Opportunity to demo

[Landgreen]

So I'm at our largest account today riding my mower and trying to keep my two rookies in line at the same time. Way behind because of rain this morning so not in such a great a mood when this guy pulls up with a new 1 ton diesel Chevy pulling a big enclosed trailer. He motions for me to come over so I reluctantly shut of mower and see what this guy wants. He says "You need to see what is in my trailer". OK. I'm waiting. He fumbles for the right key and then drops the gate and inside are two brand, new still in plastic wrap Great Dane Surfers. He says he is a manufacturer rep looking to get a dealer to carry the brand in our area. He wants me to demo one for 4-5 days so that if I happen to like the mower I can give it a thumbs up if a prospective dealer asks me about it. I think I'm gonna do it. I didn't get too many details from him since I was in such a hurry but I don't think it will hurt to run one for a week. Only downside will be learning controls so I'll be a little slow at it first few lawns. Upside is I'm putting hours on somebody elses equipment. What do you guys think?

[hlntoiz]

Home Run!. any time you get a chance to demo (beat) on someone elses new equipment it is a good thing. Have fun!!

[GMC Driver]

Go for it - I have a surfer, and everyone likes it. Once you get used to it, you'll be fine.

I also get tons of offers to demo stuff - and I don't take many up on it. I don't want them to get their hopes up, and haunt me to buy all the time. I'm pretty brand loyal. The other thing is we always seem to be too busy to take the time to screw around with using/learning another machine.

A new Ferris dealer here really wants me to try his new zero-turn with the Cat engine - but this thing comes in at $20K!! And it weighs nearly a ton - way too much for the lawns we have.

The thing is, you don't know what it's like until you've tested it out in the feild. And then the dealer better be prepared to take the good with the ugly.

[Mark Oomkes]

Go for it, especially if he's going to let you run it that long. At least you will get a good feel for it. Better than a couple hours or half day, I hate that.

I don't mind trying different stuff, as long as it isn't a pain. I usually try to do it myself to get a feel for it as well, because I don't always trust my employees' opinions. I do tell them right up front whether I'm in the market for something or not. Might be why I don't get to try out more stuff.

[jbutch83]

I wish we had that type of service in my area, it is like pulling teeth to get the local dealers to let you demo anything, and they don't want to talk price either. Went in a couple of weeks ago to look at a new Hustler Super Z, asked the salesman who I have known for some time, what is the best price that you can do for me. He replies by looking at the sticker that was on the mower, and says that is the best price that he can do. I think I will keep my stuff for another year.

[MrBobcat]

Go for it , just give honest feedback ... both good and bad.
If hes worth a darn as a rep , he will apreciate both.

[AL Inc]

That does sound good, go for it. My dealer let me demo my first Stander back in 2001 for a week. I was sold on the machine the first day:grinz I ended up just buying the demo machine for a pretty good deal.

[Landgreen]

I'm gonna try to set something up for next week. The rep said he didn't want to necessarily sell it to me but use my opinion of it (if it is good) to sell the line to one of the local dealers (he must think I'm a real perfushenel). I don't plan on buying one except if I'm really impressed by it and of course if a local dealer begins to sell them. My power equip dealer already told me his business is too small to carry the brand.

[Landgreen]

Rep dropped it off yesterday. Had my choice of the 48 fixed deck or 52 float. We always adjust height during day so was easy pick. The rep said it would cut 15% faster than my midmount52 hopper. We'll see about that. After a day and half I'm getting used to it. Traction is a little less than my 52 on hills. I managed to tear some sod a little but that was probably just inexperience. Controls were easy to get used to. Everything in the right places. Going forward is easy but backingup took a little getting use to. One thing about this machine- it hauls. It cruises just as fast as my 61 hopper. It's a weird feeling being up that high and going at that speed. Speaking of high I managed to hit my head on many branches. Doesn't help that I'm 6'4" but even for normal people it could prove to be a headache. Power is great. Gobs of it. 23 hp kaw gets it done. Cuts good too.

[Landgreen]

Had some proplems getting used to operator presence stand. The tabs that slide up through need to have feet on at all times which is hard to do sometimes at angles. Rep says it has been redesigned already. Neutral safety on one of the hydro pumps is hainging up and makes starting a pain. Took a little while to figure it out. Need to wiggle a little to get it to fire sometimes. The deck lift is not that great. One on either side. Circle clips need to be removed from pins each time. Different clips need to be used. Real easy to smash a finger too if not careful. No quarter inch increment either. I really like the ability to adjust deck on the fly. My hoppers simply push a pedal. WB's just put some weight on the bars to get the deck up in the air. This machine has no way to do either. It really limits the directions we can cut some of our accounts and how quickly. If I bought it, I would put electric lift on it like my 52 hopper. Overall, the machine seems well built and pretty tough. Haven't serviced it yet. Should get to know it pretty well by end of week.

[Cornerstone]

Chris,
How do those Surfers handle like a walk behind or Z? Are they tippsy?

Just wondering because I had a new Toro Turbo Force 52'' walkbehind with a velkie yesterday. It took quite some time to get use to it and it didnt handle well at higher speeds. Every little adjustment was really jerky and it bounced the front end off the ground. The velkie was one of those tru traks. I got hit a ton of tree branchs but at 6'2 I was expecting some but every little bump or divit the mower went over the controls were jarred into my stomach. Not to sure that one of these will be added to my rig anytime soon.

[Landgreen]

Not that tipsy. More like slippery. Never felt like it would roll or wheelie going up a steep hill. Loses traction first though I do need more experience and different lawns to test on.

My Snapper WB was real difficult to learn at first (wanted to return it LOL) but now I can really kick some ase with it. Now if only my empoyees could do the same...

[DanG]

I was looking at one of those near here.

$6200 + tax which wasn't that bad. John deere has the same thing too.

Dan

[Landgreen]

Tested the limits. The pic is a fairly steep bank. It went up ok but going down was a problem. It started to slide immediately and went all the way down locked up. I tried to accelerate but didn't help. Have to be real careful going down hill. There has to be flat at the bottom to turn cause it doesn't like to stop and back up. Very easy to get into difficult situations.

After running this machine all week, I've been satisfied with it. It's quick and cuts well. It's really short so long trailer isn't necessary to a few on. I don't see myself buying one though. Makes more sense to sit down than to stand. My legs would get tired after a while and bumpy lawns aren't fun. My 52 hopper can get the job done just as well and with deck lift on the fly.

This machine definitely attracts attention. Never had so many people approach me and ask what it was, if I liked it, price etc. Kind of annoying after a while.