Help with choosing new rider mower

[tacticalturnip]

If you're mowing hills you need a garden tractor and not a lawn tractor, as the transaxle in a modern lawn tractor is not going to last. The oil will heat up, break down, and cease performing. One can change the fluid, but it isn't easy.

When you get into the garden tractor category, you're typically getting a heavier transaxle, serviceable, with a filter.

You're not getting 4k hours out of any lawn tractor today, it's just not going to happen. Your Deere X320 had a transaxle 3 steps up from what is in an entry-level lawn tractor. You needed an X500, at least. Did your dealer try to direct you towards it?

 

[JasperFrank]

I have a 17 hp Kaw and was shocked after I bought it about how much fuel it gulps.

Yeah..... there is that. I don't run at the recommended engine speed anymore. And tried to figure out what what was its MPG, or gallons per hour, while mowing at the normal PTO speed.
I never figured out a number that made sense. Not sure how to frame the question.
Some one with a lot of flat grass land should make a vid, and run different models, cutting the same grass, till dry tank, with a measured 1 gallon of clear gas.
I think those results will be shocking if put in MPG terms.

 

[Oaktree]

Update, I took the plunge and got the JD X350. I'll probably get flamed for not going with the heaviest duty machine I could find, but this seems to be a good compromise for my needs. Didn't need something of a level a lawncare pro would use, but wanted something better than a box store model, this seems to fit the bill.

I'm a bit biased, but if you aren't bull crapping about living on slopes, your about to toss money out the window. You should go with a K66 transmission, and a Kawasaki V-twin. You'll likely want a deck that mows better than almost anything or there, and it's built like a tank.

Your in luck. The Husqvarna TS354XD and TS348XD do all of this for I believe right at $5,000 today.

When you get into the garden tractor category, you're typically getting a heavier transaxle, serviceable, with a filter.

You're not getting 4k hours out of any lawn tractor today, it's just not going to happen. Your Deere X320 had a transaxle 3 steps up from what is in an entry-level lawn tractor. You needed an X500, at least. Did your dealer try to direct you towards it?

Actually both dealers I visited told me the X350 was by far their biggest seller.

Trouble is with the models you guys mentioned is that the smallest deck size available is 48", I specifically said in my original post I was looking for a 42. As it is, the X350 is a tight squeeze in a couple spots (old one had a 40" deck), no way no how gonna get anything wider in those places.

As I noted upthread, transmission failure is not something I've experienced with previous machines, including a couple of box store ones. While I definitely appreciate the info, I didn't see the cost vs benefit working in my favor (even if the heavier duty ones were available with 42" decks, which they weren't).

If you have one from the 90s obviously its a good machine. Spend a few bucks and have someone repair the minor problems you mentioned. Newer does not always mean better. Think thinner metal etc. 50 years ago i had a Simplicity riding mower. Only a 36 inch deck BUT had a drive shaft from motor to the rear end, non of this belt crap. I'd give my eye teeth to have that machine today

It was obviously a good machine in its day, and I did consider doing just that, trouble is, this one needs work right now and I don't really have the time to deal with it in the middle of the summer. Come fall, I may still repair this one. At my age (75) I kinda wanted to buy my final mower, and not have to dick around with getting another one in a few years when the old one (or a new-to-me used one) finally went toes up. I figure if I take care of this, it should outlast me.

All in all, I'm pleased with the X350 so far. It's quiet enough so I don't need hearing protection when I use it (a first), gas consumption with the Kawasaki twin seems about the same as the B&S in the old Ariens (despite the new one being almost twice the HP). I love the way it handles...steering is very easy and smooth and it has a surprisingly tight turning circle...much tighter than the old one.
I don't especially like the separate choke lever, it's kind of awkward when starting it, and I've really got to find a way to defeat the reverse-mow lockout (there is a button you can push to over-ride it, but you need to mash it down or else it might not engage). I'd imagine it should be something as simple as bypassing the switch, just holding off for now so as to not potentially void the warranty. The seat switch got disconnected after about 15 minutes.

 

[Runner]

Update, I took the plunge and got the JD X350. I'll probably get flamed for not going with the heaviest duty machine I could find, but this seems to be a good compromise for my needs. Didn't need something of a level a lawncare pro would use, but wanted something better than a box store model, this seems to fit the bill.



