Lesco

[jasons0147]

So I went down to my local lesco dealer today to get some info but what type of fertilizer to use on a property I am bidding and to work out a fert schedule when i discovered something very interesting.

LESCO MAKES MOWERS!

I didnt know this! Ive never heard it mentioned before on this site so i thought I would point this out. Although this does scare me.

The prices were as followed for the two mowers I was looking at.

36' 15 Horse W/B - $2099
48' 16 Horse W/B - $2199

Both of those mowers used Kawasaki engines. I would like to hear everything you guys have to say about these mowers. Good thing bad things...everything. For the price of the 48' I am seriously looking into buying one. That is a heck of a lot better price than the rest of the mowers Ive been looking at.

In my area the mowers that are carried are scag, jd, bobcat, and lesco. The scag, bobcat and lesco in a 13 horse 36' w/b go for 2500. I much rather get a 48' for 2199 if it is a decent mower.

Lesco also said that they offer a 2 year warranty and have a in house mechanic that is there all the time. They also said that if my mower breaks down and they cannot fix it within a hour or so, that they would give me a loaner mower. Which at this time is a 60' rider.

[catawba mow]

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Jasons,
There are a few guys in this forum that use Lesco mowers and would recommend them. I have never used them and know nothing about them but I do know that there rre at least a couple topics listed on Lesco mowers. Try typing "lesco" in as a key word in the search portion of the forum.

"Quality"(Steve)is a big proponent of the Lesco line of mowers.

[Glenn Gertz]

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Hello Folks

I`m new here and I am just getting into this business myself. I`ve been visiting my local dealers and asking questions and taking all the brocures and writing down prices. I will be purchasing a 48" WB in the next 2 weeks. Since I am a greenhorn I have not become brand loyal yet. I will be purchasing a belt driven model because the budget dictates it. Here are my choices and 3are Fixed deck,belt driven and 48" cut. So I think I am comparing apples to apples. First is the Exmark, 15 hp Kawisaki $2899 It seems built well but I don`t like the narrow handle bars. Second is the Lesco same 15 hp Kawasaki motor. Seems the construction is almost Identical to the exmark but the handle bars are wider and more conventional. Its cost on sale is $2199. I like it and the dealer a lot. Next is the Toro and it seems to be made from thinner steel It looks nice but the Dealer did not seem as established as the Exmark and Lesco guys. The last mower I looked at was a Country Clipper Trek . Its made buy Shivvers Manufacturing in Iowa. It is built just like the other ones but with a floating deck. It is built like a Tank and Must be HEAVY. At $4000 for a belt drive its out of the question. But it sure seems over-built.

I am leaning towards the Lesco because of Value and the handle bar issue. Maybe next season if I do well I will add a Hydro but for now I am concentrating on getting a foot in the door so cost is a major issue. The only thing I didn`t care for with the Lesco was the color. Its the most boring green I`ve ever seen. But thats a small thing. Also all 4 mowers I checked out had the Pearless 5speed with Reverse Transmission and 3 had the Kaw and the Toro had a 14hp Kohler single cylinder.

I found that this is the best time to talk to the dealer because they are really slow this time of year.

I`ve seen the Lesco vs Exmark debates here and it kind of reminds me of the Ford vs Chevy thing. I think I will go with the Lesco because it fits my criteria and has good dealer support in my area.

I can`t wait for Spring.

Glenn Gertis

[imograss]

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hello fellers,
just wanted to add my 2 cents here. i do not own a lesco mower at all. i have seen them popping up more and more here in nashville tn. i have priced and researched them. they are priced very well. the one thing i did notice that i didnt like was on my brothers mower. he purchased in mid 2002 a lesco 48" belt drive 15hp kawasaki (it was new but a 2001 model) he bought it for 2800.00 when you are mowing it has alot of blowing out of the front of the deck, in addition to the side discharge. the problem is is what comes out of the front goes right in your face and grass and leaves get sucked in the air intake. other than that it runs, cuts and stripes great. also these mower are made by m.t.d. you can find these same mowers painted black and yellow with the cub cadet name on it.

[qualitylandscaping]

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jasons0147,

You can expect a 5 page prasing of Lesco from me this afternoon! I have to go to school now, but if you ever have Lesco equipment questions, throw um at me!![][:p]

[grasshopper]

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I do not own or have ever used a Lesco, but I do not that Steve will swear by them. Obviously they are good mowers if I have heard so many people on here praise them. When it comes to commercial mowers, I think there are about 5 brands or so that will all do the job just fine. What it should come down to is this: 1. Are you close enough to a repair shop to get it serviced as quickly as possible if need be. 2. How comfortable is it when you are operating it. This is a personal preference and should not be determined without demoing the equipment first.

[qualitylandscaping]

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jasons0147,

The prices for the mower's you posted sound very reasonable. I would definiently go for the 48". Lesco uses Kawasaki engines, Peerless Tranny's with 5 forward and 1 reverse (on walkbehinds). The decks are heavy 10-gauge steel on the tops and 7-gauge steel on the skirt. They are very strong and will take what you throw at them. There is nothing bad I can say about them. I own a 1998 48" Lesco Belt Drive w/ over 2000 hours (14hp Kawi) and that girl still starts first pull all the time!! I also own a 2002 48" Lesco ZTR (19hp Kawi) that is AMAZING!!!! If you keep up with the maintenance, it will last for a LONG time! They stripe great, even without any special add ons!

Pictures of 48"WB stripes: www.geocities.com/qualitylandscaping2001/lawnmow.html

SERVICE AND DEALER DEPENDIBILITY:
I've never had a problem with service. Like you said, they offer a 2-yr warranty on all mowers and they have a full time mechanic. My dealer offers 24 hour emergency servicing, but most do not. My dealer will also give a loaner if repairs will take over 1 hour, but I'll usually stay there and drool while they fix it![:p]

I'll give you an idea about common parts that need to be replaced, those prices are for my 48" WB.

16 1/2" Blades (3 for a 48") $6.04
Engine/Deck belt $12.99
Blade/Blade belt $8.99
Wheel belt $20.45, Heavy Duty Cog Belt $31.99 (worth the extra $$)!
Air Filter: $4.75
Oil Filter: $3.99
Spark Plug: $1.49

I think I've posted enough![]LOL!! If you have any questions about Lesco equipment, let me know!!!

Good Luck![]

[qualitylandscaping]

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Ohh I forgot,

Repair rates are $35-$45 per hour depending on where you are..

[jasons0147]

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Thanks steve, I think I have made my descion. When I get the money I will be going with that 48' walk behind.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Great choice!!! Have fun with it!!

[Green Giant]

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Have a first edition Viper. 4 years old this year. Runs and cuts great. Lottsa hours on it.
Also a WB Hydro 36 that I bought last year. Great machine.
The selling point for me,besides the price,was the FACT that we have two great Lesco centers here.

[mariner]

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I own a Lesco 36" belt drive(just bought a few months ago) and a Lesco aerator. Their stuff is commercial quality and i'm very happy with the items. The mower has a peerless trans, a kawasaki engine, heavy duty guage steel deck and all types of options. What else do you want?

[qualitylandscaping]

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mariner,

I want a million dollars!!!!!! LOL[:p][][:p]

[mariner]

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Then take your lesco and start cutt'n.

[WLS]

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I have a MTD Pro 48", hydro, same thing as a Lesco, mine cuts and stripes excellent. I have the 16 hp B/S, would have liked to have kaw power, but no problems yet, about 200 hours on it.