Which lawn tractor to buy?

[sd455dan]

A lot of the commercial zero turns are 7 gauge or heavier decks.

The highest trim bad boy rogue I believe has .25" in spots

I've never seen a mid mount for a scut that heavy duty

The JD 755 mid mount we have is really light gauge stamped sheet metal and my buddies modern mahindra deck is a lot lighter than his JD 972 ztr

Our X 500 deck has held up well. UIAM even though the X series decks are only 7 gauge they are forged steel.

 

[RNF]

I pull a yard trailer with my zero turn.

 

[Huntinguy]

You might want to give more details.
How does one know and identify the best transmission available?

Tuff Torq - Hydraulic, Mechanical, & Electric Drivetrain Solutions

Tuff Torq is a global manufacturer of hydraulic, mechanical, electric, and hybrid drivetrain solutions serving the outdoor power equipment industry.

www.tufftorq.com

Snoop around here. Lots of good information.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I was under the impression you want Parker. Then hydro gear.

 

[ejnichol]

HI,
I bought a Sears Craftsman DGS6500 26hp, which was made by Husqvarna, back in 2008 and it now has over 600 hours on it. It's been a great machine except for the coil which I had to replace with a better one that the manufacture recommended. Other than that it's been working and cutting like a charm. Of course I had to replace the mower blades a few times over the years. I just started my third set of blades this spring and the belts are still all originals. My next tractor will definitely be another Husqvarna.
Hope this helps you out with your search.

I have the same story on the DGS6500. Bought it due to having a TuffTorq K66 transaxle which is serviceable and can pull more. They are decent grass cutters, good travel speed, good cut due to deck design, parts are cheap. Deck set up properly it delivers a nice cut on zoysia.

I had a few issues with the Kohler 'Courage' 24 hp motor, but I knew with a name like that I figured it was not bullet proof.

Last year I found a 900 hr model on facebook which bought for 350(150 -200 too much). It had received typical residential preventative maintenance oil and filter changes . Required going through from one end to the other. Since I had knowledge of how it should be maintained/serviced took gamble and bought it home. 1/2 through the overhaul I was beginning to lose faith that I could fix all that was messed up particularly motor problem but stuck with it and amazed how well it runs now.

Having said all that if grass cutting was my priority I'd go with modern light commercial zero turn. If more functionality is need something in the BX class either Kubota or its competitors. Looked at a commercial Gravely zero turn few years back before covid. Wish I'd bought it and sold these paper tiger garden tractors.

 

[BubbaSam]

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 guess all of us have a preference on which rider to purchase and/or has provided the best service.

Personally I own, for a rider, have a 2001 YTH 1848 with a Kawasaki V-twin which has served me faithfully over the 23 years. (BTW... it has an electric clutch) I have used it to mow a 2.5 acre lawn, pull a small dump trailer, pull a 30 gal sprayer and a spreader for fertilizer, seed and pelletized lime. Over those 23 years I have performed normal maintenance and replaced the battery. Only this year have I had to change the idler pully and drive belt for the deck. It has started EACH AND EVERY time over those 23 years. I would never consider any other rider should I buy another.

I have to admit that I also have Ferris IS 1500Z which I use for the lawn now, only because it's a 52 inch deck and I can mow the lawn quicker. The rider is still used for most everything else.

I did some research (8/9/2024) and found that over the years, MTD acquired the Troy-Bilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, Craftsman (owned by its minority partner), and Yard-Man brands and/or companies. Ariens, Husqvarna, and John Deere still make their own.

Hope this is of some help for some of you folks looking to replace or purchase a new rider.

 

[WACATTACK]

Check out chicanic on utube. She recently went over new rider lawnmowers. She also did a video about jd record profits and moving to Mexico

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Can't stand watching her videos. Can't really put my finger on it, but they are annoying as hell to watch for me.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I guess all of us have a preference on which rider to purchase and/or has provided the best service.

Personally I own, for a rider, have a 2001 YTH 1848 with a Kawasaki V-twin which has served me faithfully over the 23 years. (BTW... it has an electric clutch) I have used it to mow a 2.5 acre lawn, pull a small dump trailer, pull a 30 gal sprayer and a spreader for fertilizer, seed and pelletized lime. Over those 23 years I have performed normal maintenance and replaced the battery. Only this year have I had to change the idler pully and drive belt for the deck. It has started EACH AND EVERY time over those 23 years. I would never consider any other rider should I buy another.

I have to admit that I also have Ferris IS 1500Z which I use for the lawn now, only because it's a 52 inch deck and I can mow the lawn quicker. The rider is still used for most everything else.

I did some research (8/9/2024) and found that over the years, MTD acquired the Troy-Bilt, Bolens, Cub Cadet, Craftsman (owned by its minority partner), and Yard-Man brands and/or companies. Ariens, Husqvarna, and John Deere still make their own.

Hope this is of some help for some of you folks looking to replace or purchase a new rider.

I think some folks are confusing the brand name "Husky" somehow with Husqvarna. They are not, and never have been the same. There is a "Husky" brand, that I do believe was made by MTD.

 

[TreePointer]

For the most part, you can assume a big box store lawn tractor has been made by MTD or AYP. (There is always an occasional exception.)

AYP has been making Husqvarna and some Craftsman tractors since the 1980s. In the Craftsmam line, you could find both MTD and AYP made lawn tractors even within the same year of manufacture.

