21" or 36"

[Island Lawn]

I'm cash strapped and need to upgrade!

I started last year p/t on a sears credit card.
Craft 21", trimmer/edger combo, homelite handheld blower.
Well it got me started and never had any problems. I feel this stuff would make good back-up equip.

I am solo and do a pro job for the small, high end residentials in my area.
My min. stop is 50.00. After the first hr, I get 50.00 hr.
I am not a low-baller! (anymore)
Not many people take me up on this, but I do a lot of shopping around for prospects. Also, with my low overhead, I dont need many.
Most of my lawns are under 7,500 sq. ft. This year ALL of my lawns will be under 7,500 sq. ft and on annual agreement.

MY QUESTION IS, Would a 36" (48") make me any more productive on such small properties, many w/ trees and such to go around.

Between dealer financing and my $, I have a paltry 2,200.00.
I can either get a husky 36" wb for the full 2,200
and replace the craftsman stuff ASAP
or,
since I am concentrating on the smaller properties,
should I just go w/comm. 21"trimmer, edger, bp blower, ect. and get a bigger mower later when I can better afford it. Which shouldnt be too long
I'm leaning towards the latter.

[65hoss]

Go find an exmark dealer in your area. The 36" belt drive with Kawi is around $1999. Get the mulch kit for $110 and you will have a beautiful cut. All your customers will think it was bagged. But only you need to know :)

It will make you more productive and look a lot better. The wider the cut the smoother the lawn. I have one, and I never use the 21" for anything.

[RYAN]

I agree with 65 Hoss, get a 36 inch exmark. It will make the work a lot faster and easier, and will allow you to take on more work when it comes. If you plan to grow get the exmark.

[Scape Sculptor]

For sure go get a Exmark... I started with a 48".

[kutnkru]

I would also agree that your production will increase with a 36" wb for obvious reasons.

If you are planning to stay with small lots under 6m/sf I would upgrade to a 36. If you are planning to upgrade to say 6-12m/sf lots than I would consider the purchase of a 48" wb.

Just my .02
Kris

[LWNMWRMN]

A 21" mower at 3.5 mph will only do about a half an acre an hour vs. a 36" at 3.5.mph will do almost a full acre a hour. BIG improvment! Also, stick with the Exmark. Don't know about were you are, but an Exmark up her is about $2200.

[bob]

Get a bigger mower than the 21". After the first day that you use it , you'll wish that you'd bought it earlier! A larger mower will allow you to do more properties and make more money, in the same time it took you to do it with the 21". I started out with a 21" mower ,and now I won't even take on a lawn that requires using one! (Have 2 61" mowers)

[John DiMartino]

Wider is better-go for it,36's stripe nice too

[gusbuster]

Go with the biggest possible width on mower that you can afford. In my case, it wouldn't be pratical to use anything bigger than a 21". I wish I could. Take a look at how close the houses I serve.
http://jlclandscaping.com/lawnsite/so_many_houses.htm
See what I mean.

Just make sure that you keep your 21" to get through small fences.
John

[Island Lawn]

I'm talking to Exmark tommorow!
My residential stuff will have to do while I upgrade it as I can.
What kind of price diff between 36" & 48"?
There are lots of properties similar to the ones that gusbuster has on his link. All my current clients are comparable to this.
I doubt if a 48" would fit on my small stuff!
I'm leaning toward the 36".
I'm a one man show and I just cant take on the bigger properties. I offer a complete service and mowing is just part of it. I spend considerable time on hedging and pruning.
I am planning to grow and have a crew. Maybe this year, but doubtful. I feel I need more experience/ mgt skills
I can always upgrade later, right?
Thanks, everyone, for your help!

[Edited by Island Lawn on 01-21-2001 at 03:21 PM]

[lawrence stone]

Island Lawn I have a 44" Toro I would like to sell for $1000 with a Toro bagging kit. Comes set up with double blades (gators and oem). Has new carb, recoil ratchet, spring and rope and runs as good as a new unit.

Add the sulky of your choice and you are riding instead of walking.

You could work out of a pick up with this 44" and your crapsman with a handy ramp end gate.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1209854&a=11104797

[TGCummings]

John,

Why can't you run a 36" on those lawns and cut down your time? When the lawns are growing down here, I put my 36" on lawns those size and cut my mowing time down some by using it. Having several in a row that size would seem to cut time down considerably with a larger machine. Why would it be impractical?

-TGC

[Scape Sculptor]

Gusbuster...You should be able to use a 36" on all those lawns. Seriously consider it. I would use a 36".

