Need Lawn Tractor Recommendation

[Don87]

The BBM (Big Box Mart) lawn tractors are the same ones the dealer sells. The only difference is when your BBM purchased lawn tractor breaks, the dealer fixes it as Depot, et al palm service work on the dealers.

As for the OP, I'd look at an X320 or higher to avoid the K46 tranny.

That's what I thought, thanks for verifying it. It's also the reason I upgraded to a SCUT (to stay away from MTD).

 

[joemd11]

Most lawn tractors are now made by MTD.

Simplicity was the last to be aquired by them as far as I know.

I personally won't advise anyone to buy a machine manufactured by MTD.

Some swear by them...........but I run as fast as I can in the other direction.


EDIT: I didn't leave you with much here.

I don't know if It's true or not, but, I hear that if you buy a JD, from a dealer...........that it's not made by MTD.

I didn't know Simplicity was acquired by MTD. I thought Briggs owned them.

 

[bp fick]

Just to clear the air. It's gotten a little foggy in here. :laughing:


Simplicity is owned by Briggs and Stratton. NOT owned by MTD.
Company Profile : BASCO


The BiG BOX stores that sell John Deere "D" series are selling the same lawn/garden tractor as a the Deere dealerships. Those John Deere units are made by John Deere, not by MTD. Granted, they are an entry level, homeowner type units, with pricing to match.

 

[Don87]

Wel I'll be.........It's good to here MTD didn't get them. Simplicity made some really nice machines.

Bad part is the closest dealer was over a hundred miles from me.

 

[rjwerth]

I own an x304 w/ a k56 (the last year they did that). No complaints outside of a 3 year old battery that had to be replaced. With a walkout basement, I mow up and down a fairly good grade and the mower could hardly care....

 

[LBrown59]

1*Most lawn tractors are now made by MTD.
2* Simplicity was the last to be aquired by them as far as I know.
3*I personally won't advise anyone to buy a machine manufactured by MTD.
4*Some swear by them...........*but I run as fast as I can in the other direction.
5*I don't know if It's true or not, but, I hear that if you buy a JD, from a dealer...........that it's not made by MTD.

1*{Most but not all }
Some exceptions :
Craftman Havisquirw
Toro - wheelhorse.
2* Simplicity was last aquired by BS*
They raite right up there with with the best.
There is no comparrison between a Simplicity and a MTD.
3*I would make an exception for the 2500 and 3000 series as in my book they rate rite in with the best.
4**I almost made that mistake .
5*They are all made by JD Big BOX Store or Dealer.
****************

Just to clear the air.
1*It's gotten a little foggy in here. :laughing:
2*Simplicity is owned by Briggs and Stratton. NOT owned by MTD.
Company Profile : BASCO
3*The BiG BOX stores that sell John Deere "D" series are selling the same lawn/garden tractor as at the Deere dealerships. Those John Deere units are made by John Deere, not by MTD. Granted, they are an entry level, homeowner type units, with pricing to match.

1*I see I'm not the only who noticed that.
2*Rite again.
3 All true.

That's what I thought, thanks for verifying it.
4* It's also the reason I upgraded to a SCUT (to stay away from MTD).

4*You don't have to go with a Sub Cut to avoid MTD.

5*I didn't know Simplicity was acquired by MTD.
6* I thought Briggs owned them.

5*They werent.
6*They don't

Wel I'll be.........It's good to here MTD didn't get them.
7*Simplicity made some really nice machines.
8*Bad part is the closest dealer was over a hundred miles from me.

7*Lets Change that to <Simplicity>Makes some really nice machines.
8*Closest dealer from me is only about 7 miles.

 

[B E Lewis Farms]

Ok guys, as far as big box store mowers go Craftsman,Poulan,Huskvarna and a few others are made by AYP American Yard Products at a plant I believe is in Kentucky. Might want to check on that to be sure. The John Deere D series mowers and possibly the EZ Trac zero turns are built at a Deere plant in Tennessee. The X 3,5 and 700 series tractors are built in the Horicon Wisconsin Assembly plant. As far as the OPs needs I would also look at the X500 series. For a little more money you get more features such as a rear diff lock, larger final drives, and rear wheel hubs that will make removing rear tires easier in case of a flat.

 

[Don87]

Lets Change that to <Simplicity>Makes some really nice machines.
Closest dealer from me is only about 7 miles.

But Simplicity don't make 'em anymore, Briggs does.

 

[Don87]

Ok guys, as far as big box store mowers go Craftsman,Poulan,Huskvarna and a few others are made by AYP American Yard Products at a plant I believe is in Kentucky. Might want to check on that to be sure. The John Deere D series mowers and possibly the EZ Trac zero turns are built at a Deere plant in Tennessee. The X 3,5 and 700 series tractors are built in the Horicon Wisconsin Assembly plant. As far as the OPs needs I would also look at the X500 series. For a little more money you get more features such as a rear diff lock, larger final drives, and rear wheel hubs that will make removing rear tires easier in case of a flat.

That was the weird part, when I was comparing the tractors in front of the Lowes store.........they all looked basically identical except for the hood design. That's why I figured they were all made by MTD.

Another weird thing is the E-bay listing for gas caps for John Deere/MTD. It would appear that they may share some parts. eBay - Murray MTD John Deere Riding Mower Fuel Gas Cap, Similar items search

 

[jenkinsph]

Ok guys, as far as big box store mowers go Craftsman,Poulan,Huskvarna and a few others are made by AYP American Yard Products at a plant I believe is in Kentucky. Might want to check on that to be sure. The John Deere D series mowers and possibly the EZ Trac zero turns are built at a Deere plant in Tennessee. The X 3,5 and 700 series tractors are built in the Horicon Wisconsin Assembly plant. As far as the OPs needs I would also look at the X500 series. For a little more money you get more features such as a rear diff lock, larger final drives, and rear wheel hubs that will make removing rear tires easier in case of a flat.

While the x500 series are great mowers I can't see why the OP needs one for his lot. Moving up to an x500 is a big jump over an x320. My only concession would be if the slope is so steep it was needed, that is why I suggested having the dealer bring one out to try.