Buying Advice Sick and tired of low quality riding lawnmowers

[Doofy]

Isn't this a tractor forum? I would assume that anyone owning a tractor would consider a finish mower first. Personally, I spend more time on the riding mower, just because I've never considered an attachment for the tractor.

 

[nards444]

mowing yes, versatility no

agreed i have pulled a small cart and have seen some snow blower options on bigger machines. With that said your are right, zero turn is king at one thing. But like I said its really not a huge expense to get a zero turn instead of a MMM or a pull behind, if you compare new prices really isnt. But adding one more motor and machine does add maintence.

 

[Deere Dude]

If you never drive an X7XX series you may be better off than most. You will appreciate the Yard Boss or the Yard Machine the big stores sell as they can mow most lawns the big mowers can mow and they are cheap. So they only last a few years on a rough lawn, you won't understand the comfort a big mower can have. Little mowers are cheap and you can tell just from a cursory look as to why. But if you ever ride a X7XX series JD you will be spoiled very fast. Comfort and quality of cut far surpass the pain of shelling out the 10K needed for a nice tractor.

I had to cut 8 acres in Tennessee during a move from Wisconsin and that was painful even for a nice tractor. Then the next week I cut 1.5 acres in Wisconsin with a very early model small John Deere. I hated it with a passion and even though it could have been classified as a collector I got rid of it. I am spoiled now. There are other brands I am sure are close to the quality to the X7XX series although not sure what, and the outcome could be the same. If you have the money, get a nice one even if it cost double or triple what a box store model costs. Enjoy life.

 

[RickB]

I walk around my block every morning, before anyone is out cutting grass. I can pick out lawns mowed with big box bargain mowers by the job they do. Makes me glad I bought my Scag several years ago.

 

[murphy1244]

I took a different route and bought a Ventac 4500y. This is easily a 10k hour machine if not more. I also have a snow blower and other goody's. Expensive yes but very versatile
.

 

[atsah]

Last thing I notice is what the local people use for lawnmowers.. I don't care if they use goats..

 

[DK35vince]

agreed i have pulled a small cart and have seen some snow blower options on bigger machines. With that said your are right, zero turn is king at one thing. But like I said its really not a huge expense to get a zero turn instead of a MMM or a pull behind, if you compare new prices really isnt. But adding one more motor and machine does add maintence.

A decent 3 point mower that can last for decades is in the $2500 - $2800 area.
A zero turn in that price range is about as low end, light duty zero turn they make

 

[4570Man]

Here’s the hour meter on my Grasshopper and it’s still going strong. How many box store mowers would it take to cut that much grass. You could probably cut 5 acres an hour in ideal conditions but 3 is probably a better average. So it’s probably cut 6,800 acres give or take. That shouldn’t take more than a couple dozen cheap mower. Sure that’s probably a 12k mower but it’ll last way more than 4 times as long as a 3k mower so who’s the real winner?

 

[DMax82]

Here’s the hour meter on my Grasshopper and it’s still going strong. How many box store mowers would it take to cut that much grass. You could probably cut 5 acres an hour in ideal conditions but 3 is probably a better average. So it’s probably cut 6,800 acres give or take. That shouldn’t take more than a couple dozen cheap mower. Sure that’s probably a 12k mower but it’ll last way more than 4 times as long as a 3k mower so who’s the real winner?

Is an 86 year old man going to cut his 1.5 acre lot 4533 times?

 

[4570Man]

Is an 86 year old man going to cut his 1.5 acre lot 4533 times?

At this point probably not but he probably has since he was 30. Ok after some quick match he probably hasn’t. Maybe it used to be bigger...