Buying Advice Sick and tired of low quality riding lawnmowers

[Carl_NH]

The intake valve on the RH side of the engine was at .006", the rest were at .004". I don't think that's a problem... I adjusted the intake valve back to .004"

The tractor has 860 hours on it.

That's a lot of hours for 10 years - like you mentioned he likes to cut grass and sounds like drive around with the cart and sprayer too - sort of like our 86 YO neighbor every day he is driving hauling or doing something on his tractor.

So is it running now or do you still have starter issues? Also as far as hours go, you have gotten a reasonable life out of this machine and maybe a new one is in order - like the Husky with a Kawasaki and fabricated deck? Then if yours is running potentially trade it in for $6-800 or so?

The used Cub local to you is a nice machine with shaft drive too.

 

[atsah]

I think you're best bet is a Cub Cadet X2, I looked at these and they aren't bad, K62 trans, 7000 series Kohler and fabricated deck. The dealer sells them new for $3500..

 

[ETD66SS]

That's a lot of hours for 10 years - like you mentioned he likes to cut grass and sounds like drive around with the cart and sprayer too - sort of like our 86 YO neighbor every day he is driving hauling or doing something on his tractor.

So is it running now or do you still have starter issues? Also as far as hours go, you have gotten a reasonable life out of this machine and maybe a new one is in order - like the Husky with a Kawasaki and fabricated deck? Then if yours is running potentially trade it in for $6-800 or so?

The used Cub local to you is a nice machine with shaft drive too.

I adjusted the valves, he cut lawn for about 20 minutes, then brought it into the barn. Tried to restart it and the starter bound up and bent the shaft again.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet

So it seems when the engine is cold, the starter engages fine, when hot the starter binds upon restart.

I think I'm done trying to fix this POS. I don't want to spend ~$110 for the OEM 9 tooth starter just to have that get messed up.

My brother-n-law tells me that Simplicity tractors are made in USA. Is this the "Made in USA" with globally sourced (Asian garbage) components, or is every part on the Simplicity tractors made in USA? ( I highly doubt it).

I think you're best bet is a Cub Cadet X2, I looked at these and they aren't bad, K62 trans, 7000 series Kohler and fabricated deck. The dealer sells them new for $3500..

I read some reviews where people hate the fab deck, as it clogs with wet grass clippings badly. Lot of dew up here and many times cutting grass when it's wet.

My Mother cringes when I tell her that a new mower will cost $3500-$4000, she's not even sure she can spend that. If I buy one off CL then I am the mechanic for that machine, and I really don't have time for that. I guess I need options for a brand new machine. I hate to give these manufactures any money for making throw away units but not sure I have a choice.

 

[atsah]

I adjusted the valves, he cut lawn for about 20 minutes, then brought it into the barn. Tried to restart it and the starter bound up and bent the shaft again.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet

So it seems when the engine is cold, the starter engages fine, when hot the starter binds upon restart.

I think I'm done trying to fix this POS. I don't want to spend ~$110 for the OEM 9 tooth starter just to have that get messed up.

My brother-n-law tells me that Simplicity tractors are made in USA. Is this the "Made in USA" with globally sourced (Asian garbage) components, or is every part on the Simplicity tractors made in USA? ( I highly doubt it).



I read some reviews where people hate the fab deck, as it clogs with wet grass clippings badly. Lot of dew up here and many times cutting grass when it's wet.

My Mother cringes when I tell her that a new mower will cost $3500-$4000, she's not even sure she can spend that. If I buy one off CL then I am the mechanic for that machine, and I really don't have time for that. I guess I need options for a brand new machine. I hate to give these manufactures any money for making throw away units but not sure I have a choice.

New lawn tractors and wet grass = nothing but trouble..

 

[searcyfarms]

i think simplicity are descent from what i know of them, they make some 10y/o units that are good, you might also check for a used massey i think they are kin to the simplicity in that generation and built well, they even make them with small diesels. Most are more on the lines of a Garden Tractor vs a Lawn Tractor regarding the hydros in them

 

[duramaxsky]

My old John Deere L110 has been trouble free for 14 years. Only a new battery and blades a couple times. And maintenance. I dread it dieing. The new stuff is garbage. I will likely just buy a mid mount for the 2025R when it does. But the bigger size will make it harder to mow my place. I will get the auto connect as it will need to come off for ground clearance. And the loader and backhoe off to mow. Or I may just buy what is on sale cheap and consider them disposable.