 

[Williy]

On the JD mower deck I don't know what year they changed to this
cheap material but you can bend it very easy. Like you say the older
equipment will out last the new as the new equipment motto is spend
less make more money

willy

 

[aesanders]

On the JD mower deck I don't know what year they changed to this
cheap material but you can bend it very easy. Like you say the older
equipment will out last the new as the new equipment motto is spend
less make more money

willy

John Deere has always had cheap mowers and good mowers. You have to be willing to spend some money to get a good one.

 

[Grumpycat]

I think some folks are confusing the brand name "Husky" somehow with Husqvarna. They are not, and never have been the same. There is a "Husky" brand, that I do believe was made by MTD.

And there are at least 3 Husqvarnas using the same logo yet different companies.

Power equipment.
Industrial sewing machines.
Motorcycles.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Im talking Husqvarna... The ones I've seen and operated as of late, are garbage. I'd never buy one

 

[stevem5215]

The truth is even cheap lawn tractors can last. You will need to do some maint to make them last longer. And yes, they are made more cheaply. But the market for them is such that when a person has a postage stamp lawn and can't walk to cut the grass then a rider is what they buy. And it's a cheap one.

I have a Craftsman Black professional model. It has the dreaded K46 transmission that's known for being weak. Yes, it's had some issues in the 17 years or so I've had it. But it's still running and yes I've changed the fluid in the trans twice by pulling the top plug out and taking the trans out of the machine and turning it over to drain. Yes, I put synthetic oil in there to make it last longer and it has. Overall a cheap $1100 mower that was on clearance at the Sears Outlet can last too. You just have to know the limits and adjust your expectations to it.

 

[LightningCamaroGuy]

For the most part, you can assume a big box store lawn tractor has been made by MTD or AYP. (There is always an occasional exception.)

AYP has been making Husqvarna and some Craftsman tractors since the 1980s. In the Craftsmam line, you could find both MTD and AYP made lawn tractors even within the same year of manufacture.

Correct. AYP is Husqvarna Outdoor Products. It's been Roper, it's been Electrolux, it's been Frigidare. Now it's Husqvarna. They used to constantly change the name to get tax breaks, but they've been called Husqvarna for probably 15+ years.

From what y'all are describing MTD has really, and I mean really come up fast since around 2014. Back then Husqvarna (AYP) was thought of as a better product, and MTD more budget stuff. Back then MTD made some Craftsman, but Husqvarna made most of the Craftsman mowers including the GT series. (We used to claim the hoods looked like Optimus Prime when they redesigned the look in 13-14 timeframe) I was talking to an owner of a local large lawnmower store a year or so back, and he said Covid really F'ed Husqvarna Outdoor Products hard. Like back when I was there we made mowers for 25+ brands, and know they don't operate like that. Probably all the dumbasses in upper management that really screwed that company up. Too many stupid people, with too much power.

If MTD really did acquire Cub Cadet then that's huge. When I was there JD was our biggest competitor, but Cub Cadet was not far off, and had come up fast. If what's being said in here is correct it sound like MTD has made a lot better moves than Husqvarna (AYP) in the last decade. Again back then the general consensus was that Husqvarna made a better product than MTD, and they commanded more of a premium, and MTD was thought of as more mass produced, budget type mowers, even though Husqvarna definitely had it's lowerend, budget models as well that any given brand would buy with their paint, body panels, and stickers on them.

 

[cdaigle430]

Still have my 2004 Husvarna 20 years later, 1700 hours. Bought it at Sears for 1700 dollars with mulch kit, dethatcher and 3 bin bagger. Runs like new but the lights stopped working.
Has hard time in reverse now so I bought a used 60 inch belly more for my Massey just in case.

 

[Quaffer]

The truth is even cheap lawn tractors can last.

I have an older Deere mower that is held together with duct tape and baling wire. Still cuts like a champ.

 

[tacticalturnip]

If MTD really did acquire Cub Cadet then that's huge. When I was there JD was our biggest competitor, but Cub Cadet was not far off, and had come up fast. If what's being said in here is correct it sound like MTD has made a lot better moves than Husqvarna (AYP) in the last decade. Again back then the general consensus was that Husqvarna made a better product than MTD, and they commanded more of a premium, and MTD was thought of as more mass produced, budget type mowers, even though Husqvarna definitely had it's lowerend, budget models as well that any given brand would buy with their paint, body panels, and stickers on them.

MTD acquired Cub Cadet in 1981; Stanley Black & Decker has owned MTD since 2021. MTD has owned Cub twice as long as IH did.

 

[LightningCamaroGuy]

MTD acquired Cub Cadet in 1981; Stanley Black & Decker has owned MTD since 2021. MTD has owned Cub twice as long as IH did.

Are you saying Cub Vadet is the evolution of a Farmall Cub?

Yeah, IDK. I never knew MTD owned Cub Cadet. I was a tool maker that worked for the engineers at Husqvarna mainly making one off things for them that generally was to test if they wanted to implement them into production. Moreso making tooling and whatnot that would be put on the production lines to build the products. JD was always the main focus as the primary competitor, but I just remember that Cub Cadet got big and came on fast back in the late 2,000's/early 2010's. MTD at the time was more competitive with the mass produced, large retail store, cheaper, lower end stuff, but that Husqvarna also made mowers for that role, but so did JD. When I used to think MTD it was never industrial mowers like Zero turns, or larger tractor mowers with fab decks, and the best Vanguard, Kohler, and Kawasaki engines, or fanciest transmissions, etc, but maybe they did cater to the higherend market as well. I remember on some of our lowerend mowers we started using transmissions with plastic parts in them, and that turned into a huge clusterF, and ended up costing Husqvarna a lot of money.