Thoughts on Buying a Zero Turn Mower for Lawn Business or Personal 

+Ben Tebbens glad to help. Thanks for the comment

shoeking dog great price there! 61” is was too big for most jobs in my area, 48 is perfect. But if I had big jobs like plazas and churches 61” would be great

HmsSulaco Ferrris is great.

+Mikes Lawn Care I have never used a grasshopper much but I I have heard good things about them

We bought a Kubota Kommader Z125S 54" tonight w/14.1 hours on it at an auction. Although it's runs out great, and is a nice ride, having used a grasshopper multiple times one summer, while the engine was being rebuilt on our tractor Allis Chalmers, the grasshopper would be our dream machine if money were no object. Maybe it's best that you haven't ever used one, so you won't have to know what you're missing. We have a lot of slopes (some really steep), so stability is important, and the grasshopper handled them awesomely w/o feeling like we were on the verge of rolling over. We test drove a Gravely during that time period, and on a much gentler slope than we deal w/and it felt like we could roll any time, so we passed that z-turn up. My husband and I have been planning to buy a z-turn for a couple years (this year as our goal). The roll bar and seat belt were important features to us, even though we're still hoping this 'like new' mower handles our hills well. If not, my husband will keep doing the hills w/our Troy Built tractor (when I've done all the mowing, I've always told him, you can see what I'd mow if anything ever happened to him...lol). I don't even have the weight to get the tractors back up the hills once I'm down them, even the one that he had wheel weights put on for me.

would you but the new radius mower exmark with Kawasaki or kohler motor

+Everyday Hustle Lawn Care. Lots of guys in the biz for 3 or less years have started with moderately used equipment or even stuff bought out of the big boxes. A co-worker's son graduated school and didn't want to hit college right away Worked at PT job before graduation and purchsed of ALL THINGS a freakin Murray from WalMart for $999! Granted they're turning wrenches a lot but that was 2 years ago and he's still going. I'd personally not give him 50 bucks for the mower now but just goes to tell you that small things lead to big things. That SD should last a while. Met a guy while refueling and he had one on his trailer and swore by it. If I took care of my own yard and was in the market for a residential mower, the SD would probably be my choice. Built really well.

I stated with one customer and only had a push mower 6 years ago.now my business has grown a little from 8 to 12 customers I have a bunch of equipment but up until now I used two 42" Sears tractors for mowing my bigger lawns.I finally decided to take the plunge and just sold one of my tractors and order a 2018 ferris for next year now I'll be able to increase my business just a little bit more because this is only my side gig I have a full-time job going to retire in 5 years and then triple my business. This is where I'm going with this ...This guy make a a very good point you do not need anything fancy or a commercial mower to start a business my to use Sears generates over $8,000 cash for 6 months that's my point😊

+Luke Pellegrin good suggestion. Thank you

Its the hot sun that I don't understand how people can tolerate it...I start to burn after about 20 minutes....I just cant take the sun, it burns me right up. I mow my lawn later in the evening.

yes, the humidity is the worst part and pushes the heat index past 110°F sometimes. And it makes the grass grow crazy fast. appreciate the tips. Was thinking about a large hat cause I've seen Jason wear one in some of his vids. thanks!

300 hrs is slightly used ... properly maintained they can go 2-3000 hrs ...

@@g00glechr0me8 You have to wear long sleeves and a neck drape. Gotta wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from damage from glare.

I just wanted to pop on and say thanks for the reply. I ended up getting the Gravely, and I can't say how impressed I am with this machine. My gut told me it was the way to go and your message helped me feel comfortable with the purchase. It took me 4 days to get the property under control, but now I mow it all in about 1.5 hours. The property, about 4 acres, was all 3-5 foot in height. I only had to use the bush hogger on a few small areas over 5 foot. The gravely did the rest. It is a beast. It helped that the seller took care of it as well. All around a great experience and I appreciate you taking the time to answer my inquiry via PM. I love your videos, keep up the great work.

I agree. For hills, walk behind mowers are the way to go.

