Riding mower advice
We're moving in a couple of weeks and the new house is on a little over 1/2 acre, I want to get a small riding mower for use there. I like John Deere mowers but in all honesty I don't know much about who's mower last longer, most reliable, has less maintenance, etc I don't want to spend tons of money on something that does anything more than mow grass and I don't need a a huge mowing deck, just want to ride rather than walk and reliability is important.
Thoughts ?
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Buy a Gravely. It’ll be the last mower you’ll ever need. 0 -
I didn't think that Gravely made anything as small as I need, theirs are for commercial use. 0 -
Lot of good ones out there, I have two Husqvarnas that have been trouble free for me. I always felt you pay a lot for the name on John Deere and they are as foreign as the rest. Had good luck with Sears, dont know who makes them. 3 -
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I didn't think that Gravely made anything as small as I need, theirs are for commercial use.
Gravely has 34, and 40" ZTR's. Commercial, and residential.
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For a mower from the big box type store I would go with the husqvarna . Seem to be better built than anything else
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I have 2 John Deere L120s. Both are going on 20 years. One in San Diego, and one in Boise.
No problems, just replaced two belts in each machine.0 -
Guessing that out of the 1/2 acre, the house is part of that, along with the drive way, flower beds, etc. So how much do you need to actually mow? 0 -
unless you buy commercial grade, I think all the mowers are made by MTD nowdays, they just have different paint and hoods, for only a 1/2 acre, as long as it is fairly flat, I think any box store brand would do you, if you want a 10-15 year mower you may have to go commercial grade, prices are all over the board, good luck 3 -
I recommend Simplicity. My 14 horse gave me 22 years of reliable service on a 3 acre lawn. 0 -
hustler...got 2... a 60" and a 48" Z turn .... heavy welded steel deck and lots of good features ....tough rigs 0 -
MTD = More Trouble Daily. Honda if your budget allows. Don't buy from a big box store please. 0 -
Pick a 42" rider out they pull outside at lowes. 1000 -1500 will have you riding. 0 -
been rideing my 18hp mtd since 2000 easy to fix for parts 1.5 acre 0 -
It's not that the property is big as much as it is "I don't want to walk", I'm 73 and the Florida heat and humidity is a killer in the summer. 0 -
Another vote for the Husqvarna. Mine is only 3 years old but trouble free so far. Unless something has changed recently they made the Craftsman brand for Sears also. Bob 0 -
I have a 48" Husqvarna bought from Lowes for my 1.5 Acres. It has been a great mower for the last 5 seasons. My daughter and SIL have a John Deere 42". I have used both and prefer the Husqvarna. My Brother in law purchased a Cub Cadet 54" zero turn and absolutely loves it. He has 6 acres and can mow them faster with the zero turn then with his tractor with a belly mower. 0 -
Why not just pull your push mower with your Jazzy? Don 0 -
Now that's just mean. 
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It's really hard to drink beer on a zero turn with a hand on each steering thing!!!
JIM............0 -
Forrest Gump mowed a football field with a Snapper. 0 -
The snapper would be the best bet from a longevity standpoint. Not sure on price . The John feeres sold at the big box stores use a cheaper motor , usually a Briggs . The front wheels use greasable bushings instead of roller bearings and a stamped rather than welded deck . These are the main difference I am aware of that make them cheaper than the actual John Deere’s from a dealership . The husky is better built in all areas . But for the size you are cutting most any of them should be okay
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Sometimes you need to do a cost analysis. There is no need to buy a 6k dollar mower for 1/2 an acre. For that price you can buy five 1200 dollar mowers and if each last 7 years that's 35 years. In the mean time you can leave the 4800 dollars invested and use the returns for the next mower. Of course with care a 1200 dollar mower should last more than 7 years mowing a 1/2 acre lot. There are electric riding mowers out now that can handle up to 3 acres so a 1/2 acre lot wouldn't be an issue.
Actually for small yards it is hard to beat the simple snapper rear engine mower. Easy to maintain should it be needed. The belt and drive system on them are simple and easy to work on.0 -
I am on my Second Troy Bilt from Lowes. First one lasted 12 years. I know they are cheep, in the lawnmower realm but they have been trouble free for me. Mine outlasted my neighbors cub cadet and craftsman zero turn. 0 -
A small Snapper like pictured above is all you need on your lot 0 -
Whatever you choose, buy it from a dealer who will support it with parts, service and advice.
My vote is for a JD with a Kawasaki motor.0 -
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I have had a John Deere X300 since 2007 and use it to mow a 1 acre yard that has slopes, never a problem. The "X" series, at least when I bought mine, could only be bought at John Deere dealerships, not at Big Box stores. And, the X300 uses a high torque Kawasaki motor especially for yards with slopes. I service the X300 myself, but about every 5 years I do have the John Deere dealership pick it up and do a complete service to make sure everything is in good shape (never a major problem, just routine servicing). 3 -
fugawe said:Whatever you choose, buy it from a dealer who will support it with parts, service and advice.
That's exactly what I suggest. Got a Husky from local small engine store and they helped me pick the best model for my use and when the ammeter went bad they quickly replaced it under warranty.0 -
We've got a couple of acres but I only mow about 3/4 of an acre since the rest of it is woods. I use a self propelled walk behind mower. Even if I had a riding mower I would still have to use my walk behind to trim around flowers and shrubs. So by the time I do that I might as well do the rest of it with the walk behind. No need putting that mower up and dragging out a riding mower to gas up to finish. I could have it all done in the length of time it would take to do that. 0 -
Be aware that the "John Deere" mowers sold by places like Lowes and Home Depot are not made by John Deere. Deere licenses the name to other manufacturers. If you want a real JD, you have to buy it from a JD dealer. 0
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