Hi I'm Cam and am 15 years old and have been doing landscaping on my own for the last few years and am thinking about purchasing a new to me walk behind and am trying to decide between a 2012 scag 36in and a 2013 exmark metro 36in any thoughts?
Thinking of buying a used Exmark Metro any thoughts?
Cam15
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Hi I'm Cam and am 15 years old and have been doing landscaping on my own for the last few years and am thinking about purchasing a new to me walk behind and am trying to decide between a 2012 scag 36in and a 2013 exmark metro 36in any thoughts?
Kinda like comparing Chevy to Ford. Biggest thing is the condition of each one and the price. wouldnt hurt to check out your local dealers reputation for the brand your most interested as well. You never know when you might need a part quick or service. Best of luck.
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I've never run or owned an exmark but have owned a 36 belt drive scag and it was a great machine looking to buy another
same question as prezek...is the scag belt drive also? My first walk behind was a metro belt drive. Used it for a season and it was decent, but after I got a Viking (hydro drive) the metro now sits a s a back up mower and doesn't get much use. Yes hydro is more, but I think its worth the extra.
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yes they both are.
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What I like about belt is I'm no mechanic and I was able to fully maintain my scag with zero shop labor for years.. but hydro does sound nice and easier to maneuver.
You would be able to maintain the hydro mowers also. Changing the hydro unit fluid on mine was just as easy as doing an oil change. There is still a belt underneath for the hydros, and it was not hard either.
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okay thanks!
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I don't know if I agree 100% with everything so far...When purchasing used-used on a budget
a belt drive should be under $1,200
a hydro should be right around $2500+ SO THAT IS +2x the price
The hydro does have better maneuverability, decreased operator fatigue and less manhandling in general.
HOWEVER when you go used and 800-1500 hours typically...and the unit has had poor maintenance or none at all...then your buying expensive oil coated scrap metal. Pump and wheel motor replacements are very expensive.... like $550+ a piece
So I would buy a hydro every day of the week if it's very very low hours or has some service receipts.....I started with a belt drive, still have the belt drive, and it delivers the best bang for the buck. Replace each belt every year and its bombproof reliable.
Neither a hydro nor belt drive is that complicated. A jo-shmo should have no problem doing the general maintenance and could handle most repairs.
When you get into the 48-52, 60 decks the units are 1,000...and you can't "manhandle" the controls and that's where hydro is the only way to go IMHO, but in 36" and 32" deck land you can still muscle the 500# 36" deck metro around fairly easily. But constant forward to reverse to forward to do your three point turn (to keep from tearing the turf) just gets old and bangs up your knee as you hit the shifting lever...hydro you just squeeze the grips and the mower goes into true power reverse with independent steering of each wheel. I guess I forgot to mention that belt drive "reverse" is more or and assist...you still have to pull back with some force and that in general is a safety hazard and you or belt operators will learn the neutral zone and try to make turns on slightly sloped inclines so you don't have to "pull" for reverse.
a belt drive should be under $1,200
a hydro should be right around $2500+ SO THAT IS +2x the price
The hydro does have better maneuverability, decreased operator fatigue and less manhandling in general.
HOWEVER when you go used and 800-1500 hours typically...and the unit has had poor maintenance or none at all...then your buying expensive oil coated scrap metal. Pump and wheel motor replacements are very expensive.... like $550+ a piece
So I would buy a hydro every day of the week if it's very very low hours or has some service receipts.....I started with a belt drive, still have the belt drive, and it delivers the best bang for the buck. Replace each belt every year and its bombproof reliable.
Neither a hydro nor belt drive is that complicated. A jo-shmo should have no problem doing the general maintenance and could handle most repairs.
When you get into the 48-52, 60 decks the units are 1,000...and you can't "manhandle" the controls and that's where hydro is the only way to go IMHO, but in 36" and 32" deck land you can still muscle the 500# 36" deck metro around fairly easily. But constant forward to reverse to forward to do your three point turn (to keep from tearing the turf) just gets old and bangs up your knee as you hit the shifting lever...hydro you just squeeze the grips and the mower goes into true power reverse with independent steering of each wheel. I guess I forgot to mention that belt drive "reverse" is more or and assist...you still have to pull back with some force and that in general is a safety hazard and you or belt operators will learn the neutral zone and try to make turns on slightly sloped inclines so you don't have to "pull" for reverse.
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