7 Tips For Buying Your FIRST Commercial Zero Turn Mower!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Any tips you guys have that we left out? ❤

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Podcast episode we referenced for more mower buying tips: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fullerton-unfiltered/id1500652478?i=1000509083689

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Dude, what are you rambling about, for real. No one plans obsolescence on accessories when paring to equipment, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. No one is swapping out designs on accessories, like almost never. Toro makes the SAME bagger and Exmark has made the SAME bagger for almost 20 years now. Do your homework before you just start throwing nonsense out there. Every one of these brands have the SAME blades, same belts, same pulleys as they have had for YEARS. Engines have had the same oil filters for years! Wow, so I overloaded my trailer axles, and I could get beefier ones elsewhere. Did the folks who plan to sell those to me have any integrity with actually saying that those axles can be paired TO my trailer? Doubt they would a) know that, and b) tell me yes it could regardless of the fact that my trailer was NOT designed for them. Yes, Kelley and Sons are just soooo diabolical and greedy! They sold me a trailer that suited me AT THE TIME, and also for the next FIVE years. Our company only recently began running 2+ mowers and thus we added that additional wear and tear on the axles. How is that their fault? Also, they were honest in saying you cannot throw larger axles on my trailer, it’s not specced for it. Gosh man, stop having a victim mindset. Nobody is out to get you. The bogeyman doesn’t exist, either. Good day.

[@nancywilson9668]

I have bought 4 acres with 2 acres yard in the making and 2 that are full of brush and woods I plant to clean up of dead trees and bushes later this year. But the property as a whole is uneven. I want to get down in some of the lower parts later to trim weeds and be able to move smoothly between multiple levels of land. Is the lawn tractor or zero turn best for this?

[@kengoetz4567]

Transmissions/transaxles needs to be a (or the) top consideration.

[@dees3835]

I started out with a 61 inch 32 horse scag. Only planned on a few yards on the side. Bought a 72 hustler hyperdrive this winter headed full time into the industry

[@lawnboy8401]

I've been mowing for 40 years and am have always kept my machines pretty well updated but the prices are absolutely out of control on these new zero turns. My local Toro dealer told me there is some rebates going on now but the prices went up roughly another grand. This has to stop.

[@TheCharger189]

Same the gravely mower 42 inch has the same size motor as the FR651 Kawasaki on the Husqvarna but an extra $2k without the catcher system

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Totally agree mate

[@Alex.AL_26]

Yup, its crazy, I bought a brand new Lazer Z 60 inch in 2016 and it was $10,500 out the door. That same mower today brand new is pushing $16,000. absolutely insane!

[@lawnboy8401]

@@Alex.AL_26 Crazy!

[@patrickwheatley6156]

Raise your prices

[@russellmaddock3492]

I just purchased my first zero turn mower. Last year my brother purchased a Exmark Radius E series with a 60 in deck. Great machine cuts great and disperses grass really well. When buying my Exmark, I decided to go with the Radius S series with a 52 in deck. The main reason to go with the S series was because of the heavy-duty canister air filter system. Both of our machines were purchased from the Weingartz dealership in Clarkston MI. Steve, a great salesman and someone I have known for years sold me my first zero turn mower. Looking forward for delivery of the machine sometime this week. After observing how well my brothers Exmark Radius performed, I knew if I was going to purchase a zero-turn mower, it would be an Exmark Radius.

[@chadshirey615]

If you have any kind of back injury, you will need to have a quality high back seat. Test drive the suspension dampening system out wide open on field terrain if you want out of town commercial clients. Do not test it out on a home lawn. Most homes have fairly decent terrain. I owned a commercial zero turn in 2016 and hit a ground hog hole wide open and thought for sure I broke my back mowing a cell tower property. I service my own equipment. Ferris IS3200Z 61" 37hp. Great Video Brian.

