OT: lawn mowers... Any landscape guys here?

[sinful]

I'm looking for a new mower and thinking about a zero turn. Probably more for a toy than necessity but mowing my grass faster would definitely be a benefit. I've always had a push mower and the one I have now just took a dump.

I don't want to spend a ton, but I also don't want to buy junk. Any of you guys do this for a living and can give some advice on a mower for homeowner? From what I read online, most pro's tend to say buy a used commercial mower and stay away from Home Depot/lowes? Even if it's just for home use, most say buy the used commercial? I imagine most used mowers have been used and abused would they really be better than a new residential from the HD?

Do you guys thnk I should wait until winter for a better deal, like a motorcycle or think it even matters in. FL.

 

[rogergolf66]

The stuff at HD are all plastic junk. Used commercial quality if u can find it not beat till the end of its life. Check Craig's list.

 

[sinful]

Yea that seems to be the opinion of most. I'll try to check it out and see what's out there. Really have no idea what to even look for unfortunately.

 

[floridascape]

z turn mowers

z turn mowers

What would you like to know. I ride them for a living. 52" exmark 42" hustler 36" exmark. Craigslist is good but, one needs an education in lawn equpiment to make a good buy. Ask away. You are lucky I havent been around in awhile... to busy cutting the grass

 

[sinful]

I'm just trying to get some education in lawn equipment. Ha. What price range do I need to be in to buy a decent used mower? 36" would probably be ideal and I'd say 42 would be max. Can a good mower be had at hd or lowes? My local hd had a toro return they were selling for 1820 normally 2500 new. This reasonable? Hold out and find something on CL?

I'm not going into business, but I'd definitely want more than less, of course.

 

[sinful]

Also what about a good self propelled. Guess I'd consider just replacing my broken one til I can find a deal on a zt. Was looking at that awd husqvarna at lowes. 2 versions everything is same besides the motor. $100 difference between b&s and the Honda engine. Is Honda engine worth the extra $?

 

[Reefpilot11]

Toro Z turn +1

 

[floridascape]

Toro z turns are noy my favorite. But your power plant (motor) is everything. Honda would be absolutely worth the money over briggs and scarp iron. Kawasaki and kohler are what most commercial mowers run. I would not buy a mower from the depot or lowes. Go to evergaldes farm equipment and look at a jhon deer z turns best buck for a decent homeowner z turn. When it comes to z turns its all about the power plant and the hydro transmissions, and a welded plate deck vs a cheap stamped deck. Dont plan on spending less than 2k on a decent z turn. My exmark 52" cost 12k new and is a 2005 so they are not a cheap investment.

 

[TampaSnooker]

My 80 yo Forrest Gump style Snapper is the bomb. I abuse the snot out of it and can fix everything on it - and I am far from a good mechanic. Bamboo, Cypress knees, Muscodine vine? No problem! Buy old - made when things were expected to last!

 

[sparky45]

I like exmark's stand up 48". You can mow anything with them. They stick to Hills great and aren't hard to run.