Testing A Lawn Mower Striping Kit To See If They REALLY Work (REVEALED!)

Today we're testing a lawn mower striping kit to see if they actually make a difference when mowing a lawn. Now you guys know our Exmark Lazer Z stripes lawns pretty incredibly without one, but so many of you swear by striping kits and I wanted to see what it looked like with one on the unit and on our lawn.
I will say this, the test from this property was a little inconclusive. However, after using it over the last week and a half by the time this video posted, I will say it really does look nice on our residential lawns with the Kentucky blue grass. Stay tuned for some fun future videos and impressions with the stripe kit and also check out the lawns on Instagram as we post some fun time-lapses there!
Do you guys use a striping kit on your units? What about on a push mower or even at home on your own property? I'm curious to hear your guys opinion on whether or not striping kits are worth the investment.
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[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Do you guys run striping kits on your units? Love to hear your thoughts! I will say, after running ours all last week, I do feel like it makes the lawn stripes more distinct and have more contrast. Still trying to decide how I feel with it on.

[@xxcod_killerxx8128]

No the x stripes just fine as is it just has to be decent grass im a young guy in ur airea doing this stuff btw 👍

[@timbohouston]

I'd like to try striping but it would be a total waste for my biz here in Texas.

[@larrypage2089]

I run a striping kit on my 30-inch walk-behind Toro Timemaster. The striping kit on this time Master makes a huge difference due to the fact that the tires are quite narrow and do not bend the grass. However on tractors and Zero Turns The Wide rear tires really help define each pass with a stripe. I Don't Run a striping kit on my tractor it already Stripes quite well. Brian as far as the striping kit for your Exmark I can see maybe 5% difference in the contrast of the stripes at best,...minuscule to say the least.

[@mikey69231]

Me and my bud run striping kits on both of our scab cheetahs, makes a great distinct path every time

[@flying__penguin9291]

You can tell when the kit starts from the drone footage really clearly noticed darker and lighter stripes

[@bensfirewood]

I run a Harrison Specialties striping roller on my Z-Trak. It definitely leaves a more pronounced stripes in the lawn, but it will depend on how you have it adjusted. If the roller is lightly rolling along the grass, you might not notice a big difference. Running the roller lower and "pushing" down the grass further will leave a better stripe, but also lead to more wear & tear on your machine as the roller/deck will be jostled around when hitting bumps in the lawn. If I was mowing for money like I used to, I would not want to run a rigid roller like this as it makes for a bumpier ride and excess wear on your machine when going fast. If you raise the roller enough to avoid this issue, you probably won't see much difference in results as seen in the video here. Just my two cents... Nice video Brian

[@jeffstrains4014]

The kit you have use to be what exmark had, I am guessing they cheapened them up some. I have had one in place since 05 and its bouncing off rocks all the time. I do not still have a business but I do still have my 05 liquid cooled 60' and a Kubota ZD21. I am just at a point where I want a new mower so have been comparing the two in new versions.

[@bladesofglorylawnmaintenan6354]

Definitely see the bolder stripes “with” the kit.. I noticed it immediately. Also outstanding camera shots brother!! Those different angles on the mower showing the kit in action was pretty sweet.. ( even the one under the deck till the screen got covered lol ). Keep up the great work @Brian.. love watching you all grow!! Stay blessed brother!!

[@Mrmac79]

Wow! Nice! I have been watching you channel throughout the spring and the summer and you have really helped me out a lot with several tips. Without the striping kit you do a really really great job! Thank you so much for sharing. It's my first season trying start and do lawn care and hopefully next year will be twice as good. May The Most High continue to bless you and your family!

[@vburke9232]

brian! thinking about purchasing a coaching call! also gonna buy keith’s book. grateful for a nice pick of entrepreneurs to lead this community in whatever way we’re going. either way, it’s the green way😎

[@kevina4386]

Hey brian.can you do a segment on how you get grass out of your socks

[@alexschaaf7521]

Honestly exmarks lay nice stripes with or without the striping kit. Interested to see how it does in some nice fertilized lawns. The stripes with the kit does look a little bolder tho like you said. Great video as always!

