Your thoughts on a Snapper

[KMyers]

Here is a link to the mower im looking at.http://www.snapper.com/scrambler.html The one im looking at is the 33'' deck. I was just going to buy it for my house but now im thinking maybe a real small part time lawn service. Do you guys think it would hold up to that? The dealer buy my house sells Snapper,Toro,Ferris,and Hustler. Ferris and Husler seem to be a little more commercial built but a lot more money too. So my choices were either the Toro or the Snapper. I can get the Snapper for 2800$ or a 42'' inch Toro for 2800$ But the dealer told me they are both well made but the snapper has better hydro pumps and it has two versus the toro that had cheaper pumps and only one to work both wheels. And the deck on the snapper felt stronger built??? Let me know your thoughts thanks!!!!

[jacob]

I would go with a commercial mower. Out of those brands, I would pick ferris, and get a 36" belt drive wb.

[KMyers]

Im not really a big fan of a walk behind. I just thought the 33'' deck would fit anywhere and maybe hold up for a few years!

[jgc8fan]

Snapper is now made by Simplicity which also makes Ferris, Massey-Ferguson, AGCO, and Giant-Vac. It's all good stuff. Alot of the new Snapper mowers seem hard to find parts for until you realize that they are actually Simplicity and Ferris parts.
How big is the yard you're planning to use it on??? If you are just using it for home it's fine, but if you plan on doing "any" lawn service then get a commercial model. The engines that come on residential equipment are only rated for about half the lifespan of commercial engine, and you'll use it up quick even doing it part time.

[KMyers]

My yard is a 1/2 acre. But i do want to use it for a part time lawn service. If i got a couple good years out of it i would be happy for the money. Then if the work picks up i would go with a more commercial mower. So snapper is good then??

[jgc8fan]

Snapper is good as well as the parent company, but I would not recommend the scrambler if you are planning to do lawn service. We bought the Snapper Fastcut ZTR 2 years ago, and it's still going, but it definitely lacks in some areas that a commercial wouldn't. One thing is that the engines are just not strong enough. Ours bogs down in really heavy grass, and we actually end up mowing with the 36" walk behind. The engine also starts to lag even more after awhile. Even though it's an 18HP this has doesn't seem to relate as I've seen lower HP commercial engines perform better.

Have you considered a 36" hydro walk behind with a sulky??? I actually use our 36" belt drive with sulky more than the ZTR (It's more fun), and it really seems counter-productive to buy a ZTR smaller than 44". It would be more to your advatage to buy a dual hydro wb with sulky. It would be fine for residential, and for part time lawn service. It will last a lot longer, and if you need a bigger mower later on THEN get the commercial ZTR. It really doesn't make sense to toss $3100 out on a mower that you are planning on only using for 2 years. The commercial wb will still be around long after that.

As far as WBs go... I don't pay attention to brand so much... They all are for the most part using the same components. What I pay attention to is the engine. I'd recommend getting one with a Kawasaki. As far as price... You can get a Lesco Dual Hydro 36" for $3399 new, and a sulky can be found anywhere from $200-$300. Still less than a commercial ZTR, but it will outlast the Scrambler you are looking at, and probably outperform it in cut quality as well.

[KMyers]

A walk behind mower just seems like it would be hard on your legs and knees? Im trying to keep my start up cost down so i may go used at first? So many choises??

[jgc8fan]

Not with a sulky... It's pretty much like standing in place with an occasional bump now and then. Honestly I get cramps in my legs on the ZTR because of the way you sit in it. I actually feel safer on the wb too. On the ZTR whenever I'm doing any kind of slope I worry about rolling (almost have a couple times). On the sulky I know I just have to let go and step off. You should find out if your dealer will let you try one out. They should have demo models, and could at least let you take one around the parking lot. Not that I'm knocking ZTRs... By no means... They make all the difference when doing large areas, but I would suggest holding off on it until you need it and are ready to get a commercial model.

[KMyers]

Im going to take your advice and try both. I guess if anyone would know it would be a guy that uses one everyday:-) So i will see if they have demo models. My only experience is the few months i worked for a landscape comp. and i used a Dixie chopper there i have never used a WB before. They just look like they would wear you out? But thanks for the info