Windy Acres
New member
Ive got 10 acres to mow, Im running 2 Toro / Wheel Horse 268H 's. (2001 Hydro - 20hp Kohler V-Twin Riding Mowers)
Ive owned several riders over the years, from junk (MTD) to John Deere, still have a JD F687 Zero Turn, and a M&W Zero Turn, but I need a conventional riding mower / garden tractor for pulling a vacuum for collecting grass clippings. Due to the acreage, I mow daily, and the grass clippings feed, rabbits, goats, steers, horses,chickens, ducks. The zero turns basically do the trimming around trees and buildings.
The Toro / Wheel Horse 260 series, which seem to be decent mowers, are not holding up to my frequency of use, so Im looking for a more durable machine.
Looking for at least a 48 deck, a little bigger is fine, but no smaller. Also at least 20hp-ish, staying away from problem motors, or horrifically expensive to repair engines ( like Onan ).
I would not mind a conventional deck "clutch" in lieu of a $500 electric model. Looking for a durable engine (Briggs if fine, no Tecumseh or something I can swap a Honda into, some Kolher is ok), parts availability, assuming it will be used, and I dont really care how old. Basically, who made the "small block chevy" of riding mowers ? Durable Deck, durable tractor, would like a hydro, but would also like shaft drive, not belt/pulley. An old simplicity caught my eye, with shaft drive and spin on oil filter for the hydro. Would also like a tractor with a serviceable hydro.
I dont know whats out there as to where to start to look, I guess I know what I dont want, would like some direction as to what to look at. Like who made shaft drive hydro mowers, that had good hydros and good engines ? I really dont care if its gas or diesel, and dont really care what they sell for used. I just want something I can run with maintenance that I dont have to keep tearing down. Ive completely worn out the steering on one of the Toros. Both drag links, tie rod ends, sector shaft, sector gear, ect. They are in a state of constant repair, and built to "lite" which is why I have two, so I have at least one that runs, and I can rob parts of the other, while I wait for new parts to arrive.
Power steering would be nice as well, but not mandatory.
Thanks for you for any suggestions, Windy.
Ive owned several riders over the years, from junk (MTD) to John Deere, still have a JD F687 Zero Turn, and a M&W Zero Turn, but I need a conventional riding mower / garden tractor for pulling a vacuum for collecting grass clippings. Due to the acreage, I mow daily, and the grass clippings feed, rabbits, goats, steers, horses,chickens, ducks. The zero turns basically do the trimming around trees and buildings.
The Toro / Wheel Horse 260 series, which seem to be decent mowers, are not holding up to my frequency of use, so Im looking for a more durable machine.
Looking for at least a 48 deck, a little bigger is fine, but no smaller. Also at least 20hp-ish, staying away from problem motors, or horrifically expensive to repair engines ( like Onan ).
I would not mind a conventional deck "clutch" in lieu of a $500 electric model. Looking for a durable engine (Briggs if fine, no Tecumseh or something I can swap a Honda into, some Kolher is ok), parts availability, assuming it will be used, and I dont really care how old. Basically, who made the "small block chevy" of riding mowers ? Durable Deck, durable tractor, would like a hydro, but would also like shaft drive, not belt/pulley. An old simplicity caught my eye, with shaft drive and spin on oil filter for the hydro. Would also like a tractor with a serviceable hydro.
I dont know whats out there as to where to start to look, I guess I know what I dont want, would like some direction as to what to look at. Like who made shaft drive hydro mowers, that had good hydros and good engines ? I really dont care if its gas or diesel, and dont really care what they sell for used. I just want something I can run with maintenance that I dont have to keep tearing down. Ive completely worn out the steering on one of the Toros. Both drag links, tie rod ends, sector shaft, sector gear, ect. They are in a state of constant repair, and built to "lite" which is why I have two, so I have at least one that runs, and I can rob parts of the other, while I wait for new parts to arrive.
Power steering would be nice as well, but not mandatory.
Thanks for you for any suggestions, Windy.