New self propelled mower thoughts

[Code54]

I am starting to look for a new mower in the 22" inch range. I can be a bit bigger but I need it for cutting around beds and walkways with tight turns where the regular zero turn won't quite fit. Also in area where I can't fit a mower through a gate and such.
I currently been using a Honda (don't recall the model # but about $500 but has those crappy plastic wheels that don't hold up.). Basically have worn it out in 5 seasons

Would like a commercial quality mower
Plan to cut up to 2 acres a week with it in total (mostly closer to 1 acre a week)
Thinking a Honda GX motor but open to others of similar quality
Will be used on hills frequently
Would like a bagger with a mulch option available.

What would you all recommend ? I have looked at the Snapper (21") Honda GX160 Commercial and liked it but am totally open to all options. I can buy locally or even order online if needed as I am open to all options.

Thanks

 

[tomplum]

I don't know that I've ever seen a broken Honda wheel. Are you saying that the tread didn't hold up? Honda's are ball bearing, most Toro have the perma-lube bushing. Cheap versions get wobbly , but these don't. Many Snapper versions were great at putting grass in the bag due to the lip of the steel deck models. Ninja blades would cut the grass ridiculously fine, though could leave the grass on top. There aren't many Snappers by me in my area so to tell you what the current models are like, I've not a clue. Favorites of mine are Toro and Honda on consumer lines and Toro on the Proline. What do the commercial landscapers use by you? When you are out there looking, lift that bag off the back and think what it would be like with 30 pounds of grass in it to empty. The same with the drive controls. I like the Personal Pace type drives myself, but the Hondas do fine.

 

[newbury]

Can't you just replace the wheels?

 

[Code54]

To explain a bit more:
Right now both backs wheels are shot and need replaced - think "slicks". The front two wheels may have another season left but are almost smooth also. The electric start has died (got that for the teenage son since a mower is "so hard to start" - don't get me started on that...), At the end of the season I noticed it does not want to restart when warm, needs a new drive belt and blade. This year it got a replacement air filter, new plug, (and normal oil changes of course) Seems by the time I do all that, I still have a well used mower and may as well sell it for a few bucks and be done with it (even crappy Honda's get silly money used around here. -will note all problems but it looks great). It also has the consumer grade motor.

So with all that I was just thinking maybe it is time to get a "good one."
Some times in the summer I will cut for 3-4 hrs straight with it so it does get some use and it just seems the homeowner versions start to wear out, especially since our yard is that true county yard that is a bit rough in spots.

 

[Bird]

I thought about giving my opinion for what it's worth, but tomplum already has said it as well as it could be said. So I just second what he said.:laughing:

 

[RalphVa]

I've an old JD 14SB and about a 3 or 4 year old Honda. Both are self propelled and start good. Yeah, the rear treads are almost smooth on the Honda, but I'll just replace them this season. Can't be too expensive. I checked. They're not the same as the fronts. The Honda's the best starting mower I've ever owned. It sometimes won't start hot because the cable on the kill lever stretches. All you have to do is to give it a tug to the side to get it to crank over. Have had to teach the wife to do this.

One of my neighbors has a Toro that he replaced his old Simplicity tractor with. It's a 30 incher. They have the technology where the mower only moves as you move. Neat. Heard they're easy to start and reliable. Don't know how their wheels are.

I always mulch with mine. NEVER have used the bag. Tried it for one round on a mower in NJ and asked myself, "what am I doing this for. Stupid." Let the grass fall back, well mulched. Best for the grass.

Ralph

 

[Code54]

I been starting to look at the 30" models also - seems there are some nice commercial ones available. We do bag the yard, not all the time but fairly often. Use the clippings for making compost and bag the leaves.
As for what pro's use around us - funny but most do not have a 20" mower on the trailer. The semi pro guys use whatever is around (the guys that mow with an old beater truck and no insurance) -heck some of them are the $89.00 Walmart specials....

 

[Code54]

Went and looked at an ExMark today - NICE mower. About 1300 for the 21", 1900 for a 30" - darn well built and I really like the hydrostatic tranny on the 30". Hard to handle the price but if it holds up it would be worth it to us. I am also setting things up for doing some commercial mowing down the road so thinking this maybe a good purchase to further that plan also. Anyone know of other mowers in the same class?

