*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it.
looking for a pro commercial mower zero turn.. I just sold my toro timecutter 1642 and looking to spend $2000-3000.
I found a kubota with suposedly 242 hours, 60" deck and 21HP diesel engine for 3300.
looks good on the pictures/.....
My question is... is it worth it for a regular home owner to have one of thise machines with diesel???
I understand the benefits of diesel engines over gas(more reliable, harder to break, more power etc...), but I also understand the cons... (more expensive to fix, harder to find mechanics, etc)
So is it going to be worth to have a diesel machine when all my other engines are gas????
Should I keep looking for a gas mower????
__________________ The "Ideal Society" is where there's "Maximize Freedom and Responsibility for the Individual". Where people have the right to live their own lives as they see fit as long as their not hurting anyone else with their Freedom.
Please, ask me who said it.
"Dr. Ron Paul cured my apathy"
Jesus wears a bracelet that says "What Would Ron Paul Do"
A commercial 60" for $3k?? I'm also in the green industry and I do not know of any "commercial" zero turn in a 60" for that price. Toro, Exmark, Husqavarna, Dixie Choppper will all run you right around $10k for a 60" Diesels were popular a few years ago but you don't see them much anymore. I'm guessing they must of had reliability issues. I've never run one with a diesel but if they were a better option, everyone would be running them. For a 60" I would want a 28hp or larger. I like the Kohler motors over the Kawasaki's. Not 100% on how big the Kohler motors go, you may have to go with Kaw. or Briggs if you get a 32-35hp??. A belt drive stand up is the cheapest option but a good commercial stand up 48" or larger, will still run you $4k or more. I did see an ad a month or so ago from Husqavarna (sp) for a 60" for 5k. They may call these "commercial" mowers but they are not the same quality as the real commercial mowers.
thank you all!!!!! here is the link to the mower.... Jonesy: you may have the impression that I was talking about 60" new.... I'm sorry if I misled you... I was talking used....
I do not know how "commercial" commercial is, but I've seen some 60" for 3/3.5K, several for 4-5K and some from 6 up...
I'm not looking for that... I'm looking for something slightly used for around 2-3K...
Scag tigers are really nice and seem to be a bull...but the ones I've seen around seem to be VERY worn out...
__________________ The "Ideal Society" is where there's "Maximize Freedom and Responsibility for the Individual". Where people have the right to live their own lives as they see fit as long as their not hurting anyone else with their Freedom.
Please, ask me who said it.
"Dr. Ron Paul cured my apathy"
Jesus wears a bracelet that says "What Would Ron Paul Do"
Good mowers get grabbed up quick unless you have some contacts.
Junk is very easy to find. The key is to have cash and be prepared to jump on a deal. Just like most everything else in life.
cashis not problem... my problem is to be able to recognize a deal on something that i'm just getting into... weding out the crapy ones is also a task on its one... specially when the only thing you have to evaluate is a picture or the owner description...
I do not have anybody on the landscaping bussines to ask for help either...
__________________ The "Ideal Society" is where there's "Maximize Freedom and Responsibility for the Individual". Where people have the right to live their own lives as they see fit as long as their not hurting anyone else with their Freedom.
Please, ask me who said it.
"Dr. Ron Paul cured my apathy"
Jesus wears a bracelet that says "What Would Ron Paul Do"
How much yard do you have to mow? I responded to the previous thread about my fathers new 42" timecutter from HD, and it has lasted the summer cutting 1 1/4 acres in excellent shape (comes with a three year warranty).. As we all have found out when you start purchasing a used machine that is several years old it might become more of a maintenance headache than it's worth even though it's a better made mower unless you have a very large yard to cut. Most of those commercial ones as stated above are 7-10K mowers and by the time it's worth 3K it's gonna need a lot of tlc. But that definitely looks like one bad assed zero turn.
First off, there's something wrong with the mower if it's a 60", diesel. zero turn for $3300 or your getting a great deal.
I have a 27HP kubota diesel mower with zero problems engine wise. I bought it from the state of NC for only $1500 with less than 300 hrs. The mower had electrical problems (and others) that I was able to repair for about $1000. I've mowed 3 properties for 4 years (about 10 acres total). The gearbox for the mower deck went last year, $1500 for a new gearbox. I went to Sears and bought a new 54" 28HP Kohler for about $2600. I'm still looking for a replacement gearbox (hopefully I'll be able to find a good complete 72" mower deck). BTW, my mower weighs 1800lbs, so you don't want to get it stuck.
Most home owners don't need a commercial machine, but it's a lot of fun to mow at about 10mph while using 1/3 of the fuel. You also need to be mechanically handy or the up keep will kill you.
