Quote:
Originally Posted by zraffz
Not sure how big of a lawn you are talking but the commercial mowers are significantly faster. Even a used hydrostatic walk behind with a velke wheel would be good. You can pick them up for 1000-1500 bucks. I'd avoid the belt driven junk unless you like humping around a 400lb mower.
They take a few days to master but make quick work out of lawns. I'd push for the zero turn but truthfully the walk behind holds hills better and makes quicker work in tight areas and leaves less turf damage.
Any major brand works; scag, bobcat, exmark. You check for play in the spindles, how even the mower tracks (air pressure must be even and trim properly adjusted) and any abnormal noises/leaks. You'd want dual hydro pumps. Motor brands all have pros and cons depending on the year. Anything Honda or older briggs van guard is bullet proof.
I had a 48" bobcat zero turn and hated how it handled hills (I'm used to the big 60"+). I used it to do my lawn, my mom's and a rental property. I sold it for a 48" scag walk behind with a velke wheel and am very happy I did. On my lawn and the rental, I mow much faster. On my mom's 1 acre lawn, it's about a wash at 40-45 minutes. Once you get the hang of backing up in reverse without getting off the velke wheel, you can cut just as fast as a small zero turn.
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Came here to say exactly this. If you don't need a tractor for pulling, plowing, etc go for a commercial mower. Massive difference and worth the higher price.