Walk Behinds?

[greenpastureslc]

Whats up guys?
Need some opinions. Next season I'm upgrading my mower to WB, I've looked at a couple and cant decide which way to go.

1) Simplicity 1534 34" WB.
Here's a link
The dealer for these is local, he also takes care of maintenance on my equipment.

2) Quick 36 WB.

The Quick 36 has a shorter overall length.
The Simplicity has a larger fuel tank and more HP.

Any and all opinions will be helpful.

[bobbo]

You rely need a commercial mower

[jameson]

Go w/the Q36

The Q36 Super Duty IS A COMMERICIAL MOWER. Ours was delivered back in August, we have logged some 50 odd hours on it. Great machine. Light, easy to manuever, cuts great, mulches well w/plate and gators. Very happy w/decision sight unseen. I would/will purchase from BOP when they come out with a 44", sight unseen again. No regrets.

I cannot honestly comment on the Simplicity having never seen nor owned one. But if your looking for a solid machine with a 36" cut with lots of bells and whistles go for the Q36 Super Duty.

PS: The maintenance on this little machine is really a no-brainer.

James

[jgc8fan]

Never used either, but I would get the Q36 over the Simplicity. One thing is that the Simplicity is not commercial, but the Snapper/Ferris equivalents are commercial (difference seems to be the Kawasaki engines on those vs the Kohler on the Simplicity), but the Snapper/Ferris models run about $400 more, and according to them you can't add a sulky (probably could anyway). They also list "steering" on these in the specs which would be worth the extra $$$ to me, but I read the owners manual on the Snapper, and it doesn't mention any type of steering control that I could find... Just forward and back like the Q36.

[greenpastureslc]

Just looked on the Snapper website and it did show steering on the machine.
I guess I need to look at a few more models. No hurry though, I've got till next sping to decide.
I've been using been using a MTD 42" rider with an 18 HP B&S I/C. So far every lawn I've mowed with the exception of one (the yard was completely flat) I've scalped at least once.

[Mr Budget]

The Quick 36 super duty is a great mower I have logged almost 100 hrs. on mine with no complaints. easy to control and easy to maintain

[RonB]

those that own the 36 - I read about the height adjustment being easy but what's it like, first hand ..

I have about decided on one along with a 21" and likely a Hustler 52" or maybe a 60".

21 - 36 -52(60) seems like would cover about everything - thoughts?

thanks
rb

[Mr Budget]

it takes me about 3 min to change the height on my 36 only requires 1 tool very easy

Dave

[jgc8fan]

Here's what I don't understand about single hydro WBs... How do those cheapo Home Depot single hydro ZTRs steer with one hydro, and why can't (won't) they do this on a 32" or 36" WB. Not that I don't believe how manueverable the Q36 is, but I'd feel better if it had at least some type of mechanical steering control just in case I need to turn instantly. Even some type of independent wheel brakes like a belt drive has so that I could jam on one brake if I came across a hose, wire, or other unnoticed obstacle at the last second. Sometimes you forget to just let go of the controls.

This is the thing that buzzes in back of my mind when looking at the Q36, and why I finally decided I'm just gonna save up for a dual hydro. I just need the assurance that I can get out of a jam if needed.

[cut above]

Same problem here too. Single hydro is risky, though I have heard nothing but good things about the Q36. I also don't know if I trust the B/S engine either. Had a Dixon Ram 50 about 2 years ago and after around 35 hrs. it started leaking oil. Took it in and they had to replace the whole engine block. Seems the sump had a crack in it.

Flash forward to about 180 hrs. and it started doing the same thing! Took it in and this time it was just a seal (thank god). I know B/S has been making engine forever, but I just think they try to cut costs too much. That is the only reason I can see for them being stock on Murrays and other Wal-Mart brand equipment.

Their trust is another issue. While my mower was in the shop, I was loaned anothe ram 50 but this one was about a year newer. I noticed on the engine it said 25hp instead of the 22 which mine showed. I asked the dealer what the deal was, thinking they may have switched some things on the engine or something but nooo way. He said if they rated the engine at 22hp (which it is really 25) there would be a certain tax cut for the company, so they did. I guess the people from California forund out and sued or something. All I know is that my dealer was sent new stickers to stick on the machines.

I'm sure this isn't a typical B/S experience, but it was mine, and my next mower Dosen't have a B/S thats for sure!

[dvon104]

I bought a 32 toro proline...used it past month...only complaint is it loses traction on even a slight slope ...any suggestions?..other than that no complaints on my toro

[cut above]

hmmm...Is it hydro or belt drive? If it is belt drive, then if the belts even get damp they will begin to slip. Otherwise I would just say that 32 is pretty small/light and probably wouldn't hold a hill that great anyway. A real hill grabber would be like 42" or maybe a little bigger. Wider stance + more weight = better stability.

[jgc8fan]

Our 36" Exmark belt drive digs in going up slopes. On steep ones the belt tends to slip as well. The sulky isn't even an option on those. Nothing more fun than going up a hill and then you realize your starting to go sideways.

My partner almost slid into a lake doing the slope on one of our golf course houses earlier this year. There were 2 gators in the lake and one of them was about 6 ft from the shore right where the mower slipped. LOL Maybe it was waiting and has acquired a taste for lawn guy.

[dvon104]

its belt driven...tires are turning but seem to slip (lose traction) on slight slopes...I bought the 32" because I wanted to buy new and I did not want to finance anything ...however if I had to do it all over again I would have went larger ...chalk it up to a learning experience...If I start back up next year I will buy LARGER....

[cut above]

Yeah...all part of a learning experience. Here I sit on the opening day of deer season and I can't go. Have a funeral in benton Ky. at 1 and that's about a 1 1/2 hour drive from my place. And before I leave i must get as many yards as I can done. I would have started even earlier, but the grass is absolutely drenched! Got down to about 50 here last night.

I think i'm finally ready for fall clean up and maybe a little off time, but sure will miss the money for a month or so!!