I would get a kawasaki or kohler engine. Scag, Exmark, and Hustler all make good walk behind mowers

Jason, thanks again for your suggestions. After considering all of my options, I went with a Deere X350. My reason was simply the bagging capacity of a riding tractor versus a grass catcher for the walk behind. Did get a Kawasaki motor on the Deere so I was happy about that. Thanks again and I wish you nothing but continued success in the lawn care business.

kawi and a FERRIS all day

Straight From the Field you still hiring i live in Atlanta 6 years experience 678-913-9004 Rod

Yeah, I need some help right now. Please apply on my website and attach a resume: integritylawnpro.com

Straight From the Field i tried to fill out the app on your web, it will not submit

You need to fill out all the fields in order to submit(no blank spaces). Also, make sure you are using a mainstream browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Opera. Lesser-knowns like Midori, or Pale Moon don't always work. I plan on re-coding the whole site soon, and may go back to the .pdf file-type of job application.

That is good to hear from someone with experience. I do not have much experience with the 60 inch or larger mowers

Oddly enough, I liked the 72" grasshopper better than any 61" zero turn.

+Brett Dobbins I sold it. That was a great mower

20,000? bro. no one uses ventrac unless u have crazy aggressive terrain. top of the line mowers in the industry, brand new, are around 12K. that is what I pay if I want something new...however, these mowers are solid as a tank, so buy used, and if something goes wrong on it, fix it! you can get a 12k mower for 3k with 1k hrs on it, and spend 3k making it brand new. woot!

GTFO here you can buy one for under 12k. Who the hell would pay that much for a lawn mower

@@madbear3512 everyone who makes a living with mowers

Cody Sutherland Heya Cody, just picked up a Worldlawn Diamondback brand new for $4k flat. Kawasaki engine and 3200 trans. They are buying market share, very under valued machines!

Zero turn , 52 Bob cat use comercial becosue those zero bobcats really good for any tipe of grass specially weeds

Thomas shonk it is recommended they be sharpened every 10 hrs of use.

William Sizemore ferris or gravley 9

marty Wylie 36 inch or 42 inch decks are great for residential yards, if the back yard gate is smaller then there large sized deck they mite have a push mower or a 36inch deck mower as well. or just not do that customer yard all together

@@sdudley11 Thank You Sam

@@martylwylie no problem marty glad to help

I think a 48 inch is a good versatile Size. 52 in also a good size. If you can't get into the backyard you will need a smaller mower or possibly not take on the business

20 hp Kohler motor

oh my gosh...that grasshopper is barely broken in, and $3K is a steal!!!

That is a bargain

Most zero Turn Mowers have an hour meter

MrFakit it takes getting used to. With good tires and technique (mostly turning) traction shouldn’t be an issue unless the ground is saturated. I know with Gravely you can upgrade with a $600 comfort seat that’s basically a lazyboy on a zero turn. Very easy on your back.

i priced a kubota wg14-36 walk behind mower from mannistoa for $3,980.00

I would get the exmark

Both are probably fine. Ariens is like a gravely

Lawn Care Life Thanks for the fast reply. Is the ZT3100 not worth it in the Ariens or is the Exmark just that much better?

I'm not that familiar with ariens. I believe they are associated with Gravely but I am more familiar with the Gravely models

Lawn Care Life Thanks again, ended up getting the Exmark and it will be delivered on Saturday. Really enjoyed watching several of your videos even if I am not doing lawn care anymore - brings back some great memories!

