36" or 48" lawn mower

[nick11380]

I bought an old 36" yazoo kees commerial lawn mower two years ago and it's starting to nickel and dime me. I had to put two motors on the thing since I bought it and now other things are starting to go. Looking for parts I gave the yazoo dealer the model # and neither the dealer nor yazoo has this model in their system. So who knows how old this mower is. It was only $425.00 so I didn't expect much. But looking for my first commerial mower I couldn't pass it up for that price.


Now I would like to get an Exmark from what I've heard Exmark is suppose to be the best.

I'm not sure if I should get a 36" or a 48" lawn mower. My 36" mower worked great for all my small yards and in tight places. A 48" mower would get the jobs done faster but I'm wondering if a 48" lawn mower would be too big for my small lawns with tight areas. Since most of my lawns are residental and less than 10,000 sq ft. Should I consider getting a 48" or would a 36" mower be the better choice for the size lawns that I have?

[MASTERMOWER]

A lot of those old skool WBs where badged with various brands, yet they where the same unit. Your Kees should be the exact same thing as a Snapper. Also, with age, sometimes it's hella lots easier to begin ordering parts from catalogs vs. dealers. Besides, you'll save a boat load of money.

So this is what I'd do if I where in your position:

Buy a 48" WB, this will make you more efficient and hopefully result in adding more work. Repair the 36", and keep it only to be used on the gated areas. Since you'll be using the 36" less, it'll last you a lot longer. Don't be afraid to put a couple hundred into the mower, it'll be worth it.

A source for parts:

https://www.j-thomas.com

https://www.landscaperpro.com

Request a catalog from both. Both have schematics for easy ordering.

[OLD HAT]

Just make sure that if you get a 48 you will be able to get it into the back yards. Trust me 4" makes a lot of difference and you are looking at 12".
As far as it making you more productive you know how your yards lay out so you can figure if it will be quicker with a 48

[nick11380]

I know that a 48" will get the big jobs done a lot faster. But I'm not sure if it will save much time on the small tight yards. Most of my lawns are small.

I have three fenced yards. Two I can just squeeze into with the 36" and one I have to use the 21". Other than that getting into the back yards shouldn't be a problem.

Another area of consern is cutting the grass between the trees and street with a 48". With the 36" there is just enough room. A 48" would hang over the curb but I don't know if that would make a differents.

[clcare2]

Learn to trim where the mower won't go and get a 52" or 60".

[OLD HAT]

I know that a 48" will get the big jobs done a lot faster. But I'm not sure if it will save much time on the small tight yards. Most of my lawns are small.

I have three fenced yards. Two I can just squeeze into with the 36" and one I have to use the 21". Other than that getting into the back yards shouldn't be a problem.

Another area of consern is cutting the grass between the trees and street with a 48". With the 36" there is just enough room. A 48" would hang over the curb but I don't know if that would make a differents.

Yes it will make a difference, but as it has already been said learn to trim where you cant get the mower. It just takes a little pratice. I would personally look into making the gates bigger.

[clcare2]

If your res. lots are small get a stand-up.

[steve-o]

what mastermower said.........

buy a 48" ( exmark is what i use - 2 -48" and 1 -21" ) and repair the 36". i have alot of tight yards and the 48 does just fine. time is $$$.

steve

[MASTERMOWER]

Another area of consern is cutting the grass between the trees and street with a 48". With the 36" there is just enough room. A 48" would hang over the curb but I don't know if that would make a differents.

If you're wanting to mow every possible blade of grass with a mower........you're loosing money. Learn to use your trimmer to flat-top areas that your mower can't easily reach. With little practice, you can't even tell grass mown with a trimmer vs. a mower.

Buy the 48", you'll grow to love it over the 36".

[nick11380]

I went to the dealer today and they let me take a 48" Exmark Metro with ECS home to try out. It's a little tight in some places but it does save a lot of time. This mower is so much nicer than my old 36" Yazoo Kees. This Exmark is a 3 year old trade in and they want $2,600 for it.

They also have a New 48" Exmark with hydro for $3,100. I've never used a hydro so I don't know how the hydro campares to the belt drive but a $500 dollar differents (between new and used, belt and hydro) doesn't seem like much. Would it be better to get the Exmark with hydro?

[highlander316]

hydro yes. That 3 years old is not worth $2600. Whats the hours.

[steve-o]

new 48 hydro for $3100........

hydro yes. That 3 years old is not worth $2600. Whats the hours.

i'm not up on exmark prices, but $3100 for a new 48" exmark hydro. if that is correct, then it is a no brainer, 3 year old for $2600 vs new for $3100. check your prices again.


steve

[nick11380]

I'll be going back to the dealer tomorrow. He called today and asked how I liked the mower and dropped the price to $2,300. I did ask about the hydro and the price is $3,100. I'll be checking out the hydo before I buy anything. Although the hydro is new I don't think that it's this years model but one that they haven't been able to sell yet.

What would the 3 year old be worth? He said it's $3,500 new.

[steve-o]

is this for full or part-time ?

I'll be going back to the dealer tomorrow. He called today and asked how I liked the mower and dropped the price to $2,300. I did ask about the hydro and the price is $3,100. I'll be checking out the hydo before I buy anything. Although the hydro is new I don't think that it's this years model but one that they haven't been able to sell yet.

What would the 3 year old be worth? He said it's $3,500 new.

my advice is to go with the best equipment you can get. it will save you in the long run in most instances. if you are part-time, then maybe gamble some. full-time, buy the best. your life depends on your stuff.

steve

[nick11380]

I'm full-time.

This 3 year old mower looks and runs almost new. The only thing that I've noticed is that sometimes it squeaks when I squeeze the left break.

I've never used a hydro so I can't see why it's better than a belt drive. I just hear that I it is.

My 36" yazoo kees is dead (blade bearings are bad, Transmission slips, try starting it and gas shoots out of the muffler) so I need to get a new mow fast. I want the best that's why I'm looking and Exmark.