[@dexewing1]

Great video, Brian. Lots of great advice. You mentioned Walker as being an excellent bagging mower, which it indeed is. And very suitable for highly landscaped yards due to the maneuverability as well as bagging. But they truly are four season machines and have a full line of dedicated attachments especially for fall cleanup and winter snow removal. Keep the mower working through the off-season to get maximum ROI. Another advantage is the ability to run different deck sizes on the same tractor as opposed to buying several dedicated stand alone mowers. With the same Walker tractor you can mow and collect gated backyards with a 36" GHS deck, then swap the deck out to a larger 54" or even 74" side discharge and mow open areas . The Walker is a highly versatile machine that offers a lot of capability with the right attachments. That's something to think about as well. Having a mower like this allows you to expand your services to bridge the growing seasons.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That’s awesome brother

[@CGrib16]

Thanks for all the tips Brian! Our Exmark laser Z has over 3500 hours. It’s banged up for sure but with a new set of blades it cuts like the day we bought it.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That is awesome!

[@troystoneful]

Brian you are so right about turf type for your more you are going to buy. I am in Az. Walker is the best for the bagging and the turf here. The bad thing they are 21k now.

[@985live]

I have a bad boy avenger but I live in Louisiana. I’m still learning on what to buy next before I buy again. I’m grateful for your videos.

[@jimmyf1312]

I personally got the Exmark based on dealer proximity and warranty. Toro Exmark have warranties that give you a little bit more reassurance on longevity

[@joshshaw6505]

Anther tip would be do research on the manufacture and in 2018 when I was watching your videos and all of your videos I have watched they helped me pick out a 2018 toro time cutter mx with my ride luckily I got a good relationship with the dealer where I got my mower because of family buying off of the dealer where I bought it and I started out with a 50 inch deck and I was able to get the dealer to throw in the bagger so I wouldn’t have to pay for it the dealer was kubota dealer and they sold toro mowers another tip is check for rebates because when I bought my mower they had a deal that the mower if was looking at for my self they had a deal where the engien comes with a free maintenance kit and it knocked down the price of the mower I bought I have the toro engien it’s actually a great engien

[@premierlandcape]

Lot of good info, Brian. The only other thing that I consider is efi vs carb. I definitely understand that HP is important, but I try to stay with carb engines just because they are a lot more simple to work on and less to go wrong. Even if your someone that gets all the work done at the dealership. If there is less to go wrong it's less time in the shop and more time to make money

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Great suggestion!

[@brisonspoultrycorner9846]

It’s funny, I was just at the LINK Facebook live and I was asking about mowers and what good brands. Thanks for all the helpful information. this video will definitely help me make my final decision.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You bet brother!

[@RionPhotography]

Totally second #1! I’ve got several dealers of different brands near me in farm country, but the Deere dealer is closest and also the most reliable in my experience. I’ll always go to them if they have what I need.

[@rickdeboer1313]

Thanks Brian for your advice, very helpful! Happy new year to you and the family.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Happy new year!

[@1970-z8h]

Thank you sir..I really needed help..great tips

[@jd-kd3mm]

Excellent breakdown. Loved the talking points. 👍

[@aalonzo1213]

Great video one other thing that I consider is what is the fuel capacity less fuel capacity equals less efficiency.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That’s a solid suggestion!

[@aalonzo1213]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance thanks and the engine also depends on efficiency.

[@codyhooser3333]

Great video Brian!!

[@CountrysideLawnService]

I highly recommend Bobcat mowers (if you have an upstanding dealer nearby)…I demoed some last fall and will be buying here soon… great cut quality, about $3,000 cheaper on both Stand-Ons and Zero Turns, also ZERO PERCENT FINANCING for 60 months.

[@Relentlesstoad56]

I bought a ariens ikon last spring already paid for itself 5 times over.

[@Relentlesstoad56]

I've changed the oil 3 times and replaced air filer and fuel filer once. It has about 55 hours on it. Been a great mower so far.

[@sethvann5751]

I bought a brand new Gravely 552, and a Gravely pro stance 36 for this season. I traded in my old Gravely 48. I was able to get both mowers together for 16k. That’s super high I know but better than paying 14k for just one of those mowers

[@Dependablefieldmowing]

Great video with solid advice!

[@JosephLamonte]

I have owned an entry level hustler fast trak really fast handles great cut ok; a scag tiger cub it was a work horse that never broke cut decent.. exmark lazer z e comfortable great cut… final bought Deere 950m extreme comfort the best cut quality

[@conorsmith5471]

Great video, great info and I couldn’t agree more with your opinions. Your horsepower recommendations are pretty spot on, and I couldn’t agree more with paying a higher price for a more powerful mower. I have run 25hp riders for a while, and I know they aren’t the best, but I never noticed how slow they were until i got a stander with a 37hp. I am like Mario Andretti out there now! And it has me considering upgrading the 26hp rider with bagger I have. I definitely noticed an increase in efficiency upgrading my stand on unit.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Yeah I agree! It’s wild the power and performance from 25 to 37+!

