Need a new mower

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

As some of you know, I'm 16 and I work in Yard Care. I couldn't find any lawn-mower forums or anything so I figured I'd try here, maybe some of you know something about mowers as well.

Recently my old self-propelled mower broke and I'm temporarily using a friend's piece of crap mower. I could probobally fix my mower, but I would really like to get a new one.

I talked to a few shops that sell mowers, but all of them said I would have to spend like $800 to get a mower that will work 4 hours a day a few days of the week... which is total bull because my mower that just broke was almost 8 years old. I would like to keep it under $400, but can go over if it is worth it.

I need a mower that is self-propelled, mulches and bags easily, and won't break on me even with about 15 hours of work (probobally less) a week for this and next summer. I will perform weekly maintenece on it. I don't need electric start or any of that, just the simplest, best mower for a 16 year old's small business for around $400.

Any ideas?

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[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

I know a thing or two about mowers, and there is a lawn care msg board out there, I've visited it a few times but cannot remember the name.

Brand wise look at Snapper,Deere,Craftsman,Honda,Toro, etc.

For ones that bag easily you want a model where the deck has a tunnel molded into it aimed directly into the bag. The side-discharge ones with a tube adapter clog easily.

 

[swaptrex 10+ year member]

i own a lawn business and can tell you i have John Deere self-propelled bagger that is very quality and bags very well...granted it is only 3 years old. i also own a 72" ex-mark and 42" Gravely to add to the fleet. i use the deere for around small trees and quick trim mowing. i will say it is an exceptional mower, but i don't remeber how much i paid for it...i think it was around $7-800.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Deere is way, way overpriced.

I know Kubota makes a line of small diesel riding mowers and a line of finishing mowers, but I'm not sure how many products they have in that power range. They have a lot more things above the 25-30HP mark.

I've got a Cub Cadet self-propelled push mower, and I love that thing - heavy as hell, and built really solidly. No experience with their riding mowers, but if they're built anything like it, they would be a good choice as well.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

The guy I talked to said that I could start experiencing drive problems like after 100 hours of use on a non-industrial model, and that it would constantly have to be repaired and stuff. With proper maintenence, how much does a middle-line quality mower really last without problems? And I'm talking about like the 22" deck self-propelled mowers, nothing industrial

 

[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

We have a 10+ yr. old Craftsman that always starts on the 2nd pull. The self propelled are going to need more maintenence. The industrial ones tend to be shaft driven and heavy so that they are more rugged.

As for the Deere being overpriced, new yes, but a lot of equip. supply placed sell used/refurb. for great prices. Thats how we got our Deere and it has been great as well.

 

[Shyne151 10+ year member]

Cub Cadet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif my friend has a tank, and that thing is absolutely nuts.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

Cub Cadet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif my friend has a tank, and that thing is absolutely nuts.

Theres an ad in the KC classifieds for a new 6.75hp Cub Cadet mower... Ive never heard of them, are their walk-behind mowers good?

 

[Shyne151 10+ year member]

Theres an ad in the KC classifieds for a new 6.75hp Cub Cadet mower... Ive never heard of them, are their walk-behind mowers good?

I know lowes was selling a walk behind that he wanted to get and that thing was pretty beefy.

 

[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

Cadet makes a good walk behind. Can upgrade to swivel casters on the fronts too.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Can upgrade to swivel casters on the fronts too.

That's what I've got on the front of mine...with the several gears of power, I can just swivel the casters and not even have to lift the front of the mower. It's great.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

Hey, what do you guys think of this mower?

http://www.toro.com/home/mowers/recycler/20017.html

 

[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

Probably a good mower, people seem to like the Toro Self-paced system.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

anyone else use these? Its going to be used quite a bit, so reliability is the major factor I am looking for. I've heard Toros are very reliable

 

[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

Jmac!!!!