Now mowers I know, many years will go, with new filters, plugs, and blades
And don't forget new oil and grease as winter quickly fades!
Fertilize! Fertilize! And oh will spring turf grow
(Unless you are in Denver and have three more months of snow!)

By Jackie Bowler

Take a glance at these walk behind mowers to ready yourself for the spring season.

Better Outdoor Products

Model No.: Quick 36T
Engine and Horsepower: We offer a range of Briggs and Kawasaki engines
Deck: 33" and 44"
Accessories: Patented SoftStartT clutch-brake for smooth blade engagement
Special Features: Hydrostatic drive, a progressive tunnel 3-blade deck, and easy-to-use controls with thumb-actuated reverse.
Warranty: The mowers provide a 1 yr. commercial and 2 yr. homeowner warranty
Cost: SRP $2095

Billygoat

Model No.: FM3301, FM3301E (electric start)
Engine and Horsepower: 13.0 HP B&S Intek I/C w/ anti-vibration system
Deck: 7 gauge steel welded to 12 gauge steel skirt
Speed: Up to 1.25 acres per hour in 4th gear
Tires: Rear wheels 13” x 6.5” pneumatic; Caster wheels 8” x 3” treadless pneumatic w/ zerks
Accessories: Grass Catcher kit & Mulching kit (sold separately)
Warranty: 2 yr.
Cost: $1899-$2049

Country Clipper

Model No.: Trek Hydro ZT1500KA
Chassis: Hydraulic pump and wheel motor drive
Engine and horsepower: 15-HP Kawasaki V-twin
Deck: 36” or 48”
Speed: 0-7 mph
Tires: Drive: 16×6.50-8 Front: 9×3.50-4
Accessories: Mulch Kit; Grass Bagger
Special Features: Patented Stand-up Deck
Warranty: Standard 2-pr limited; Extended 3/4 yr. limited
Cost: $4,970

EverRide Wasp HP

Model Number: ELKW1536S and ELKW1748S
Chassis: 7-gauge laser cut steel frame
Engine and Horsepower: 15 and 17 HP Kawasaki engine
Deck: 36" and 48" deck
Speed: 1 to 7 MPH forward
Tires: Full floatation, front 9×3.5-4, rear 16×6.5-8
Special Features: Dual 10cc hydraulic pumps and motors, patented drive levers for one-hand trimming
Warranty: 2 yr. parts and labor. EverLife Warranty ?EUR??,,????'??+ deck shell and tractor frame, excluding the moving parts, are warranted from cracking as a result of defects in material or workmanship for the life of the unit.
Cost: $4,995 for ELKW1748S

Ferris Industries

Model No: Comfort Control DD
Engine and Horsepower: 19 HP or 25 HP Kawasaki V-Twin
Deck: 48", 52" or 61"
Speed: 6 MPH (forward)
Tires: 18×7.5 (48") ;18×8.5 (52", 61")
Accessories: Mulch Kit
Special Features: New Cruise Control Bar with independent steering override allows operator a multitude of handling options. The deck is easily adjusted by the Quick-adjust deck lever. Standard electric start.
Warranty: 2 yr. commercial use, front-to-rear, parts & labor excluding belts, blades, tires and brake pads.
Cost: $5720-$6854 depending on deck and HP

Hustler Equipment

Model No.: Trimstar 36" Hydro Walk Behind

Engine and Horsepower:15 HP or 17 HP Kawasaki air-cooled gasoline engines
Deck: Full-floating 36" or 48"
Speed: 0-6 MPH fwd, 0-2 MPH reverse
Tires: Round, rubber 18×9.5 ?EUR??,,????'??? 8
Accessories: Mulching Kits, Deck-Mounted Catcher, Roll-On?EUR??,,????< Special Features: Compatible with after-market sulkies and trailers. Simple, efficient drive system ?EUR??,,????'??? integrated, serviceable IZT transmissions. No hoses, no leaks. Patented H-Bar?EUR??,,????< Warranty: 2 yr. parts and labor; lifetime warranty on the leading edge of the deck; 3 yr. warranty on bearings.