[@rayweh-bfa4966]

More hp is great but in Australia we have real grass can see it growing got to clear the deck no mater how much hp need high tip speed velociy

[@mowgod7142]

Love exmark 48 turf tracer

[@Skizzlawncare]

Great video. 👍

[@carterrichardson2056]

Do you have any recent videos on hustler? I have a dealer 10 minutes from me that sells hustler and then a dealer 25-30 minutes from me that sells exmark. And all my yards are closer to hustler dealer but I’ve heard good and bad about hustler and only good about exmark lol. Thanks

[@juliocastro8376]

Hi! Brother. What do you know about grasshopper mowers. I just started my business last year, and I have been thinking of buying one of them

[@ksjohnson219]

Grass hoppers are great mowers easy to work on they a pricey but great mowers rides like a Cadillac smooth ride

[@timber89]

Have you ever done a review on the Ariens stuff? I know its more residential, but ive gone for a Apex here in the UK. Its got some good entry level commercial features at a good price.

[@mikehagar22]

Any thoughts on properties with steep hills… stander vs walk behind with sulky?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You can usually find an old Exmark turf tracer for a couple grand on Facebook. Otherwise, any of the standers, hold pretty decent on the hill to be be honest.

[@aripedroza24]

Wright stander hands down. I own a grandstand and rarely use it.

[@mikejiskra7976]

Great tips, could you give your opinion on the different Brands of engines. Thanks

[@nightfox5816]

Love the channel love the content just curious your thoughts on walker mowers and why you don’t use them

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We don’t really use them much around here so I don’t have an opinion much ❤️

[@jakeboger5581]

Don’t get a mower that has a lot of over hang on the deck outside of the wheels if you have a lot of billy or technical mows because it will cause you to scalp with that overhang. I have a gravely 60inch stand on and this is my biggest issue.

[@TheCharger189]

What do people think of the Gravely mower? I did a demo with one but I found it was too much wipper Snipper as you couldn’t get close enough to the corners due to the length from the front wheels to the deck

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Those are built like a tank, but for us, they cut like crap with Kentucky Blue!

[@llewellinfelon]

We have an older Gravely. Cut quality is so-so and the ride is crappy. You will fine a number of other Gravely reviewers of their current/newer mowers who also think the ride quality is not good.

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

Tip 1 Buy an Exmark Tip 2 Buy an Exmark Tip 3 Buy an Exmark Tip 4 Buy an Exmark Tip 5 Buy an Exmark Tip 6 Buy an Exmark Tip 7 & MOST importantly buy an EXMARK!!!!!! Blessings for 2024 Cuzzy!!! Dirty Jersey out!!!!

[@dalewiley9208]

Totally contrary to Brian’s advice. Geesus.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

lol that’s funny

[@bmcdonald7303]

Good tips. Thanks.

[@Camo-Dan]

Great video, as always. Thanks for sharing! I cant wait to get my first commercial mower. Im up to about 10 weekly clients and last fall my old 2006 husqvarna ez4824 was really falling apart. Left it at customers houses and all to fix it next day so embarrassing and unprofessional. My buddy let me borrow his scag and im willing to finance a mower now too hopefully this season. Planning to but a husqvarna/redmax stand on mower. They are my favorite although they dont have as many optional add ons and accessories as scag or toro or xmark has so that is a concern.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That’s awesome brother. Congrats on the growth! You got this.

[@Camo-Dan]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance thanks Brian you are best. Great podcasts too lately ive been listening to them all💯

[@Colin_Berenyi]

Dealer support is the absolute most important part

[@demitri619]

Loving all the videos, I have a scag patriot 52 now going to upgrade in the spring or summer for a actually commercial mower are dealer doesn’t caring scag anymore which I like but ready for something new my close dealers carry exmark,toro,Ferris,cub cadet and John Deere I’m lost to what to try next I do a mix of all property’s I just try to stay away from gated yards that won’t fit my 52 I’m here in upstate New York any ideas you suggest from a couple of those brands

[@zackeryarnett9454]

Hey man are you going to be buying the new Redmax backpack blower this year because I’m thinking about getting one this year

[@byronfarley8057]

The prices for commercial mowers in Cincinnati are ridiculous right now!!

