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what mower REALLY Has the best cut quality Cut quality

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#23 ·
I have a similar question, this is my third season and it’s like I’m starting all over again. I am upgrading my equipment and I will be purchasing my first big mower what should I be starting with a walk behind or a zero turn which one will give me more versatility and a better cut..? I can’t use anything too wide because some of the yards that I service have fences in the back. I definitely need something with an exceptional mulching abilities... that will save time if I don’t have to bag. I am cutting in the Southeast, Atlanta Georgia. So I need a mower that can cut her grass pretty well. I also don’t cut when its wet. I am a solo crew and occasionally I have a helper. But for the most part I will be by myself. I was looking at the 46” hydro Ariens ikon Kawasaki engined over the hustler... but was also thinking exMark , John Deere, I have some funds but will probably finance, Because most likely I’ll also be purchasing a new blower, a new Weedwhacker as well as a trailer
 
#24 ·
Mulching + cut quality means different things from one region to another.
Ideally & IFF mulching, I'd say you'll need to talk folks into mowing at least 2x/week clear into the heat of Summer. Mulching a weeks worth of fescue here and having it look acceptable is, well, impossible. And if the turf is fertilized, then it's a huge NO. Some will disagree, but to me in my region w/ our regional grasses - the concept of mulching is utopian = a great theory that is unrealistic.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
SignaturesByJAH.LLC said:
I have a similar question, this is my third season and it's like I'm starting all over again. I am upgrading my equipment and I will be purchasing my first big mower what should I be starting with a walk behind or a zero turn which one will give me more versatility and a better cut..? I can't use anything too wide because some of the yards that I service have fences in the back. I definitely need something with an exceptional mulching abilities... that will save time if I don't have to bag. I am cutting in the Southeast, Atlanta Georgia. So I need a mower that can cut her grass pretty well. I also don't cut when its wet. I am a solo crew and occasionally I have a helper. But for the most part I will be by myself. I was looking at the 46" hydro Ariens ikon Kawasaki engined over the hustler... but was also thinking exMark , John Deere, I have some funds but will probably finance, Because most likely I'll also be purchasing a new blower, a new Weedwhacker as well as a trailer
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id recommend a stand on, as they dont take up much space tend to cost less, and are better for your back, for a start up, id look at the bradley stand on mowers, they are commercial units with double the power as most commercial mowers but at half there cost, there cut quality is pretty dope too. great customer service and generally a solid machine. there top model, a 52" stander with a 26 hp vanguard, is about 5000$ when not on sale. while in comparison, a scag vride 2 or wright stander with the same deck size comes in at about 8000 when not on sale, though during the spring ive seen them as much as 20% off.
but... if your mowing wide open places, a zero turn is for you. a good start up ztr is a mid grade mower like the scag patriot, its about 7500$, but they last a long time, OR you can find hundreds of used scag ztrs on ebay or craigslist for as little as 2000. they are usually in good condition and will last at least until the end of the season, but by then you should have made engough to buy a new one. look for one with the velocity plus decks.
 
#26 ·
lawnpro@home said:
id recommend a stand on, as they dont take up much space tend to cost less, and are better for your back, for a start up, id look at the bradley stand on mowers, they are commercial units with double the power as most commercial mowers but at half there cost, there cut quality is pretty dope too. great customer service and generally a solid machine. there top model, a 52" stander with a 26 hp vanguard, is about 5000$ when not on sale. while in comparison, a scag vride 2 or wright stander with the same deck size comes in at about 8000 when not on sale, though during the spring ive seen them as much as 20% off.
but... if your mowing wide open places, a zero turn is for you. a good start up ztr is a mid grade mower like the scag patriot, its about 7500$, but they last a long time, OR you can find hundreds of used scag ztrs on ebay or craigslist for as little as 2000. they are usually in good condition and will last at least until the end of the season, but by then you should have made engough to buy a new one. look for one with the velocity plus decks.
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Thanks a lot... I really appreciate all the advice...
stand-on or a ztr Ohk I'm narrowing down the selection, I had checked out a couple stand-ons a few months ago too when I was getting ready for this season... I'm going to check into getting a more slim fit tho... cause I need to navigate their fences and stuff...
 
#27 ·
if your are mowing nice properties and considering mulching, be sure to give exmark a look. they are, in my opinion, one of the better cutting decks, and definitely the best mulching decks. if your properties are mostly flat and easy mowing, stand on mowers are awesome, if you have hills or ditches or irregular yards, walk behinds are a much better choice. a walk behind mower you can pretty much mow any kind of property, a stand on or ride on limits what properties you can do. if doing smaller properties and physically able to, i like a walk behind with sulky. these days ferris mowers are my choice. the z2 and a fw35. look at your perspective properties and decide what you need.
 
