Buying a lawnmower is not as simple of a task as it looks like. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before you make the purchase.
Two of the most popular lawn mower brands in the market currently are Gravely and Bad Boy. The brands have lawnmowers and tractors that are widely purchased by gardeners all around.
When you check the reviews of the individual products from the brand, you will see that they are quite well-performing, and durable as well. So when it comes to making the purchase, which brand should you go for?
If you are weighing between Gravely Vs Bad Boy, you’ve come to the right place. Today we will discuss and compare both of these brands in-depth so that you can make the right purchase for your needs.
Comparison Between Gravely and Bad Boy
About The Brand: Gravely Lawn Mower
The brand Gravely was incorporated in 1922. The founder of the brand, Benjamin Franklin Gravely, decided to sell his innovative lawnmowers and tractors commercially.
So, the company has been in the market for quite some time now. The brand was such a hit in the mid-20s that the company even survived through the great depression.
Gravely is still doing quite well in the market. In 2006, the company launched a line of power lawn implements, reel mowers, grass trimmers, and zero-turn lawnmowers. Then in 2008, the company further expanded its business by taking a dip into the world of golf course grass and turf management. They launched a dedicated division for gears needed for golf course management.
Advantages Of Gravely Mowers
Gravely mowers are so widely popular amongst the crowd, that they even survived the great depression! So what makes these products so special? Let's find out.
1. Durability
Gravely lawn mowers are made to last. The average customer will use their mowers about 4, to 5 days a week. Gravely lawn mowers are made and built to live up to that expectation.
Because the brand makes its lawn mowers for landscapers, the products are of exceptional quality. The lawnmowers are expected to work on a huge area of land. Added weather protection ensures that the lawnmowers last through rain, extreme sunlight, and even snow.
2. Storage
Because Gravely lawn mowers are so sturdy and durable, you can easily store them without worrying about product damage.
A lot of the smaller-sized lawn mowers can be stored indoors. But if you have purchased a tractor or a larger size lawnmower, you can easily store it outside under a tarp. Because the products are made with weather protection, you won't have to worry about corrosion.
3. Low Maintenance
Even with regular use, there is very little maintenance that has to be done for Gravely products. Users who use their lawn mowers for several hours every day can usually get by with nothing but the common maintenance procedures.
This means all you have to do is change the oil, clean the blades, and repair the belt occasionally. This sort of maintenance is routine for any kind of lawnmower, no matter the build or quality.
Again, because the lawnmowers are made with such good quality material, you won't have to spend too much money on these mowers.
4. Versatile
Gravely lawn mowers are great for cutting grass. You can use these for commercial lawns, large-sized backyards, and even golf courses. They have a lawnmower for every type of lawn.
Most of their tractors can also be used in the winter for getting rid of snow! This is a product that you can use throughout the year.
5. Easy To Replace Parts
Gravely has all of the parts that require replacing available for purchase on their website. You can buy these replacement parts directly from the dealer or the shop.
A lot of the time, other replacement parts that are available online can also be used with Gravely tractors. So if any of the parts of the tractor or lawnmower become unusable, you can easily replace them. It won't cost you a lot.
6. Easy To Use
Gravely motors and tractors are usually very large. This can be a little bit intimidating for beginners. But you have nothing to worry about because these tractors and lawnmowers are very easy to use.
Both the walk and zero turn models have all of the controls placed in a very easy-to-access manner. These controls and buttons are also labeled clearly. After using the lawnmower just once or twice, you will understand all of the functions easily.
To make the lawnmower even easier to use, you can adjust the deck height according to your needs.
7. Both Gas And Electric Options
Some people like gas-powered lawnmowers more than electric ones. This is because a gas-powered lawnmower is usually a lot more powerful.
However, a point to consider with gas-powered lawnmowers is that they can be extremely loud. Using them for residential home lawns can be a bit of a hassle, as they might disturb your neighbors. You also have to refuel them regularly.
If you like electric motors, as they are quieter and easier to manage, Gravely has that option for you too. They have an electric model, the pro-turn EV, which is easy to use and makes low noise. The unit has a 60-inch deck and can be used all day long.
8. Accessories
Gravely has a lot of accessories that you can purchase. The brand has several kits and tools that you can purchase along with the lawnmower or tractor to customize it to your own needs.
You can get snow plows that can be used in winter for clearing roads. Maintenance kits, hitch kits, sun shades, and even led light kits are available for purchase along with the lawnmower that you buy.
Electric models can be paired with portable chargers, charging kits, and fusion core replacement battery accessories.
9. Comfort
Gravely makes their tractors and lawnmowers using air ride suspension seats. These are extremely comfortable to sit on. Many users have commented that sitting on the suspension seats feels like they're sitting on their couch.
