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

The only mower wider than 22" that I could find is a Snapper that retails for just over $1,000. It is 26" wide. My problem is my yard is two levels so a rider isn't practical but I have just enough of a yard that I want the widest I can find in a good quality walk behind, self propelled mower.

I bought a gear drive Toro 15HPKoh 52in SFS w/ tru trak sulky, brand new for around $3200 and $3400 at the end of 03. There was some back and forth on the price, so I don't remember exactly. Make sure you try before you buy.

Did I mention to try before you buy? Well, try to demo the unit on your lot if possibe, if not try it on conditions as close as possible. 

Narrow decks can sometimes want to dart from side to side on hills, especially side hill mowing. A wider deck is not only more stable but it is easier to control. IMO.

I think I forgot to say this, but try to try before you buy.

Oh yeah, it was my picture that was big. smaller now, sorry.

If he wants to come to Florida I know where a 2002 48in Exmark is ,with a 15hp kaw on it with a velky,for 950.00 If i did'nt have the same mower I'd jump on it even though it's belt driven I think that a great deal the mower looks great!  Maybe off the subject but thought I'd put it in.

Marshall,

I have no idea what the various Toro walk behinds sell for. I couldn't find a price on their web site, but if I had to guess, it would be over $2000. Expensive? Yes, but it is a comercial duty unit, that would last the average homeowner decades with decent maintenance. Most of the Zero-turn manufacturers also make similar walk behind machines like the Toros. I just picked Toro, as their website is pretty decent to look around in, and they have a lot of dealers. Not everyone lives near a Wazzoo, or Exmark dealer although they are perfectly good machines also.

This is a great post! So what did you buy?

I am now in the market for a bigger mower. I have been shopping all my local dealers and all that is available (Well special order as KNOWBODY stocks any of these machines!) is the Exmark Metro 26 (I am not feeling that machine as turning it must be a bear!) and the Snapper 26. I will have to pay MSRP plus freight and tax to even get one of these.  One of the Snapper dealers is trying to talk me into a Snapper rider 281123BV Hi Vac rear engine. The price will be about the same...MSRP is about the same Now I am really confused! My property is 135 feet by 122 and is mostly grass (I need a bigger house!) I have a big swing set and a few areas that I think will be hard to manover around. I have a line trimmer but I would not want to have a rider AND a push mower at the same time. Space is an issue. The Snapper rider stores on it's back...pretty cool!!! It would take up less room than the push machine.

So I guess I am asking what you would do? How manuvarable are these riders? Never drove one...I grew up with a OLD Bolens rider that was awesome but we still needed the push to do the trim.

HELP

I might be a little bias.

Seriously, I have the larger 33" Snapper RER and I have a big wooden swing set with slide, 14 trees, and more to mow around and it does a nice job. The steering is quick, the turning radius is not great but the steering helps that alot. You need to go see your dealer again and demo one the RER's. Get on it, drive it all over and get a feel for it. I think you'll be surprised. As far as storage, that RER isn't going to take up any more room than the 26" walk behind unless you undo the handle and fold it all up, might even take up less room? Standing on end is always another option. Oh, you'll get a better cut with the hi-vac deck than the 26" non hi-vac deck.

OK , one more rider question. How do you know how much HP you need? I am a big guy but my yard is PERFECTLY flat! Can 11HP move my but around and still spin the blade?

And here is the rider...

http://www.snapper.com/hivac_rear.html

cleanmaxx_brian wrote:

Go for the 12HP Briggs OHV AVS or the 11HP GX Honda OHV. You want the electric start and those are the engines to choose from for the 28" deck. I know, they have 13.5HP Briggs too, but there's no need for it for 28" deck, fat butt or not. LOL  The Honda will be a little more quiet, if that's of any importance and probably have more torque too. A Honda GX engine on a Snapper RER, there's a match made in heaven for longevity. $2,200.00 may be too steep though? You should be able to pick up the 12HP Briggs electic start for $1,400.00 ish.

Oh yea, what kind of grass do you have?

$1,400 ish should be do able.  No more though... As for grass... perennial rye, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue and annual ryegrass along with a scatter of wonderful crab grass and a few dandilions

OK, if you want to mulch, get the Ninja Mulch Kit. It will do an excellent job on the Rye and K Bluegrass. The real fine fescue can be difficult for any blade because of the limpness of the grass, the high-vac deck will help that though. I bought the rear drawer bagger for mine and after a couple of months I bought the Ninja Kit, now I hardly ever use the bagger.

No clumping with the Nija Kit? How often do you mow...or better yet, how much are you cutting off? I HAVE to cut ATLEAST once a week! And even at that rate, I bag.

Note: ingound sprinkler system plus fertilizer = happy (read fast growing) grass!