Used Commercial Grade or Homeowner New?

[drakewylde]

I'm gonna be on the other aide of the spectrum. When I started out I bought a new John Deere Z425 and used it about a year and put 500 hours on it with almost zero problems. Then thought it would be a good idea to step up a bit and buy a two year old commercial Gravely with 100 hours on out and it was nothing but trouble..It literally broke down once a week and we ended up using our Z425 anyway. Then we ended up going to John Deere 925a and had awesome luck with them....It just depends I guess..
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[Procareope]

With a $3,000 budget, I would be inclined to go with a new belt driven walk behind. With a thin budget, I can't imagine you'd be able to handle a $300-$800 repair if something we to go wrong with any used hydro you would buy (need a pump, spindle goes out, etc.). A new belt drive would stay in warranty for at least a year (depending on brand) which would help cover any of those unexpected repairs that may pop up. I know you can pick up a brand new SW48-16BV (Scag 48" belt drive drive w/ floating deck, 16 hp Vanguard) with a 2 year commercial warranty for around your budget. Something worth looking into.

[banjoman]

You dont have to spend 5k to get a good mower. You can defiantly find a nice walkbehind with that kind of budget. If you really want a rider, here is a few options. You can get a nice Bad Boy 48" ZTR from Tractor Supply at $3299. The bad boys have thick fabricated decks and are built close to commercial specs. A John Deere Z225, Z245, or Z425 would do just fine. Cub Cadet or Husqvarna would be a good choice. As long as you maintain it and keep it up, homeowner mowers can last a long time. Yea, I have a commercial Grasshopper 718K and its a top of the line mower, but i use the crap out of my little homeowner 38" Toro Timecutter ZTR. Mainly because its small and goes though gates and goes where the hopper wont and i only have a whopping $900 in it...Hope this helps and good luck!

[pseudosun]

Before asking i searched "scag prices" on this forum. So, how much would a new belt drive 32 scag cost?

[AEWhittle]

Thanks guys! This is all great feedback. I think I may go the walk behind route... i think I found a 48" exmark hydro with a sulke... dude is asking about 2k. It has had a fresh service. If I can get it a little cheaper, I think I'll be good getting it and putting the other money back into my account.

[QLM]

Originally Posted by AEWhittle

Thanks guys! This is all great feedback. I think I may go the walk behind route... i think I found a 48" exmark hydro with a sulke... dude is asking about 2k. It has had a fresh service. If I can get it a little cheaper, I think I'll be good getting it and putting the other money back into my account.

That's the way you do it. Now do get all the extra things you are gonna need with the other money. Like spare belts plugs for your tires plugs for the engine air filters recoil rope. Everything you need to fix it in the field should be in your truck
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[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by banjoman

You can get a nice Bad Boy 48" ZTR from Tractor Supply at $3299. The bad boys have thick fabricated decks and are built close to commercial specs.

The biggest problem with the Tractor Supply Bad Boy mowers is the engines. They are homeowner grade engines with a lifespan no better than any other homeowner mower.

[Scott Barnes]

For small yards get a 36 belt drive should be able to get a nice used one for like $1800. If you got big yards would get a used 60 inch dual hydro with a wheel to stand on. Should be able to get a nice one like about 850 hours for like $3000.

[J & D Greens]

I got my Encore dirt cheap, but I have seen used Scagg mowers for about a grand that look like they were used very little and one just on a home owners yard. If I was in the market i would look in that price range as this economy is a buyers market for sure!