Does anyone mow 3+ acres with a $2000 mower?

coveredbridge · Mar 24, 2005

I would say that there's a difference between 3 acres of "lawn", like in a subdivision, and 3 acres of "yard", like you often find on tracts like mine. If you're mowing a nice relatively level, contractor installed lawn, and only mowing a lawn, then the MTD, Sears, etc should be fine as long as you have the time.

If however, you're mowing 3 acres of "yard", up and down slopes, through converted (by mowing down the weeds) fields and pasture, you're going to spend more in the long run on big box tractors than you will on a more substantial model that is going to cost in the $5,000 - $10,000 range new. You've already mentioned you want to push snow, which means that you 're probably looking for more utility than is reasonable to expect from a $2000 mower.

I think your idea of looking for a solid used machine is a good one. However, my experience has been that most owners of these machines are fully aware of their value and the demand for them, and so they command a relatively high price. I've seen these types of tractors selling for 75% to 80% of new prices for comparable machines, generally speaking. For me, that's not enough of a discount, but that's strictly an individual decision. Good luck on your search! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GerardC · Mar 24, 2005

( If however, you're mowing 3 acres of "yard", up and down slopes, through converted (by mowing down the weeds) fields and pasture, you're going to spend more in the long run on big box tractors than you will on a more substantial model that is going to cost in the $5,000 - $10,000 range new. )

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I've been mowing 3+ acres with my 16.5 HP B&S Hydrostatic (purchased at Wal*Marts) for 5 years now and NEVER have had any problems what-so-ever. I have hills, slopes, flats and quite a few areas that are pitted. I changed the blades once and do general maintenance regularly. Bet I get another 5 years out of it which puts me at about $100.00/year to own. How can anybody go wrong with figures like this? Gerard

NIXON · Mar 24, 2005

HRB . My brother in Law has a sears garden tractor . It's about 7 years old now . It has a 25 hp Kohler engine ,54' deck and is a hydro unit . He ( well his wife ) mows around 10 acres( possibly more as He is on 50 acres )with it .
Of course it's a multi day job . But , it works for them .
The only thing other than belts and blades has been a fluid change in the trans .
He even got it used for around $1000 .
John

LBrown59 · Mar 28, 2005

I mowed 2.33 acres for about 20 years with an eight and one quarter horsepower Bolens with a 38 inch deck on it.

GerardC · Mar 28, 2005

( I mowed 2.33 acres for about 20 years with an eight and one quarter horsepower Bolens with a 38 inch deck on it. )

And I bet it worked like a charm for you. GeraRd

LBrown59 · Mar 28, 2005

( ( I mowed 2.33 acres for about 20 years with an eight and one quarter horsepower Bolens with a 38 inch deck on it. )

And I bet it worked like a charm for you. GeraRd )
========
Well for 728 bucks I can't complaine.
It sure beat the socks off the power craft lemon I bought in 1995 for almost twice as much money.

fish_wisperer · Mar 28, 2005

shoot, my wife mows around a 2 acre pond and 4 or 5 acres around the house with a stanley 17.5 hp, it was 1500 from walmart. she has even mowed the whole 22 acres a couple times but it usually gets bailed.

1962 · Apr 2, 2005

if your trying to cut down your mowing time you could use a tow behind self-powered mower. it would attach to your lawn tractor, and offset to one side. you could also put it behind a quad(4-wheeler) too. if you had one with a 48" deck, and your simplicity is 38" you could cut a 7 foot swath with each pass. that would cut your mowing time in half..
or if you want another tractor, a used wheel horse with a large deck would be alot less $$ and is a quality machine for lawn & garden work. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

fouracres · Apr 2, 2005

Most of the "box store" mowers will do fine, for a few years. We have used a 1995 Saber by John Deere with 16hp and a 46" deck as our primary mower. This was a $2000 mower that we bought when we moved into our 5 acre, 4 acres of grass home. Mower has ~ 800 to 1000 hours, just take care of them.

Takes 3+ hours to mow the yard. Get the widest deck you can afford that will STILL fit through gates and between trees.

Best to buy from A DEALER!

If you go the intro mower route (John Deere L Series or Cub Cadet), you might want to start saving now for what you should have bought.

These mowers will last for many years, the only problem is that they are cheaper for a reason. Quality is lacking and they get old after 5 years. Don't get me wrong, they will still mow but cheap part problems start to rear their ugly heads.

Doug_Myerscough · May 14, 2005

We keep a little over 3 acres mowed and for a while did it with a riding lawn mower (about $1800) - the maintenance was a nightmare. Every month or so something would wear out - we went through 3 $1800 mowers in five years plus quite a bit more money in parts and repairs. If your land is perfectly smooth and you a very easy on the mower you can do it but from my experience you are better off getting a small tractor that can last you twenty years and do a lot more than just mow your yard.