[Turf Tracer]

Manual pto is better and so is recoil start. At least put a freaking recoil on the electric start units.

however, on the manual pto tracers, you need to be a neurosurgeon to access and change the hydro belt.

 

[Turf Chopper]

Manual pto is better and so is recoil start. At least put a freaking recoil on the electric start units.

however, on the manual pto tracers, you need to be a neurosurgeon to access and change the hydro belt.

+2 on the pull start. electric starts nice but bound to fail.

not really happy that scag made all but 36" SWZs electric start, as it increases the price even more. i just hope they come with a pull start.

 

[lawnboy dan]

Manual pto is better and so is recoil start. At least put a freaking recoil on the electric start units.

however, on the manual pto tracers, you need to be a neurosurgeon to access and change the hydro belt.

turf you arnt kidding! took me 2 days to change mine but i got it done

 

[Turf Chopper]

turf you arnt kidding! took me 2 days to change mine but i got it done

never had a turf tracer

curious whats hard about getting to the drive belt?

 

[Church2224]

Due to availability, I have had to look at other brands besides Exmark. I have sworn by Turf Tracers for years, but my dealer told me the availability is scarce for them due to Landcare, Ruppert, Brightview, and other big companies buying them. I tried Scag but has some issues and the SWZT and SWZ were lacking in certain areas. Wrights I wasn't as impressed with them compared to other units as well.

However, I sold all my non Exmark/ Toro mowers and in the meantime, I have bought John Deere walk behinds to fill in the ranks and could not be happier. I have the W61r and W48rs now, with the 52s and 36s coming as well. Very heavy duty and well built, cut well, hold a hill GREAT, and the controls are extremely responsive. Plus all R series units now come with the FX Series Kawis. I love them so much I got a W48M just for my yard. Awesome machine. Plus my dealer support was incredible.

 

[Turf Tracer]

So aren’t these just closely rebranded Wrights? the ones I saw looked nearly identical.

Not sure what didn’t impress you about the Wrights. Basically they are an even better built Tracer.

 

[Turf Chopper]

Due to availability, I have had to look at other brands besides Exmark. I have sworn by Turf Tracers for years, but my dealer told me the availability is scarce for them due to Landcare, Ruppert, Brightview, and other big companies buying them. I tried Scag but has some issues and the SWZT and SWZ were lacking in certain areas. Wrights I wasn't as impressed with them compared to other units as well.

However, I sold all my non Exmark/ Toro mowers and in the meantime, I have bought John Deere walk behinds to fill in the ranks and could not be happier. I have the W61r and W48rs now, with the 52s and 36s coming as well. Very heavy duty and well built, cut well, hold a hill GREAT, and the controls are extremely responsive. Plus all R series units now come with the FX Series Kawis. I love them so much I got a W48M just for my yard. Awesome machine. Plus my dealer support was incredible.

what did you find lacking on the wright? wright makes the walk behinds for john deere they are pretty much the same machine.

 

[Church2224]

what did you find lacking on the wright? wright makes the walk behinds for john deere they are pretty much the same machine.

Wright stopped making products for John Deere back in 2016. The John Deere walk behind has some elements from the Wright models but isn't an exact copy.

My biggest issues with the Wright Velkes were the following, especially the 61-inch units:

• Max Speed was less than that of Exmark, Deere and Scag Units whose max speeds are 6.5-7.5 MPH, wright was only 5.5 MPH when I used mine. The Website currently says the max speed is 8.2 MPH for the Velke LC, which could have been an update
• Hard to get on curbs when backing them up, had the same issues with Scags as well. Plus trying to go forward onto a curb will eventually result in the front casters breaking off after guys beat the front of the machine into the Curb too many times
• Didn't hold as hill as well as other units (Even the Scag SWZs did a much better job)
• The speed selector arm is limited to only 4 speeds. This was a huge drawback. Deere and Exmark have an infinitely variable speed selector arm where you can get the speed you want to be "Just Right"

To be fair, these were all older units. It is possible they have worked out the kinks in them. My Exmark dealer is also a Wright dealer and he says some people are buying the Wrights with Exmark lacking in Availability and are liking them. I may demo a newer unit to see how it is.