The company makes their seats extra comfortable because the tractors and lawnmowers are made to be used for long hours. Therefore, you can use Gravely motors on any kind of terrain for even 6 hours a day without getting a sore back.
Disadvantages Of Gravely Mowers
There are a lot of advantages of using a Gravely tractor or lawnmower. But what about the disadvantages? Here are some factors that you should know about before you buy a Gravely lawnmower.
1. Not Great For Smaller Fields
Gravely lawn mowers do have a zero-turn design. This gives them the ability to be tuned easily. But these machines are usually designed for larger-sized lawns.
You will see that Gravely lawn mowers and tractors are often used in bigger and commercial lawns. So these lawnmowers might be a bit too expensive, large-sized, and too powerful for home lawns or backyard management.
If the design of the tractor is too large, it won't be able to get into hard-to-reach places. This might not be ideal if you want a well-detailed and finely cut lawn.
2. Expensive
Gravely lawnmowers range from $5000 to $8000. Unless used commercially, this is a huge sum to pay for a lawnmower that you want to use for your backyard.
About The Brand - Bad Boy Lawn Mower
The brand, Bad Boy mowers, is a bit newer to the market. The brand made its first lawnmower in 2002. After gaining popularity and success in the Lawn and Garden Expo in Kentucky, the brand signed up for making its first catalog in 2005.
They name their brand “Bad Boy” because the lawnmowers that they produce are packed with strength, power, and speed. Even their slogan “Mow With An Attitude” is a soft hint towards how energetic and powerful their lawn mowers are.
Bad Boy started with only 20 employees and has since grown to more than 700 employees.
They faced a few setbacks in the earlier stages of their market expansion, but have learned from their mistakes and improved quite a lot.
The lawnmowers are built with great technology and material. So durability is something that is a given with Bad Boy mowers. They build their lawnmowers in a way so that it's the last mower that you'll ever have to buy. Meaning, the machine will last you for a long time.
Advantages Of Bad Boy Mowers
Bad Boy mowers are a bit new in the market, but they certainly have a lot of customer loyalty. So why are people tempted to buy Bad Boy mowers? Let's look at a few of the advantages that you get with these products.
1. Versatility
You can use a Bad Boy lawn mower on both commercially large-sized lawns and home backyards. The zero-turn feature on their lawnmowers allows you to move them quite easily.
That is why you can get access to even the toughest corners of your lawn. They reach every inch of the yard and give you a perfect cut. The swing design, which can only be found in Bad Boy mowers, is great for these types of detailed jobs.
They have larger diesel-powered lawn mowers for commercial lands. The smaller lawnmowers with 54 to 48-inch cutting weight are also available for smaller lawns.
2. EZ Ride System
To cater to people who have to mow lawns that are not plain, Bad Boy makes their lawn mowers with an EZ ride system. This keeps your back aligned and reduces the number of vibrations and shocks that you feel even when you're on uneven terrain.
It's a great feature to have if your lawn has a lot of rocks and bumps.
3. Great For Beginners
Bad Boy lawn mowers are great for people who are buying a tractor or lawnmower for the first time. They have smaller models with lower 6mph speed that are easy to use and beginner-friendly. You don't need a lot of experience when using these lawnmowers.
4. Affordability
Because Bad Boy makes a variety of lawnmowers, they have options for both high-end, and residential use field machines. Therefore, you can get lawnmowers that are easy to afford from the brand.
Disadvantages Of Bad Boy Mowers
So we've looked at a few of the advantages that you get when using a Bad Boy lawnmower. Now it's time to take a peek at its disadvantages.
1. Cannot Be Used In Steep Lands
Bad Boy lawn mowers are usually designed with a very back-heavy construction. That is why if you have a land or lawn that is a bit steep, this might not be the perfect product for you.
Using these lawnmowers on steep land can be extremely tiresome, hard, and even unsafe. You have to put in a lot of effort to run or ride these on steep terrain. There's also the possibility of you losing control of the device and causing an accident.
2. Uncomfortable Seats
Bad Boy has great seats on their large-sized lawnmowers. But the more affordable ones are not too comfortable to sit on. This means you have to pay a price for comfort.
Bad Boy Vs Gravely - Which One is Better?
We've taken a look at both Gravely and Bad Boy lawnmowers. It's time to now compare the two so that we can decide which one will be the perfect choice for our lawn maintenance needs. Let's get into the side-by-side comparison.
1. Uses
While you would use a Gravely lawn mower for more commercially large-sized lawns, a Bad Boy lawn mower can be used for both large and small-sized lawns.
