Which lawn tractor to buy?

[kozal01]

Sorry for not reading all 7 pages. From what I saw, the OP is just looking to mow grass and didn't pick up on how much. It could be worth considering something cheap. In 1983-ish I bought a used Ranch King ((MTD) and used it for about 7 years on our 1/2 acre lot. Then I sold it to our investment group where it spent the next several years doing about an acre there. Then we sold that property and one of the partners bought it for his approx. 1 acre yard where he used it till around 2009. Other than changing oil, it took a battery or two along the way (electric start).

A 1980's MTD is nothing like the MTD garbage sold these days and from personal experience the old ones still suck. Slow mowing, poor cut quality and most didn't have an HST back then either, shifting gears sucks on a riding lawn mower.

 

[tradosaurus]

The 4 wheel shocks on the Ferris make it stand alone above all other options, unless the area to cut is pool table smooth. I own the Stihl version of the Ferris. Same machine, different paint color.

U need to try the Toro MyRide system.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

OK, so for the ones that want to call BS, I'm adding photo's of my hour meters. These are 2009 Craftsman Pro's with the Kohler Command 25 hp motor. Motor's haver never been rebuilt. My lower hour one has had the front end and steering rebuilt once along with the spindles and an starter motor, it's the one that gets abused. The high hour one has only had the electric motor system for the deck swapped out for a manual one which I prefer. These have been great mowers. Used originally to cut 6acres and 3 acres of scrub. Now they are exclusively used for scrub in less than ideal conditions, maybe 6-7 acres of it since I cannot access most areas. Wish the frames were a tad stiffer but I'm even running the original tires that are bald on one of them. Otherwise those have been very reliable mowers, still need a better system though for how I use them now.

 

[dkmc]

I forget which brand lawn tractors I saw at Lowes a couple years ago that had the plastic transaxles in them. Wonder how many hours they actually rate the life expectancy on them?

 

[Elviscaretaker]

OK, so for the ones that want to call BS, I'm adding photo's of my hour meters. These are 2009 Craftsman Pro's with the Kohler Command 25 hp motor. Motor's haver never been rebuilt. My lower hour one has had the front end and steering rebuilt once along with the spindles and an starter motor, it's the one that gets abused. The high hour one has only had the electric motor system for the deck swapped out for a manual one which I prefer. These have been great mowers. Used originally to cut 6acres and 3 acres of scrub. Now they are exclusively used for scrub in less than ideal conditions, maybe 6-7 acres of it since I cannot access most areas. Wish the frames were a tad stiffer but I'm even running the original tires that are bald on one of them. Otherwise those have been very reliable mowers, still need a better system though for how I use them now.

forgot, that 36K hours on the one and 11K hours on the other, both bought new.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

I forget which brand lawn tractors I saw at Lowes a couple years ago that had the plastic transaxles in them. Wonder how many hours they actually rate the life expectancy on them?

Plastic? Really!? I'd think not long. Maybe as long as the warranty?

 

[tradosaurus]

Hi All,
I have a Deere L130 lawn tractor that is at the end of its useful life. Last summer I was going to replace it with the equivalent Deere product. I called the 2 closest Deere dealerships, talked with a couple salesmen, and never heard back. I even emailed the dealerships. No replies. I guess I wasn't gonna be spending enough money.
Now, a year later, I REALLY need a new lawn tractor. And even though I wanted a John Deere a year ago I think I no longer do. With all the folks being fired and production being moved to Mexico I wonder if I buy a Deere product today if it will be supported 10 years from now. And I'm peeved that production is being moved to Mexico, with dramatically lower labor costs, without Deere lowering prices.
So, I'm looking for opinions on other brands. One thing I really like on my current machine is the electric clutch for the mower deck. I really dislike the belt clutches that just tension the belt with a lever. It has been my experience that the electric clutch systems have longer belt life, cheaper belts, because they are shorter, and have fewer problems. So I want a machine with the electric clutch.
Any help choosing would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Eric

I have never owned a lawn tractor so can't help you but research brands for reliability. Your JD and Husquavarna of yesteryear is not the same as today.

I'm not sure why you are against zero turns but maybe borrow a friend or neighbors and try it out. You might be surprised.

 

[dkmc]

Plastic? Really!? I'd think not long. Maybe as long as the warranty?

Have to take a look next time I go there. Ya I was a bit shocked at first, but then.....not really.

 

[bartjoebob]

Hi All,
I have a Deere L130 lawn tractor that is at the end of its useful life. Last summer I was going to replace it with the equivalent Deere product. I called the 2 closest Deere dealerships, talked with a couple salesmen, and never heard back. I even emailed the dealerships. No replies. I guess I wasn't gonna be spending enough money.
Now, a year later, I REALLY need a new lawn tractor. And even though I wanted a John Deere a year ago I think I no longer do. With all the folks being fired and production being moved to Mexico I wonder if I buy a Deere product today if it will be supported 10 years from now. And I'm peeved that production is being moved to Mexico, with dramatically lower labor costs, without Deere lowering prices.
So, I'm looking for opinions on other brands. One thing I really like on my current machine is the electric clutch for the mower deck. I really dislike the belt clutches that just tension the belt with a lever. It has been my experience that the electric clutch systems have longer belt life, cheaper belts, because they are shorter, and have fewer problems. So I want a machine with the electric clutch.
Any help choosing would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Eric

My father has a cub cadet xt1 and my step father has the equivalent size Husqvarna but with a locking differential and Kawasaki engine. They are both solid machines for performing the mowing task. I would avoid Deere with that new 1 step oil change BS. You never get all the old oil out. I'd favor a Cub or Husqvarna with a serviceable transaxle. Simplicity are also very nice and likely to outlast Cub or Husqvarna but they are pricey. Avoid buying through box stores. The local small engine dealerships likely have the same prices and you will be getting a machine properly setup, stored, etc

 

[hslogger]

I am a deere fan... I have had an Lx172, still have that with out a hood. I have had Lx178 and that was a super machine. I am three years and 100 hours into a x370 that has power steering and power deck lift. It was a bit over 4600 out the door when purchased. It is a super machine. I keep the deck underneath religiously cleaned with a very heavy duty HF mower lift. My use is primarily in an orchard of twenty five trees plus pasture electric fence lines. Sorry for the weird way this is written but it is the only way I can enter due to some glitch with my computer.