1st? the mower or job?

[DELTA]

Last spring I purchashed a 36" WB WITH NO ACCOUNTS REQUIRING ONE BUT I CAME UP WITH A FEW. NOW A NEED A FEW MORE BUT THEN I GOT BIG MOWER FEVER SO I CAN GET BIGGER ACCOUNTS. THE WB WAS ONLY A TWO GRAND DECISION SO THE GAMBLE WAS EASIER BUT 8 OR 10 GRAND IS ALOT MORE CHEESE. DO I SEARCH FOR THE JOB AND QUICKLY BUY THE MOWER OR TAKE THE PLUNGE AND HOPE TO GET THE WORK? THE ONLY PROBLEM ASIDE FROM THE BIG GAMBLE IS I DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE THE MOWER TO ESTIMATE ANY JOBS WITH.
ADVICE?

[srlawnservice]

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I would say get the jobs first. There's not any job you can't suffer through with smaller equipment. If you don't get enough jobs to make it worth your while then you're not out the 8 or 10K.

My story,, we advertised and had accounts lined up prior to purchasing even one mower. But they were small accounts.

RL

[rkbrown]

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I would agree with RL. It is not a bank account breaking decision to invest in a 36" gear driven WB with only a handful of accounts, but when talking about a $7-10,000 ZTR purchase, it would be wise to line up accounts first. It is also important to know what type of accounts you will be able to run the bigger equipment on. Where I am located, we have small gates (34" on most), so although a 52" Exmark Laser HP would be a great piece of equipment to have, a 32" WB is more practical. This is true even though the back yards can be large and quite open.

[Maddog]

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I have to agree with the rest. Use what you have now and build your accounts. If it grows to were it would be profitable then go ahead an buy the big mower. Try to save up and pay cash or at least a large percentage.

[parkwest]

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Line up the work first, then you will have an idea of what equipment will be required to make your profit margins.

[DELTA]

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I know you are all right but I got "the fever" but I need other things more. I'll try to stay away from the expo this year for fear I might go on a spending spree