Need Advice on Riding Lawn Mowers
I need a riding lawn mower. Not sure what they cost but would like to keep it around $2000 if possible.
Would appreciate any comments from owners on brands, models, what to avoid, what to look for, etc.
Thanks in advance!
Would appreciate any comments from owners on brands, models, what to avoid, what to look for, etc.
Thanks in advance!
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John Deere. Nothing runs like a......
I have two. The new one in Boise works great.
The older one is in Alpine and I've never had a problem. It's the first model that Home Depot ever sold.0 -
We owned a Scotts, which is a brand of John Deere, it was very nice, rode great, never one problem, we had it for maybe 5-6 years before we moved. 0 -
Get something with hydrostatic drive if you have to slow down or speed up a lot. It makes mowing much easier than using the clutch and shifting all the time. 0 -
PS: ours was hydrostatic, ran great, and you can tow light stuff around the yard. 0 -
I buy Craftsman.
I have had the grey one for about 18 years and it still works
but I wanted new one this year and also settled on another Craftsman.
The mower I bought is double the Horse power and twice the machine.
I think it was 1400.00 and something out the door during the Sears lawn and Garden spring sale this spring.
I saved about 500.00 getting it during the sale.
The best feature on the new one over the old one is the rollers you can see on the mower deck. They keep the blades from digging into the dirt because my acre plus of mowing is not flat.
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Ive been running a craftsman 54" for two summers now and no complaints.I can tell you the cub cadets i looked at dont have grease zerts on the deck bearings,however, I really liked the water hose hookup thingy and the arm rests.Good luck 0 -
I've never had anything but a John Deere. Their dealers always have parts and a qualified repair tech. In 13 years at my present house I'm on my second one, the first lasted 8 years, the second is going strong. I have about 1 1/4 acres to mow. I paid $1495 for the first, $1895 for the second.
ALL my neighbors have a Deere now after seeing my experience.0 -
MVP: Your "Sears Craftsman" is made by the same popple that make the John Deere.
Look at them side by side and you'll see.0 -
I've used a Simplicity since I was about 12. It's 15 years old, and I would not trade it.
It's more than you might want to spend, but in my opinion it is well worth it.
Ben0 -
I would rather buy a used John Deere than a new anything else, except maybe a commercial Toro, and you're talking $6,000 to $8,000 there. 0 -
Thanks for all the suggestions guys (even EBOY scratching at my scabs), but I have a question.
Wasn't Deere bought out a couple of years ago by some Jap company? I've had several local folks tell me that they are now crap, and I was buying the green paint. Funny though, one guy said Deere was crap, buy a craftsman! Now ya'll are telling me they are the same!!
Enlighten me lawn jockeys!!0 -
If you want a real work horse buy a top of the line WHEEL HORSE that is now made by Toro. BTW we make all the cast iron parts for wheel horse including the tranny which is also cast iron . Will run between 5 & 6 grand. Also my sources tell me that the bottom line John Deeres are made in an other country. Most mowers these days are made by MTD. 0 -
Depends on how big your yard is. I use a GX 255 and can mow a couple acres in a half hour. Dont settle for less than hydrostatic. I also love power steering and the locking diff for the hills. 5k+ new, you can probably find a used one with LOW hours for half that. I know the engine is Japanese (kawasaki 20hp) but the rest of it looks and runs just as good as my previous 2 deere. Mine still says made in USA (moline I think). I have had others but none like the deere. The deck is very importat, and usually the main reason mowers give out. The deck on a deere is better now than on my 88 model that I traded in. I also like a mower engine that has an oil filter. About 3 years ago my son accidentally drove this mower over a 4' wall. scratched the mower up some (see under the seat) but didnt hurt it at all mechanically. ( drove over a yellow jacket nest, they started stinging him and he hit reverse on the hydro pedal). 0 -
I have a 3 year old Craftsman and love it. My dad has a Craftsman that is about 15 yrs old and still runs great. 0 -
I don't know who makes what mower other then Craftsman does not make their own. The contract it out.
I just looked at the features and price and figure if I can get a mower that will last me ten years or more for a grand and a half I will be happy. My last Craftsman worked so well for what I needed in a mower I figured I would stay with them.
I have a friend who owns a mower/chainsaw/power equipment shop and does large amounts of repairs.
The only mower he does not work on is John Deere because John Deere will not supply parts to a non certified repair facility.
If your John Deere breaks down you will have to take it to the John Deere shop for repairs and it is expensive.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
Thanks for all the suggestions guys (even EBOY scratching at my scabs), but I have a question.
Wasn't Deere bought out a couple of years ago by some Jap company? I've had several local folks tell me that they are now crap, and I was buying the green paint. Funny though, one guy said Deere was crap, buy a craftsman! Now ya'll are telling me they are the same!!
Enlighten me lawn jockeys!!
We have a new JD X300 , hydrostatic drive, 17 HP Kawasaki with less than 10 hours on it.
btw...we traded in a 10year old similar JD.
The foreign reference may be attributed to the engine, but the serial number plate on the mower frame says: MADE IN THE USA.
I worked for a Deere dealer for 6 years. Late 70's to early 80's.
If my memory is still on target, I believe the Deere plant was in Horicon , Wisconsin.
I was raised around red tractors. When I worked for Deere, I told my family that I finally found out what a good tractor really was.[:D]0 -
I've had my JD for 19 yrs. Still runs like a champ. All I do is keep the oil changed, and periodically replace belts and blades.
I've had from 3+ down to 1.0 acres of hills in that time. I weigh over 330 lbs and the trans and drive train has never given me pause and yes...it's a hydro - for sure.