#28 ·
snapper said:
if your are mowing nice properties and considering mulching, be sure to give exmark a look. they are, in my opinion, one of the better cutting decks, and definitely the best mulching decks. if your properties are mostly flat and easy mowing, stand on mowers are awesome, if you have hills or ditches or irregular yards, walk behinds are a much better choice. a walk behind mower you can pretty much mow any kind of property, a stand on or ride on limits what properties you can do. if doing smaller properties and physically able to, i like a walk behind with sulky. these days ferris mowers are my choice. the z2 and a fw35. look at your perspective properties and decide what you need.
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Ohk, I'm goin to look at the Ferris' and the ExMark, I think when I go to the dealership I'll be able to try out a few mowers -like a test drive... cause I'm really lost and clueless...as to which one to go with for my main mower... cause I haven't tried any of these really... I'll keep my Honda push mower/self propelled and all tht... for those tight areas with the weedeater...
 
#29 ·
The smaller the deck, the better the cut quality usually. If the grass isn't overgrown or wet, a Snapper high vac trim mower creates the best cut from what I've seen.

That's probably not the answer you're looking for though.
 
#30 ·
Signatures:
You said you don’t mow when it’s wet. If that’s the case, anything will be just fine. I like scag and Deere, however the Wright stander b has received a lot of nice write ups on here lately (I have zero experience) Bang for the buck goes a long way with them. I believe two users (cam and rippinryno) just purchased recently, might reach out to them. I’m not sure if i spelled correctly the usernames.
If it was me: Vride for a stander. Deere or scag for ztr.
 
#31 ·
Garrett1234 said:
Signatures:
You said you don't mow when it's wet. If that's the case, anything will be just fine. I like scag and Deere, however the Wright stander b has received a lot of nice write ups on here lately (I have zero experience) Bang for the buck goes a long way with them. I believe two users (cam and rippinryno) just purchased recently, might reach out to them. I'm not sure if i spelled correctly the usernames.
If it was me: Vride for a stander. Deere or scag for ztr.
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Thanks, I appreciate it... I'm getting the general idea... and I believe anything commercial will work just fine... I'll figure out how to use it, and it'll fit in fine and anyone of these mowers will help to accelerate my speed and productivity so tht I can cut more efficiently... and effortlessly... but I'm still on the fence... I think I'm leaning towards a ztr... only because I'm runnin a solo thing and I'm standing up with the weedwhacker and the blower... I might as well sit down while I mow... maybe tht might offer some form of balance
 
#32 ·
cold-beer said:
The smaller the deck, the better the cut quality usually. If the grass isn't overgrown or wet, a Snapper high vac trim mower creates the best cut from what I've seen.

That's probably not the answer you're looking for though.
Click to expand...
It's worth looking into, I've been receiving so much advice from you guys... I really appreciate it... I just don't kno where to start... but I am starting to get it... I am going to go with a smaller deck tho, for sure... 36" and I'm leaning towards a ztr... so I'll check out a snapper
 
#33 ·
SignaturesByJAH.LLC said:
It's worth looking into, I've been receiving so much advice from you guys... I really appreciate it... I just don't kno where to start... but I am starting to get it... I am going to go with a smaller deck tho, for sure... 36" and I'm leaning towards a ztr... so I'll check out a snapper
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A Snapper Hi-vac is a trim mower. It's a 21" deck. I don't use anyting bigger than trim mowers for my business, but I specialize in small urban properties. You're going to want at least a 36" deck for most markets, but having a trim mower on the trailer as well is still a good idea.
 
#34 ·
cold-beer said:
A Snapper Hi-vac is a trim mower. It's a 21" deck. I don't use anyting bigger than trim mowers for my business, but I specialize in small urban properties. You're going to want at least a 36" deck for most markets, but having a trim mower on the trailer as well is still a good idea.
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Oh ohk, I Hav a bunch of 21" push mowers rght now, nothin really commercial but maybe later on in the season if I need to I'll upgrade to something like the trim mower... thank you
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
SignaturesByJAH.LLC said:
It's worth looking into, I've been receiving so much advice from you guys... I really appreciate it... I just don't kno where to start... but I am starting to get it... I am going to go with a smaller deck tho, for sure... 36" and I'm leaning towards a ztr... so I'll check out a snapper
Click to expand...
i would run as far way as possible from 36" sit down mowers, as they tend to be under powered and overpriced, and they have horrible hill stability, a general rule of thumb is 42-66";any larger decks will scalp more, so only use a 72" for maybe over 3 acres and only if its super flat. a 42" would work for most start ups like you, its very compact, but there are not many commercial units with a 42" deck. the golden deck size for you would be a nice 48". its wide enough to finish a good sized property, while being compact enough to get into most gates, for really small lawns or very small gates, just buy a run of the mill toro recycler to tag along with it. you cant go wrong with this setup. check out these model below:

scag freedom z 48"( i dont trust kholer engines, but they should last awhile)
bobcat xrz pro 48"
wright zto 48"
kubota z400 48"

All these mowers are at 8000$ and under, but if you have a really small budget, you can buy any 48" ztr at your local lows or home depot, and in good care, should last to the end of the season at least. look at the arians ikon if this is your case
 
#37 ·
For $8000 go Ferris with Suspension. Probably get the new IS 800 model or the IS700. Built like tanks and cut well. I have an IS600-48" and it is a badass mower... Will outlast me. Look at new left overs. They are out there...
 
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