Lastec Mowers Aren’t Just for Businesses

As you make the turn onto the neatly maintained gravel road in the quiet, rural area of southern Illinois, you may mistake the bordering acreage for a State-run park. The setting is picturesque with a variety of tree clusters, a wooden foot bridge over a small creek, several acres of dense woods, rolling hills, and highly manicured grounds. Once the ranch style home, large detached garage, and extra outbuilding come into view you then realize this is a private homestead and not a public retreat.

John and Linda Smith have called this place home for half of their 53 years of married life. While they didn’t raise their three children on this piece of paradise, the sentimental value surpasses even what they hoped for with their homestead. From hosting their daughter’s outdoor wedding reception to Easter egg hunts for their many grandchildren to using the open field as a parking lot for large family reunions and even celebrating “The Great American Eclipse” of 2017, the Smith’s 11 acres hold tremendous memories.

Memories. It’s unusual to think about memories belonging to a piece of property rather than inside the walls of a cozy home. While the Smiths have that too, their large, beautiful yard is what their family holds dear because it’s where they spend time together. John and Linda host at least three big annual gatherings each year plus many smaller get togethers. Having a maintained lawn is important for this do-it-yourself couple.

“We have used Blue mowers, Yellow mowers, and Green mowers, but our Red Lastec is, by far, the best mower we have ever used. Mowing on it is fast, easy, and our 5 acres of grass has never looked better,” says Linda. With a 73” articulating, cutting deck and a 28 horsepower Kohler engine the Smith’s 8-year-old mower is “unfailing” in the couple’s mowing expectations. John and Linda are a tag-team when it comes to mowing and share the three hours of mowing time. “I wish we would have bought 2 Lastec mowers,” Linda says with a smile.

Retired professional groundskeeper, John knows the importance of a quality-built, quality-cut mower. He spent 20 years operating mowers to keep high valued grounds picture perfect. For several years John worked on an Air Force Base followed by 20 years of grounds work for a prestigious college campus. John’s background has given him a keen understanding of mowing and mowers. “My Lastec is top-notch. Not only does it do a tremendous job cutting grass but it simple to change the fluids and filters as well as grease the fittings.”

The low-maintenance machine is not the only aspect that John appreciates about their Model 7328 zero turn mower. “This machine has a nice low profile and extra wide deck that follows the contours of my yard making it comfortable, productive, and precise; which is great because I am picky when it comes to how my yard looks,” shares John. Even the simple cup holder was mentioned by John as “handy” and an extra he doesn’t take for granted. “In my days of working as a laborer, I have spent many hours on some of the most well-known mowers. I will take my Lastec over any of them.” Now retired, John still spends plenty of time mowing these days. The Smith’s estimate that they use their mower 50-60 times a year because they mow at least once a week but as often as every four to five days during the peak growing season. John says, “It’s a good feeling to love your mower when you have to mow as often as we do.”