need new (small) riding mower

[hazmat]

I've had personal experience with the ransomes bobcat. But all the other's mentioned are quality products. I think I forgot to mention LESCO.

The cut quality is typically much better than a budget rider mower. The top of the line $$$$$ Deere's and simplicity etc. would give them a run for their money. The only difference compared with a 21" push mower is it has smaller wheel marks.

My experience is with temperate area grasses (North East) Fescues & Kentucky Blue. Tycpical cutting height 2.5-3.5". I don't know jack about bermuda.

The dealers of the commericial mowers typically have demo's available. You can try before you buy (on YOUR lawn).

[Gatorboy]

Not fun? I love to pull out my 48" walk-behind each week. Sometimes I catch the neighbors in awe of the size and manuverability this baby has.


On the topic of Bermuda: Back when I was in the lawn business we had a client that had Bermuda -- we cut that lawn twice a week with a regular 21-inch mower at the lowest setting. It did a pretty nice job. I am not that big of a fan of Bermuda, too much maintenence -- for the southern grasses, I am a fan of St. Augustine type grass.

[wichiwichi]

Paid $1200. for mine and best money I ever spent. If you watch the paper some good used ones can be found for a good price. If you have a Dixon dealer in the area most will let you test drive them. If manuverability and time is an issue you can't beat them. Mine is 42" and I can mow aproximatly 1/2 acre in 20 minutes mowing on the diagonal. On the subject of bermuda grass it all depends on which variety. Mowing height is not a big issue with most but it is a very intrusive grass. Will take over a flower bed in a heartbeat. I have common bermuda and keep it mowed at 2 1/2 to 3 inchs.

[Fishman]

Thanks again, all. This is really helpful.

Gatorboy, the reason I chose bermuda was because of low maintenance. [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Fertilizer and particularly water needs are supposed to be less than St Augustine. Did I make a mistake? I'm not concerned with the intrusiveness of the grass where it's at, there's no place for it to go. I think I have common bermuda. Any hints on how to take care of it would be great.

[Gatorboy]

I guess I should not have been so quick to say high maintenence on the Bermuda -- I still have memories of cutting that one guys lawn twice a week. He wanted his yard to look like a golf course.

This information from Seedland may be helpful to you.

[wichiwichi]

Once established it requires very low water and takes care of itself. Just mow it and go.

[LazyJ_Arabians]

Mow it high.. 3" minimum and it's low maintenance, any lower and you gotta weed, water, and feed constantly. Same with any southern grass.

I could rant for hours on mowing height. Most lawnmowers won't even go as high as I like to mow. Asinine to see people spend big bucks on a sod job and then scalp it to oblivion.

[Gatorboy]

LazyJ,

Bermuda is supposed to be cut very short.

However, I must agree with you on most grasses, people cut way too short. I cut at about 4" on my lawn. A little known fact is that the height of the blade is equivalent to the length of the root. So when water becomes scarce, my lawn can outlast all the neighbors.

[hazmat]

<font color="blue"> So when water becomes scarce, my lawn can outlast all the neighbors </font color>

Me too. Summer height is 3.5", spring &amp; fall 3". Despite the drought we had, only 1 little section actually got brown. The rest of the grass slowed down substaintially, but was still green.

I cut shorter in the cooler months to slow down the growth of the grass. I don't know this for a fact, but it is my impression that the growth rate is somehow related to the height of the grass (more photosynthesis??).

[Gatorboy]

Well, the grass slows down in the cooler months regardless of height I believe. The temperatures as well as amount of sunlight per day are the big factors for growth.

I also cut shorter in the Fall -- as a matter of fact, I just lowered my mower deck about an inch this past weekend. The grass cuts a llittle better when the deck is lower (blade of grass is more rigid closer to the ground) -- but boy, does my grass get nice and thick in the Spring and Summer when I cut higher.