$1499 vs $3500 (Deere D105 vs. X300) Worth it?

[johncanfield]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

A commercial quality zero turn will last a homeowner 20+ years. Pay me now or pay me later, your choice.

 

[tomplum]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

My nit picky thing with the FER Deere's are the mow in reverse system that you have to concentrate on hitting a button each time you wish to mow in reverse. Some systems you activate it once in a cutting cycle which to me is safer so that you can concentrate on cutting and watching. The Toro Z is the best of the basic machines in my opinion. Everyone has a budget. I would take one over a basic Husqvarna Z or Deere basic Z. I don't think that you can buy a gear shift transmission. The plastic CVT is not a great option.
Mowing 2 acres a step up the food chain would be a good thing though. Your link didn't work for me but in a more economical ZT a 50" Cub or Toro, otherwise up to X series Deere.

 

[5030]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Most mowers have a button to push to allow mowing in reverse, some once pushed it stays on so you can continue to reverse without pushing the button again. My neighbor bought a Toro with manual transmission that I used once to more her yard. What a PIA to shift from reverse to forward. Get a hydrostatic drive unit instead of the gearshift models.

Just about any brand of mower will last many years just mowing 2 acre plot. My brother in law used a Craftsman 6500 series for 10 years mowing his 2 acres and it is still running. He did break a deck spindle once by hitting a root but that is all he ever replaced other than one belt.
Last year he bought a new X series JD because he wanted power steering but he was still using the Craftsman most of the time (when he had someone else to drive it).

I prefer the zero turn mowers myself because they are a bit faster than the tractor type plus they are fun to drive.

+1 for mowing and 0 turns can be as expensive as you want to pay.

 

[Topcat14]

Update.

I hit a rock and caused $1000 worth of repairs.
Mower deck was damaged. Also, it would not go in reverse.
I will post details of the estimate later today.

I don't want to invest $1000 into a $1500 mower that is 6 years old.

I have decided to scrap this mower.
Lasted 7 seasons. 147 hours.
Very disappointed.

So let me get this right, you bought the cheapest entry level John Deere for 2 acres- even though the D105 isn’t rated for 2 acres- mowed with it for 7 years- hit a rock (not the D105 fault) and you are disappointed? 7 years ago you were told you get what you pay for. You bought the least expensive John Deere 100 series- something better suited for 1 acre or less. Do some research before you buy next tractor or ZT—or buy another cheapo lawn tractor and be happy if you get 5 to 7 years out of it. Or maybe get a push mower and really save some money. But don’t complain about an entry level LT only lasting 7 years- because that’s all you’ll get with any brand mowing 2 acres

 

[IH3444]

How did you miss the rock for 6 plus seasons? Then hit it. Is this the whole story?

 

[rhunt]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Zero-turns are the way to go. Closest thing to a flying carpet! Bob

 

[Jchonline]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

ZTR would be the best option, but you could go with a true SCUT if you need the features of a real tractor.

My parents always get the D series Deere machines on return from Lowes (my mom works there) for super cheap so that is what they use...but they are paying like $500. Then they finally got a ZTR 2 years ago and the D series just sits. It mows in 1/4th the time. If you have fairly smooth landscape then a ZTR is king.

 

[GeneV]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

Most riding mowers and garden tractors now come with the ridiculous rio safety switch which makes you jump through hoops just to mow in reverse. They're usually not that hard to disable, though.

 

[Kingsqueak]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

A ZTR is the way if you don't need any other functionality. It's very handy having the draw bar on the Husqvarna TS354x that I have to pull the steel dump cart around, but a 54" deck for 2 acres....I would go a lot bigger if the property is relatively smooth, a much larger ZTR or even a front mower like a Groundsmaster, even a SCUT with a big finish mower behind it.

How much money are you willing to throw at it is really the question.

 

[shooterdon]

Re: Need tractor to mow 2 acres. Ideas?

I have a Husqvarna 48" rider and there is an ignition switch position that you turn to, and it will mow in reverse. Set it once and it is done...very simple.

I also have about 2 acres with a lot of trees and stuff to steer around, and it takes about 2 hours to cut and trim. Would love to get a ZT but the cheap Husky still does the job after 7 years. Hoping it dies soon so I can get a new toy...but will not buy a commercial grade ZT. I mow/mulch leaves about 30 hours a year and with a ZT that will get reduced to 20 hrs/year. I will not live long enough to justify a mower that will last 1000 hours.

Always take advice with a grain of salt. Some guys mow many times a year and/or large areas. They need a higher quality machine. Some guys want to justify spending a lot for a lawn mower. Figure out your needs and how valuable your time is.

BTW, the only repair on my Husky was to replace a spindle due to hitting a large rock. I am not blaming the mower for that. I bought two for $50 on Ebay so I have a spare.

I would get a residential duty ZT with a Kawasaki engine in the $3-3.5K price range because I do not like cutting grass and want the speed. I am in my late sixties and only need a machine that will last 15 years or so. (approximately 300-400 hours) YMMV