Why landscape companies switch to Grasshopper mowers

Whether you’re in the market for a fleet of commercial mowers or a single operator who is ready to retire a machine that is past its prime, there are a lot of business-driven factors that weigh into the decision. While return on investment (ROI) is always a priority, this involves more than dollars and cents. Realizing a maximum value for your fleet requires mowers that are comfortable, deliver a high quality of cut, can manage tough mowing conditions, and increase productivity, potentially allowing you to expand into new service lines for year-round work.

Why are landscape companies switching from other mower manufacturer brands to Grasshopper? As you compare commercial mowers to make this important decision for your company, here is some guidance to steer you toward the best choice for your company. 

Mowing comfort to elevate quality of cut

Comfort isn’t a nice-to-have quality in a commercial mower. It’s a must for operator performance and reducing fatigue during long mowing days, which contributes to improved productivity and morale in the field. Landscapers who run Grasshopper mowers will attest to the smooth ride, precise control and faster mowing speeds. They feel refreshed, finish faster and leave behind manicured results that win referrals and more business. 

Grasshopper calls its design humanomic™, going steps beyond ergonomic to increase operator comfort and boost productivity. Even intricate landscaping tasks can be performed with ease at high speeds yielding high-quality results. Some features that enable this are accessible controls with a View-Eze™ console adjacent to the seat, which is easy to get on and off. A ventilated seat with front-to-rear airflow keeps operators cool on hot and humid days. 

As for steering, Hydra-Smooth™ dual steering levers dampen automatically to return to neutral from forward and reverse for instant, smooth steering response. When multiple operators are using a machine, the ComfortReach™ “no tools” lever adjustment allows team members to simply adjust steering controls to a COMFORTABLE position. 

Add in the premier suspension seat, adjustable lumbar supports and design with the lowest seat index point of any seat with full suspension, and you’ve got a consistently low center of gravity for smooth sailing across even the toughest turf conditions. 

Versatile implements for year-round revenue

How much can one engine do? A full menu of implements are widely available for Grasshopper FrontMount™ mowers, with a limited selection that are also compatible with Grasshopper MidMount™ mowers. From pushing snow to edging along curb lines and collecting leaves, a single mower can accomplish multiple tasks and provide a year-round revenue stream for your business. 

Aside from the versatility landscapers gain with Grasshopper mowers, leveraging the power of a fuel-efficient, Tier 4 MaxTorque™ clean diesel engine further lowers the overall cost of ownership over time. (Learn more about the diesel advantage.) And rather than purchasing multiple pieces of equipment for various landscaping tasks, Grasshopper mower attachments reduce your overall equipment spend over time because you can accomplish more with a single machine. You will also reduce maintenance expenses over the short and long term. 

Common parts to stock for multiple mower types

When managing a fleet of mowers, keeping OEM parts on hand that are frequently required for routine maintenance can save trips to the dealership. But stocking parts can be an expensive endeavor if you run various mower configurations, even of the same brand. For instance, some manufacturers specify different spindles, blades, pulleys and idlers for their stand-on, mid-mount and front-mount mowers. Not Grasshopper. Consistency rules and saves landscape companies dollars, along with preventing maintenance mistakes that can damage equipment or result in poor quality of cut, such as putting the wrong blades on a certain mower. 

Common parts that are interchangeable across the Grasshopper brand—no matter what mower configuration—reduce the number of different SKUs and unique items you need to keep in your inventory. Quick grab-and-go parts reduce cost, prevent confusion, increase maintenance efficiency and get crews back into the field faster with less downtime.

Durability to manage through tough mowing conditions

Crews maintaining municipal properties and large swaths of land, such as roadway medians, need hard-working mowers that can efficiently execute high-quality performance for hours, comfortably. 

Grasshopper mowers stand up to in-field challenges, from slopes to thick stands of turf and complex properties that call for durability and maneuverability.

Landscape operators choose Grasshopper mowers for their tough construction that does not compromise comfort. When answering a call to maintenance duty in extreme weather conditions, you want to know the elements will not take a toll on your crews or equipment ROI. Our mower cutting decks allow for superior airflow and anvil-edged DuraMax® decks combine heavy-gauge, formed steel construction and a reinforced, angled leading edge. Triple-strength decks are reinforced in stress zones. Grasshopper decks simply last longer and perform better than stamped steel decks. 

Our FrontMount™, MidMount™ and Stand-On Series offer similar and unique durability features that allow you to tailor a fleet to suit a range of mowing conditions and challenges. 

Low maintenance to make more time for generating revenue in the field

With service-friendly mowers, you can spend less time on routine maintenance and more time in the field. While many manufacturers will claim their equipment is service-friendly, we encourage you to ask for specific features that increase maintenance efficiency. Calling a mower “low- maintenance” is easy to claim but requires dedication to researching and developing innovative solutions. 

We address serviceability by reducing the number of grease points and providing easy access to belts and filters. MidMount™ models have five lubrication points while FrontMount™ models have fewer than 10. When quality pumps and wheel motors work together, you gain longer service life. CoolTemp Hydro-Max™ fluid and Grasshopper filters allow fleets to run longer between transmission oil changes for an average of 1,000 hours. 

Other conveniences include a removable debris screen on liquid-cooled models for easy cleaning. And with the Access-Eze™ deck, you can access belts topside. Front-mount decks are available in FoldUp™ and PowerFold™ models for easy under-deck maintenance. 

Ultimately, maintenance ease translates to savings and earnings because of increased uptime. 

A smart switch – acquire a Grasshopper fleet

Feel the difference by test-driving a Grasshopper Mower at one of our servicing dealers to experience how it performs. Remember to ask about financing offers. 

Interested in some 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 for your fleet? Our team can help you choose the best model for your needs.