Friend of mine is a retired LEO who works on it for me (light maint.) and he tells me my story is like tons of others who have a JD...bullet proof.0 -
While I might agree that like everything else, some are of better quality than others. I think that even the "cheap" $1k. models w/Briggs engines will give you years of good service. The key is proper use and MAINTENENCE! My old Bowlens (bought at Lowes for approx $1k) runs as good today as it did when new.
Keep them clean. I blow all grass/debris off mine w/an air compressor after nearly every use. Keep oil/filters clean. Keep all bearings/wheels lubed.
And select a proper blade hieght and speed for grass conditions. Too many people tear up their mowers by racing thru high/wet grass.0 -
We have a craftsman. Its old, its like a 14hp twin something or other id have to look. Runs great as long as you do the oil changes, ect.
My grandpa has a newer Craftsman Garden Tractor that i LOVE. It sounds kinda like a highlift when you rev it up. Cool! He also, bought a new one like pictured above, kind of, its got same shifter, a cup holder, no throttle, you drive it like a car, gas and brake pedals, the whole 9 yards [:D][:D]0 -
+1 on yhe hydrostatic drive. 0 -
I vote for an old Massey. I've been using one for years. Its up for a restore next. Or an older Economy would be a good choice.
I have newer mowers, but parts for newer mower are hard to find, unless you go to a dealer than your looking at a high price.
I just love tinkering with the old mowers.
I wish I had a better pictures, but my camera is at the bottom of a very big lake.0 -
I recommend John Deere and for my application (yard size and slopes) the model X300 I needed was only sold at a John Deere Dealership. It cost $2900 and as mentioned previously it has a Kawazaki 17HP engine (great torque), automatic transmission, and heavy duty drive train with cooling so it handles the slopes of our yard with ease. I would suggest that you go to the John Deere website and use their Product Selection tool, which recommends a model by taking into consideration the size of your mowing area, obstacles, terrain, and desired versatility (hauling, etc.). You can also get a 4 wheel steering model (X304) if you have tight maneuvering or many yard obstacles. I certainly like mine and would recommend a John Deere, but a man's lawn tractor is one of those personal preference things. 0 -
john deere, hydrostatic drive, and as wide as you can get, used if you have to
i have seen good craftsmen, and i have seen allot of them in the junk pile, since they do not make them each year you take a chance on what company is producing them, i have seen some good use out of cub cadet0 -
I mowed acres for years on my rental properties. Went thru two Craftmans with briggs motors in 5 years. Not a lot of hours on them either. Deck spindles are junk on them also. These were 42" cut 12.5/15 horse models..So, I bought a John Deere Hydrostat 18.5 horse Kohler engine with a oil filter. Going on 5th year and it is going strong. I have replaced one drive belt and mower belt along with a ton of mower blades. That is all. Just make sure you buy a Kohler engine with hydrostat. Kohler = HK guns... Just a better engine. My 18.5 horse single cylinder, also does great on gas. You can mow till you are tired on 2 gallons. Don't try that with a Briggs.. 0 -
Buy a zero turn mower. Forget all the lawn tractors if all you are going to do is mow. I can heartily recommend Dixon. Have a 1984 model that is still going strong, and it has been rode hard. Kawasaki motor, the rest is American made. Not sure what motors they use now. With a ZTR mower, you can have your yard mowed and be enjoying a cold beverage before the lawn tractor cuts around the second tree. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Fatstrat
While I might agree that like everything else, some are of better quality than others. I think that even the "cheap" $1k. models w/Briggs engines will give you years of good service. The key is proper use and MAINTENENCE! My old Bowlens (bought at Lowes for approx $1k) runs as good today as it did when new.
Keep them clean. I blow all grass/debris off mine w/an air compressor after nearly every use. Keep oil/filters clean. Keep all bearings/wheels lubed.
And select a proper blade hieght and speed for grass conditions. Too many people tear up their mowers by racing thru high/wet grass.
Best advice I have read on this thread[^]0 -
I bought a nice Cub Cadet for $150 a couple weeks ago. It would move on level ground, but wouldn't climb a slight incline at all. I replaced the 8 cluth disks and it's as good as new now. I believe I'd take it over a new Murray anyday. 0 -
When I was a kid, Dad had everything IH, even the lawn mower. When IH quit making the Cub Cadet, he switched to Snapper, the ones with the motor in the rear. I put alot of hours on that Snapper and he still had it when I went out on my own. My first new rider was a John Deere LT155, and I still have it. It has lasted me many years and has been abused by my teenage boys as they were growing up. I've had to do a little welding repair on the deck, and this year I had to put a new front engine pulley and starter on it, but it is still going strong. In fact I think it has the original battery in it as well. I think this mower is about 10 years old now.
Last year, I bought my first commercial zero turn mower. I bought a Scag Turf Tiger with a 29hp Kawasaki Engine and a 72" deck. I'm mowing about 10 acres now and can do it in around 5 hours. Here's a picture of that mower.
I just love the Scag.0 -
Honestly, They are all good. A zero turn is awesome for flat land and mowing only. The hydrostatic drive is good if the pump is designed for commercial use, the low end ones will die in thre years.
Look at www.mtdproducts.com you will be amazed how many brands they own.
Happy mowing!0 -
I wish I had a John Deere. I have a large Husky, that is in the shop with abroken deck. I like it, but I have had a lot o problems with the deck. My neighbor loaned me his new Troy Built, and I thought it was a piece of junk. I couldn't cut while in reverse gear, and that sucked big time. I have had two Craftsman mowers, and each one was a cheap ride that required a lot of work to keep them working right.
Trinity +++0
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