What Deere ride on should I get!?

[NS Gearhead]

Looking at the E170, the S240, and the X330. They're all very close in price. Warranty is small, med and large. The 170 and 330 are close in weight, but the 240 is about 60lbs less. The 170 has larger tires. I've got about 1/4 acre lawn, but I'm starting to do my neighbor and two others. I also plan to add a snowblower to what I get as a back up to my fourwheeler on tracks with a blade. I'll be doing my driveway (about 300' and parking for 12 cars), and my neighbor's (about 200'). Thoughts?

I'd really like to go diesel and 4x4... but at $20K plus, it's just not in the cards. I MIGHT make enough to cover 3/4 of the cost of one of the above set ups.

 

[crazyal]

Are your yards flat? How long do you think it will take to mow each yard and how many times a year? All 3 of the riders you listed aren't really made to do much more than mow. Excessive hours will wear them out pretty quickly. Hills and towing a trailer will also shorten the life of the transaxle. Even a lot of snow blowing could heat it up even though it's winter. The way to counter it is to keep it clean and make sure the fan is working well to counter the heat.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Sounds like you need to step up a bit to a compact tractor to fill the list of your needs.

 

[nards444]

yeah sub compact tractor(10-12k) or a zero turn for mowing. I wouldnt purchase back ups methods for snow removal either.

 

[searcyfarms]

buy something used that better suits your needs - whats your budget?

 

[Tractorable]

Buy the one with the strongest transaxle. A busted transaxle is the most likely culprit that will put an end to your mowing machine.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Are your yards flat? How long do you think it will take to mow each yard and how many times a year?

Mine and my neighbor's yards have lots of hills and slopes. I'd say it takes me an hour to do them both with a 42" deck MTD "Pro". Haven't done the other two yet (tomorrow), but probably looking at the same amount of time if not a little less. Once a week in the spring... maybe every other through the summer and early fall.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Sounds like you need to step up a bit to a compact tractor to fill the list of your needs.

The biggest I'd go would be the 700 series. Like I said; diesel and 4x4, but 18K plus a blower is way too much. CUT is way too big and expensive. Kubota has a nice one that's $15K with blower... but still. I'm thinking slight step up from a run of the mill ride on... garden tractor, not tractor tractor. LOL

 

[NS Gearhead]

The lower end Deere zero turns seem tempting and are in my budget... obviously not snowblower compatible. I could get a nice honda walk behind instead... though walking is no fun compared to riding. I've wrestled enough walk behinds to know they're not the greatest. I don't have any experience with these zero turns... but having 2 wheels getting power and better visibility sounds good.

The salesman did mention that the upper models had kawasaki engines, over the Briggs and Strattons... and that they were more durable. Although, my MTD has a Briggs and as old as it is has never had a hickup.

 

[YLee Kioti]

I'm looking at this 30" cut Toro.
3" TurfMaster™ (222) | Toro

Can't use the cutter close to the barn and parking areas. 22" mower is really getting old. Don't mind the walking part. Lessons learned from watching one of my co-workers upgrade from a walk behind to a rider and physically just went down hill. I know ymmv no doubt but it stuck with me and the 30" would be sweet vice the 22" cut.
Did look at Cub Cadet but carb issues and restart issues put me off.
1/4 acre is what I've been cutting with a 22" and yeah I'm fed up with that chore.
Well .26 acres but we close on the house soon so that chore will be gone. Oh wait! crap still got that much around the barn...duh....lol.....
Hey good luck with your find!