small lawns and trucks and does okay on large properties as well. I’m very critical of them but I tell you I use mine all day everyday, I was talked into the ultra, thinking it was head over heals better than my centri, but the improvements they made on the ultra didn’t out shine the step backwards they took from the centri.

BTW, are you the guy that emailed me a few days ago? I assume it is you…..welcome aboard

Jim

[TSM]

I stumbled across this unit (the Rabbit). dont know anything about it, other than what the website says.

might be worth looking into, i dont know??

check it out here:
http://www.gncindustries.com/xcart/customer/home.php

[golfgreen]

That was me Jim.

The HPS machine is another good option for me. I did take it for a test drive. Not bad and cheaper unit because it does not have the sprayer.(which is good for a young company) The idea of not having a sprayer/spreader scares me because then I have to drag a hose with a 200 gallon spayer or something like that for weed control and post Crab. Or bp it. The Idea of sprayer/spreader unit is so simple and I like simple.

My company is starting slow and I am part time and will keep my FT job for about a year and a half. Right now I am using just a push spreader and backpack sprayer and I am amazed at how I am able to manage.(Residentials)

I am now in discussions on contracts for sports fields and a other large properties and only when I get these accounts will I get a ride on.

Hopefully PG can correct the problems by the time I will need one for next year.

Pilgrim- It would be great if you could chime in on your experience with the HPS. If thats what you use, do you apply liquids with a hose?

Thanks for listening
golfgreen

[qps]

Have a centri PG unit with less than 300 hrs.....will be using it for a boat anchor at the end of this season......z-sprayer here I come.

[HayBay]

I have the HPS, I was thinking about the PermaGreen but decided not to because of the problems I have read.

If you do a search for Hps and my name you will see a bunch of pictures. Some pictures include the drop in sprayer that you can use with it.

I really like the HPS , I have not used the permaGreen or Zspray. I do know that the hps is cheaper price wise than the others.

So far no problems. Does a good job, holds the hills excellent. Steering is a good workout with 125Lbs of fert in the spreader. Its as if you are riding a walkbehind mower and steering the sulkey, if that makes sense.

There is an application speed and a transport speed. Top speed is about 5.5mph. Batterys run for about 2 - 9 Gallon applications before needing recharge. 1.5 hours max. I have mine calibrated to spray approx 30,000 sq ft per 9 gallons. once you get the hang of it you can jump curbs if needed.

[Pilgrims' Pride]

I'm still very happy with the HPS as haybay says it's great on hills and will go anywhere.
I also have a sprayer (from pg) mounted to the unit.
I get about 16000 ft out of it and I still spread at the same time.
I really have nothing bad to say about it.
It's a good machine that has served me well so far this season.

Someone asked if I spray by hose, Yes I do have a 300 gal sprayer that I use for weed & feed apps.
I use it mainly for those property's that need a total blanket weed spray.
I do have a PG centri that I've become quite fond of as well.
It is nowhere as steady on hills though.

I am reconsidering and planning for next season now.
I am considering a z-spray for next year. It will give greater range for servicing and from what I hear it will perform on hills and so forth as well.

Time to make the grass grow,

Bob