Sitdown or Walkbehind, Fixed or Floating.

[Schield]

Wich is beter for residential, a walk behind like a 36" with a fixed deck or like say a 44" sitdown ZTR with a flowting deck? And what dose it mater fixed or floating? Lawns size - 3,000 to 37,000sf.
I need to buy a biger mower.[!]
thanks very much.[]

[Seascape]

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I like to have a 48 and a 36 on residential routes. The 36 comes in handy going into gated areas.However a 48 can far out cut a 36 so use a 48 mostly. Whoever is with me usually runs the 36 only breifly than begins trimming or just trims. This is nice when possible.Im not a big fan of John Deer lawn equipment but i bought a GS-30 a few years ago. It was very cheap. 48 was $2200 I think w/ velkie. It seems to be a tad lighter than my other stuff. I could probally use my 52 on some residentials but i know from early on that eventually i will trash someones turf and generate a complaint.I would try to demo both a 48 and a 36 and tab your hours. If possible try to go equiped w/ both even if the 36 is kinda crappy and cheap. You wont use it much anyway w/ a 48 on board. As far as 20" push mowers go. Thats my worst nightmare. I wont bid anything with to much of it. I use them mostly in soupy areas as not to damage turf or worse yet get stuck.
Mike

[imograss]

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when i started out i only had a fixed deck 48" w/b. i mowed with these for 4 years on residential lawns. i have no complaints to date. i also now own a 60" ztr it cuts down on time BUT there are places you can put that w/b that you cant put a ztr. as far as fixed or floating its a trade off. both can scalp the turf however floaters tend to come with more anti scalp wheels. most floaters are hydros. hydros are heavier also limiting the cutting of wet slopes, hydros being heavier tend to leave mud tracks in wet grass moreso than belt drives. both earn a place on my trailer they both have good and bad points. but as far as what you would like better i think its all in what you use and how you use it.i hope this helps.

[Schield]

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Thank you Seascape and Imograss and to all that respond, thank you.[8D]
Im on my own now,four years, thanks[]

Seascape And Imograss are your 48s and 36" sitdowns or walk behinde?

[Seascape]

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I have 3 48s and 1 36. All w/b. 2 of my 48s have velkies.
mike