Hi All
I have had a landscaping business for 4 years and looking to continue growing. Part of the business is maintenance and over the years have turned away some business due to only having honda pedestrian mowers. over the last couple of weeks i have had the opportunity to quote two commerical jobs which both would require a ride on due to size. So i have a couple of questions
- Is it worth buying one for the odd potential new client and possibly looking to grow this area of the buisness? I know this is my decision but interested to see how this has worked for other people or whether its just worth walking away from.
- What would everyone recommend (reasonably reliable used machine which will not depreciate too much)
- What do people charge for per hour for the machine and associated running costs. Or if you would rather (and know from experience typical annual costs)
I have heard from local mower suppliers/repairers the dangers of buying used and how easy some machines are to damage and break on anything from debris to mole hills.
So any information greatfully recieved.
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Replies
I've bought two since I started - I'm into the 3rd season this year.
First one, Etesia Hydro 100, then back end of last year a Bahia. I chose them because they have a good name in the industry, and will pick up wet grass. Thought about a Kubota, didn't have the money.
The Hydro 100 was bought for a specific job, which I no longer have, so it is a bit wasted to be honest. Goes out sometimes on another job, just to keep it running.
The Bahia, well that has been a bit of an eye opener, it is early season and I've swapped over to the Bahia from push mowers on two jobs, speeding them up no end. I've just taken on another job for it, and yesterday quoted another. For me, the great thing about these machines is that they are big enough to replace a 4 wheeler, and small enough to use on larger domestic gardens.
For me it wasn't worth buying the 100 for just 1 job, 1 other job for it came and went - I dropped it as it wasn't viable and customer wouldn't pay more. I'll hang on to it, hope to find work for it in the future.
The smaller Bahia (or Hydro 80) I would buy again as in my area there will always be work for it. Guess it depends on the type and size of properties - it is mainly rural villages and small towns where I live.
Buying used machines I think is a bit of a gamble - expect to have to spend a few hundred quid on spares, and a good few hours checking and replacing. Deck bearings, wheel bearings, idler bearings, well all bearings in the chassis, steering adjustments, new belts, hydro oil etc etc. Probably not viable if using a repair shop and paying the labour.
Which machine is dependant on several factors - budget - use/type of work - transportation of machine - speed/size of plots, etc.
I would say always buy new, or ex demo/nearly new. Secondhand well used machines can be a world of trouble. Any good dealer will give generous discounts on new machines anyway.
I have two ride on's. A Stiga 740 which is four wheel drive, has a V Twin engine and a three bladed mulching deck. It is a fantastice machine, climbs up banks, won't get stuck, will manouver around obstacles like in churchyards effortlessly. I even use it on smaller, what would otherwise be hand mowing jobs.This saves a lot of time and effort and is therefore much more efficient. You will probably find you could use the ride on to do a lot of your hand mowing work.
I have also just bought a John Deere Z535M zero turn, 48 inch deck. I bought this because it is very fast. It will mow at 8.5 miles per hour and still cut perfectly. I got it to do playing fields on a new contract. It mows a 4.8 acre playing field in two and a half hours. I know a tractor and gang mowers would be even quicker, but would cost tens of thousands.
There are jobs where one machine is perfect and the other would be no use at all. You also have to factor in the need for a trailer, if you don't already have one that is suitable.
As regards cost, a deal can always be done as I mentioned. The list price of the John Deere is £5965. I paid £4990, after some negotiation. This was a brand new machine from Torne Valley. I would be very wary of going too cheap, or further down towards domestic machines as it really is a false economy. A quality machine is a long term investment which will last for many years.
So it comes down to your specific needs. I have been grass cutting/gardening/landscaping for 27 years and have used a lot of different machines over the years. The machines I have are perfect for me, but might not be right for the next gardener. It took me two months of research and demo's before I bought the John Deere.
Ride on hourly rates - I average about £40p/h to £45p/h across the ride on work. Some is over £50, some more like £35.It has to be this kind of money when you factor in initial cost of machine/servicing/replacement belts/bearings etc. Not that belts don't last. I just [this last winter] serviced the Stiga and fitted a new deck belt. The machine had done three years work and the deck belt looked on it's last legs, but three years [and many mole hills] is a lot of work/revolutions.
Best of luck with the decision.