Gravely lawn mowers are typically used on school fields and large gardens. On the other hand, Bad Boy lawn mowers have a range of lawnmowers and tractors that can be used on both large fields and small lawns.
2. Durability
The Gravely lawn mower is made for commercial use. Therefore they are made with extremely high-quality materials. These lawnmowers can be used for long hours almost regularly.
Most of the Gravely lawn mowers are made out of either commercial or non-commercial heavy-duty welded tubing. You can expect these lawnmowers to last you a very long time.
Bad Boy lawn mowers are also quite durable. The brand makes their lawnmowers in a way so that it's the last one that you'll ever have to purchase.
But the frames are made with normal-welded tubing. So when compared, because a Gravely lawn mower is constructed with heavy-duty welded tubing while a Bad Boy lawn mower is made with normally welded tubing, the Gravely lawn mowers are much more sturdy and durable.
3. Speed
Gravely lawn mowers usually have a 7 to 8 mph forward and 3.5 to 4 mph backward speed.
On the other hand, Bad Boy lawn mowers range from about 6 to 7mph forward speed and 3 mph backward speed.
If you want faster lawn mowing, then Gravely is the brand that you should go for.
4. Fuel Capacity
Bad Boy lawn mowers have about 5 to 6.5-gallon fuel capacity. Gravely has about 2.8 to 5 gallons. It will cost you more to run and fill a Bad Boy mower tank since it is larger.
5. Blades
The blades of the lawnmower or tractor are the most important feature. It's the blade that decides how well the grass is going to be cut and shaped.
Most of the Gravely lawn mower blades are constructed out of aluminum and sealed bearings, or commercial grade forged aluminum with sealed bearings. Bad Boy lawn mowers have aluminum blades with sealed bearings only.
When compared, Gravely has the better quality blades, and is better for sharp cuts.
6. Comfort
If you bought a tractor-style mower, the comfort of the seats is very important. If the seat isn't right, and you run the tractor over uneven terrain, you could cause serious damage to your back.
Because Gravely makes lawn mowers for commercial use, they give very high importance to the seats that they make. You will see that most of the models have plush 20 inch high seats that are spring padded, and have armrests as well.
While Bad Boy does give importance to their seating with the EZ ride system, not all of their models have armrests. A few of the more affordable lawn mowers have plastic seating and don't have any pads or spring systems for comfort.
If you don’t want to cause any damage to your back when using a tractor, you should surely invest in the Gravely tractor.
7. Price
When it comes to affordability, Bad Boy lawn mowers are the clear winner. Gravely lawn mowers are usually catered towards more commercial lands. Therefore their lawnmowers range from about $5,000 to $8,000. They don't really have many affordable options.
On the other hand, Bad Boy lawn mowers make machines for both commercial and regular use. So they do have a few options for beginners and people with a tighter budget.
8. Engine
A great way to understand the power of a lawnmower is by analyzing the type of engine that they have. As we have mentioned several times before, Gravely lawn mowers are catered towards commercial use and therefore have a much more powerful engine.
They have advanced engines such as the Kaw FR series twin 10 gallons fully commercial engine, with all commercial parts.
Bad Boy lawn mowers also have high-quality and powerful engines. But when compared with Gravely engines they fall a little short. An example of a good quality engine on a Bad Boy lawn mower is the kaw FR series twin 3/16 fab welded engine with consumer parts.
As you can see when compared, Gravely engines are more powerful than Bad Boy engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the alternatives to Gravely and Bad Boy mowers?
There are a number of alternatives to Gravely and Bad Boy mowers, so it really depends on what you're looking for. Some popular alternatives include Toro®, Honda®, Ariens and John Deere®. All of these brands offer a variety of features and options that can suit your needs. It's also important to consider your budget, as each brand has different prices and offers different levels of quality.
Whatever you decide, make sure to do your research and choose the best option for your needs. Good luck!
Final Verdict
Both Bad Boy and Gravely lawn mowers brands are great. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so popular amongst the crowd. But you can only buy one lawnmower. So which one should you invest in?
Well, when it comes to Gravely vs Bad Boy tractors or lawnmowers the choice can be a difficult one. If you have a very large-sized, commercial-level lawn, then you should invest in a Gravely lawnmower with your eyes closed. But you have to keep in mind, that these lawn mowers can be a little bit on the expensive side.
If you have a small lawn, then you should buy a Bad Boy lawnmower. This is because Gravely lawn mowers are large, and even though they have the zero turn feature, they sometimes cannot go into all of the edges of the lawn. So a Gravely lawn mower won't be the right option for detailing in smaller fields.
The ultimate decision is up to you, choose a lawn mower based on the size of your lawn, the power you are looking for, and your budget.