Large walk behind mowers

I have started picking up a few larger sites to mow now, and it's getting a little bit tedious with the 21" and I am starting to look at bigger machines, to cut down time on the job giving me more profit.

The 2 main sites I have are a slightly rough cut with some inclines that would probably put me off using a ride on, and the other big one is a domestic where the finish needs to be quite good, but has some awkward parts that also probably wouldn't suit a ride on. I have started looking at the kind of machines the council uses, like scag, ferris, toro etc, but I also notice a lot of hayter condors on ebay, and of course there is the toro timemaster/turfmaster, which to my mind would probably give a good finish.

I see people using these machines all the time in the US on youtube, but I realise they cut higher over there, and the grasses tend to be different, but I'm wondering if careful use and good sharp blades would be the answer? Instead of what the council guys do mowing tin cans bricks and pretty much anything that's hiding in the verges :)

So does anyone have much experience of using the bigger walk behinds in a less commercial way? Is it possible to get a decent finish with a scag type machine?

Replies

This reply was deleted.
- PRO
  
  Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:12pm
  
  Idle curosity - what engine is now in that model - Is it a Toro ?
  
  I've noticed they been swapping a few engines out recently to their own brand....I wonder ?
  - James Brett > Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:14pm
    
    I have a Kawasaki on my turfmaster
- James Brett June 6, 2016 at 9:17pm
  
  Park brake??
  
  It's a trim mower not a rough cut beast for long grass. I have cut wet 4-6 inch grass down to 50mm in mulch mode with fair results. In fact I do this on a regular basis on two sites around 16-18000m2
  
  I have found collection good in all but wet grass. In damp in can sometimes underfill slightly.
  
  It only stalls out when I'm pushing it to hard :( but that's user error here.
  
  I have found lifting the front wheels higher than the back yields better results.
  - This reply was deleted.
    - James Brett June 6, 2016 at 10:30pm
      
      ?? I'm not sure that was me? Another member has had issues but I love mine!!
- PRO
  
  Richard Gadsby June 6, 2016 at 9:22pm
  
  I've got one on trail now and have to say it's fine for what I've used it for!
  I think I will buy one
- PRO
  
  Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:23pm
  
  Are you talking Turfmaster or Timemaster ?
  - PRO
    
    Richard Gadsby > Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:31pm
    
    Turfmaster
  - PRO
    
    Gary RK > Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:34pm
    
    Sorry - that was meant as a question for Tom :)
    - PRO
      
      Richard Gadsby > Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:42pm
      
      Oops just saw it under my comment did not read that it was a reply Tom
    - This reply was deleted.
      - PRO
        
        Gary RK > Gary RK June 6, 2016 at 9:58pm
        
        Whatever the issues, it's good to know so people can be made aware :)