Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

hello- as I mentioned in a earlyier post, I will be doing some mowing ( I hope) next summer to assist in my retirement from work. I want to look for a ztr this winter when off-season gets you a little better price. I want to look for one needing repair as I'll be pretty much starting from scratch and can't afford a new one. I can fix alot of disabled small equipment so I don't mind labor to get it up to par. but my question is this:  is there any certain ztr's that are on the 'junk' list and ain't worth fixing? separate pumps for each wheel better ..or is there a certain drive system on any of the older ones that was a nightmare? sorry if I sound 'uneducated' here but that is because I am..this will be a new venture for me as I have worked in  bricked indoor factory for last 32 years.  As I mentioned, I want to look at a fixer-upper needing work ( weld-motor-ect..) but want to put the work into one that has potentual-  any definant 'no-no's or info on what to look for is much appreciated        thx-  Gene

Hello Been a while since I have posted been real busy lately. Geno I have a small lawn business on the side. I use walk-behinds but, I have a lot of friends that have riders. Just talking to them they tell me that alot of mower have diffrent types of grass that they might do a better job on than another. So i would maybe take that into consideration also when looking for a used one. I'm sure their might be people that will argure with that i dunno. But even with my Exmark walkbehind I have used 4 diffrent blades on it. I live In Florida and we have bahia and St. Augustine.  You can get a great cut on the St. Augustine. but on the Bahia I can't get it to cut where I'm saticfied yet!!! But my buddy has a Lesco that is oppsite of mine. Just thought maybe this might help you out. Later Mike

thanks for info / input. I may end up using a walk behind..will see what I come across this winter.   didn't realize their were so many makes.  I think a commercial brand is the way to go.  thanks again for the info             Gene

Hi Geno...

A commercial walkbehind is a lot less $$$ than a rider...

I say 1st... Consider the size... access... type of lawn jobs you have or might expect to get... Likely the jobs the full-time pro's don't wanna' bother with... "Only cut it when it's 6" tall..."   "I'll call you when I want it cut..." small jobs... pain-in-the-neck lawns... (or owners...) etc... the leftovers... with an occasional "brass ring..."...

...then decide what type / size mower may be a best-fit... ...21" cut...???   60" rider... ???    48" walkbehind...???  hydro-drive...??? belt drive...???  ...how will I transport the equipment... ???   will it hold up..??? backup plan...???   ...and on-and-on...

Without specifics... I say look for a good to very good condition used commercial hydro-drive walk behind mower... 48" cut... can be paid for in 1/2 a mowing season I bet...

Dave...

thanks Dave- some real good points to consider.  I really missed the boat here awhile back- a commercial scagg needing some attention- $100!  told him I would be over after work..well after agreeing to this he sold it 1 hour later.  he offered to sell me several of them and other equipment for $500 for all..he sold it all before I got there.  Wish I had left work right away, but thats the way things go sometimes. lesson well learned.    thanks again       Gene

Zipper? Who are they? Never heard of that brand for commercial use.