Hi, I’m Digger. I dig things. And right now I’m digging the fact that we’ve got a yard full of Gravely and Ariens mowers that need to go home with somebody before the calendar flips.

New units. Used units. Zero turns. Stand-ons. Commercial grade. Homeowner grade. Clearance pricing across the board. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about upgrading your mower, the fence just got a lot shorter.

Here’s everything you need to know — and a few things you probably didn’t know you needed to know.

Why End of Year Is the Best Time to Buy a Mower

Ask anyone who’s been in the equipment business long enough and they’ll tell you the same thing: end of year is when the deals happen. Dealers need to move inventory before the books close. That means real pricing, not fake sale pricing.

At QC Rental Guys, we’re not running a gimmick. We’ve got Gravely and Ariens mowers — new and used — sitting on the lot right now at clearance prices. The mowing season is winding down. The time to buy is when everyone else isn’t looking.

Pro tip from a guy who digs for a living: the people who show up in September and October are the ones who show up ready to cut in April. The ones who wait until spring? They pay spring prices and wait in line.

What’s in the Clearance? Gravely and Ariens — Two Brands Worth Knowing

We don’t carry junk. Never have. If it’s on our lot, it earned its spot.

Gravely — Built for Operators Who Mean Business

Gravely has been building commercial mowers since 1916. That’s not a marketing line — that’s a century of figuring out what breaks and fixing it before it leaves the factory. The Pro-Turn series, the ZT HD, the Z-Stance stand-on — these are machines built for people who mow for a living, not just people who mow on weekends.

What sets Gravely apart:

  • X-Factor deck — 7-gauge steel, built to take a hit and keep cutting
  • Independent operator suspension on commercial units — you feel less of the rough stuff at the end of a long day
  • Parker HTG transmission on the Pro-Turn lineup — rated up to 15 mph so you’re covering ground, not crawling it
  • 5-year / 1,500-hour warranty on new commercial units — that’s confidence in writing

Whether you’re a solo operator running residential routes or running a crew on commercial properties, there’s a Gravely in this clearance that was built for your situation.

Ariens — Dependable From the First Pull to the Last Pass

Ariens has been in Brillion, Wisconsin since 1933. American made, American tough. The Apex and Ikon series zero turns are well-engineered machines at a price point that makes sense for serious homeowners and light commercial use.

If you’ve got acreage and you’re still pushing a walk-behind, an Ariens zero turn will change your relationship with your yard. Permanently.

What Ariens brings to the table:

  • Fabricated steel decks built to handle real terrain
  • Reliable Kawasaki and Kohler engines — the kind that start when you need them to
  • Intuitive lap bar controls that new operators pick up fast
  • Strong dealer support through shops like ours that actually stock parts

New vs. Used — Which One Makes Sense for You?

This is the question worth asking before you walk in. Here’s how Digger thinks about it.

Buy New If:

  • You need the full manufacturer warranty
  • You’re running a professional operation and downtime costs you money
  • You want the latest deck technology and engine specs
  • You plan to run the machine hard for years and want zero question marks about its history

New units in this clearance are priced to move. End of year pricing on new Gravely and Ariens is as good as it gets short of a trade show floor.

Buy Used If:

  • You want a premium machine at a fraction of the cost
  • You’re comfortable with a machine that has hours on it but plenty of life left
  • You’re adding a second unit to your fleet and don’t need another new machine payment
  • You’re a homeowner who wants commercial-grade quality without the commercial-grade price tag

The used units we sell have been through our shop. We know these machines. We don’t put something on the lot that we wouldn’t put our name on.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Mower

Since Digger believes in giving you the full picture, here are the things worth checking before you buy any used mower — from us or anyone else.

Hours on the meter — A well-maintained commercial mower has a long service life. Under 500 hours on a quality machine is practically new. Over 1,500 hours, start asking more questions.

Deck condition — Look underneath. Bent spindles, cracked welds, and heavy rust are red flags. Surface rust on the inside of a deck is normal. Structural rust is not.

Engine oil and air filter — Pull the dipstick. Dark, gritty oil means the machine wasn’t maintained well. A clogged air filter tells you the same story.

Drive system — Take it for a drive. Both sides should pull equally. A machine that drifts or jerks isn’t tracking right and that’s a hydro issue worth knowing about before you buy.

Blade engagement — PTO engagement should be smooth and positive. A clutch that slips or rattles is a repair waiting to happen.

When you buy used from QC Rental Guys, we’ve already done this inspection. But it’s good to know what you’re looking at regardless.

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying a Mower

Digger has seen a lot of mowers come through this lot. Here’s what buyers get wrong.

Buying too small for the job. A 42-inch residential deck on two acres will have you mowing all day. Size up.

Buying new when used makes more sense — or vice versa. Don’t buy new out of habit and don’t buy used just to save money upfront if you need a warranty. Match the machine to the situation.

Ignoring the deck size vs. engine power ratio. A big deck needs enough engine to drive it properly. An underpowered engine on a wide deck will bog down in thick grass and wear out faster.

Skipping the test drive. Always sit in the seat. Controls should feel natural. Visibility should be good. If it doesn’t feel right when you’re just rolling it around the lot, it won’t feel right when you’re three hours into a job.

Waiting until spring. Every year. Every single year. People wait until April, then they’re shocked that prices are higher and selection is thinner. Don’t be that person.

Why Buy from QC Rental Guys?

We’re a rental company first. That means we know equipment. We know what holds up and what doesn’t, because we put our machines to work every single day. When we sell you a mower — new or used — we’re selling you something we understand inside and out.

We’re not a big box store. We’re not a volume dealer moving units off a truck. We’re a local shop at 4300 27th Street in Moline that’s been part of the Quad Cities for years. When you have a question about your machine six months from now, you can call us. We’ll know your name.

And right now, we have clearance-priced Gravely and Ariens mowers ready to go home with you today.

FAQ

What Gravely and Ariens models are included in the clearance?

We have a mix of new and used units across multiple model lines — including Gravely ZT HD, Pro-Turn, Z-Stance, and Ariens Apex and Ikon series. Stop in or call us at (309) 517-6458 for current availability. Inventory changes fast during a clearance event.

Are the used mowers inspected before sale?

Yes. Every used unit on our lot has been through our shop. We know the history of our rental fleet machines, and any mower we sell has been evaluated before it goes on the lot.

Do you offer financing on mower purchases?

Call us at (309) 517-6458 to discuss your options. We can point you toward financing solutions that work for both commercial and personal purchases.

How long does the end of year clearance last?

Until the inventory is gone. We’re not running a sale with an artificial end date — when the machines are sold, they’re sold. If you’re serious, come in sooner.

Can I trade in my old mower?

Give us a call and let’s talk. We evaluate trade-ins on a case-by-case basis.

Is clearance pricing available on new machines too?

Yes. Both new and used Gravely and Ariens units are included in this clearance event.

Come See What We’ve Got

Digger’s not going to tell you twice. The mowers are here. The pricing is right. The season is ending and the lot needs to clear.

Come in, kick the tires, and take one home.

QC Rental Guys 📍 4300 27th Street, Moline, IL 61265 📞 (309) 517-6458 🌐 qcrentalguys.com