Simplicity PRESTIGE 3.30 star(s) (4)

Disappointed With Simplicity Prestige
Model Year: 2016

I traded in my 2010 John Deere X500 for a 2016 Prestige. When the dealership dropped it off the mower died while the deck was engaged. I put it back on the trailer and found out that safety switch was broken when it was installed at the factory. OK... bad day. I can start new again. I go to install a ball hitch on the back to tow our garden wagon, and the hole is too small. I call the dealer and ask for a hitch adapter kit. Simplicity doesn't sell one. Ok...no perfect machine out there, but this farm boy goes online and buys a universal adapter. I install it and I'm towing my wagon. My wife is happy. A few day later I'm mowing and getting the best finish on 3 acres of grass with multiple trees to navigate around that I have ever seen. The ride was much better with the shock absorbers, power steering, and mesh seat. I'm very impressed and getting ready to brag to all my neighbors. My wife loves the ride and cut also. 15 hours into ownership, my short-legged wife starts to "comment" that the brake pedal travel is too far forward even with the seat full forward. I'm 5'9" and I have to extend my leg full forward to set the brake. The advantages of power steering and a smooth ride are still strong enough to overcome this issue versus the John Deere X500. We're both impressed by the lawn cut. At 45 hours the mower just "quits" during mowing. Fuel, filter, and oil all are good. I call dealer to pick it up. The dealer says the wire connection to fuel/carburetor had come loose??? I ask if my compressed air cleaning after mowing each time might have done this. Not sure. 55 hours into operation I notice as I raise the lifetime guaranteed deck that it wobbles. I look underneath and one of the two main brackets that attaches the front of the deck has snapped perfectly at the weld, which shows that there wasn't much "weld" at this point to begin with. Despite the beautiful cut and the great ride we've had enough. I'm going to try and return the mower permanently and go green again.

Pros: Best finish on a lawn you could hope for
Cons: Breaks all the time

Simplicity Lawn & Garden Tractor
Model Year: 2007

This machine is the worst piece of equipment I have ever owned. It is not at all reliable. The first month I had it it had to go back to the shop to have the mower deck repaired. Then the oil pump went. I have also had to have the belts replaced and adjusted several times. Now I am dealing with the battery charging system being faulty. I also purchased the 3 bagger system. It is nice, but if the grass is at all wet or if it is over 4" high, the bagger chute clogs constantly. The chute attachment with the blower is very difficult to put on. I would never buy anything made by simplicity again.

Pros: The rear rollers on the back of the deck are good.
Cons: Everything listed in my review. Machine is way over priced.

Prestige Garden Tractor
Model Year: 2011

It is a fine mower, and a wonderful riding and handling unit. It does use a belt to drive the hydro, and the work needed to install a snow plow is not "simple". This is my second Prestige, and overall a really nice piece of equipment.

Pros: Nice riding, easy steering, mows great.
Cons: Frame needed to mount snow plow/snow blower is a nuisance.

Sold On Simplicity
Model Year: 2013

Let me start by giving background on my knowledge of lawn tractors. My first riding tractor was Craftsman. I got good service from it. Three years ago, my neighbor introduced me to the Simplicity brand. Up to that point, I had never heard of Simplicity. He has a couple of the legacy XL (gas & diesel) models and I quickly became a fan of the brand. So three years ago, 2010, I purchased a new Broadmore 42" and the snowblower attachment. Excellent entry level tractor. I wanted a few more "bells and whistles" so I traded the Broadmore for the 2013 Prestige. So far, I love the upgrade. Power steering, more HP, digital display, hydrostatic lift, led headlights, push button start, and the coil and adjustable shock ride are excellent. Also, I cannot forget the great cut. These tractors are built with very heavy and sturdy materials and seem to be engineered quite well. The reason I gave 4 stars for build quality is I have had to add some washers to a pulley guide wheel that I think was overlooked at the factory and add one or two cotter pins that was not installed. I hope the QC at the factory get on top of these little but important oversights. Overall, I am glad my friend introduced me to Simplicity. As of this review, I am sold on Simplicity

Pros: Features, performance, value.
Cons: Minor QC issues.