[@ynot0714]

My Kubota zd 326 stripes great with no stripping kit, my 2 wright 52 in stripes great also they do have the kit. Yes it depends on how your looking at the lawn and where the sun is. Don't like high lift blades as they bring up everything , just don't need them. Your property looks great Brian !

[@slowb4lls1]

I run a stripe kit just like the exmark one on my radius 48”x series and it makes a giant difference on nice turf, plus on the video the sun wasn’t really hitting the grass right looking from your trailer but the drone footage shows yes clearly the lines are way sharper and more defined on the stripe kit right side if you ask me. Harrison specialties makes a exmark stripe clone basically that’s legit well built with grease fittings and all and unlike the exmark kit you don’t have to skip a mortgage payment or 2 to buy it. Look it up for your mower and see if they make one for specific model, best kept secret

[@davidwhite5858]

I live in Lincoln Nebraska and ended up with the President of the eXmark company’s Front Runner. 100 hours on in full 3 year warranty 54” deck. All the extra accessories. Beautiful machine and no issues. I like your channel and will keep watching. Should I get the striping kit? I have about 5 acres of my own to mow. Thank you keep up the info. 👍

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

I personally don't feel it makes a TON of difference, but it does help a little bit.

[@JamesZ1025]

I’m currently running the same striping kit. Going to get a Harrison striping kit, it’s one solid steel roller. Have issues with the small end rollers popping off. I just got some Oregon 3” wide hi lift blades. Man those things discharge amazingly. It would’ve been a lot easier if you’d have jacked up the Z and removed the rear tires for installation. I’m fortunate to have a hoist I got at harbor freight

[@GregVanGorp]

I’m looking at getting an Exmark Radius soon but this impressed me with the “out of the box” striping. Very excited for an increase in quality of cut!

[@thelifeofd3811]

Seeing frustrated Brian makes me feel way better about all the times that I attempt to do something I do it wrong and then just get really pissed off.. Just nice to see we're really all in this together

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hahah we've all been there!

[@williamgleeson5559]

I don’t see much of a difference

[@kennyplay5982]

If you run over the same lines 2-3 times, anyone is gonna get better looking stripes.

[@csresidentiallawnmowinglan7244]

This -is- coming from a guy who put his lug nuts on backwards... LOL! Just kidding Brian! Nice vid!

[@geridrh]

😂

[@tommys.9606]

The stock Ferris stripe kit works great, all it is, is a piece of rubber that bolts to the back of the deck and hangs down 2". I made one for my Z2 by just using a roll of 1/8" thick rubber sheeting I ordered from Amazon instead of spending $100 for the accessory.

[@dawnlark6161]

Haven't even watched it and i already know it's gonna be a BANGER.

[@letsgofindit.7417]

I think the tire tracks are less pronounced with the striping kit. Giving an even(er) apperance IMHO. love your videos keep them coming.

[@treverleigh5692]

Hey Brian I’m Trever from new edge lawn care I just wanted to say thank you so much for inspiring me to grow my business I’m 16 years old and so far this year I have bought a 2020 exmark radius, a stihl stick edger, stihl hedge trimmer and a stihl 271 chainsaw, 5/1/2 - 10 foot trailer and a truck I started this business with a $75 dollar push mower and have grown to this from the age of 10-16 now doing 16 lawns a week and getting landscaping jobs regularly thank you so much for the advice to help me grow my business I wish the best to all of you god bless.

[@Sh1ftn]

You should start a KZbin channel as well lol! Would love to see your equipment and how you mow

[@treverleigh5692]

F7 Shift Thank you so much I will hopefully be starting one this winter

[@robertscottdunn]

Hey, the first install always takes longer. The next time you install one it'll take half the time! I like the difference of the stripe kit. It's not just the tire marks that stand out, the whole cut looks more consistent.

