Hello,
What mowers are you using for your smaller yards? I will be getting a few retirement accounts next year, and they are from 2,500-3,500 sq ft. The houses are close together as one would imagine, but I want something that will cut the entire yard as efficiently as possible.
Thanks.
My entire business is based on postage stamp urban properties similar to what you're describing.
I hate to say it, but you have to bag a lot of small sub division properties, especiallywhen it's wet out. Don't go out and drop thousands on a rider/stander or something like a 36" walk behind. If you're running a crew, get a few commercial 21" 25" or 30" trim mowers and call it a day. you're not saving that much time on properties that Size by moving up from a trim mower. Larger mowers in the hands of most employees will often turn a small property into a lake in the spring as well. People will say that mathematically, the bigger wheels distribute the weight equal to a trim mower, which is true, but they still will tear a yard up worse. Anyone that says otherwise (especiallya the dealership) is full of ****, or they don't know what they're talking about.
I run 2 mowers on my trailer. One set up for side discharge, and one for bagging and mulching.
For side discharge, I use the 30" ExMark,but if I had to buy another 30", it would be the Toro because it comes with a 224cc Kohler Comand Pro, instead of the 200cc that ExMark uses. Not sure if you can get one with a Kawasaki FJ180 anymore, but DO NOT GET ONE WITH A KAWASAKI. They're just too underpowered with that engine. A lot of guys like the Ferris fw15 for side discharge, but I like the ability to switch easily to bagging if I have a helper and want to run 2 bagging mowers. The 30" exmark/Toro isn't a great bagger, but it works.
For most bagging and mulching, I use the Ybravo 25". I used Honda HRX Mowers for years and then switched to commetcial Toros with the Kawasaki engine. This last year, I picked up a Ybravo 25", and I prefer it. Power is pretty similar, despite the bigger blade using the same motor. It bags better than the Toro, but the Toro mulches better. I bag more than mulch, so it's a better machine for me.