Billy Goat 34" vs Exmark Metro 36

[RAlmaroad]

Guys:
This is for my own lawn. I have a Kabota 60" belly mower that I use for most of the lawn, road and places that allow me. However, I have some that cannot be mowed with the big tractor (Diesel) and wondering if there are Pro's or Con's against each of these mowers. So far, as I see from ads, the Exmark does not have a side discharge. If anyone has personal use, please comment. Not much difference in price so features and cut are what I wonder about. I do not mow for nobody. Or if any suggestions to another mower, please let me know.
Thanks,
Roy

[LawnMan19]

The exmark metro 36'' is a side discharge mower, do you by chance mean the exmark metro 26''?

[RAlmaroad]

Originally Posted by LawnMan19

The exmark metro 36'' is a side discharge mower, do you by chance mean the exmark metro 26''?

Probably so, I've only seen photos. The local dealer is having the company rep bring both this weekend. They are even going to let me take each for a home trial. Of the two, I'm leaning towards the Billy Goat as it does look a little tougher than the Exmark. (I do like the looks of it) Thanks for the reply. Roy

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

I mow my own lawn with a Billy Goat HP3400. Personally, I love it on my 3/4 acre as it cuts really well and takes up little space in my garage.

The Exmark 36 it is a very different unit. The Billy Goat is a Homeowner targeted machine whereas the Exmark is commercial so there is a sizable spread between the units price wise. The are both 2 blade with side discharge. Height adjustment is easier on the Exmark as commercial cutter adjust height more frequently to suit customer needs. To turn the Billy Goat you use body english, to turn the Exmark you use the pistol controls to turn the unit. Cut quality wise I feel very confident of the Billy Goat but I have not run the Exmark side by side.

Ask for a demo and choose the one that best fit your needs.

[jiggz]

The exmark will run circles around that billy goat.. Its not even a question..they are not remotly in the same class.. The exmark is a side dischards btw..if your not going threw gates you also might want to consider a 48..alot bigger and they ride/ cut the same and should be within a hundred or 2 dollars
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[Eastcoaster]

Reviving this thread out of interest for the Billy Goat HP3400 Homepro.

Too many times on here when lurking I find that someone like myself who is looking for a better alternative for HOMEOWNER grade mowing over a typical 21" mower....
The subject gets turned into how bad these mowers are for commercial use.

I am looking at the HP3400 to cut my mowing time in HALF (about 3/4 of an acre where hills are not a concern) so as to be able to cut more often and have more time to spend with my family. I would be mulching the majority of the time but would probably buy the bagger with the mower as well.

Also, the HP3400 seems to be less of a maintenance nightmare/more "simple" design than others in the "homeowner" class such as the Sutech Stealth, Cub Cadet, etc. (which after seeing a Cub locally, seems that it mulches horribly)

I have read every thread that I could find on the Stealth so don't need anyone unloading on how bad that they feel that unit is.

So, any thoughts on the newer model Billy Goat? The new 34" two blade, not the now discontinued three blade Billy that "looked" much like the Sutech.

Again, I just wanted to state the criteria to avoid my question from going off topic. Want to focus on the BillyGoat only and for homeowner purposes. I considered starting a new thread but reviving this one seemed like a good place to start.

One last thing. Storage footprint is of concern and another reason for liking the Homepro 3400. Jumping up to a LONG commercial 36" requires to much area in my garage..
Thanks in advance. Any constructive advice will be appreciated.

[SDLandscapes VT]

I have a former client who in the interest of leaning their budget decided that they wanted to mow their lawn themselves. I sent them to my dealer and they purchased a BG HP 3400. They then paid me to instruct them on how to mow their lawn with their new machine. They live atop a mountain and their lawn is full of hills and rolls going in all directions.

Thoughts on the machine--QOC decent for a homeowner machine--as long as you keep up with the lawn this shouldnt be an issue. Maintenance was simple and fairly well thought out--bigger things like belts might have been a struggle, but BG made it easy to keep things lubed and tuned. Now for the not so good--THIS MOWER IS NOT EASY TO USE ON ANYTHING BUT THE FLATTEST OF GROUND!! I found it was a wrestling match to keep the thing in a straight line particularly when you were going sideways or on the diagonal to the hill. This is all related to the drive system.

Bottom line if you have a flat lawn <1 acre and you are just mowing your own lawn this mower will be a huge time saver. If you are wanting to mow hills and ditches I would buy something that has independent control of the drive wheels--far more money, but far less hassle and you will be happier with you purchase in the end

[Eastcoaster]

Wow.... now THAT was a useful reply! Just the kind of information that I was looking for. SDLVT, THANKS!

Pretty much what you described the 3400 being good for is exactly what my needs are. Hearing that you feel it will be a timesaver is a huge plus and the biggest of my reasons for dropping the dough on one of these.

If anyone else wants to chime in, please do.

Another plus is that I have a dealer about a mile away as the crow flies. For parts, any maintanence that I couldn't perform, etc.

He'd have to order one in so I'd be buying sight unseen. But, by comparison, he also wanted me to look at Worldlawn, etc. that he usually sells as his "cheap" line of mowers. I didn't even want to see them. (Hustler being their main line of mowers.) But ,they area BG dealer nonetheless.

[QLM]

The exmark metro will be the last mower you ever buy. Give up the space in the garage. I have one that has been used as a back up for three seasons. Before that it was pounded on daily for 7 years and i live in New Orleans so it was used yearround. It has been used more in two seasons than you will use it at your house for the rest of your life. Keep up on matainace and it will last forever. Mine still has original engine and trans it has only cost me tires, belts, blades, recoil rope, oil, and grease for ten years.

If it is about saving money find a used one. They are tanks.
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