__________________ "If Heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't want to go"
I just saw your link, I think I'd at least look at it. See if they'll let you take it to a Kubota dealer to be checked out. Those hours are nothing, it's a great deal if it checks out.
__________________ "If Heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't want to go"
You wont find a Walker in that price range unless it's a pile of abused parts.
My Father-in-Law used to be a Walker dealer and would let me borrow his 73" gas demo when my Murray would break every other week cutting 7 acres.
One hell of a machine.
I priced a new diesel 73" a couple years ago and they wanted $14,000!!!
Sorry, I thought you were talking new. I would stick to a brand that you are able to get serviced at a nearby dealer. Motor, Hydro Pumps and Spindles are probably the more expensive parts to fix or replace. I have blown 3 Kawi motors in the same hours use as one Kohler, so the Kawi's have left a bad taste in my mouth. We use Exmark mowers, the spindles seem near bullet proof but we have put two hydro pumps on it in the last 4 years at $800 a pop. I have used Exmark, Toro, Huskies, Dixie Chopper, Gravely have a friend that runs Scags. They are basically the same when looking in a similiar price range, some do things better than others but is like Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge, etc.. Check with your local dealer, some may have demo's that they sell at a big reduction, especially if they have a new model coming out, they usually will give you the same warranty as if it was new.
I would shoot for something with 800 hrs or less. I have seen some pretty good deals from guys who lost their job due to the economy and started a lawn business, then decided it was not for them or got called back to their old job (i've personally talked to a few) and they are selling the whole set up, Mower, trimmers, blower, trailer, etc.. for about 1/2 of what it was new.
Just like buying a boat, have someone check over the mower if its at all possible. Compression check, electrical and safety switches, pressure on hydro pumps, belts, spindles and deck wear. Take it for a test mow to make sure all works as it should. Stuff will break so make sure you have a means to get parts and make repairs. Again, just like boat service centers, most mower service facilities will only work on what they sell.
I bought a new Exmark "residential" model after my grasshopper finally gave it up. I love the thing. It's gas. I wouldnt get a diesel unless i had like 5 acres or more to mow and it needed mowed a lot. even then, be tough to justify.
You wont find a Walker in that price range unless it's a pile of abused parts.
My Father-in-Law used to be a Walker dealer and would let me borrow his 73" gas demo when my Murray would break every other week cutting 7 acres.
One hell of a machine.
I priced a new diesel 73" a couple years ago and they wanted $14,000!!!
My last mower was a 20hp gas Walker with the 62" side discharge desk. Ran it for 5 years with absolutely no problems. Fabulous mower! The Walker steering system is much easier to use than the normal 2 handed steering found on most zero-steer mowers, and the deck gives a fantastic cut. Also, if you want to collect your grass clippings, the grass-carching system on the Walker is hard to beat. Walkers are commercial quality, very well built, heavy-duty parts, etc. Here is a link to their website: http://www.walkermowers.com/
Before I bought the Walker, I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of brands. Other than Walker, I was most impressed with Exmark, and that would clearly be my second choice. You really need to drive a Walker to understand what its all about!
"When I die let my ashes float down the green river
Let my soul roll on up to the rochester dam
I'll be halfway to heaven with paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am."
The Problem is commercial 2nd hand mowers in good shape are hard to find.
most of them are junk, people used them on commercial propriety's,
some have over 1500 hours and ready to be trashed,
Sometimes you will find a good one from people that started a lawn business and somehow the business never got out of the ground...
For people that have the skills they are easy to fix, for you and me
is better we don't touch the ones that have been thru hell and back.
I want a zero turn, I had a friend that had one for sale,
is son-in-law started a business and was never used, because we could not find clients,
a nice new Dixie-Chopper, however he liked it so much he decided to keep it to do is 1/3
of acre propriety.
I'm only mowing an acre, but I really enjoy mowing my lawn...
but I hate fighting with my tools... ergo, I would like to get something reliable the would let me enjoy my mowing
__________________ The "Ideal Society" is where there's "Maximize Freedom and Responsibility for the Individual". Where people have the right to live their own lives as they see fit as long as their not hurting anyone else with their Freedom.
Please, ask me who said it.
"Dr. Ron Paul cured my apathy"
Jesus wears a bracelet that says "What Would Ron Paul Do"
I'm only mowing an acre, but I really enjoy mowing my lawn...
but I hate fighting with my tools... ergo, I would like to get something reliable the would let me enjoy my mowing
For that size yard, get the Walker with a 48" deck with the grass collection system. You'll have the best looking yard in your neighborhood for sure! Unfortunately, it will cost more than $3,000 (probably 10-12,000 more likely)
"When I die let my ashes float down the green river
Let my soul roll on up to the rochester dam
I'll be halfway to heaven with paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am."
another zero turn mower thread... 