[@gemmcnutt]

I mow at 2.75 because that's what my neighbors like. I have a simplicity zero turn and it has the rollers built in on the back of the deck and it stripes the lawns extremely well

[@SlyThePumpkinGuy]

Just started watching this channel…. My two cents… Stripping is finding the right side of the blade of grass, and making them all the same (per strips) Try this. Drag gentle bristles floor broom (aka 36, 48” brooms) in front of the roller… broom will reorient the blade of grass before rolling. Mistake I have seen… too much weight on roller. Depending on speed of mower, weight adjusted for gentle broom combing of grass blades. The roller “I call it the polisher”. One last thing, if you put it behind your wheels… tire tracks disappear 🫥. For me it’s fun to “cut/designed/do a makeover” lawns. Have fun!

[@jackmcmurtrie1279]

Hi there well for what I can see the right side definitely does looks better then the left I think the stripping kit you put on makes the strips look brighter I can say love ur mowing vids keep them coming I really like striping lawns too looks so much better and more professional look too!! Ty my friend for sharing!!

[@pjroo]

You’re such a happy chap! 😄 Gr8 vid too, thanks mate 👍🏻 I’ll pass on this particular kit.

[@caseymoore8500]

I do believe it’s all Preference depending on the mower you have and what you cut at. You may not need one as you said you couldn’t tell a difference. But then again on a treated yard it could more brightened strips off the sun light like some other videos I’ve seen but great content and keep up the good work

[@topnotchrocker2618]

As usual, Brian, you knocked it out of the park, I've had my striping kit on my Exmark since the day I brought it back in 2002, and it is still striping to this day.

[@genejackson8815]

When the kit is mounted to the deck, it doesn’t allow the full weight of the roller to bend the grass. Roller needs to float independent of the deck height. I stripe with a Honda 21” and have very distinct stripes. Consider making a V bracket and connect the stripe roller to the hitch and see what difference it makes.

[@CORNSTARCH21]

Great video! I think there's not a whole lot of difference, except that like you said the side done with the kit seems a little bolder. I enjoy working on our mowers and figuring out how to install things and make repairs. Keep up the videos!👊

[@Irishfarms60]

We run the high lift blade with no notch works better and keeps the mower deck from clogging We have a stripping kit for the riders and stand on

[@williamjanik7743]

I've got the OEM Ferris striping kit on my Z3x. Meh, I'm indifferent about it. The Ferris stripes well to begin with. I think sharp blades and a clean deck help just as well

[@ccjurgs1457]

I'm in the same boat where my trailer is my shop. One day Brian we will all have a garage, lol. Awesome video footage. I dont see much difference but ive always thought Exmarks leave the best stripes. I used to have one, now ive got a scag but I'm trying to go back to exmark

[@dancannon5158]

Hard to tell the difference. We don't run striping kits but both our Hustler & Ferris stripe really well. We power wash underside of decks every week when we change blades.. sharp blades and good clean airflow for max uplift seems to work for most of our yards.. Kentucky Blue grass at 3.25"..

[@leobrown9297]

Have had a xmark striping kit on my 48" lazer z for several years. Retired here in Texas from central Ohio 2 years ago. Down here on bermuda and st Augustine customers love it. No one stripes down here. Enjoy your videos! My style striper has bearings and much easier to adjust and put on and remove.

[@simonmorris8651]

Great video Brian, many thanks. Not that much of a difference to warrant the cost and extra maintenance (greasing points) but I agree that with finer grade grass it may show more. Great shots of it in action and I like that your machine is so clean underneath (our wetter UK climate means our kit is much harder to keep looking good )👍. Couldn’t help noticing the inside walls if your tyres - what on earth are they? Are they airless/solid? Thanks again, mega sharp looking outfit you run 👏👏👏.

[@spencerbird1273]

Great vid Brian! Not every day goes to plan, your positive attitude is extremely motivating! Keep it real!

[@NorthernChev]

Inconclusive, I agree.

[@jeffreyMagnum460]

I made my own stripping kit with a stiff bristle 24" push broom head bolted to the back of the deck.

[@killoquintana5120]

It's hard to see when you cut over the same stripe pattern. I say to definitely try in a different direction, maybe it'll make a difference. Also, most of our Scags already come with rollers on the decks ;)

[@mikey69231]

Yeah when my partner and I got the new cheetah this year we optioned the roller and LED lights

[@altoncraven3588]

Right side looks the best .

