I have no idea what to buy

[dglambert]

I've got a little over an acre and a half, and I appreciate the suggestions for a ZTR. For myself, the bigger lot came with a bigger driveway, so I appreciate being able to plow, plus I'm always towing a cart or aerator or something around the yard, so I wound up with a garden tractor. Made a mistake early on with a cheap JD with a junk transmission, so kudos for doing a little research before diving in.

 

[jrootham]

Hey:

I am buying a property with about 1.8 acres of grass. This is my first time owning this much grass to mow and first time buying a ride on mower. Can anyone give me some directions on what the market looks like out there? What brand is garbage? Which is really high end but way overpriced? I live in SW Michigan which has a moderate amount of snow as well and the property is flat. Any direction is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Matt

I mow 2.5 acres with a Cub Cadet xt2, about 4 years old. Paid a little under 2000 for it. Doesn’t need power steering, very easy. Not zero turn but really sharp turns. Mine is 50” and does a fast good looking job. As usual whatever brand you choose buy from a good dealer.

 

[RoyJackson]

Guess I'm done with this thread

 

[JWR]

I have one as well and would absolutely recommend to to anyone. Hands down a better system than zero turns with two drive handles, I will never go back to that.

Looks macho, looks good. But it really is a 2WD lawn tractor without a universal 3pt hitch and without any chance of a loader. Whatever works best for each of us...

 

[JWR]

Guess I'm done with this thread

Yeah, good decision. After 93 posts and no involvement by the OP it is wandering.

 

[OzarkChris]

Hey:

I am buying a property with about 1.8 acres of grass. This is my first time owning this much grass to mow and first time buying a ride on mower. Can anyone give me some directions on what the market looks like out there? What brand is garbage? Which is really high end but way overpriced? I live in SW Michigan which has a moderate amount of snow as well and the property is flat. Any direction is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Matt

I agree with most of the other posts stating that a zero turn mower is really all you need. Some even have snow blower attachments since you are up north. Personally, I really like Bad Boy ZT's. Two reasons, first the factory is close by, and second, they offer a 25% discount for Vets (I'll go out of my way to support a company that supports those of us currently/previously in the military)! These are tough, heavy duty rigs, which helps

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

Looks macho, looks good. But it really is a 2WD lawn tractor without a universal 3pt hitch and without any chance of a loader. Whatever works best for each of us...

what are you talking about? Loader on a mower??

 

[Johno Geo]

Hey:

I am buying a property with about 1.8 acres of grass. This is my first time owning this much grass to mow and first time buying a ride on mower. Can anyone give me some directions on what the market looks like out there? What brand is garbage? Which is really high end but way overpriced? I live in SW Michigan which has a moderate amount of snow as well and the property is flat. Any direction is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Matt

When I bought my rural "Summer Home I know I needed a tractor. (1990).with a 750ft gravel driveway , even with 4WD, I knew I needed to plow with the Wisconsin Winters. I looked at IH Case but was afraid they would go out of business.
Kubota was big in the compact market even then, but I wanted to "Buy American" The Ford dealer told me Ford was making tractors for a hundred years. JD was expensive and in that size were made like Garden Tractors with the engine and trans bolted to a bent metal frame. The Ford was Built like a real tractor and the engine and trans were the frame.
The dealer was great, so I bought a 1520, 3 cylinder Diesel with a loader(Woods) and a Woods Finish mower (60RM3).
When I got it back to my property I saw it was "MADE IN Japan". I was furious, and the dealer said "Assembled in the USA". not the same thing. Turns out the diesel is made in Italy.
Fast forward to 2022. the Ford is like new! Never a problem and I maintained it regularly, by the book.
(I bought a Hydro so the wife could mow......lol.. you know that never happened).
As I bought more property that needed to be cleared, I needed a larger tractor so of course I bough a Ford which was then NH and now it is "CNH".
Perfect, high quality machines..... In summary I would buy one of the big brands with the local dealership that conveyed the most confidence. A tractor has much more utility than a zero turn mower.
Good luck.
John G

 

[Williy]

To save money on machine and gas & oil just
get the sheep.

Here's a nice set https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/192118491/2022-ls-mt122-less-than-40-hp-tractors

willy

 

[JWR]

what are you talking about? Loader on a mower??

I was commenting that the ZT pictured on post #87's attached picture (like all ZTs) lacks a 3pt hitch & PTO and has no loader. Pointing out that the ZT may mow well , but it lacks the versatility of compact or subcompact tractor. Essentially the same point Geo makes at the bottom of post #98.