Buying Advice Best riding mower for rolling land and 6 acres?

[TexasDad76]

I bought a "Landowner series" Husqvarna 2754GLS back in August 2008. So I've had it about 8 years now. I bought the Landowner series because we have about 5 acres here, and the terrain is very rolling. I'd have a hard time finding even a 10' by 10' section of land that was truly flat. Lots of ripples, big and small, on my land.

Things keep breaking and the machine is constantly in the shop now. The latest is the PTO switch -- I pull it, and nothing happens. The blades don't engage. Before today, it would sometimes happen, but then later it would work. Other times, there would be a 2-3 second delay before the blades would engage. I'm not sure how big of a repair this will be, but I'm very tempted NOT to repair it, because you have to draw the line somewhere, right? I feel like I'm throwing good money after bad.

Especially since a mower like this is supposed to last 4 years (right?). It's been 8.

I've replaced more things on this mower than I can count.

In the first years I bought it, the mower would stay "on" even though I took out the key, and it would count up the hour meter the whole time, until the battery went dead! So right now my mower has about 175 "bogus" hours where it was just sitting there turned off. Still, the machine only has 425 hours INCLUDING the bogus hours. That is possible because I got a Kubota small tractor/shredder a few years ago, and starting doing most of my mowing with that. Also, we have had many severe droughts during the past 8 years.

Overall, I am most UNsatisfied with the quality of this machine. It had the famous "split into 2 pieces" problem with the back end falling off. I had 2 different guys weld it back together, and it's held ever since. Apparently this is a known problem with Husqvarna riding mowers. Sometimes it will split into 2 while you're driving it at full speed -- the problem is actually quite dangerous!

HERE IS MY QUESTION:

What should I buy now? Should I buy a cheap $999 riding mower, or will that not have enough horsepower to cut through the sometimes thick grass/weeds, and/or will it have problems with the transmission being driven on this rolling land of mine? Or should I buy another Husqvarna Landowner series so it's strong enough (and the transmission can handle the terrain) for about $3200? Or should I go for a higher quality machine, like the mini tractors (they look a lot like riding mowers) put out by Kubota, John Deere, etc. for around $7000 - $9000?

I was tempted to buy something cheaper, but then I saw a review of a current $2800 John Deere model which supposedly has a transmission that can't handle rolling terrain! The person quoted their dealer's repair department as saying, "We keep transmissions of that model in stock, they go out so often." And the conclusion of the review was: this model is great if your land is flat, but otherwise steer clear of it. Well, my land is anything but flat! And this was for a JOHN DEERE (top brand?) and the most expensive model of riding mower sold by that store.

I still have about 4.5 acres to mow, and although much of that can be "shredded" by my Kubota garden tractor, I still can't get too close to the house with that beast, since the shredder already broke one window. Plus I like to get the mowing done in 2 days rather than 4 -- my boy can help by driving the riding mower, but he hasn't been trained on the tractor yet.

Also, this new riding mower will be piloted by a stocky man (210 lbs) or a stocky and chubby boy (135 lbs so far), rather than a slender 90 pound woman. I believe that makes a difference to the mower, for things like the "fall into 2 pieces" problem, when you combine the rolling terrain with the stress of the weight on the mower. You constantly put stress on various joints that way.

Last but not least, I have an additional yard (1 acre) about as rolling as mine, with lots of obstacles, that I mow for a fee.

I just want to know if those sub-$2000 riding mowers at Home Depot and Lowe's are meant for people with 1/2 to 1 acre of FLAT land.

Thanks for any advice,

Matthew

 

[JMER817]

Take a look at a simplicity broad more riding lawn tractor. I'm a Deere guy but this tractor looks and feels much more robust and around the same price. Has a fabricated deck and have heard does an excellent job of cutting. This is the route I'm going as soon as my craftsman dies.

 

[Tractorrr]

I would think a Kubota bx would be good. A lot more expensive than it sounds like you are thinking about. Could you buy a zero turn like the Kubota Kommander? The John deere x500 series mowers might be ok for what you are talking about. I think the cheaper mowers are made for 1/2 acre to 1 acre yard as you say.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I think you're wasting your money on those sub-$2000 riding mowers. They are built solely to meet a price point, which means many corners have to be cut in order to get to that price. Those corners include the engine, the transmission, the deck, the frame, etc.

You might want to look for an older John Deere garden tractor (a REAL garden tractor like the old 400 series or the GT series). They were made to last and there are still good examples around today. I sold a GT235 about a year ago for $2,500, and it was a solid tractor with a strong transmission and a Briggs Vanguard motor that is a commercial grade engine.

Or, you could keep an eye out for a used commercial zero turn mower. Even used, a commercial one will be above your budget. But a gently used one with reasonable hours should last you many years. AND you'll get a lot of enjoyment (instead of frustration) out of it when using it. Once you buy a zero turn, you'll never want a lawn tractor again.

 

[Egon]

The Kubota garden tractor. How big is it?

 

[jclaudii]

I don't have one YET but have you thought about a flail mower on your Kubota? There is an entire thread dedicated to Flail Mowers and most all of the posts are very positive. You could always do what I did and put a fence up and throw some Sheep in there

 

[TexasDad76]

The Kubota garden tractor. How big is it?

It's a very used version of this size tractor:

Compact Tractors | B5 Series | Kubota Tractor Corporation

It doesn't have the backhoe attachment either Just a regular front loader and shredder.

 

[buickanddeere]

Tried out a Deere Z245 for a couple of hours. It probably cut 20-30% more grass per hour than the old LX188. The Z245 deck is narrow however and when trimming around trees it was possible to drive over the tree with the left rear tire.
Also as any turf tire equipped machine the damp grass or ground traction on slopes was about nil. That is why my lawn tractor has ATV tires .
When the lawn tractor expires someday we will probably purchase a mid range Deere zero turn.

 

[big bubba]

I think you're wasting your money on those sub-$2000 riding mowers. pappy

given your acreage, slopes, & current machine headaches, i totally agree. current repair mechanics & cost aside, how much do you value your time? good luck

 

[Ford850]

I like landscaping work, and maintaining a large lawn. But I also value my time. A lot. When I went through this decision I got a zero turn and couldn't be happier. Mine's actually a front mount Grasshopper, but any of them in a commercial duty series would be good. I spend very little time on maintenance, mostly proactive which keeps things ready to use and from wearing out too soon. I think I cut my mowing time in half compared to a rider. I mow around 6 acres, have slopes and hills, and hundred(s) of obstacles or trees. I love to go out to mow though, as I can get it down in a reasonable amount of time, and have a quick sense of satisfaction.
My wife comments when we pass large yards with some guy slumped over the wheel of a riding lawn tractor, creeping along. It looks like it takes all day. She loves how fast we get ours done.
edit to add: a commercial duty mower will have much higher blade speeds, and deeper/taller decks to handle more clippings. you can mow faster, and when wet if needed.