Lawnboy

Model No.: 22270
Chassis: Trim Edge Deck design
Engine and Horsepower: Honda GSV 190cc
Deck: 21” Cast Aluminum
Speed: Push
Tires: 8” steel wheels with ball bearings
Special Features: Lift handle/muffler guard in the front; mulch/bag/side discharge standard, lightweight, 1” diameter heavy-duty operator’s handle with reinforced dual mounting
Warranty: 1 yr. commercial warranty
Cost: SRP $830

LESCO

Model: 708700 & 708702
Chassis: Steel-plated
Engine and Horsepower: Kawasaki, 17 & 19 HP
Deck: 48" & 54"
Speed: 6 MPH
Accessories: Three different blades, mulching, gator and standard high lift; cloth or steel grass catcher; stand-on sulky.
Special Features: Anti-scalping, floating deck technology; New joystick controls for easy, low-fatigue operation.
Warranty: 1 yr.
Cost: $3,799 & $3,999

Redhawk Equipment

Model No.: 48KO180H
Chassis: 7 Gauge welded steel
Engine and Horsepower: 18HP Kohler engine
Deck: 48” cut
Speed: Variable 0-6.3 MPH
Tires: Tires Front 9 X 3.50-4 ; Rear 16 X 6.50-8
Accessories: Sulkies, swivel wheels, mulch plate, grass catcher, and brush "n mow bar
Warranty: 1 yr.
Cost: $2699

Rich MFG

Model No.: LP28KOH-12
Chasis: Convertible
Engine and Horsepower: 28EFI
Deck: 61”
Speed: 13 MPH
Tires: 24 X 12 X 12
Accessories: Snow Blade, Convert-a-barrow, Spreader, Sprayer, and vacuum
Special Features: You can walk or ride the Convertible.
Warranty: 3 yr.
Cost: $8299

SCAG

Model No.: SWZ48V-17KAI
Chasis: 16" wide small frame chassis
Engine and Horsepower: 17 HP Kawasaki KAI gas engine
Deck: 48" wide Velocity Plus cutter deck
Speed: 7.4 MPH forward, 3 MPH reverse
Tires: 4 ply 16×6.5-8 drive tires
Accessories: Box grass catchers, mulch kits, hour meter
Special Features:Scag cast iron spindle assemblies w/tapered roller bearings and 3 yr. limited warranty
Warranty: 2 yr. limited mower warranty
Cost: Suggested List $5994; see dealer for actual pricing.

Walker Manufacturing Co.

Model No.: MW
Chassis: 3/16” Plate Steel
Engine and horsepower: Kawasaki FH430V V-Twin 15-HP
Deck: Interchangeable from 36” to 56” (5 decks) or 42” and 52” mulch
Speed: 5 mph
Tires: 10 (low profile) 18" by 8.5"
Accessories: Sulky
Special Features: Variable forward speed controlled by rocker switch near right thumb used in conjunction with pistol grips to achieve true zero-turn and effortless maneuvering. Handles the same side discharge and mulching decks as the Walker Riders including the tilt-up deck feature. Castering tail wheel provides balance and allows the deck to float.
Warranty: 3 yr. overall, 2 yr. engine, 6 mo. on transaxles.
Cost: $5,500

Wright Manufacturing, Inc

Model No.: Velke Gear Drive
Chassis: Velke
Engine and horsepower: Kawasaki 15 & 17 HP
Deck: 36” & 48”
Speed: 6.9 mph
Tires: Six 13" by 6.5"
Accessories: Gobbler Grass Catcher
Special Features: Gear Drive
Cost: $2,944 to $3,429
Warranty: 2 yrs.

Power Points

30: Degrees. When mowing on slopes at or exceeding this angle, the landscape contractor should mow in a horizontal direction.

2: Inches, the height at which mower blades should be set. Blades should never be set lower than 1 1/2 inches. Source: OSHA

1921: The year Toro mounted five lawn mowers onto a tractor to mow fairways at the Minikahda Country Club in Minnesota. Source: Toro