(Picture provided by Douglas Landscape and Design, LLC)

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John Deere 647A 48" Stand-Up Mower 

After 16 years as the owner of a commercial/residential mowing business in the Kansas City metro area, I have tried out quite a few makes and models of commercial mowers.  My recent purchase of a John Deere 647A 48" Stand-Up has been a stand-out over the past season. 

The cutting quality is excellent - the stamp deck very effectively lifts the grass blades to give a clean cut.  This mower is not only comfortable to ride on for several hours a day, but it has good speed and maneuvers very well around trees, landscaping, etc. with its zero-turn capabilities. 

With daily use, ease of maintenance was a big factor as I sharpen blades daily and do the routine maintenance myself.  Oil and spark plugs are very easy to change.  Because this machine is a stand-up, you have to jack it up to get to the blades, but once that's done, it's relatively easy to take the blades off and on for sharpening.  The only downside I've found is that the grass-catcher is somewhat difficult to attach/remove when I need to bag a lawn. 

Actually, service and parts availability was a big factor in the choice of this machine for my business.  Although Right Standard is a leader in stand-ups, the responsive staff and service at my local John Deere dealership - Reynolds Lawn & Leisure in Shawnee, Kansas - led me to choose the Deere mower.  You pay a bit higher price for the John Deere name, but you must also consider the service you'll get at your local dealership.  If my machine goes down or needs a part, Reynolds is on it, fast, to get me back out on the job.

Paul Cline, Owner
Eagle All-Season Lawn Service
24440 W 114th St
Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 481-5708