Why do companies use commercial walk behind mowers?

Question

Why do most landscapers use commercial walk behind mowers when the cost of a brand new garden or yard tractor is so much less? I was looking to start up a buisness and I found that a 8 - 10 year old walk behind commercial walk behind mower (32-48 inches) is the same price as a brand new tractor? Anybody with lawn mowing buisness experiance an answer would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I own a 48" Exmark. I have owned the typical home depot type brands of mowers and they have not held up to the abuse that some places dish out. For an example, one yard I mowed bi-weekly without any problems. The owner had a company put a fence up, one of the fence co. employees threw a broken come along into the grass and forgot about it. Well I struck it with the exmark and the wire got all tangled in the blades and stalled the engine with a very sudden bang. I thought the spindles were broke at the very least, after about a half hour I got everything untangled did a quick inspection of the machine fired it up and finished cutting the grass. Had to replace blades they were ruined but that was it.

Answer 2

I have a lawn service. Try scrapping the deck of a tractor when it gets packed with grass!!! Try taking the blades off to sharpen. Walk behinds are so much more easier to maintain while on job sites. Look at the price of a 8-10 year old tractor and the shape it's in. What price are those mowers anyway?? depending on your yards I'll help you decided what size is best and will make you more money. Good Luck. I use to cut hair, grass don't talk back and I love being outside. Working on 12 years.

Answer 3

Commercial Walk behind mowers are heavier in workmanship meaning they will last longer and require less maintenance. Also they have a zero turn radius so workers can get into tighter spaces without backing up and maneuvering. Last, most of these mower engines have cast iron sleeves for pistons making them wear a lot less than regular mower engines. Just a few of the reasons that these are so popular.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi,
I would like to suggest that they use commercial quality mowers is because these are built to last a lot longer, have more features available, are easier to maintain, have replacement parts available offered longer, and can be used as "tax declarations" because the machines eventually depreciate in value from wear and tear.
Plus the quality and performance is better than an average "hardware store" mowwer.
Hope this helps,
Dave

Answer 5

They say they mow faster. I guess. I had a landscaping business and we just used Sears Riders, Twin Cylinders. Everyone was pleased with the work. I also, just used Homlite and Ryobi weed-eaters that sell for about $80 at that time, had 4 so, whenever one run out of string or have trouble I just fire up another and keep going.

Answer 6

if you are just starting your bsuiness, why buy new? why buy a commercial one?
just go to a yardsale, and buy a nice used one for $50.
by the time you have to repair it, you'll have enough $$ to slap down on two or three brand new commercial mowers.

walk behinds are easier to manhandle, and maneuver. they make precision trimming much easier than a rider does.
they also do the work with higher quality.

if you are going to paint a nice detailed still-life painting, are you going to use a small brush or one of those larger ones you use to paint a house?

Answer 7

The weight of them don't make ruts when the ground is soggy and you can get in closer to obstacles

Answer 8

WHO WANTS A RIDING MOWER TRACK OR RUT LEFT IN THERE YARD. SO MUCH FOR REPEAT BUSINESS

Answer 9

Because they last much longer