32" vs 21"

[mikeslawnservice]

Hi everyone,

I have been using a 21" lawnboy for all of my lawns. I have recently aquired some larger lawns and the lawnboy is just taking too long. I am looking into an Exmark or Encore 32" commercial mower.. I have alot of gated properties so a 36"isn't practical right now. The big question is, How much better of a cut will I get with the 32" compared to the 21"? Is it night and day or minimal? I have one lawn that I have to do twice every time I cut it. It is chemically treated and grows in super thick. Will the 32" do a better job of it? The reason I mentioned Encore is that it is about a grand cheaper than the Exmark. Has anyone used an Encore?

My dealer is getting in a few mowers made by Bradley. Has anyone ever heard of Bradley and if so any info? The 32" Bradley goes for $1399.00 with a 10.5 hp Briggs and Stratton, or for $300 more with a 15 hp Kawasaki. I like the 15 hp saki but my dealer said I should be fine with the 10.5 hp. I am kinda leaning to the 15 hp because if I want to mulch or add a sulky later it would help.

I know there is alot here to soak in, but any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank You from a Philly Boy.
Mike S.

[mariner]

Those mowers are fine. The main advatntage of a 32 over a 21" is going to be speed. Commercial size mowers are geared faster. Get the kawasaki and stay away from B and S. A 15 Kaw on a 32" will be a monster. I run a 14 Kaw on my 36" and have no problem whatsoever with overgrown grass. It rips right through it. That B&S will bog in tall grass. A 10.5 is too small of an engine in my opinion. Kawasaki's have this purr that they get when its time to work hard. They do not bog!

[mikeslawnservice]

Will it be a better cut?

[mikeslawnservice]

What I really mean is, will the cut be nicer and cleaner than a 21"? Have you heard anything about the Bradley mower?

[CCLS]

Tall grass will cut a lot easier. Less bagging will be required because the mower will mulch up the grass better. As mariner said your speed will be greatly increased. I have gated back yards that I used to push mow which took 15 or 20 minutes. With my 32 I can nock out the same back yards in less than 5 minutes. Plus the 32 patterns better than a push mower in my opinion. I never have to push mow. I have not used my push mower at all this year, no joke. Sure you won't be able to get in to the tight spaces, but you can string down the areas you can't reach with the 32. I'm telling you that a 32 is a life saver and greatly increases productivity. Well worth the investment. I have a 32 Exmark 12.5 Kaw and it is an awesome machine. Go with the bigger engine, you won't regret it, $300 isn't much more. Think how much more money you will make in a day if you save 10 or 15 minutes at each property. You will be able to mow more yards in a day, which will boost your hourly average sales and inturn put more money in your pocket.

[GrassBustersLawn]

I'd go with the EXMARK. I've got a 36" EXMARK Metro HP with 15hp Kawasaki. Runs great. Never had a problem. CUTS GREAT. I bought a sulky and it pulls me and I'm 6'5" & 280lbs.

Mike

[Seascape]

6-5 280 ? !!!!!!! Damn !!!

[mikeslawnservice]

I went to a new dealer today and he showed me a Ferris 32" mower. The gear drive is 2299.00 and get this the Hydro is 2399.00. Yeah that's right, a hydro for only a hundred bucks more. It is a promotional thing. Should I jump on the Hydro? are they really that much better?

[mariner]

A Hydro with a sulky is the shiznit. Just like a ztr but you gotta stand. Yes, spend the extra $100. Check to make sure that is a dual hydro and not a single pump.

[mikeslawnservice]

What's wrong with a single pump as opposed to a dual? The brochure says Hydrogear 334 hydrostatic transmission. Anybody know anything about this?

[Jack D.]

The single drive Ferris 32" can't Z-turn, won't hold a hill, & is all around much less maneuverable than the dual Viking 32".

A belt 32" will wear you out more than a 21" on small, tightly landscaped props..

The single bladed 32"'s will not mulch as well as the 21" Toro Proline.

Go hydro or go home.

[mikeslawnservice]

Jack,
The only thing is, that the ferris is a grand cheaper than the exmark. Will the exmark really satisfy me that much that I can justify spending that much money?

[mmlawncare]

We all thank you for your post Jack, but maybe he can't afford the Exmark or something.

Mike,

Hey I just got a 32" Exmark on a special that the manufacturers are offering for $1995.95. Ask your Exmark dealer about the special. They should be offering it. It is belt driven with pistols, but heck, it is a GREAT improvement compared to running a 21"er. Gosh...it cuts time in half easily. I say go for it. Spend the extra monies...it will be worth it later...you will see!

[mmlawncare]

We all thank you for your post Jack, but maybe he can't afford the Exmark or something.

Mike,

Hey I just got a 32" Exmark on a special that the manufacturers are offering for $1995.95. Ask your Exmark dealer about the special. They should be offering it. It is belt driven with pistols, but heck, it is a GREAT improvement compared to running a 21"er. Gosh...it cuts time in half easily. I say go for it. Spend the extra monies...it will be worth it later...you will see!

[mikeslawnservice]

Any more opinions on the ferris hydro 32" mower would be greatly appreciated.