om21braz
Veteran Member
+1 I'd go with a slightly used/upscale machine based upon your info.
Nominations For Best $1600 Lawn Tractor
- Thread starter bp fick
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bp fick
Super Member
I have shopped a few used, upscale units and I am absolutely not opposed to that. But my ignorance remains.
There is just as big a blurr of used stuff, including Deere, Cadet etc used as new.
Fellas, I would need SPECIFIC model Deeres, from say, 1994 to present?
You'd think that my past success with basic, low budget mowers would give me insight, but actually, it works against me. I am pretty sure things have changed in the 5-8 years, I am not up to speed, and I sure cannot afford to buy a junker, new or used.
NuBota
Gold Member
Murray LT w/ 20hp Tecumseh and Tecumseh Peerless HST, 42in deck. Wally World special edition for $1100
Eight years old, cutting ~1 ac a week of 20-30 degree slopes. Have worked it very hard - haul heavy loads around the property up and down the slopes, even dragged the 4x4 chain harrow up and down the hills (little too tippy for the BX). That did cause the HST to boil fluid at one point - drained and replaced and have had no issues 2 years later.
Have no idea about the hours, but it is very well used - with some serious hard use. I am diligent about maint, but not overly so. Have only had to replace minor things I have bent or broke. Engine and tranny still run like new
The best? Dunno... My first and only LT - knew the Murray rep, so expected it to be a throw away after 3-4 years - but it keeps on going and going....
Eight years old, cutting ~1 ac a week of 20-30 degree slopes. Have worked it very hard - haul heavy loads around the property up and down the slopes, even dragged the 4x4 chain harrow up and down the hills (little too tippy for the BX). That did cause the HST to boil fluid at one point - drained and replaced and have had no issues 2 years later.
Have no idea about the hours, but it is very well used - with some serious hard use. I am diligent about maint, but not overly so. Have only had to replace minor things I have bent or broke. Engine and tranny still run like new
The best? Dunno... My first and only LT - knew the Murray rep, so expected it to be a throw away after 3-4 years - but it keeps on going and going....
om21braz
Veteran Member
bp, I'd look at the older Toro 300 to 500 series, Cub Cadet 2000/3000 series, or Deere GT machines. Make sure on Deere's with Kawasaki engines that the plastic cam gear has been replaced. The 300 series Deere machines may be a little over budget, but I'm sure you can find a GT Deere (225,235,etc.),Toro or Cub in your price range.
bjr
Veteran Member
If it wasn't for the Hydrostatic drives they have all went to I'd have a new mower. It's a throw away world. If it quites for any reason you just go buy new "Again". Those hydrastat drives don't last any longer or do any thing different then the old mecanical gear drive units just cost more and cannot be repaired only replaced. I'll stick with the old garage sale or something off of Craigs list that is not too old and very reasonalbly priced. No Big Box stores with all the "Warranty" for this man. bjr
brin
Super Member
16 HP. K-Grow Lawn Tractor (bought from K Mart 1994) and runs great ! I have kept up with maintenace on it , kept the fuel drained in the winter and changed the oil every year, replaced the little @2.00 fuel filter once and few air cleaners along with a mower deck belt or two but other than that it is a champ to this day.
Also I bought a 20 HP Murray lawn tractor with a 46 inch deck at Home Depot in 2004 on close out of that model on sale for $999.00 and it has been used hard ever since then. Same thing, i have changed the oil every year, new air filters as needed, no mower deck belt problems on this one yet...It runs great.
Also I bought a 20 HP Murray lawn tractor with a 46 inch deck at Home Depot in 2004 on close out of that model on sale for $999.00 and it has been used hard ever since then. Same thing, i have changed the oil every year, new air filters as needed, no mower deck belt problems on this one yet...It runs great.
sld
Veteran Member
Love them or hate them, Craftsman are decent mowers. That was all we used for years until I bought the ZTR I have now.
I think that the more you are willing to tinker with them and really maintain them contributes to their longevity.
The one thing I like about Craftsman is that it's easy to get parts for them. And over that 10 year span you will need to get parts.
I think that the more you are willing to tinker with them and really maintain them contributes to their longevity.
The one thing I like about Craftsman is that it's easy to get parts for them. And over that 10 year span you will need to get parts.
