A versatile mower fleet adds value

Posted on:Nov 14, 2023

Extend crews’ capabilities and increase your equipment ROI with a flexible fleet.

As a fleet manager charged with purchasing and maintaining equipment that crews run day in and day out, your priorities are durability, cost of ownership and quality of cut. When a mower goes down, the time required for repairs and man-hours lost can become a financial burden on the company. At the end of the day, it’s your job to provide the team with reliable mowers that deliver results in the field. 

Versatility is also key.

With a commercial mower that does more than cut grass, you can maximize your equipment investment, improve productivity, decrease expenses and reduce maintenance requirements. Plus, when there is less equipment to keep track of, you can run a more efficient shop without a backlog of repairs and general upkeep to manage.

Here are some essential factors when considering mowers to add to your fleet.

Multi-Tasking Mowers—Generate More Revenue with Less Equipment

What implements are available for the commercial mower? Be sure to ask this question because access to various year-round implements will allow you to put mowers to work during all four seasons. Think about the revenue and value you gain when mowers can also push snow, sweep parking lots, edge landscape beds, collect leaves, aerate lawns and more. 

Grasshopper offers a complete line of implements for FrontMount™ mowers and attachments compatible with MidMount™ mowers. Attachments save labor and time—but beyond the implement, keep in mind how it attaches to the mower. Look for a system that does not require many (if any) tools and does not require excessive labor or effort so crews can easily change implements on the job when needed. 

Cost of Ownership—Maximize Mower ROI

Mower attachments increase your return on investment by expanding your capabilities. But factors like mowing speed and comfort indirectly impact the cost of ownership. When you can cover more ground, crews can manage more acreage—a revenue generator for landscaping companies. For grounds maintenance departments, increased mowing speed without sacrificing quality frees up a crew to tend to other tasks on the property. 

Comfort matters, too, because it affects operator performance and, ultimately, the quality of the cut. A smoother, faster ride reduces fatigue, so crews can accomplish more while maintaining high-level, manicured results. Seek smooth, dual steering levers, easy-access controls and a suspension ride seat.

The drive system also impacts the cost of ownership. For example, CoolTemp Hydro-Max™ fluid, combined with genuine Grasshopper filters, allows crews to run mowers up to five times longer than others between transmission oil changes—that’s up to 1,000 hours of operation, saving costs on labor and parts, savings which directly impact the bottom line. 

Ease of Maintenance—Serviceability

How easy is the mower to service? Maintenance efficiency is essential for a fleet manager to maintain a mowing fleet of any size. Grasshopper mowers have just minimal grease points and easy-to-reach belts and filters. Consider the mower deck configuration, too. You will want easy topside deck to belts and rear access to the drive belts and clutch. 

The cooling system also impacts ease of maintenance. For example, with the CoolFan™ Cooling System, there is an auxiliary cooling fan on each transmission pump, which extends service intervals and the life of the transmission. 

How many lubrication points does the mower have? This is important to ask when purchasing a commercial piece of equipment you’ll maintain for years. Grasshopper MidMount™ models include five lubrication points, while FrontMount™ models have 10. What does this mean from a maintenance efficiency standpoint? Some fleet managers say they reduce maintenance time by up to 80%. 

Also, look for mowers you can service in the field. This is possible when the deck drive belt, pump drive belt and blade drive belt are positioned where you can handle adjustments efficiently and return a mower to its job without returning it to the shop. 

Do More than Mow with Less Time and Money

Grasshopper mowers are a win for fleet managers, reducing maintenance time while decreasing the cost of ownership. When your mower can do more than cut grass, you realize a greater return on investment, and there is less equipment to oversee. 

Grasshopper dealers sell industry-leading, high-quality, rugged mowers and provide the knowledge, service and parts you need––before, during and after your purchase. Ask us about financing options and special government and public agency purchase programs.

Interested in more mowing tips from the pros at Grasshopper? Check out our library of how-to videos or sign up for our newsletter. Thinking about a new mower? Our team can help you choose the best model for your needs.