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1st (and only) Mower

Discussion in 'Lawn Mowing' started by awayneward, Mar 11, 2004.

Page 1 of 2
  1. awayneward

    awayneward LawnSite Member
    from Old Hickory, TN
    Messages: 22

    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?
     
    awayneward, Mar 11, 2004
    #1
  2. jajwrigh

    jajwrigh LawnSite Bronze Member
    Male, from Martinsville, IN
    Messages: 1,405

    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
     
    jajwrigh, Mar 11, 2004
    #2
  3. Phishook

    Phishook LawnSite Bronze Member
    Messages: 1,143

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

    But then I don't have any gated yards to worry about.
     
    Phishook, Mar 11, 2004
    #3
  4. rodfather

    rodfather LawnSite Fanatic
    from Clinton, NJ
    Messages: 9,501

    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
     
    rodfather, Mar 11, 2004
    #4
  5. coonman

    coonman LawnSite Senior Member
    from Tulsa, Ok
    Messages: 686

    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.
     
    coonman, Mar 11, 2004
    #5
  6. proenterprises

    proenterprises LawnSite Silver Member
    from Connecticut
    Messages: 2,296

    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.
     
    proenterprises, Mar 11, 2004
    #6
  7. awayneward

    awayneward LawnSite Member
    from Old Hickory, TN
    Messages: 22

    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?
     
    awayneward, Mar 11, 2004
    #7
  8. timinkc

    timinkc LawnSite Member
    from kansas city, MO
    Messages: 217

    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.
     
    timinkc, Mar 11, 2004
    #8
  9. imograss

    imograss LawnSite Senior Member
    from Nashville Tn.
    Messages: 796

    I have the 54" Deere, Second season 0 problems, not even a belt. It is to large for most gates.
    Tim
     
    imograss, Mar 11, 2004
    #9
  10. Rook00

    Rook00 LawnSite Member
    from Kansas City, MO
    Messages: 73

    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.
     
    Rook00, Mar 11, 2004
    #10
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