Need 2 Simple Answers?

[frezel]

Bob cat 48" or SCAG 48"
hydro vs belt?
and hp?

Also as a start up business is it worth to have help right off the get go? Will it allow me too get more business and work done faster? Or is it better to work solo first then bring on help? And also if i dont have enough work for the guy keep in mind i have other work he can help with?

LET ME KNOW THANKS

[Jack D.]

http://www.scag.com/swz.html

[floridalawncare]

or this one. http://scag.com/swzu.html scag out of these two if you ask me. not discrediting bobcat, but after checking out the machines, you'll find scag a bit beefier, and the advantage deck a big plus along with it's adjustable baffles. try to stay 16 hp or more. especially on the ultimate walk behind. i've seen belt drives with a 48" deck and a 14hp motor, and they'll get the job done, but will lack seriously in heavy, thick grass. especially when mulching. but if this walk behind doesn't steal your heart, then nothing will. let me know if i can help though, and good luck. oh yeah, if your starting out, try stay debt free as possible. instead of hiring help, get equipment with money. and remember, your help is probably the most expensive cost in most cases.

[Tommy GS]

No, grow progressively, know your numbers then make an informed business decision.

[Jbyrd485]

GO Hydro

Go Hydro or dont go. I dont have a hydro but I sure wish I did. Belts work ok but Hydro is much better

Jbyrd (just my thoughts, only worth price paid)

[floridalawncare]

definitely get good equioment from the word get go. if you're gonna offer the service, then you need proper equipment to do it with. i started with some good stuff, and some make ship. buying and re-selling to get sufficient stuff will always loose money. you can never sell for what the price of new is. and keeping everything you ever buy is a no no too. you'll end up with stuff just setting not making any money at all. another thing, could you make more money with a good suitable commercial unit, or with a make ship used piece or some piece of high maintenance junk? a commercial unit of course. and with financing these days, it'd be worth it to pay a little interest, which will not probably add up to the needed repairs of a clunker or lag of an insufficient unit. i started by financing my first machine. i wanted to be able to do the job, and do it on time without waiting on the mechanic to fix the old whatever again. you can see how this would hurt. and a good unit will easily pay for itself, and another one if you want to grow. i can say alot, but i just wanted to add these thoughts.

[VALLEYWIDE]

start by yourself once u get beyond what u can do then hire help

[mariner]

Buy what you can afford. If you can afford a hydro the definitely do it. I'm still using belts which are fine but I could use that reverse action of a hydro.