As for Deere, these were the things I liked about them:

• FX Series Kawasaki engines on all 2023 R Series models from the 36 to the 61
• Strong, Durable build
• Very responsive controls and easy to use, very fluid with infinitely variable speed drive
• Great hillside stability and easy to jump curbs with
• Dealer Support. My dealer has been great to work with
• Availability , Only company besides Scag I talked to that could give me a definite date I would get my mowers. Exmark, Toro, Wright and Gravely could not promise me a delivery date for my machines. Gravely had to cancel my order due to not knowing when I would get my units...

Keep in mind for years I would rip on John Deere and their equipment, now I am a convert. Been very impressed with the machines.

 

[Church2224]

I bought new Vertex last year. It doesn't clump as bad as my other Exmarks. Not sure why.

I LOVE the new Vertex. Have two 60 inch ones and will get more.

 

[sjessen]

I LOVE the new Vertex. Have two 60 inch ones and will get more.

I have the same mower.

 

[Church2224]

I have the same mower.

Probably will replace all 60 riders with them. Been happy with the new Vertex.

 

[Turf Chopper]

Wright stopped making products for John Deere back in 2016. The John Deere walk behind has some elements from the Wright models but isn't an exact copy.

My biggest issues with the Wright Velkes were the following, especially the 61-inch units:

• Max Speed was less than that of Exmark, Deere and Scag Units whose max speeds are 6.5-7.5 MPH, wright was only 5.5 MPH when I used mine. The Website currently says the max speed is 8.2 MPH for the Velke LC, which could have been an update
• Hard to get on curbs when backing them up, had the same issues with Scags as well. Plus trying to go forward onto a curb will eventually result in the front casters breaking off after guys beat the front of the machine into the Curb too many times
• Didn't hold as hill as well as other units (Even the Scag SWZs did a much better job)
• The speed selector arm is limited to only 4 speeds. This was a huge drawback. Deere and Exmark have an infinitely variable speed selector arm where you can get the speed you want to be "Just Right"

To be fair, these were all older units. It is possible they have worked out the kinks in them. My Exmark dealer is also a Wright dealer and he says some people are buying the Wrights with Exmark lacking in Availability and are liking them. I may demo a newer unit to see how it is.

As for Deere, these were the things I liked about them:

• FX Series Kawasaki engines on all 2023 R Series models from the 36 to the 61
• Strong, Durable build
• Very responsive controls and easy to use, very fluid with infinitely variable speed drive
• Great hillside stability and easy to jump curbs with
• Dealer Support. My dealer has been great to work with
• Availability , Only company besides Scag I talked to that could give me a definite date I would get my mowers. Exmark, Toro, Wright and Gravely could not promise me a delivery date for my machines. Gravely had to cancel my order due to not knowing when I would get my units...

Keep in mind for years I would rip on John Deere and their equipment, now I am a convert. Been very impressed with the machines.

wright still makes mowers for deere.

also the wright velkes are currently the fastest walk behind mower on the market, if you were using the new one versus the older fixed deck one you would find no difference between it and the deere.

and scag SWZs are the best hill-holder mower on the market, so not surprised it held better than the wright. in the UK they even sell them with dual ag tires from the dealer.

 

[Turf Chopper]

I LOVE the new Vertex. Have two 60 inch ones and will get more.

just out of curiousity, besides the deck, what are people finding about the vertex they like better than the wright stander x, which is essentially the same machine?

the wright x is a little faster, will probably do slightly better in wet conditions, and is considerably less than what exmark is selling them for. ive never used a vertex and not at all trying to bash on them just curious what people like about them so much?

 

[Jashley73]

For those with the Exmark Vertex's - Did Exmark bias the decks to the left of the frame, so that the trim side overhangs the drive tire for better trimming?

