Lawn Tractor for 1/3rd Acre

[Johndeere3720]

Id get an x3x0 series. the l series will last up to 10 years, the x series, up to 30+ years. Just think, you could actually save $$$ buying the X series now rather than buying 3 L series over 30 years.

 

[MikeFitz11]

I would not buy an X300 with the K46 tranny, I would consider an X320 and up. Otherwise I would buy a much cheaper LA series and would think you can get 10 years or so out of it on your 1/3 acre lot. Limit your purchase to half the cost of the 320.

My place in town is about 2.55 acres and would guess that about 2 acres is cut with my boxstore L130. It is currently in its fifth year of use and may need the $300 in tranny parts for next year. If you consider that I am cutting an area that is 6 times as big as yours then you should have no problems getting twice the life out of it.

Is this the same tranny as the x300?

 

[jenkinsph]

Is this the same tranny as the x300?

Yes. Having looked into this I don't see much point in spending alot to mow 1/3 of an acre. I would think a 42" to 48" cut mower would be about 20 minutes or so. Need to run the mower that long to eliminate moisture in the crankcase anyway.

 

[doall]

you need a 72" scagg.(with a front end loader, 3 services, and tell them to make a 3 point hitch for it.):laughing:

 

[mjncad]

You're at an awkward point...too little lawn to justify a large lawn tractor, too much (for me that is) to be using a walk behind mower of any kind.

Can you use this tractor for other things (e.g. snow removal, light materials hauling, fertilizing, aerating, dethatching, pesticide spraying, etc)? If so, you can probably justify a high end LA (an oxymoron), or an X320.

Any Big-Box-Mart class of lawn tractor is essentially a throw away piece of equipment; but with your light use you'll probably get a lot of years use from it with proper maintenance.

My L(emon)-130 gets used for mowing native grasses and weeds; so some of its breakdowns are due to hard service and some due to it being a cheap machine.

 

[MikeFitz11]

You're at an awkward point...too little lawn to justify a large lawn tractor, too much (for me that is) to be using a walk behind mower of any kind.

Can you use this tractor for other things (e.g. snow removal, light materials hauling, fertilizing, aerating, dethatching, pesticide spraying, etc)? If so, you can probably justify a high end LA (an oxymoron), or an X320.

Any Big-Box-Mart class of lawn tractor is essentially a throw away piece of equipment; but with your light use you'll probably get a lot of years use from it with proper maintenance.

My L(emon)-130 gets used for mowing native grasses and weeds; so some of its breakdowns are due to hard service and some due to it being a cheap machine.

Not going to do much hauling, really just need it for mowing. I'm getting a lot of folks who recommend going cheap on this, and others who think I oughta go as far as the X320. So I'm wondering if sticking with the X300 isnt the right way to go; right in the middle. It seems to be a better machine than the LA's even though the transmission is the same, for one: the engine appears to be better made. I dont think the machine is going to be working hard, there really are no hills in my yard. One thing that is of value to the extra cost is a 4 year warranty vs a 2. Seems like that should count for some peace of mind.

I'm in the process of moving to this 1/3rd acre house and it really comes down to what I have left after all of the closing costs. ~$3000 is the most I really wanted to go...maybe if the X320 was $3500 or less then it would be worth it, but $4099 is exceeding my plan by $1000. I dont need 22hp or anything else that the 320 offers, just the K58.

 

[VABlue]

You don't even need the K58... I beat the crap out of a Murray for 7 years, then greatly abused a Craftsman hydro for 8 on my previous .5 acre yard (moved 4 years ago), which is now loved by my neighbor across the street. That's ~$2000 for nearly 20 years between two machines. On .3 acres, $3K is overkill, but you'll never need anything else. That said, spending $1500 now will buy you an easy 10 years of quality use, and probably more. It comes down to your ego (and we all have one!)...

 

[ol'oilburner]

Save your money Mike and buy a cheap box store model (Sears, Home Depot), for what you've described as what you're using it for, that's all the tractor you need. The only real recommendation I would make is make sure you opt for the hydrostatic transmission. I bought a new Craftsman 12.5 hp 38" cut for $1000 in '91 to maintain my 3/4 acre lot and used it for 11 years with just routine mtce (oil change, air filter, mower blades, 2 mower spindles) and it worked great and then I sold it for $500 when I upgraded to a little larger unit with hydro transmission.

 

[ChuckinNH]

My brother has a smaller lot with some gentle slopes, and he has had great luck with his 100 series JD. He mows, and blows snow with it, and so far it has given him three full years of service with no problems. Would he like more, sure, but what he has works. Stay in your budget......... you will probably want something nicer a few years down the road anyway, or you will move, or something.

 

[TigerfaninAR]

I had a X300 for an acre yard with some very bumpy spots that actually caused multiple problems with a Troy Bilt mower. The x300 was great and never had a problem with it; however, for a 1/3 acre of flat grass I agree with some others and get a 100 series deere and still have piece of mind you got a good mower. Unless your uses change you'll probably move before it wears out.