[@behrlawnmowingyardwork9930]

Right now I have 2 54 inch. And I have a 36 inch.

[@jordanking9744]

Hey Brain just quick question i know you have demoed alot of mowers if you had to put the top 3 or 4 best 60 inches mowers on the market what would u pick

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We did a video on this!

[@GreenFrogWebDesignReviews]

Love the hat Brian

[@DouglashundleyIIi]

Echo just come out with the 7910t the smaller version of the 9010 t

[@PeterAngelaSanchez]

Your truck is cool Will you put a logo on the 3 trucks

[@robojohn181]

Hello Brian I listen to all of your podcasts when I’m moving I know sometimes you recommend books to read, what would you recommend for my first book to read?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey brother I have a video and podcast coming out on that exact topic next week. Hang tight!

[@garytrine8749]

can you put a snow plow on a stand up mower?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Maybe the Snowmate from Mulch Mate

[@RRExotic]

What about a walk behind on horse power?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

15-18 is pretty typical these days. Those engines have more than enough power I’ve come to find for most conditions.

[@zackeryarnett9454]

Hey man are you going to be buying the new exmark vertex x stand on mower this year

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Yep! We have 3 on order 🤘

[@Micahslawnmaintenance]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance Planning on keeping the Z, s-series, and multiforce around any longer or a full replacement ya think?

[@thisoldrelic]

I never understood why the have never made a 42" pro mower deck. It's the perfect size to fit through a 48" gate and allows you maximum cutting swaths.

[@glendajune9140]

Very informative for those starting out. Geographical location, is a great purchasing point. I’m sure you’ll be helping lots of people, with all these tips Brian. Good looking out!💯👍🏾😀💜✝️🙏🏾🇺🇸

[@Loafwellington]

What ones weren't cutting grass in your area ?

[@dougcooper5740]

How much does horse power have to do with how big the operator is? I'm 6'6" and 315lbs and I can't find anything that answers that.

[@atrian300]

22 or 27 it's good for everything

[@lowermichigan4437]

I have faced temptation in that showroom

[@Skizzlawncare]

What’s up Brian !!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Wuddup!

[@Robert-j9k5i]

Leave toro and exmark at the dealer until they reduce those prices! They have out priced themselves

[@xnostalgiax]

Every single mower dealer around me only has 22 HP mowers until you get up to 60" then there's some 25 HP. Am I going to regret buying a 22 HP stand on mower?

[@Demonhumper9919]

For residential mowing with gates the 36 is all you need

[@juliocastro8376]

I am in Virginia

[@bradentimm]

Best deck size for 1 acre?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

No fences then naturally a 60”

[@bradentimm]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance thanks

[@ksjohnson219]

Team Hustler

[@adambuxton6644]

From were my house 15 mins one way we have a bad boy dealer 25mins other way John deer and cub cadet 15 other way wright scag and toro and exmark and Husqvarna I’d go bad boy mowers all the way since there closer to me and they deliver and pick up too

[@DavidGaskin-wm7cw]

No bad boy!

[@adambuxton6644]

@@DavidGaskin-wm7cw what’s wrong them

[@gregkloe]

No mention about buying used if you are just starting?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Not a fan of used equipment. That’s the last thing someone starting off needs is someone else’s old headache.

[@gregkloe]

I’m reading your book right now. I thought I read about buying used to start. Must be mistaken. I’m having a hard time passing on a less than 500 hour mower at almost a third of a new price.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

@@gregkloe used can be a great option, no doubt about it, but for me personally I just am not a big fan of finding anything with 1,000 hours or more on it. Warranty is huge and can be a great peace of mind for guys just starting out. Ya

[@gregkloe]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance I understand. I can fix anything and am a small engine mechanic so I've gotten used to picking up dead string trimmers, blowers, etc. All of my equipment to date is stuff I've brought back from the dead with the exception of my first string trimmer which also runs like a top. Hopefully this mower will work out. I have a couple months to go through it and get it in top condition. I'm starting out with just 10 yards applying as many principles of your book that I can.