I've grown to love this on my Lazer X. Am really missing this on the ZK.

 

[Church2224]

wright still makes mowers for deere.

also the wright velkes are currently the fastest walk behind mower on the market, if you were using the new one versus the older fixed deck one you would find no difference between it and the deere.

and scag SWZs are the best hill-holder mower on the market, so not surprised it held better than the wright. in the UK they even sell them with dual ag tires from the dealer.

Wright, John Deere Won't Extend Manufacturing Agreement | Green Industry Pros

Deere won’t extend product alliance with Wright Manufacturing | Total Landscape Care

Deere, Wright end manufacturing alliance : Landscape Management

They haven't made mowers for Deere since 2016.

 

[Turf Chopper]

Wright, John Deere Won't Extend Manufacturing Agreement | Green Industry Pros

Deere won’t extend product alliance with Wright Manufacturing | Total Landscape Care

Deere, Wright end manufacturing alliance : Landscape Management

They haven't made mowers for Deere since 2016.

and yet john deere still uses the same designs of mowers that wright manufactured for them. and especially on their stand on/walk behind mower line there has been little to no changes in the design. however when wright discontinued the pistol grip mower line they had the john deere pistol grip mowers dissapeared very shortly after that... interesting.

unless john deere bought the designs from wright. but itd be weird that they have made no improvements/changes to the designs since 2016, as far as i know.

 

[brydan]

and yet john deere still uses the same designs of mowers that wright manufactured for them. and especially on their stand on/walk behind mower line there has been little to no changes in the design. however when wright discontinued the pistol grip mower line they had the john deere pistol grip mowers dissapeared very shortly after that... interesting.

unless john deere bought the designs from wright. but itd be weird that they have made no improvements/changes to the designs since 2016, as far as i know.

Never know what's going on behind the scenes. They could be back working together again. Maybe they bought the designs and having them made somewhere else. Who knows. I was just reading an article about ammunition manufacturing and its the wild west behind the scenes. Companies actually trading components with each other to get what they need to keep the production lines going.

One thing I do know is that local Deere dealer looked at me like I had a 3rd eye growing out of my forehead when I asked about ordering a w48r . Told me a couple times I'm the only person he's ever had wanting to order a WB. Local Toro, Wright, Scag, dealers were fine with ordering one.

 

[Church2224]

Never know what's going on behind the scenes. They could be back working together again. Maybe they bought the designs and having them made somewhere else. Who knows. I was just reading an article about ammunition manufacturing and its the wild west behind the scenes. Companies actually trading components with each other to get what they need to keep the production lines going.

One thing I do know is that local Deere dealer looked at me like I had a 3rd eye growing out of my forehead when I asked about ordering a w48r . Told me a couple times I'm the only person he's ever had wanting to order a WB. Local Toro, Wright, Scag, dealers were fine with ordering one.

My Deere dealer typically has the W36R, 48R and 61R in stock. 52s aren't as common apparently.

 

[brydan]

My Deere dealer typically has the W36R, 48R and 61R in stock. 52s aren't as common apparently.

Not stocking them didn't surprise me. There's no hills around here so WB's are uncommon. One big Hustler dealer here will get a couple Trimstars in but other than that I haven't seen a commercial WB in stock around here for years. I was just put off by how many times he reminded me what a weirdo I was for wanting one

Interestingly, most of the WB's I see are bigger commercial companies/franchises, etc. They'll often have a 52/60 ztr/stander and a 36 wb but they may not be buying them local. With local LCO's it's prob 75% z/25% standers

 

[Hawkshot99]

Interestingly, most of the WB's I see are bigger commercial companies/franchises, etc. They'll often have a 52/60 ztr/stander and a 36 wb but they may not be buying them local. With local LCO's it's prob 75% z/25% standers

The massive nation wide companies like Brightview, I have never seen use anything but 60" Exmark TT'S. But with them being such big companies, they likely deal with exmark direct, rather then the small dealer in every region of there offices.