Buying Advice Lawn Tractor for 1/3rd Acre Flat

[doall]

for A 1/3 acre I might even look at a large big wheel push mower. Probably still wouldn't take more than an hour and if it last 14 years you'll only have $15 a year or so in it. just kidding, I think sound guy must have got a 1 in a million machine. I would get a better quality mower, never had much luck with the murrays and such lasting very long or cutting even without putting a little work into the deck once or twice a year. I am mowing about 4 acres at my house and 6 at my mom's though.

 

[JoeinTX]

Once again, SoundGuy scores a direct hit.

Don't underestimate the Yard Man/MTD/Murray rigs at the local whatever for $800. Don't overestimate the JD/Cub offerings for 3 times the money. They are far more similar in content and design than you might imagine. They are, however, far different in marketing and paint color and price.

I purchased a home on 1 acre here in DFW 4 years ago. It's on a slope, full of trees and rocks and stobs, lots of little nasties. I went down to the local Big Blue Box and bought a Troy Bilt Pony for 1k. You can buy the same rig from Home Depot in green wearing the MTD brand for the same money.....just depends on the color that suits you. It's been one heck of a riding mower. Maintenance has included, apart from oil and such, a few sets of mulching blades until I went with the Severe Duty types and haven't looked back and recently a new set of drive belts. That's mowing approximately 30 acres a year (1 acre x 30 weeks of cutting on average) in predominantly 90-100F heat. I take care of it, wash it after every mowing, and store it inside..........and the thing could darn near pass as brand new. BS motor runs like the day I bought it and it doesn't use a lot of gas either. Can't find a darned thing to complain about with it.

I have something to compare them against. My dad owns a recent JD hydro rider as well as a Craftsman riding mower. Do not care for them as the JD doesn't ultimately cut grass any better than any other common rider and the Sears is a cranky son-of-a-gun to use. Prefer the Troy Bilt over any of them and not just because I paid for one. I, like now, will tell anyone to pick one of them for the money over any of the others.

Save your money. One small motor and belt system is not marginally better than any other. Do not pay for paint or brand............they will let you down. As for riders go, purchase price is the ultimate decider. Wal-Mart still sells a 14.5hp MTD/Yard Man (red, green, or yellow) that I used to cut cemeteries and joint properties for many a year for about $800............GO WITH IT! Good little mower and you won't regret the money later.

 

[LBrown59]

What does "BBS" mean?

B ig

B ox

S tore

 

[Soundguy]

for A 1/3 acre I might even look at a large big wheel push mower. Probably still wouldn't take more than an hour and if it last 14 years you'll only have $15 a year or so in it. just kidding, I think sound guy must have got a 1 in a million machine. I would get a better quality mower, never had much luck with the murrays and such lasting very long or cutting even without putting a little work into the deck once or twice a year. I am mowing about 4 acres at my house and 6 at my mom's though.

the biggest problem I see with most equipment that doesn't last long is usually related to operator abuse or gross neglect.

I can't tell you how many tractor's I've bought that were working.. yet the owner couldn't remember changing the oil that decade.

IE.. gross neglect...

if it's not a lemon.. or doa / infant mortality.. preventative maintenance and proper use and care should net you years of use on the average machine.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. and as far as JD.. I'm not impressed with them if my neighbor is any corelation.

he mows 2.5 ac 2x per month with his. He's had 3 of them in 10ys... ( I mow my land with a TRACTOR )

soundguy

Once again, SoundGuy scores a direct hit.

Don't underestimate the Yard Man/MTD/Murray rigs at the local whatever for $800. Don't overestimate the JD/Cub offerings for 3 times the money. They are far more similar in content and design than you might imagine. They are, however, far different in marketing and paint color and price.

I purchased a home on 1 acre here in DFW 4 years ago. It's on a slope, full of trees and rocks and stobs, lots of little nasties. I went down to the local Big Blue Box and bought a Troy Bilt Pony for 1k. You can buy the same rig from Home Depot in green wearing the MTD brand for the same money.....just depends on the color that suits you. It's been one heck of a riding mower. Maintenance has included, apart from oil and such, a few sets of mulching blades until I went with the Severe Duty types and haven't looked back and recently a new set of drive belts. That's mowing approximately 30 acres a year (1 acre x 30 weeks of cutting on average) in predominantly 90-100F heat. I take care of it, wash it after every mowing, and store it inside..........and the thing could darn near pass as brand new. BS motor runs like the day I bought it and it doesn't use a lot of gas either. Can't find a darned thing to complain about with it.

I have something to compare them against. My dad owns a recent JD hydro rider as well as a Craftsman riding mower. Do not care for them as the JD doesn't ultimately cut grass any better than any other common rider and the Sears is a cranky son-of-a-gun to use. Prefer the Troy Bilt over any of them and not just because I paid for one. I, like now, will tell anyone to pick one of them for the money over any of the others.

Save your money. One small motor and belt system is not marginally better than any other. Do not pay for paint or brand............they will let you down. As for riders go, purchase price is the ultimate decider. Wal-Mart still sells a 14.5hp MTD/Yard Man (red, green, or yellow) that I used to cut cemeteries and joint properties for many a year for about $800............GO WITH IT! Good little mower and you won't regret the money later.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I agree with Moss, find a used Snapper rear engine rider.

Soundguy, you are the luckiest guy I know getting that kind of life out of a murray/MTD. Our QC manager at my former job had one. The tranny died after 3 years and he was told $700 to fix it.

Many times, a Snapper RER will outlast the engine. The design is so simple.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I agree with Moss, find a used Snapper rear engine rider.

Soundguy, you are the luckiest guy I know getting that kind of life out of a murray/MTD. Our QC manager at my former job had one. The tranny died after 3 years and he was told $700 to fix it.

Many times, a Snapper RER will outlast the engine. The design is so simple.

The tranny or the deck will usually be the first to go on a inexpensive rider. They are most more alike than different. Any mower will mow a flat yard with no obstacles. Hills, ditches and stumps are mower killers.

 

[doall]

the biggest problem I see with most equipment that doesn't last long is usually related to operator abuse or gross neglect.

I can't tell you how many tractor's I've bought that were working.. yet the owner couldn't remember changing the oil that decade.

IE.. gross neglect...

if it's not a lemon.. or doa / infant mortality.. preventative maintenance and proper use and care should net you years of use on the average machine.

soundguy

I'm probably meticulous as anyone on keeping up my toys. Mine gets washed after every use, blowed off with compressed air, all fluids checked every time.
change oil every 50 hours. Calls for a 100 but its hot and dry here.

 

[6011Artist]

I'm with SoundGuy on this one. You only have 1/3 of an acre, perfect mowing conditions, so go with the cheaper mower and take care of it. I too have gotten 12 yrs out of an MTD mowing an acre of yard. I do the back with a tractor/bush hog. Save your money unless owning one of those high dollar mowers means a lot to you.

Some guys have to have only the best, others buy what is needed and bank the rest.

 

[schmism]

why not just find a gently used riding mower on your local criagslist.

even better one those old guys that likes to putter with mowers and has like 10 riding mowers out front his place for sale.... you know he has them running in tip top shape and only wants a few hundred bucks for one. and on the up side if you ever have problems you already know were to take it to get fixed.