[jcanada]

i am also in the market for a new walk behind mower. it will only be used on my own lawn. my lawn is approximately a half acre. how well do 36" wb's trim around trees? aren't the decks and tires basically the same width. just curious to see what the mowing experts think. what brands are the best. how are the john deeres. thank you.

[gusbuster]

Some things I considered:
1. Though it would cut down on cutting time, moving them from client to client would be a problem.
2. The pictures don't show just how small backyard gates are. Sometimes I have a problem getting my straight deck through the back door.
3. Weight is the biggest reason that every L.C.O. in my area uses the 21" decks. Some of these places only have access to the backyard via the garage. So we have to lift the machine through the house sometimes.Or, climb(lift) up stairs.Also, we need the lightes possible machines, so not to mark up lawns too much as we cut all year.
4. I have always used 21" mowers. Just the most practical way to cut 90% of the lawns I do.
Just a business choice that I don't spend money. I do not think that I would be able to do any more work than I currently do. I just get by with the maintenance side of my business. I make my money with the sod istallation.
John

[Redmowers]

My 48 hydro is very manuverable around trees .I upgraded up from a 33" can almost double my output .I should have bought it sooner,yes it was expensive I now have more time and a rain doesent put me as far behind.Go for the widest deck you can.

[TGCummings]

Oh, I gotcha, John. We've got the same gate problems down here. I still take a couple 21" Toros with me everyday to catch the backyards on many places. In fact, right now I'm using the 21"s just about everywhere since growth is so slow I don't need the extra power. But with Spring growth coming, I'm definitely putting the big machine back to work as much as possible.

If you run a crew you could work a 33" or 36" on those front yards while having a guy cut the backs with a push mower. I still think it'd save you a lot of time/money (and energy!) :)

-TGC

[Island Lawn]

Found a local Skag dealer today.
Very small and off the beaten path
He offered me a 36" belt for $2000.00
Then proceeded to find me $5500.00 (MBNA)

This evening, my local Gravely dealer calls me to tell me they are picking up the Exmark line.
She offered me a 36" belt for $2200.00

I also have a Toro dealer a bit further down the road....

Decisions. Decisions.

[65hoss]

The $200 dollar difference is worth it to get the exmark. But I would ask for a better deal. For the last 2 years exmark has been offering the 36" metro for $1999. I bet if you really wanted one, someone will sell it to you for that. Add $110 for mulch kit and your on your way. :D

[Island Lawn]

36"
Whats the diff hydro/belt drive?
floating/fixed deck?

My exmark dealer "only stocking hydro/floaters"

I like the ergonomics of Toro T-bar handle.
I like the reputation of eXmark mulching ability.
Can I get these things in a hybrid Toro/eXmark model?

Stone, You are a long way off.
How much to ship that 44"?

[Edited by Island Lawn on 02-05-2001 at 09:55 AM]

[lawrence stone]

If you buy a toro with a fixed deck you get a eXmark with toro steering.

Jeff from NJ has two of these machines ask him for an equipment review.

[Strawbridge Lawn]

Alot of folks mention that you should go with the widest deck you can, BUT that sort of implies you have customers with with no fences or gates. It depends on your area.
If you are marketing in an area with lots of of fences/gates compare the back yard to the front yard SQ Footage. In my area 80% of the back yards are bigger than the front and 70% have fences/gates of various widths. So staying with a 36" that can actually get into these back yards would actually be more efficient and the 21" can stay on the trailer. Don't put yourself in a situation where the 48 is cutting 3K Sq FT and the 21 is cutting 4K Sq FT cuz the 48 won't get through the gates. Just a thought to keep in mind. I want a 44 or 49 ZTR really bad, but with all the gates it becomes an issue of efficiency. Some day I hope to have both.
Strawbridge Lawn and Landscape

[lawman]

go with the e-mark 48 inch that way it will take you less time per yard. you shill have a 21 for the gates and the trim.

[Island Lawn]

How 'bout it Jeff from NJ?
How is that cut with the fixed deck compared with the Toro floating deck?

With the 36", I hope to realize a real productivity jump with I do real small stuff right now.
If I grow as planned, I'll just get me a rider and have the 36" for gates and trim

[awm]

Im a bit hesitant to advise you,as your approach
is different than most and sounds good.
I would advise a wider walk behind though.
You might find that with a 21 and 36 or whatever
your output would increase a good deal working
the same hrs.

[Island Lawn]

Stone,
You wrote,
"a toro w/ a fixed deck is an exmark with Toro steering."

Could I use the eXmark striping roller on this model?