I seen one last week at a small trade show in Indy at the Midwest Turf Conference. I was told that they are now made at a new factory here in Indiana.
I picked up a price sheet on them. The Great Dane Gateway Walk Behind is a Dual Hydro with a 52" Batwing Deck, that of course allows you to get in a 36" gate. All engines are Electric start and are available as follows; 17hp Kaw -$5,670, 18hp B&S -$5,464, 18hp Kohler -$5,792, 22hp Kohler -$6,026.
I know this is, in a way, apples to oranges, but, I think the price is inline with other Hydro walkbehinds out there yet this has the added feature of a batwing for gate access. Now I cannot speak for cutting quality, engines, dual loop, pistol grips, etc.. But, if it is as good as a straight hydro walkbehind of any other manufacturer, why spend the same for something that you cannot get into a big gated backyard if you have them or want to get them. Great Dane themselves want $5,100 - $5,500 for a straight deck hydro unit of same size.
If you purcahsed a Hydro unit and a smaller grear drive just for gated yards I would say you are looking at starting prices of $7,000. You of course would have a backup second mower or another mower so two people could be mowing at once, but it depends on your operation, available trailer room, etc.. But with this Gateway mower, one guy would never have to go back to the trailer to unload and use another mower. Do that ten times in a day and you have wasted 1 - 1 1/2 hours, that starts to add up at the end of a week. Just a thought.