Karl Quinn how much

show contact infohere is the craigslist wording: I have a 2004 walker 42" mower. It's the ghs model and collects grass. Has 815 hours and needs nothing. I purchased it used with 250 hours with a hurt motor. I replaced the motor at 283 hours for $2200 at Harry's. I have receipts to show. I always maintained the mower my self every 50 hours and have maintenance logged in my notebook. Mower doesn't look brand new but it is very solid and needs nothing. Ready to cut. Firm on 4500. Don't low ball. Call/text

From the Craigslist ad: I have a 2004 walker 42" mower. It's the ghs model and collects grass. Has 815 hours and needs nothing. I purchased it used with 250 hours with a hurt motor. I replaced the motor at 283 hours for $2200 at Harry's. I have receipts to show. I always maintained the mower my self every 50 hours and have maintenance logged in my notebook. Mower doesn't look brand new but it is very solid and needs nothing. Ready to cut. Firm on 4500. Don't low ball. Call/text show contact info

+Jon Morgan I think that's a great deal on that Gravely.

So 190 Hours is still fairly New??..

Tony Harrell I'm looking to go legal and to do taxes this season. How do I go about that? I have no experience with business and taxes and I'm just learning as I go. Is there a book you would recommend? Any advice you would give is welcome!

Sick Fiber Find a reputable person to do your taxes first. They can give you all the info you need.

Tony Harrell Alright. They can even help with becoming an official business, as well?

Sick Fiber Yes, I was a sole proprietor but you may want to explore other options.

Tony Harrell What do you mean exactly?

Toro is a good mower. Have owned several of them and they hold up well. We use Exmark (owned by Toro) the only difference is the decks. Exmark is a heavier deck with less maintenance. one thing to inquire about (dealer would probably know better) is the hydro pumps. They changed them about 7yrs ago on commercial mowers and since then have been bullet proof. The older pumps would fail around 1200hrs and would cost 1500 range to repair. The Timecutter is not considered a commercial mower so I can't speak for it. Starting out a Toro will work just fine for you. We service large commercial properties and the extra cost of Exmark is worth it in the long run for us. As far as going to home depot I would get a quote from them and then bring it to your local Toro dealer. I can not express enough how much a relationship with them will benefit you down the road.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Alot of good info for me. Thank you and hope you have a great season.

Tyler Thrash thank you for your service! Come home safe! Wish you best of luck on your new business!

no alot of lawn care business here are going all kubota because kubota is good on budgets of money saving plus the kubota dealers takes $2,400 up to $3,500 off with perchuse of kubota mowers or tractors wich is nice

+Levi Wright I haven't personally owned in grasshopper but I hear very good things about them

can you compare them to other big names?

Sure, though I would upgrade when you get more money to do so

I have never owned one. Not many around in my area. I never understood the big mud tires on them.

Bummer not many here ether.. I do understand the mudders though really large hydro motors one each wheel shit loads of instance power the fucker is scary LOL

+Ok De Craigslist or facebook marketplace

Amen! Z1/Z2's! Love em!

+Bob Keller never tried one

+Jordan Hannah I prefer Kawasaki or kohler

Kaw also, but I know friends of mine who swear by the Vangard. Briggs? Hmmmm. Roll the dice. I've had very good luck with Briggs but know plenty who have had nothing but trouble.

R2 4U Cub Cadet would not be my first choice

why not?

I've never owned a Cub Cadet but have not heard very good reviews about them

Belt keeps coming off and it's not easy to put it back

We made the mistake of buying a Cub Cadet a couple years ago. They're cheap, and quality confirms just how cheap they really are. Ours has been broken down more than it's been up and running. The only positive I have to say about it is that it is a comfortable ride, and having reverse built into the gas pedal makes it almost as nice as z-turn for maneuvering.

+Jon Morgan 300 hours is low. I would buy one with 500 for a good price.

+Turf Guys Lawn Care I'll try to get as low as hours as possible but I typically don't consider one with over 500 hours. It is not that one with 500 hours will not work great. It might. It's just that I don't know how well it has been taken care of. I think if you buy one with low hours then you can keep it well over five hundred hours. I believe some companies put 500 hours on a mower in one year

I was just curious. I've wondered this for a while. I've got almost 500 hours on mine with regular maintenance and a new battery and rebuilt starter. I'm getting bigger properties and I'd like to get another mower, but some of these mowers I'm seeing have 1000 to 2000 plus hours on them, and they still want 5 to 6 grand for them.

I like the Lazer Z as well