Grass Hopper, 52", Used $5000. ??????

[Bulldog26]

Need some help, I've been offered a two year old Grass Hoper 52" 500 hrs. for $5000.00. This would be a deal with no cash. I would exchange mowing for the mower. It's a subdivision developer that I would be mowing entrences, empty lots est. Any of your thoughts would be very helpful.
bt

[pnplawncare]

what model is it ? How much are they going to pay you each time you mow ?

[MASTERMOWER]

Need some help, I've been offered a two year old Grass Hoper 52" 500 hrs. for $5000.00. This would be a deal with no cash. I would exchange mowing for the mower. It's a subdivision developer that I would be mowing entrences, empty lots est. Any of your thoughts would be very helpful.
bt

What engine does it have?? Diesel, gas? Horsepower?

[Bulldog26]

I don't have all the information yet. I hope to see it tomarrow. I'll update this thread when I have all the information. The mowing would very, they have 16 subdivisions at different levels of completion. Some just starting up some nearly complete with a lot here and thier. Finished etrances, I would get it all in on paper for each job and keep a running total. I would want a complete contract to cover my a@@ and for taxes. I'll keep you posted
Thanks,
bt

[Bulldog26]

Ok, I got to look at the machine last night. It's a 03' 225 60" deck, 25hp Korlar with 663hrs. Just serviced, four new tiers, grips and full tune up. What do you all think it's worth? It also has a bagger. I haven't seen that yet. Thanks for any help.
bt

[LLee]

It seems like you would have to figure out how many hours you are willing to work for the $5000 mower. You also have to figure fuel and other overhead. Then I'd say make the deal with a pre-agreed upon amount of time. You wouldn't want to do $10,000 worth of work for the mower. Seems like a good way to get a mower without having to fork out the cash, but the IRS will probably look at it as a cash deal for tax purposes. Sounds like a complicated contract, but advantagous to both parties (especially if you need a mower).

[LLee]

BTW-$5000 for a commercial z-turn of that age and useage sounds fair although I don't know much about that mower.

[Bulldog26]

Thanks Lee, we will be putting the deal on paper. All areas for mow will me viewed and quoted prior to taking the mower. A price will be set to each location and they will tell me what needs to be mowed each week two weeks in advance. Most of this will be empty lots mowing the first 15' no trimming, or blowing. This company has just finished two neighborhoods with a total of 200 empty lots. We have estimated the mower will be clean and free by end of June. They have a second more of the same value, I have told them to hold on to it and we may do the same deal for the second half of the season. Thanks for all help.
$6800.00 sound right with the bagger. The bagger new is $1900.00
bt

[Bulldog26]

Sorry, this would be my second mower. This would give me a 48" and 60" ztr's.

[LLee]

I've mowed a lot of grass over the years and I've never used a bagger and hope I don't have to if they cost $2000. I would look at both pieces of equipment like this: if you have to sell them in a month could you get your money back on both of them? If not, then the price is probably too high.

[Bulldog26]

Lee, you don't bag any of your res. lawns? Wow, thier are lawns here that I have to mow twice a week and really should be bagged once every two weeks. If I don't bag I'm missing out on the top areas here. I wish I didn't have too. Dumping cost are crazy and if you don't know a farmer that will let you dump your in trouble.
Yes, I do think I could get that for the mower in a months time. I called the local GH dealer and found this price to be good. I have never used a GH and wanted to get other opinion of the machine. Thanks for you help
bt

[LLee]

we mulch our tall fescue here. Thats pretty much the expected level of service and I've never even had anyone ask about bagging. I think other area's of the country are different than ours as I feel like central NC is perfect for this line of work for several reasons:
1. tall fescue can stand once a week cutting for 40 weeks or so per year with no need to bag (may have to double cut once in a while in mid-spring).
2. 12 weeks of non mowing time
3. plenty of customers to go around and they seem to have $$$$$
4. great climate year round- been in the 60's for most of winter so far
5. plenty of non mowing money making opportunities related to landscaping

ps-if the bagger is a necessary piece of equipment for the sucess of your business then I think you should go for it...I was just saying I'm thankful I don't have to drop that kind of cash on one here...I think the mower will be fine and if you decide you dont like it you can sell it and get something more suitable to your personal taste...go for it!!!!!

[MES]

Bulldog,

We have a 220, two years old, smaller deck. We have not had any problems with it, and we have a bagger with it. Depending on whether it has bags or a container it is a good investment. The bags can be time consuming. Our weather here is the same and we bag most lots through the spring and in the fall for leaf clean-up.

If the mower wasn't abused it should be a good one, in my humble opinion.

[Bulldog26]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm sure I will take the deal. I'm also going to rent the barn it's stored in. If nothing else, I will be getting a great mower and will put me right in their face for a lot of mowing for years to come. Win, win for both parties.

MES, glad to hear you like the modle. Anything I need to watch for with this brand and modle?
bt

[MES]

Bulldog,

Let the engine cool down for a couple of minutes after mowing other wise it wants to back fire. It seems to be a Kohler thing, buddy has it on a JD and it does the same thing.

I can't say anything bad about the hoppers. I love ours, no major mechanical problems, decks are stout and parts are readily available at least in our area.