 

[Code54]

Looking at the YBravo and the Bad Boy 25" mowers. Pretty nice and the price is a bit more reasonable!
Simply Professional | Honda Powered | Commercial Lawn Mowers - Ybravo.com - Ybravo.com LLC

Commercial Grade Self-Propelled Mowers - Heavy-Duty High-Performance Professional Self-Propelled Mowers - Bad Boy Mowers

 

[tomplum]

There has been some scuttlebutt on the Ybravo and Bad Boy though I've never seen one. Exmark is a Toro product and they have good dealer support. The 30" in the Timemaster is generally well liked.

 

[Code54]

Curious what you heard about them - seems the push mowers are well liked from what I read but would love to hear if something different is out there.
I looked at the ExMark 30" but it seems a lot of the guys are having issues with them (Spindles, belts, and complaints about lack of power in the thick stuff)

 

[Stowe Boy]

I was faced with similar decision. After looking at all the players. I went with a Honda HRX series mower. No regrets.

Friend has the 30” Examark. It has been a flawless mower for his needs.

 

[Code54]

Have to say the Honda is a nice mower! That 2K for the Exmark stings a bit, and i'm a little scared of it since I been reading of a lot of problems.... Just not sure what i want yet. Nice thing is I have some time before the grass grows and I need to take the plunge!

 

[Doofy]

Never had a small self-propelled walk behind mower. Wife does our lawn mowing and she forbade self propelled...said she needed the exercise. Who am I to argue?

 

[MossRoad]

My father-in-law has a Toro with the personal pace system. He is 90 years old. Up until last year, he mowed his 1/3 acre lawn every 2-3 days with that for the last 7-8 years. Yes, every 2-3 days. Last year, he had some health issues, and I took over mowing his lawn. I have to say, that personal pace system is fantastic. It's like going for a walk. You walk fast, it moves fast. You slow down, it slows down. You speed up it speeds up. Effortless! He always brags to me that his model Toro was the #1 Consumer's Report mower that year. :laughing: I know that sometimes that doesn't mean a lot, but in this case, they got it right. We got him 3 blades, and I kept 2 sharp on the wall for him. I highly recommend it.

I see Toro makes some commercial grade walk-behind mowers. See if they have them with personal pace. See if you can get a dealer to let you test them out. Really nice system. :thumbsup:

 

[newbury]

I also have an 8 or 10 year old Toro, manual lost, don't know if it's with "personal pace" but it's got about the same mechanism laid out in the new manuals.
About the only thing I've done for maintenace is new filter, keep the oil changed, sharpen the blade, try and use alcohol free gas. I'm still amazed when it fires up on the first or second pull. I might even invest in a new sparkplug this year.

 

[frugalangler]

I can't argue about Toro, I've got a late '80's self propelled, one of the few that has a blade clutch and allows to stop mower blades but not engine so no restart when you empty catcher if using that, or pausing to move sticks out of the area. It still starts on the second pull and frequently even the first, when I go for parts the counter guy tells me it's one of the only ones that people keep fixing because they like them so well. If I ever have to replace it, I hope I can find an equal!

 

[Code54]

The blade brake (clutch) is the way to go. I don't have it on my current mower but will on the next one I buy.

I think the commercial Toro is also the same as the Exmark if I recall correctly. Been talking to some landscapers that are not big fans of the Exmark's as they have had tranny issues. Now granted their use is extreme but still concerning. Been hearing a LOT of great things on the YBravo's and they very well built. Also like the 5 year warranty and the fact it is a 25" deck. Still have not made a final decision but am leaning towards the YBravo due to the value.

 

[Stowe Boy]

Do the current Exmarks have the tranny issues? I was under the impression this was fixed with new builds. Maybe I have been misled. My friend’s Exmark has been flawless. If I could get past the price, I would get one.

Yes. Blade brake is great.

 

[Snobdds]

I have a commercial John Deere JE75 that my dad bought in the mid 90's. It has a yamaha engine and still starts on the first pull. It got to be too heavy for him so he gave it to me. I have used it hard the last 10 years and I will fix anything that goes on it. It is the best mower I have ever had. It has a very fast blade speed that cuts the grass instead of just tearing it off. The best thing is I can still get any part for it at my local JD dealer. Every year for the past couple of years I have been replacing some parts, not because it needs it, just because I don't want it to ever die.