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I know there are a lot of guys in the grass cutting business on here and others with opinions on most anything so you guys will know what are the best mowers to get. If I were to buy a 46"-52" deck commercial mower which brand would be my best option. Looking at the whole package, Up front cost,
reliability, ride quality, servicability and replacement and perishable parts costs?

Disclaimer: I am not getting into competition with the grass cutting guys. Just want to buy my last mower and am going to start saving to
buy it next summer.

I have a 97 model Scag turf tiger 52" with a Kohler on it. I know it had a new motor put on it in the early 2000's but no big problems since I've had it. It cuts great. The best thing to do is go with a commercial brand that there is a reputable dealer of that brand somewhere close to you. Scag and Exmark are both good brands.

Look at the Cub Cadet RZT "S". Its a zero turn with a steering wheel. The sterring wheel will make it a little easier for the wifey/gfriend/sig other to drive. Comes with a 46, 54, and 60 deck.

Its a "commercial' mower for the homeowner..

Runs around 2500

^^^It also has a Moulded deck...I, personally, would not go that route. go ahead and get a welded deck like on Exmark, Scag, or Ferris, or Hustler, or even Gravely. The last prices i got..the Gravely was the cheapest for the money!

I sell Exmark, and imo, they are the best across the board out there, and there are more professional cutters on them than any other brand. I would make sure you get either a kawasaki or kohler engine, with the nod there being the kawasaki, but that's just me. How much are you wanting to spend ? there's the big ?? you can get a mower as nice as you want, but you're going to pay for it. Some things to think about.... warranty, size, engine size, price, comfort, quality of cut, quality of construction, service, parts, size of hydraulics, power ratios (how much of the engine does it take to propel the machine vs. turning the blades).

feel free to give me a call.

601-276-9544
Jake

Exmark, have always gotten good service out of them!

Go on line and look at the Bad Boy mowers, fab welded deck, Kaw engine, seperate drive pumps, 42" is around 2800-2900, I was very impressed in how well constructed they are. Also has the foot lever to adjust the mower height which helps.

Also there are the Big Dog, same type as above, just made with different features.

Service is key selling point for me. If something happens I dont want to have to wait. I run Exmark and have no complaints and there are several dealers around me if something was to break down.

I've always like the rugged look of the Exmark and probably was going to go that route but wasn't sure about cost of replacement parts. Filters, belts, blades
etc. Didn't want to go John Deer because of the cost of replacement parts. I know they are high for the tractors, figured they were high for the mowers as well. How is the ride on the Exmark compaired to the others? If I mow my yard, my folks yard and my inlaws yard all in a day I want to make sure I can walk the next day. Ole bones can't take the abuse that they use to.

If your looking for a smooth ride..You need to look at Ferris. The only mower on the market with Indepedant Suspension on all tires. My best friend cut grass for a living and bought one. It's two years old and he has had zeron problems with it and it rides like a dream. BUT....it was $1500 more than the Exmark mower for the same mower. His has the 23 (?) hp Kawasaki motor and will cut up some grass

I personally like the Exmark just because I've seen how they stand behind their mowers. Fredricks's in Brandon will give you a lowner mower if yours goes out. I've seen him do this for numerous people that I know. You just can't beat service like that....

fireplug wrote:I've always like the rugged look of the Exmark and probably was going to go that route but wasn't sure about cost of replacement parts. Filters, belts, blades
etc. Didn't want to go John Deer because of the cost of replacement parts. I know they are high for the tractors, figured they were high for the mowers as well. How is the ride on the Exmark compaired to the others? If I mow my yard, my folks yard and my inlaws yard all in a day I want to make sure I can walk the next day. Ole bones can't take the abuse that they use to.

I have a John Deere 737......one of the best zero turns ever made (see if you can find a used one online in good shape). My dad has an Exmark and likes it. The Toro's are good as well. The john deere hasn't been expensive to maintain. I've had it for 6 years and only have had to replace the blades and the battery. I did buy a new belt as well.....but the other one was still kicking.....just looked a little dry rotted.

I am not a commercial lawn care guy either, but I bought the Kubota diesel with the 72” deck. It has taken my 5 acre yard from 2 days to a few hours. And I love it. The 3 down sides are it set higher than most commercial mowers so you have to trim your trees to get under them, your days of drinking beer and cutting grass are over, and the upfront cost.

The two biggest factors I discovered when shopping a couple years ago was the deck needs to be a welded deck, not molded. There needs to be separate pumps for each drive wheel. The pumps should also be separate from the drive system. There are a couple out there that have the pumps and the drives as one unit. This means when one part goes, you replace the whole part, not just the pump or the drive.

I have a John Deere 757 that I keep 13 acres cut with and I've only replaced the battery in the last 4 years. I can't imagine anyone running it harder than I do on my 13 acres. Hasn't never gave me a minutes worth of trouble.

Duckimpeller wrote:I have a John Deere 757 that I keep 13 acres cut with and I've only replaced the battery in the last 4 years. I can't imagine anyone running it harder than I do on my 13 acres. Hasn't never gave me a minutes worth of trouble.

What engine you running on that one?