1st (and only) Mower

[awayneward]

I'm just starting out in this business, with no prior experience.
I can only purchase one WB to start with. I am looking at a 54" JD. The only problem is that I am concerned with the width. I will not be able to get through many gates. Am I on the right track with my concern?

 

[jajwrigh]

Yes. A safe pair of mowers to look at are:
32" will fit through any gate - Exmark makes 2
36" will fit through 95% of gates - Exmark makes 4

www.exmark.com

 

[Phishook]

What's you budget? A 54" is a big WB.

But then I don't have any gated yards to worry about.

 

[rodfather]

Well IMHO, it's pretty simple...you have 2 choices.

Choice #1 - buy a smaller mower

Choice #2 - don't take on accounts that have gated areas

 

[coonman]

I would start with a good 21inch w/b and the 32inch w/b. The 21 will get you around all the small tight lawns and the 32 will help on some of your larger open area gated lawns. Since you are just starting I would stay with the smaller equipment until you can justify the big mowers.

 

[proenterprises]

i got a 26" wb to start out. its an mtd, swivel caster wheel,s 6.5 bs engine. works great. i got it off ebay, not sure if they still sell them.

 

[awayneward]

I am also looking at a 48" New exmark. Belt Drive 1 has a Kohler ($2700) engine, the other has a Kawasaki engine ($2900) Both have full factory warranty . With a push mower for the small areas would that be a good start. Or should I consider a used hydro?

 

[timinkc]

I'm from a suburban area, and what I have found is that I really need 3 mowers, a 21" (i prefer honda), a 36, and a rider...starting out though i had only the 36, and it got me thru.

 

[imograss]

I have the 54" Deere, Second season 0 problems, not even a belt. It is to large for most gates.
Tim

 

[Rook00]

I've got a 52" snapper walk-behind and have not had any gate-issues. If you think you can get the amount of work you need without taking on any small "gated" yards, do it! They can be a pain. If you think you'll need all the lawns you can get, you might consider a smaller one.

Also consider buying the 54" and pushmowing inside the gates. . . if it is a small gate, it is probably a small area to mow inside of it.