I need the facts on Walker mowers?

[dobronos]

I am looking at purchasing a walker mower this winter. I am pretty set on getting a Walker with the grass handling system and a 48" collection deck. I have heard that these mowers are the best out there, and I've heard that they are not reliable, break down a lot, and are expensive to fix. I need the cold heart facts on these mowers? From what I've seen I like how well they can bag wet grass and the leaves, and the beautiful cut they leave. I'd like to know the pros and cons, from the people that own them. Thanks - Mike

[Evolution IX]

I have a new Walker Mower Model MC.

Pros:
Superior Grass Handling System
Outstanding cut/press.
Flip up deck for easy Maint.
Low seat height (helps when getting under branches)
Controls are very precise
Many deck options (snowblower, plow, sweeper etc)
Auto dump and high dump are nice features
Body lifts up for easy access to main components

Cons:
Slow (speed up kit is a big help)
Smaller gas tanks
3
Middle wheel (they make a split tail depending on the lines you prefer)


Machine has A LOT of grease points. Not a big deal but takes a little longer. I don't feel it is any more maintenance then other machines. Had BobCat Pro Cat 48" and Toro Grandstand 48"
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[precision8m]

It depends on the type of lawns you do. Leaf clean ups, lots in high end neighborhoods that arent large, and small yards are a great use for a Walker. You have to charge a little more for the use, it is an added service.

If you buy used, get one with low hours. Repairs are a norm, but the two I have are reasonable as far as maintenance and repairs go.

[KS_Grasscutter]

I used to ***** about all the grease fittings until I quit greasing most of it more than once a year. Grease the drive shaft, casters, wheel bearings etc every 10ish hours. The rest IMO doesn't matter. They are fragile, you have to be careful with them. I'm as efficient on my 48" MT as I am on my 52" Grasshopper midmount since the walker is so nimble.
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[agent walker]

Keep em clean, blow out engine compartment, etc. They do have a lot of grease points. Cant beat the cut. and you can put a bigger side discharge deck on. Can't beat em for leaf cleanup. Get the power dump! Make sure you get one that has the bigger 10.5in blower. I think thats 08 or 09

[jrs.landscaping]

I don't know where you heard they were not reliable and broke easily. I'm not easy on equipment by any means, the Walker I used to run has 1800 hours on it with only a hydro and blower box being replaced, the one before that went 2900 hours without needing any components replaced. They're a great mower, keep up with maintenance and the mower will more than pay for itself. The only con I've found is speed, but you don't buy a Walker for speed.

[LLandscaping]

We have a 2006 walker mt 26 efi with 1600hrs. In my opinion they were designed for small to medium properties where bagging is needed. We only use ours on manicured turf that we maintain weekly. They don't hold hills very good.

[nickslawnltd]

Most people have given all the points. I've owned 3 in total have just one now. Again not sure where the this idea of them constantly being broke down came from. There just like any other equipment. Look after it and it will look after you. As mentioned in the above posts the only drawbacks are the speeds and holding hills. For me the speed is not this issue as I use it for smaller to medium well manicured turf. We run the ZTRs for speed and big areas

[gene gls]

I have a 1997 MT, GHS, 20hp unit with around 5500 hours on it. I changed the engin at 2900 hours, one hydro at 3400 hours, the other at 3500 hours. It purs like a kitten. I'm semi-retired now and only mow around 10 hours a week. I run a 42"deck for my ghs unit and a 62" SD deck when I can and a Buffalo Turbine blower for leaves in the fall. It is a work horse. The real beauty of the unit is that you have several decks and other attachments that are interchanable with the power unit. Its not a fast mower but it is one of the few mowers that you have compleat control of on steep areas. If you can not drive up the hill, turn around and back up. If you can stay in the seat, it will back up any hill you dare try. I have never had my Walker slide out on any slope area that I have been on. My Hustler S/Z was another story, any wet area was like driving on ice. Every mower has parts that wear out but if you do your service on some what of a regular basis your Walker will last a long time.

[SDLandscapes VT]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....52210630310438

Ours rides mostly spring and fall