Outback Walk-Behind Brush Mower or 42" riding mower

7 years ago

Hello Folks,
My name is Petros. I have owned a 2.75 acre property in North east Naples for 1 year now. About 1 acre has pine trees & the rest is clear. I have been renting a Billy Goat Walk Behind brush mower from Sunbelt rental for lawn, brush, & small trees. I finally removed all of the trees that I wanted to so from this point on it is just mowing the grass/small brush about 6 to 10"'s high.

The ADVANTAGES of the brush hog:
It fits perfectly in the 5' bed of my Tacoma (I have metal ramps),
It can cut any small sapplings that may come up,
It is probably tougher than most conventional riding mowers.
I don't have to rent/buy a trailer.
I can rent it for $124.00 (taxes included) & I get the lot done in one day. (I rent it 3 to 4 times per year, probably 3 as of next year since the heavy work is already done.

DISADVANTAGE:
I would have to keep renting it because they cost almost $3000 new & I can't find any good used ones. I'm willing to pay up to $1500 for a good used one.

The ADVANTAGES of the riding mower:
I'm sitting down,
I can buy one new for $1500,

The DISADVANTAGES:
It won't fit well in the bed of my Tacoma unless I set it over the beds wheel wells & leave the tailgate down.

Should I just keep renting the Brush hog even though it's a little more tiresome since I have to walk eveyrwhere?

My lot is 180 x 660 x 180 x 660

Thank you!

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Comments (3)

tomplum
7 years ago
Is the mowable area pretty much like lawn now? If the rough stuff and debris etc are history, your options are open. There are new 30" mowers called the Toro Timecutter for about a 1000$ new or several other more robust mid sized walk behind mowers in the more commercial market which can be found used. A new 42" Deere or Husqvarna rider will be in that 1500$ or so range. If you are buying now, there are deals to be had. Plus a rider will enable you to tow a small cart for other projects as well.
exmar zone 7, SE Ohio
7 years ago
Tough one. I'd go with renting, $500 per year and someone else has the issues of maintenance, dealing with storing gas, etc. Unless you're "mechanically inclined," going with a used machine will also cause you to buy a trailer to haul to the repair shop. As Tom asked, do you want to do other things, tow a trailer, etc.? Do you have a place to store it inside? When I was younger I sneered at the thought of renting, had to own everything. Now, things I only use a couple times a year, I rent. e.g. Pressure washers, log splitter. I don't have to store them, deal with ethanol in gas, etc. Something else I noticed, never bought "cheap," but things that were seldom used, "blink your eyes" and they're 4-5 years old and you're trying to find parts. You didn't mention if you 2.75 acres is level or hilly, also, is it smooth like a lawn, or rough which the machines with light frames and small wheels don't like. $1500 is a little bit above entry level, but not much, definitely an LT, not a GT which you'd want if you have hills. I'm not sure you could mow 6" high, definitely not 10".

Good luck,

Ev
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petrosh73
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for your responses tompkum & exmar.

my lot has 2 snall dips & one drainage ditch. As do the terrain, it is about 1/2 lawn & 1/2 brush.

I like the points you made exmar. You are correct and I have decided to just keep renting the brush mower.

Thanks again folks!

Outback Walk-Behind Brush Mower or 42" riding mower

Comments (3)

tomplum

exmar zone 7, SE Ohio

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Outback Walk-Behind Brush Mower or 42" riding mower

Comments (3)

tomplum

exmar zone 7, SE Ohio

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petrosh73Original Author

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petrosh73
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