Hawghauler
Silver Member
I have a Craftman GT9000 (I think) that is similar to this:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...me=Lawn+Mowers+&+Tractors&sName=Lawn+Tractors
Seems to work fine.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...me=Lawn+Mowers+&+Tractors&sName=Lawn+Tractors
Seems to work fine.
stevem5215
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2006
- Messages
- 942
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pa
- Tractor
- Steiner 420 - Black Craftsman Pro 24hp - Simplicity 48 ZT-2500 - Simplicity Citation XT 61" - Chainsaw CS-5720 - FarmerTec G660 90cc's
I'd X2 on the Craftsman ones. If you are only looking for a 10yr mower then they are the ticket. I bought one last fall on clearance at the Sears outlet center for 1/2 off the list price. I got this one:
Craftsman Professional 24 hp 42 in. Deck Deluxe Yard Tractor Reviews - MySears Community
I would rate it as good but no tractor is perfect.
The one I used before this was a LT1000 model with the 14.5hp engine. It lasted 14 yrs. I got it for free from my brother in law with a engine problem that was just a gasket and loose bolts spraying engine oil all over. Fixed it and it is still in use. The mower deck is rusted out but that can be any 15yr old tractor deck.
Steve
BTW: Here's the list of Sears outlets around the country.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Closeouts
Craftsman Professional 24 hp 42 in. Deck Deluxe Yard Tractor Reviews - MySears Community
I would rate it as good but no tractor is perfect.
The one I used before this was a LT1000 model with the 14.5hp engine. It lasted 14 yrs. I got it for free from my brother in law with a engine problem that was just a gasket and loose bolts spraying engine oil all over. Fixed it and it is still in use. The mower deck is rusted out but that can be any 15yr old tractor deck.
Steve
BTW: Here's the list of Sears outlets around the country.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Closeouts
Chuck52
Veteran Member
I just put the second replacement pivot bar on my MTD-branded MTD 46" 21hp B&S rider that I bought for about $1100 in 2004. It has a variable speed pulley-type transmission. I've had to replace all the belts, with the deck belt being changed at least four times. I replaced the plastic drive gear on the starter a couple years ago. I bent the first pivot bar the second year I had it, I think, because this particular model has a really tight turning circle that they got by hanging the wheels in a weak configuration. You can turn the wheels almost 90 degrees, and I can easily go around a 5' fence circle, which I have a lot of to keep the deer off my trees. I popped the front left wheel off at least twice, by hitting ruts while going fast and trying to turn tight, and it was that force that bent the pivot bars. This time I went with the cast iron pivot bar and I'm hoping for a couple more years out of it before it dies.
I change the oil every year and the air filter when I think of it, which has only been once so far. It gets used really hard on some very rough ground, and this year especially, I've been cutting tall wet grass.
I must have ended up using a higher quality cotter pin to hold the wheels on since I haven't popped one of those in a couple years now. I spent $150 for the cast iron pivot bar plus thrust nuts, and some plastic bushings I didn't need with the cast iron bar instead of the pressed steel version. The bar itself was $116. I can find any part at the MTD parts site and they get it to me in about a week instead of the 10-14 business days they say it will take.
It may be a POS, but it still cuts the grass even, and it only chugs on the really tall wet stuff where just about any mower would. This is the 7th cutting season. The deck is still fine and the spindles just keep turning. The variable speed pulley system is amazingly simple, and apparently sturdy. I can go way faster on the thing than my back can take.
Because what I cut is so odd shaped I really don't know the area, but it takes me at least four hours to mow, and five if I mow parts I don't hit every time. I can get most of that done using a little over one tank, which I think is maybe 2.5 gallons. I'm usually moving as fast as I can stand.
Chuck
I change the oil every year and the air filter when I think of it, which has only been once so far. It gets used really hard on some very rough ground, and this year especially, I've been cutting tall wet grass.
I must have ended up using a higher quality cotter pin to hold the wheels on since I haven't popped one of those in a couple years now. I spent $150 for the cast iron pivot bar plus thrust nuts, and some plastic bushings I didn't need with the cast iron bar instead of the pressed steel version. The bar itself was $116. I can find any part at the MTD parts site and they get it to me in about a week instead of the 10-14 business days they say it will take.
It may be a POS, but it still cuts the grass even, and it only chugs on the really tall wet stuff where just about any mower would. This is the 7th cutting season. The deck is still fine and the spindles just keep turning. The variable speed pulley system is amazingly simple, and apparently sturdy. I can go way faster on the thing than my back can take.
Because what I cut is so odd shaped I really don't know the area, but it takes me at least four hours to mow, and five if I mow parts I don't hit every time. I can get most of that done using a little over one tank, which I think is maybe 2.5 gallons. I'm usually moving as fast as I can stand.
Chuck
