GATESvs. Mowers a battle to the death!

[Really Well Cut]

Currently I do not have any commercial mowers, but will eventualy. What should I know about gate sizes and mower sizes before I purchase my first 36", 48", 54"ers. What is the average size gate opening and such and how do they vary? What experiences have you had?

[Zack.]

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90% of my props have gates. About 70% we can get a 36" through. Until last year I was using 21"s for the other 20% but now switching to 32" eXmark Viking's (hydros).

32" is the safest bet but make sure it's a hydro 'cause putting a belt drive in a small gated yard generally is less productive than a 21". Stay far away from that Gatemaster, a 48" flip up, Hustler is bringing out next year. POS.

[alcpi]

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Make your first a 36". Standard gate sizes are this so why not maximize your cut. After that it doesn't really matter just your preference.

[justmowing]

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Hey Zack, why would you tell someone to stay from the Hustler Gatemaster before it even has come out. You got some reason to back up your blanket statement or you worried someone might buy it in your area and start underbidding all your gated properties?

[Zack.]

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Why stay away?

Look at the design. There a 4 blades on a 48" & a tiny discharge which means the mower will only perform in ideal conditions. A Hustler rep. I talked to even admitted this fact. I supose it's possible the design will change before production but as is it would have limited uses at least for our seasonal turf conditions.

[justmowing]

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Hey Zack, if your going to mulch you don't worry about the discharge since there won't be discharging for mulching.

[cole1980]

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HMMMMM?

[Zack.]

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You'd need a 4 chamber baffle mulch kit for it to be an effective mulcher which as far as I know will not be avail..

If you're going to pay the price a mower with this type of flip-up feature will demand the mower should be multi-seasonal (discharge & mulching ability). I doubt it will do either well if there is not a proper kit.

Also, I wonder how much time you would actually save over a 36" or 32" hydro after you flip the mower up to go through the gate, then back down to cut, then up & down again, going out.