Lesco vs Exmark

[arustad]

Which is the best buy for the money?

[cole1980]

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Lesco's are good for the price, but only fixed deck not that that is a bad thing. Check the exmark in a similar setup w/fixed deck. Make your decision by serviceability. My local exmark dealer guarantees a loaner if they have the machine in shop for more than 2 days. or if a big part has to be ordered. Also ask about commercial warranty. I would let that be a deciding factor as well if they differ.

E.Cole

[grasshopper]

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You are basically comparing two different lines of mowers. ExMark, Scag, Toro, and Bobcat are all part of the top commercial line. Lesco is actually made by Bobcat and is their lower commercial line. The ExMark is definitley a better mower. I used one for 10 years and still sold it to a guy for $600. I don't see two many commercial people using Lesco, but if you have service problems with ExMark and it works out better for the Lesco, than you may want to go with that. I bought a 36" fixed deck Bobcat this past Spring and haven't been that impressed with it. I am about to buy a 52" Exmark hydro. My decision was made after owning both a Bobcat and an ExMark. From now on, I feel I will stick with ExMark walkbehinds.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Grasshopper,
where did you hear Bobcat made Lesco mowers?? From what I know, Lesco makes all the mowers that they sell... not Bobcat.. Lesco's run much better and last longer than most Bobcat's so I don't see how Lesco could be the "lower end"...

[Zack.]

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Grasshopper, that eXmark 52" TT is one fine machine!

The Kohler comes standard with the Donaldson air filter, but if you end up with the Kaw I believe you can add it, aftermarket, later.

[mariner]

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Remember, the EXMARK has a different handle design than others. I personally don't like it. I have a LESCO 36"(just bought it) and I don't see any different quality than all of the top mowers. In fact, the Lesco 36 has a bigger engine than most other 36" mowers. Lesco is definitely not the lower end. Besides, what makes a mower mostly: The engine and the trans right? Leso has a 14 kaw engine and peerless trans and a steel deck. What else do you want? They also have hydros rather inexpensive as well.

[Greenman]

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EXMARK, Nobody Does It Better!
Dont ever TRY to lower it down to Lesco.

[cole1980]

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The ExMark hydro pumps are set specifically for each engine and cut size. Each cut has a different size pump. Smaller the cut smaller the pump. This is good because the larger the cut the heavier duty the hydro pump. This makes me feel they take true pride in what they build. I know several other manufactures DON'T do this.

E.Cole

[Zack.]

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Lesco is made by MTD's commercial division.
IMO they are the Hyundai of WB's.

Here is the Cadillac!

http://www.exmark.com/mowerImage.asp?mower=TurfTracer

[qualitylandscaping]

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We are a bunch of geniuses.....

LESCO makes their own mowers!!!! I was in Lesco today getting new cotter pins and they said they make their own...

It may be true that Exmark is better. But compare what you get for $2500 from Lesco and $2500 from Exmark.. Remarkable difference.

[Green Giant]

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Zack is correct.MTD DOES make mowers for Lesco. At least the ZTR anyway. I've got a first generation Viper and true its had some problems,the fix(es) by Lesco here were fast and without problems. A loaner was ready to go and they serviced my machine QUICKLY. But I have been dealing with the two service centers here for over 10 years. That does make a difference.A lot of service that was done on my Viper were upgrades,NOT repairs.
I'll be the first to say that all Lesco service centers are not great. Some plain flat out suck. Hopefully they'll be brought up to speed with the really outstanding locations.

The new Gen 2 Viper looks to have some major improvements. Looked at one yesterday. Well built IMO.A lot better than mine anyway.
Good prices right now too. I looked at a 60in./25 Kaw. that was $5995.

Sometimes with the better known machines you have to pay more because of the name. JMO.

[Zack.]

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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by qualitylandscaping</i>
<br />
LESCO makes their own mowers!!!! I was in Lesco today getting new cotter pins and they said they make their own...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

He lied to you or like most Toro reps. he just didn't have a clue.

Lesco owns 50% interest in Commercial Turf Products (CTP) with MTD Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial lawn equipment. Founded in '97, CTP focuses on the heavy-duty equipment needs of Lesco's client base and products are distributed through the Lesco distribution network.

Stick with eXmark. You may pay more but unlike Lesco, & Toro & many others all they do is make mowing equip. & their reps & customer service knows their stuff.

[qualitylandscaping]

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I called Lesco after I posted before, they gave me a more detailed explination. The Viper is the only mower that Lesco sells, that isnt' made by them. Lesco makes the Z-two ZTR's and their WB's.. I guess I have one of the better Lesco dealers from what I have heard about some of them..

[Green Giant]

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Steve
I don't know your dealer or location but I was just at the Tampa Lesco center yesterday and looked at the new Z-2. From what the facility mngr. said they are STILL made by MTD. I have known this guy for 12 years.
I guess they can tell you whatever they want but the two facility mngrs. here,Tampa/Lakeland, don't play word games.
When I first looked at the Viper three years ago the Lakeland facility mngr. said straight out that they were made by MTD.
Like I said,I can't say about the WB's.
I can give you phone #'s to verify that info.if you want them.

[Zack.]

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You may want to clarify that with them further if for some reason it really matters who makes the mowers.

The Viper is or was made by MTD's commercial division, & the rest of their product line is made by CTP, which both Lesco & MTD own. Lesco manufactures no mowers.