If you were buying a lawn tractor what would you get?

[General Lee]

What about a 3pt finish mower for the 'bota? You could get a 72" for about $2300 and not have to mess with changing oil in yet another engine, hauling gas, ect.

I do have a 3pt finish mower for the bota but the areas I mow are to tight (some fenced in) to mow with the beast.

I've been looking for some used JD mowers. I'd like to find a 4xx series diesel in the 3K range.

 

[gengine]

I think I like the $150 yard sale rider mowers. Sure, they might need a little work, but my last one has lasts 4 years with nothing more then general maintenance. The one before that, about three years, also with maintenance and a new muffler.

 

[gengine]

Oh, and a tire on that first one.

 

[Oaktree]

I think I like the $150 yard sale rider mowers. Sure, they might need a little work, but my last one has lasts 4 years with nothing more then general maintenance. The one before that, about three years, also with maintenance and a new muffler.

I'll second that. I found my present one at the dump/transfer station. Wouldn't start. Ignition switch was bad...kludged a toggle switch and a push button, works just fine. Going on my 4th year with it.

 

[brin]

I was at Home Depot a few years ago and needed a new mower..I had a Craftsman 46" 18 HP mower that died on me...after only a few yrs. I bought a brand new Murray Mower with a 46 inch cut and a 22 HP biggs engine and I have had not one problem with it except to change the blades and oil as well as the air filter...paid $999.00 on Sale...So don't write of Big Box store mowers...mine has been great since 2000.

 

[laurelrun]

+1 on finding a good used mower / tractor. If you can find one, I swear by my JD LX188. Several other similar models with basically only the engine being different (LX188 - Liquid Cooled Kawasaki 17hp, LX178 Air Cooled 18hp, LX177 and LX173 smaller engines). They are a snap to maintain and use and I beat the heck out of mine with nearly zero problems. If mine ever gives up the ghost, I plan to find another of similar agea ASAP. Also they're a little smaller and more maneuverable than the average garden tractor. More of a subcompact Garden Tractor.

 

[murphy1244]

Try Simplicity, Nothing cuts like it and nothing ever will.

 

[General Lee]

If I were to choose a brand from Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc.....which brand would be better? Craftsman, JD, Yardman, MTD? I don't think the JD at home depot are the same quality as from a reputable dealer.

 

[aczlan]

I don't think the JD at home depot are the same quality as from a reputable dealer.

With Deere, if the model number matches, it is the same machine. Cub Cadet has started (this year) offering a slightly better machine to dealers for ~$75 more than the ones at the big box stores.

Aaron Z

 

[RJD2516]

For that size lawn, just about any riding mower would work. Couple of questions though. Do you bag the clippings? Big consideration here. I have an old sears model something or either. It runs great after 10 years (Kohler engine), but it does not bag well. Constantly jams up. My hands are green every saturday morning from pulling clippings out of the shoot.

Also, size is important. The smaller the mower the better the turning. My craftsman 18 hp turns much better than my neighbors 24 hp craftsman. Both cut ok.

I like the yard sale idea. Or craigslist. Good riding mower should be no more than 500 bucks. That's what they go for around here.