[@kreed2551]

When you say line what exactly are you looking at? I can definitely see a difference

[@t.j.cheslik4337]

Ya know Brian, I just don't personally notice a difference. I agree with you though, your mower already lays stripes very nicely.

[@revfred2008]

Definitely you see the line definition in the striping kit side.

[@ThereturnofMrClown]

Right side definitely looks better, but no offense the lawn quality there isn't good, like you said when you do the treated lawns you will see a huge difference, i have a kit on my gravely zero turn and the stripe quality is incredible, great video though 👍👍

[@chrissmith5911]

This looks like the same kit on the toro ztr I hope it works better. I took a peace of rubber like on the mud guards on semis and bolted to the deck. It works so much better

[@Lumpygrits76]

A $30 stall matt from tractor supply a few bolts and a $10 punched flat bar, bolts, washers and nuts from Home Depot or tractor supply would do as good of better. About the same time building but save about $350. And lol you could supply 5-6 neighbors with the leftover stall matt.

[@ralphexcellent3114]

The striping kit side looks a little better, but can’t wait to see the results on treated grass.

[@DetailingVibes]

Looks really good! Try it on the subdivision

[@robertrichardsr.6177]

Hey man great lines love you’re knowledge, to me it looks the same and I wouldn’t run a striping kit for me.

[@Relentless1224]

I own a landscaping business in VA, I am just getting started. I run a striping kit on my John Deere, mine is a brush and I love it. Curious what you charge for a lawn of that size? I’m still figuring out how to price. Thanks!

[@jdwalkerco5550]

Lots of bumps on this cut, curious if the Toro Titan rides more comfortable on this land

[@emoss6264]

Difference looks comparable to a bagger. I'd be curious to see a stripping kit on a bagger

[@blackwolfnews1722]

If I close one eye and squint...I can imagine I can see a difference, but when I realize it costs $300 and and two hours of labor...I can honestly say the difference is not worth the price. Maybe on better grass it will make a difference, but judging by this example...not enough. That said, I have a question, did it effect the ride of the mower at all? More bumpy? Less?

[@ME-lq7mf]

First hey brain how’s business my man keep up the hustle stay safe brother

[@conorschop1937]

I’ve heard they break sprinkler heads, but the guy who told me that had employees running his mowers so...

[@BIGJAFFORDABLELAWNCARE]

Just purchase the eXmark Radius and love it👍

[@revfred2008]

I run striping kit on my CC 28" walk behind and my 48" zero turn.

[@joshuanever6641]

Right side more tests good work bro big inspiration

[@beardedguardian71]

Not sure if its 3 or 4 hundred worth of a difference. Like you said the ultra cut deck does a great job but when you get on them carpet lawns it may make a diff. Thats different than the older style roller xmark used before which actually measured 60 inches in lenth.

[@closecorners117]

Informative video thanks for sharing!!

[@ericf.7081]

I added a stripe kit to my 61" zero turn which already left decent stores. i haven't seen a difference.

[@joeholler560]

I know this might be a stupid quest ... So what do you do to areas your bigger mower can't get to ? Do you get a smaller mower or just trim it with trimmer ?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We only take on properties that this mower can fit on 👍

[@joeholler560]

Well maybe i need to reword it. I have seen on a few videos where it looked like the mower was 1 to 2 feet away leaving a patch of grass . So would you just trim that ?

[@Girardot1980]

Are you going to replant all that grass after you build? What’s the plan for the lawn?

[@thomaslarouche]

it'd be great if you tried some original striping patterns on your property like weaves and stuff

[@chrismiesner6973]

I understand man

[@QuickieHub]

You should try the x-blade setup!

[@markrogers7402]

There will be a difference the next time you go to mow it the side you used the striping kit on will be more defined.

[@JonsDailyHustle]

I made a homemade one for my residential exmark quest. I'm thinking about making one for my radius because I don't want to spend the money on the actual kit lol

[@cjbsr3]

So far with the clientele that I have it would be totally irrelevant for me to get one but I've thought about it and yes I'd let the dealer do it because it's pretty cheap LOL thanks Brian

[@customyards4535]

Looks for a striping kit for a stand on xmark vintage 52 inch where do I find them

[@roarkfabworks]

What is your opinion on the Lazer Z e series for a home owner. We currently have a Hustler X-One that works great but looking for a second mower. I mow between 5-15 acres per week. No doubt the X series would be better but for this application how would a E series do? Great videos.

