NEW GUY bad back

[FLYONWALL9]

First I would like to thank those of you that are regular posters. I have lurked and read many of your helpful post of varying topics.

I was injured in a work accident last April and will soon get a settlement, for the past couple of years I have considered starting my own lawn care buiz. My questions are geared to those who may consider your health and end of day well being when choosing your equipment.

I have had a couple local guys (one friend and one ex-bro inlaw) point me in the way of Lesco ZTR 48". The accounts I will target are your normal neighborhood accounts that a single person can do in an hour or so each.

If you had a back that bothered you 30% of the time would you save the money and get a WB or try for more productivity and get a ZTR. I will also be getting a small self propelled mower for those tight back yards. I have yet to get a good bearing on the hand tools most everyone uses. I have heard pros and cons to the less exp ones that you can just toss and get another. However, I would rather something more lasting.

So, what do you guys think of mower brands with my physical limitations.

ztr or wb? common question and brand/why
push mower/self prop brand?
blower
edger
string trimmer

Again thanks guys and I really look forward to the informative, educated, and real world experience. I'm ready to work again I hate being laid up!

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

If you have a bad back a Sit down ZTR might irritate it...look int a a Wright Stander...or a Great Dane Super Surfer...John Deere Makes one too same thing as a rider you just stand up instead so your legs take the shock instead of your back. I highly recommend the Great Dane or Wright products I have never seen the John Deere In action. I bought my WB mower from a guy with a back problem who sold both his sit down rider and his walk behind to buy a Wright stander.

http://www.greatdanemowers.com/products/supersurfer.html

http://www.wrightmfg.com/

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/GC/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?pNbr=0850TC&cNbr=GC_ZTRM&sCName=Quik-Trak%20series%20Mowers&tM=GC

[MAD MOWERS]

Ferris with independent suspension! I ride one all day and can still walk at quitting time!

[RatherbeBassin']

Yep... I have had dissectomy and a fusion of L4/L5 in 1995. Ferris keeps me walking too! That IS is AWESOME. I can mow 6 hours straight w/no back pain. Slow 'er down in the whoops!

[Tuttaz]

Got a bad back myself...Thanks for the info on the rider...was looking at the exmark with the expensive seat

[FLYONWALL9]

this message is on another place on the board, being new I didn't know which would get the most reply.

THAKS FOR ALL THE HELP guys!
I went today to all the dealers and looked at various brands. Seems like we have every brand under the sun in my location within 15 miles of one another. I think I have decided on the Farris and Echo. Both are offered by the same dealer who just happened to be an old highschool buddy. I will know what kind of buddy he is when I write him the check.

This is what we came up with.
Farris IS 1500Z 5250.00
Toro 20017 22"? 379.00
ECHO PE311 edger 399.00
ECHO SRM 261T 319.00
ECHO PB651T 499.00
ECHO HC1500 259.00

Works out to be 7405.31
I know these prices have got to be list and surely 20 bucks each could come off the hand tools. I don't know what the Farris should sell for as a "good deal" but I know the guy will get me in and out the door very fast in repairs.

So what do you fellah's think of this shoppin list?

[Oleozz]

I paid $5500 for my Ferris IS 1500 so I think you are getting a pretty good buy on yours.

[MAD MOWERS]

Make sure to spend the extra bucks and get the high back seat for your machine.

[FLYONWALL9]

THANKS for the replys. I get my check tomorrow after I get EVERY single thing fixed on the work truck I am going to step off the curb and get this rolling. Spend a week or so learning the machines. I may call the dealer tomorrow and see when the mower will be in and then see if I can come down and help put mine together to get a better understanding of its workings.