need info on items

[RSKY]

I recently lost my lawn equipment in a fire. I have replacement insurance but know nothing of the reliability of various brands or models. Due family responsibilities and work I have about a week, maybe two, to make my decision. I desperately need information on homeowner zero turn mowers and pole saws

The mowers I am looking at are zero turn models; Toro Timecutter 17-42Z, Cub Cadet Z Force, Husqvarna CZ48-17, and the Husqvarna Swedish Rider. This mower will be used to mow one to five acres a week of fairly level ground. I have also looked at the Gravely and the Dixon. Price and lack of features eliminate these tow brands.

The pole saws are made by Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna, and Shindiawa.

Here are my first impressions on the mowers. Toro: Pro, cheapest. Con, lightest built deck, no deck grease fittings, no nose roller, and smallest gas tank. Husqvarna Z: Pro, grease fittings on deck, biggest gas tank, foot operated height adjustment, nose roller, dealer closest to home, attention to details, and grass catcher included in price. Con, highest price, and no rear hitch. Husqvarna Swede: Pro, has steering wheel instead of levers, deck tilts for cleaning and blade changing. Con, strange looking, no information on them. Cub Cadet: Pro, reputation, grease fittings on deck, best looking. Con, dealers farthest from home.

Impressions of pole saws. Echo: Pro, good experience with other Echo equipment, dealer close, shaft extends. Con: extendable shaft flexes, expensive. Stihl: Pro, dealer close, friend has had good luck with one, extendable shaft. Con: extendable shaft flexes, expensive, heaviest. Husqvarna: Pro, lightest, longer bar, good reputation. Con, expensive, does not extend. Shindiawa: Pro, cheapest, nearly as light as Husky, grease fitting on bar. Con, I know nothing about Shindiawa equipment and know nobody who has owned any.

I would greatly appreciate any information on these products. You may contact me here or at resonly@yahoo.com . If you have another product that you want to let me know about feel free to do so. The brands and models listed are available for purchase in my area at this time. I am going to post this on several forums and in several spots in forums. Thanks for your help.

 

[theonlybull]

i'm a big fan of huskey, but if your only going to use the pole saw for your own use, i'd go with the Shindiawa, we bought a saw made by them a few years ago, and haven't had a single problem with it.

 

[Rch]

Landscaper supply

These people have serious specials at this time of the year and they'll wheel and deal on a package deal. They also have Skag knock-off mowers with readily available components at good prices. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

In the "About Us" section they list Louisville KY as a location in addition to the New England/NY sites. Also they have on-line diagrams of the various components of the mower that are handy for repair and part finding /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

http://www.landscapermart.com/cgi-bin/cart