 

[searcyfarms]

here is a simplicity version of it - https://springfield.craigslist.org/grd/d/billings-simplicity-conquest-mower/6904050677.html

here is a massey version - Massey Ferguson 2827 riding mower - farm & garden - by owner - sale = power steering!!

here is another one - they have foot pedal hydros not sure if your dad would be able to navigate that or not?

Simplicity Conquest Lawn Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

my gpa was a farmer, paralyzed on his left side so could only drag his leg and use a cane - both limbs were dead on his left side, it happened when i was 1y/o, his mind survived but he struggled with depression and I grew up taking him every where i could and would sit him out in the barn in the shade and work on equipment outside so he could participate and tell me how to do it - i took him to the barber shop so he could chit chat with the other farmers and to get feed or whatever I could to get him out of the house. I hunted on our property and my access too me by his big picture window where he was sitting for 23 yrs until he passed. I remember every time i looked in the windows and he was always smiling and shaking his head when i would return with my game to show him. What great memories of a GPA that couldnt participate in everything but i learned so much from him.

I applaud your efforts to make things easier for your dad, i have done such the same for mine, tractor steps, handles, cab, AC, heat, air seat, whatever i can do to make it easier for him to still be able to do things w/out my help since i know he will be out there trying anyway, mom still helps him get things hooked up to the tractor as needed. I have made fueling easier as well and usually fill up things when i visit. He always has a list of things he wants help with.

We will be in this shape one of these days as well. I know i cant do what i used to already.

Be sure to ask mom if she is still here because he will tell her stuff he wont admin to you being a man.

Even if he gets it out for 10 mins every day it beats nothing so you for sure want him to be able to get it started

Keep digging, you will find the right unit for your dad and you both will love it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

OP,

Well it's easy for us to sit here and chit chat about what you should do. It's also easy for us to spend other people's money, and it's always "fun" for us spectators to do so. I do think it is a *mistake* (and I'm trying to be kind) for any of us to recommend a high end commercial mower to an elderly person with medical issues and obvious money issues. From the OP's descriptions, it sounds like his folks are very tight on money. There is nothing "wrong" with that, but it is an important factor.

It also sounds like the OP doesn't want to be fiddling with some used mower that he will then be stuck repairing any time it goes down.

My advice (worth half of what you paid for it), is to do one of two things:

1. Take him out and buy a new "big box" riding mower like everybody loves to hate. More than likely it will last long enough to complete the mission (not trying to be unkind, but elderly folks with obvious medical issues).

2. You go out and buy the dream machine you want him to have. Pay for it yourself. Take it to him and present it to your folks as "a rental". Then ask them for a single dollar bill. When they hand that dollar bill to you, you tell them, "The rent is paid". After such time as they no longer need this super-expensive dream machine, you go and collect it, and either keep it to replace your own, or sell it again.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[atsah]

OP,

Well it's easy for us to sit here and chit chat about what you should do. It's also easy for us to spend other people's money, and it's always "fun" for us spectators to do so. I do think it is a *mistake* (and I'm trying to be kind) for any of us to recommend a high end commercial mower to an elderly person with medical issues and obvious money issues. From the OP's descriptions, it sounds like his folks are very tight on money. There is nothing "wrong" with that, but it is an important factor.

It also sounds like the OP doesn't want to be fiddling with some used mower that he will then be stuck repairing any time it goes down.

My advice (worth half of what you paid for it), is to do one of two things:

1. Take him out and buy a new "big box" riding mower like everybody loves to hate. More than likely it will last long enough to complete the mission (not trying to be unkind, but elderly folks with obvious medical issues).

2. You go out and buy the dream machine you want him to have. Pay for it yourself. Take it to him and present it to your folks as "a rental". Then ask them for a single dollar bill. When they hand that dollar bill to you, you tell them, "The rent is paid". After such time as they no longer need this super-expensive dream machine, you go and collect it, and either keep it to replace your own, or sell it again.

Just my 2 cents.

Well said.. The only issue is, a big box store mower will not cut wet grass long before the deck clogs with grass and then we have an elderly person that can't clean it out..

I had the same issue with my mom a couple of years ago.. I called a land scaping guy and he mows if twice a month with commercial equipment for $35.00 a pop.. Problem solved..

 

[Doofy]

Well said.. The only issue is, a big box store mower will not cut wet grass long before the deck clogs with grass and then we have an elderly person that can't clean it out..

I had the same issue with my mom a couple of years ago.. I called a land scaping guy and he mows if twice a month with commercial equipment for $35.00 a pop.. Problem solved..

Some folks just need to be active and useful...contracting out the work defeats that purpose. It could come to that though.