i would say that it is worth the extra cost because with Exmark you get commercial grade quality

 

At the lower end of the scale - as these are not full on commercial mowers does it matter? Don't get me wrong I like to local Exmark dealer and the machine looks great - but am I paying for a name at this point or is there a difference in hardware?

 

my point is that they are worth the money you pay

 

The radius looks to be a pretty good entry level machine. Is it worth 1k more. I don't know, maybe. Depends on how good the dealer and the kind of service you can get and what you plan to do with it. The deck on the radius is a one gauge thicker but Hydros are a little smaller. Little more fuel capacity on the radius but not a whole lot of reviews on that engine. I would also summize that neither deck will do great with wet grass so that's a wash but both do well cutting dry. The radius has the anti vibration platform and that looks nice but neither comes with a suspension seat. The radius also looks to have a little heavier PTO clutch. I'd see if you could get a demo on both to form your own opinion. I wouldn't subscribe to the mere "It's an Exmark so it's automatically worth a K more" philosophy as I've read good reports on people who own the MZ that are used within their intended scope of operation. Neither one of the machines you mentioned are full on hard core commercial cutters. That's why I mentioned depends on what you plan to do. 10-15 or 20-30 yards, weekly or bi weekly cuts? That kind of stuff makes a difference when you purchase something entry level.

 

Exmarks are NO better than any other commercial mower, especially their deck. Plus here, Exmark is ridiculously priced compared to anything else. You can buy any other major brand top of the line unit PLUS ALL your hand-helds for less than what a new T-O-L Exmark costs.


Go try to run both, and mow with them if at all possible, then make your pick.

 

Exmarks are NO better than any other commercial mower, especially their deck. Plus here, Exmark is ridiculously priced compared to anything else. You can buy any other major brand top of the line unit PLUS ALL your hand-helds for less than what a new T-O-L Exmark costs.

Go try to run both, and mow with them if at all possible, then make your pick.

I agree! 14K for a 60" gas powered zero with a 27 horse engine around here is ludicrous. People dumb enough to pay that I almost pity them. Exmark laughs all the way to the bank every time someone purchases a X Series zero turn.

 

Walker Mowers are more expensive than Exmark's as a general rule

 

Maybe in most places, but not here.

 

I am in CA here the diesel exmark Lazer DS retails at 18k with rear discharge deck

 

Exmark mowers are basically a lower priced Toro unit since Toro owns Exmark. In my area a Toro mower is more than an Exmark mower

 

Same color, same parts different decks. Exmark has the better deck of those 2 IMO.

 

You also pay partly for the name

 

Most of the people I have talked to like the Exmark/Toro branded engines. Granted they have only been out for a couple of years, but warranty claims are said to be low. Does anyone have experience with the engine?

 

It's supposed to be made by Loncin which is Chinese.. meh...

 

i have a place i mow where the equipment is provided to me. I use a 2012 Exmark Lazer Z X-series with a 60" deck. it has a kohler command pro 999c engine. It has plenty of horsepower for the thickest grass

 

I know BMW uses them to build some of their motorcycle engines. I would have to imagine that the engines would be pretty well wrung out for this company to put their name on it.

 

Hi ex313, Welcome to LawnSite. Just curious, have you given any thought to buying a very low hour used mower? There are quite a few of them advertised on Craigslist in my area (near Phila, PA). Best of luck to you in your new business, George

 

Hi George. I have looked and don't want to get into the same situation I am in now with my current equipment where I am spending more time fixing than cutting.
Granted my current machine is pretty well worn out - I really want something that I don't have to worry about (aside from me damaging it). Plus I want to take advantage of the 0% financing - so I don't have to pay out the cash for machine.

 

Since you are financing let me ask you this, are you expanding your business or doing this on the side? If you intend on growing I would look into a pz or a laser instead. If you get an entry level machine and you grow you will buy the better unit in a few years and wish you had invested the original $4-5 in that instead. I know because I did that... As far as the exmark engine I have the toro version with 450 hours no issues. I have used it for 2 seasons and now it sits collecting dust because I replaced it with a v-ride, which I should have bought to begin with, but it all depends on your situation.

 

Right now I am just looking to do this as a side gig.

I need a machine that will serve at the house to cut the 2+ acres we have, and then maybe cover 5-10 jobs spread throughout the week.

I have three dealers in the are within 15 minute. They sell:
Exmark
Bad Boy
Scag
John Deere
Kubota
Other brands (like Husquvarna) are 45 minutes or more away.

Our property is pretty rough so I was looking at something with 22" tires which in a lot of those lines puts you above the $6k mark.

I would like a warranty at least while I am making payments, Exmark has the longest coverage and I have heard great things about the local dealer.

 

Yeah I wouldn't want to pay the extra if I didn't have to either, but I figured I'd let you know my experience. In the end demo and that will help you make the call. You could ask the reps to bring a radius and laser and a mz and pz so you can decide if they are overkill or not.