[@patriotvengeance5224]

Is your deck level or are you running a 1/4" offset?

[@Purple_Walrus_Lawn_Company]

Can you feel it going over rough terrain or does it flex pretty good for hills and such.

[@coreybacon9007]

Im looking at one for my 54inch toro....tell me straight up...is it worth buying...or let me ask this, has other kits done better?

[@masterlawncare8213]

Gator blades are the mulching

[@patriotvengeance5224]

Shoulda bought a ferris ... That ride looks so uncomfortable ... LOL ... Nice Vid

[@jayredstone107]

1:54 woah your going so fast how are you doing that??

[@BikerTrashWolf]

What i am curious of is how you maintain such a straight line. My lines always wander slightly

[@kevincloonan9787]

make sure your tracking adjustment is correct on your mower. if not your mower will pull left or right

[@davidmiller-lx3tm]

What kind of drone do you use Thinking about getting one for my landscaping business

[@keithsorna4952]

I just installed one on a cub cadet 50 inch zero turn. I can't notice any difference. Does it matter that i have mulching blades? Does the height of the roller have anything to do? Please help me out with suggestions. I'd like to see some stripes in my yard after putting the time any money into installing this. Thanks

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

It just depends on the turf you’re mowing. Some lawns stripe and some don’t. My suggestion is raise the deck to 3.5” or above and you’ll see decent stripes on Fescue and Kentucky blue!

[@chuckgross6024]

Stripes look nice, that mower rides like an old lumber truck... do you think the ride is better with the tweels? I have a Toro with my ride and I love it. I want to to try an Farris once to see how they ride... I like your trailer setup 👌

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

The wheels have definitely broken in, they ride just fine!

[@loganwolverton6903]

what did you mow on? 2.75? or lower

[@traviscade3186]

There is a little difference but not a $400 strip investment worth of difference. But as you said this grass isnt the same as some one established home grass that has been care for a little better.

[@grassman8684]

I have the chain kit on my Choppers

[@popvultureinc5007]

11:32 RIP GoPro

[@justanotherguy1633]

Very slight difference

[@DeLoEnterprises]

Yo, I live right by this location lol!

[@olegig5166]

Do you have to adjust the roller height every time you adjust the deck height?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Nope, it’s bolted to the back of the deck so it adjusts with it.

[@olegig5166]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance seems counter intuitive, if you raise the deck for a higher cut and more grass to bend, you also raise the sweep.

[@ppd6844]

What type of blades do you use?

[@DarthZealoT]

How much you charge for job that size?

[@skerry2949]

Have you guys used this since this demo video ? Do you have any results ?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

All of our lawns get stripped with it yep. 1 year later, no issues, works just fine.

[@Logan-pi8pr]

Hi for the .01 percent of people that see this may God bless you and stay safe.

[@michaelloflin5662]

And you yourself sir!

[@MB.Future]

Thank You! You too!

[@RealKingDarrius]

God Bless you too

[@popvultureinc5007]

14:33 just having fun, guys. Chill!

[@huntermack8294]

Nice vid

[@genestewart7535]

I use chains on the 3 point of my John Deere.

[@josephcastro4580]

Hey Brian my brother Ronnie really looks up to you yesterday he got in a mower accident walk behind cut his foot off if you could in your next video shout ronnie from reston Virginia he would really be happy and make his day thanks Brian ❤️ #lawncareguys

[@XrXGhostz]

Brian what drone do u use?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Mavic Air 2

[@wayno60432]

how do you get them lines so straight

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We did a whole video on that!

[@eckthabeastjohnson9322]

Both look very good but I like tha bold stripes on tha right but I run a roller on mine (love it) when u get to a nicer property as far being kept up your definitely gonna like items see tha difference 👍🏾

[@michaelfisher3440]

What kind of tires are those with holes in them and some people can just stripe without a kit

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Tractus!

[@bigDwood]

I can tell you the kits work better with a short cut.

[@erikregalado7173]

Right side looks better