Actually both dealers I visited told me the X350 was by far their biggest seller.

Trouble is with the models you guys mentioned is that the smallest deck size available is 48", I specifically said in my original post I was looking for a 42. As it is, the X350 is a tight squeeze in a couple spots (old one had a 40" deck), no way no how gonna get anything wider in those places.

As I noted upthread, transmission failure is not something I've experienced with previous machines, including a couple of box store ones. While I definitely appreciate the info, I didn't see the cost vs benefit working in my favor (even if the heavier duty ones were available with 42" decks, which they weren't).


It was obviously a good machine in its day, and I did consider doing just that, trouble is, this one needs work right now and I don't really have the time to deal with it in the middle of the summer. Come fall, I may still repair this one. At my age (75) I kinda wanted to buy my final mower, and not have to dick around with getting another one in a few years when the old one (or a new-to-me used one) finally went toes up. I figure if I take care of this, it should outlast me.

All in all, I'm pleased with the X350 so far. It's quiet enough so I don't need hearing protection when I use it (a first), gas consumption with the Kawasaki twin seems about the same as the B&S in the old Ariens (despite the new one being almost twice the HP). I love the way it handles...steering is very easy and smooth and it has a surprisingly tight turning circle...much tighter than the old one.
I don't especially like the separate choke lever, it's kind of awkward when starting it, and I've really got to find a way to defeat the reverse-mow lockout (there is a button you can push to over-ride it, but you need to mash it down or else it might not engage). I'd imagine it should be something as simple as bypassing the switch, just holding off for now so as to not potentially void the warranty. The seat switch got disconnected after about 15 minutes.

Congratulations! I like the idea of keeping the old machine as a backup, have a couple of "backups" myself.

Need pics of your new mower.

 

[tacticalturnip]

That X350 ought to do right by you, enjoy it!

I'm finding myself now looking at selling my Cub Cadet XT2; I now am tasked with mowing my mother's lawn, and it's rolling hills, not a good thing for a K46 transaxle.

 

[Oaktree]

Congratulations! I like the idea of keeping the old machine as a backup, have a couple of "backups" myself.

Need pics of your new mower.

Yeah, the old one's in too good shape to junk, just too many issues with it to work on right now. We'll see what Mrs. Oak has to say about keeping a spare...she thinks I have too much stuff as it is.

 

[Runner]

Yeah, the old one's in too good shape to junk, just too many issues with it to work on right now. We'll see what Mrs. Oak has to say about keeping a spare...she thinks I have too much stuff as it is.

I really like that they put the big fuel filler out on the fender like that. The fillers under the seat are harder to get to and accumulate lots of grass and dirt.

I'm sure you'll jumper the backup button with a paper clip in short order (that's what I did with mine).

Happy Mowing!

 

[kenmbz]

I have an X360 with hydraulic lift and power steering.
I bought it used, now at 610 hours and seems to be going strong.
Just did an oil change and hydrualic oil/filter.

Good luck with the X350. I had a simplicity with a similar transmission that lasted over 20 years on rolling landscape.
I do think that transmission can have the oil changed with a bit of work when it's needed, just not as from the factory, if I remember correctly.

 

[JeepHead]

For what it's worth, my boss has a Husqvarna mower with the K46 in it. He also has a very steep hilly yard and he said that it's been the best tractor he's ever had for his yard. Two weeks ago the K46 finally went out and he ordered a replacement from Safford equipment for around $800 and swapped it out. Says he expects to get several more years out of his Husqvarna. He did say he tried an oil change first but you have to remove it to do so.

 

[Tomtint]

about 20 years ago I rebuilt a Ariens GT17 that my father bought new in the early 80s.. That thing was a tank and it was still solid when the replacement Kohler i put in **** the bed.. The motor was about 2K if i remember correctly so I scrapped the tractor. I ended up buying a Scag ..also very stout machines and still have it today. Around 2013 I bought a Walker GHS23.. That thing cuts awesome. It's a little maintenance heavy but as long as you stay on top of things it's fine. I have about 800 hours on it now so its well broken in.. I would definitely buy another... But they are expensive.