[@ksjohnson219]

I stay away from those cubs I had too many problems

[@MarkWinnicki]

Just as of January 30of this yr bought a gravely zt hd 52 wanted the 60 she said nada damn women ha ha hydro gear 3100s Kawasaki fr691v 23ho 7ga x factor three fab dack fisher Barton blades 8mph f 4mph r 5 gal fuel tank built like a brick outhouse I was after a ferris 500s dealers wouldnt budge world lawn diamondback and encore edge sane mower dealers were far away my gravely can get suspension seat and front forks not cheap nor is the suspension seat but the yard is only 100x100 takes ten minutes and done has 4yr 500hr warranty 1000lbs its awesome hey brian zero turn mud racing /zero turn tractor pulling yah baby hee haw

[@MinnieLilyandNelly]

Whats a good zero turn for under 5000? For all around mowing?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

I couldln't even tell you. The cheapest one's are $8k-$10k these days.

[@krowbar23]

That's a man cave candy store. 😅😅

[@philipterrill2440]

Tip #1 Dont buy a 17k Exmark lazer Z buy a used one that is clean for less than 8k

[@jerrydosser7031]

Cheap = Cub No limit= Scag. Simple.

[@frankanddanasnyder3272]

Kawasaki Fx801 is only 25.5 hp

[@dirtbeard108]

pricing... wow. I'm getting a goat

[@Jjason601]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jronmanlawn]

7 tips to buying a mower [1] Are you a freedom loving cat loving Murican? buy SCAG [2] Does your mower need to be the one that is just right? You should buy a Wright [3] The color red adds 50% more performance to the mower. Lasers can be red. You should probably buy an Exmark Laser Z [4] Want to mow in 6 inches of water? Buy an Altoz TRX. Might as well bring your swimming gear. [5] Want to be a certified grandpa? Buy a John Deere but specifically a lawn tractor style. No zero turns allowed. [6] Do you want a walk behind but not really? Buy a Walker. It's in the name close enough. [7] Want to be a certified weekend warrior? Buy a used 21 inch walk behind. It was only 20 bux. What a great deal. Everyone thought the mower was beyond repair but with 5 bux in parts from the hardware store and an afternoon it works like new.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

😂 💯

[@MarkWinnicki]

I.ll Say one thing about world lawn and encore mowers You get the Best for less 8ga fab deck 15yr warranty 3200s 9.5 gal fuel tanks 10mph Kawasaki ID a had one except dealer was far far away there mowers are so strong as My gravely i Say this much My gravely had a factory rebate of 400.00 and with My accessories came to a grand total of 6674.00 the 60 in was 100.00 more thats it world lawn encore and ferris we're more on the price tag oh and My deck spindles are forged aluminum 1/2 think sealed i went through 3.5 feet tall grass at 2.75 in chute up also looks in place one pass down to the ground no straglers period get You one youll be thanking My later her haw lets rude dudes

[@MarkWinnicki]

oh and that three and a half feet at 2.75 didnt Even faze My governor not one ioda this mofo is one nasty narley brute that don't take any crap and dishes it out baby also use mow deck spray get You one son yah baby

[@MarkWinnicki]

yah she has some war wound scratches at 28 hrs oil change at 10 hrs Kawasaki synthetic baby non ethynol high test and when warranty exprés the Donaldson air cleaner baby yowser this aint your grampa gravely ha ha the gravely from hell yee haw yes shes gonna get recoat paint in spring and She.ll be factory new and waxed

[@larryosselborn9009]

Don't care to much for walker

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Who are you using now?

[@larryosselborn9009]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance spartan

[@larryosselborn9009]

Brian what brand snow shuval is the one you rav over

[@Micahslawnmaintenance]

Super helpful video Brian! My dealer is carrying Toro, Scag, and Wright at the moment. Gonna demo one of them new LG mowers in the spring and we'll see how that goes

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Right on!

[@Jbus15]

Let me know when you find out how the lg is man! I'd love to see it!

[@Micahslawnmaintenance]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance I believe you mean *Wright on*

[@Micahslawnmaintenance]

@@Jbus15 yeah I'm curious too. I'll try to post a video about it when I get the demo done

[@Jbus15]

Are you Instagram? If you do post on there would love to see it ! I'm on as Busman Maintenance

[@rayweh-bfa4966]

Stand on in Australia are as rare as rocking-horse shit

[@bruceslawncarenist9234]

Totally awesome video