Info on a new riding mower

[tile]

Hi guys.

I will be looking for a riding mower soon we have 10 acres but only 6 are mowed
with my big kubota.

But there is about 18,000 to 20,000 sf thats around the house thats St. augustine and we have been using a push mower for that over the last 4 yrs and I am at point now where I would like a good riding mower for this work.

I want a mower thats going to last for years to come and not fall apart.

Our house dose setup about 6' higher then the field.
And also 99% of the mowing is in the open just a few flower beds to go around.
So whats the best buy for the money out there now.

Looking to stay in the $2,000 to 3,000 range or cheaper if I can get buy.

Thanks
Ron.

 

[EddieWalker]

My Father in Law is going through the same thing, except with a much smaller budget. He doesn't want to spend anything, so it's making it interesting to find him a mower.

From all the searches and resarch that we've been doing over the last few months, all the residential mowers are junk. For what you plan to spend, you should be able to get a commercial rated mower, though probably not a zero turn.

Right now, we're of the opinion that Craftsman is about as good as all the others and about $500 less them most of them with the same engine and deck size. More then likely, he's going to buy the Craftsman.

In your situation, I'd also consider buying a decent Craftsman for a grand to $1,200 and expcet to replace it in ten years with another brand new mower. If you spend twice that amount, or even three times that amount, you will still have a ten year old mower when you could be buying a brand new one in a decade and still be money ahead.

Eddie

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Eddie, Tile, go to craigslist, ebay, or where ever and try to find a decent Snapper rear engine rider. They aren't the fastest, tightest turning or even cheapest but they are very durable. There are only 3 items that may need replacement or repair. The blade, belt, and the drive disk. Of course the rest of the rider needs to be in decent condition but they are fairly bullet proof and even Forrest Gump couldn't tear one up... Blades are about $20, belt and drive disk kit= $29.

I recommend the high vac model if you are particular about the quality of the cut or the regular deck if you let your grass get high and need to evacuate a bunch of grass.

With a small amount of mechanical skill, you can cut for decades for a very small amount of $$$.

A 10 hp model will do most everything well. I think I've seen up to 17 Hp on them nowadays. Good luck.

Look underneath them at the drive axle to make sure the "accordian" style boots are not torn or split. It is about a 2-3 hour job to replace them, but more importantly, how long was it used with them tore up if they are torn.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I second the idea of a Snapper rear engine rider mower. You are only cutting 1/2 an acre, and the Snapper will do that for many years. It's not unusual to find these still running fine over 20 years old. It's a decades proven design. Not much good for anyhting besides cutting grass, so if you want to pull an airator, plow snow, or till a garden these are not the machine to get, but it will cut grass very well.

 

[Bird]

If you do not intend to use a bagger, you can get this Toro ZTR within your budget. I used to have the same thing with a smaller engine and 38" cut and thought it was just great. But I also used to have a Craftsman, and agree with Eddie. You can buy one of them much cheaper, and if reasonably cared for, it'll last a long time.

 

[tile]

Thanks for all the info.

Going to do some reading up on some mowers and pick one to buy.
I like the Snapper & the Craftsman so its a toss up now.

Ron.

 

[Shantycoke]

Hi Ron,
I pretty much had the same situation as you last year. I cut about a 4-5 acre yard with a Kubota B7800, and needed something for closer to the house. I went out and got a Kubota T1570. Has a little 15 hp Kohler engine on it and it cuts like a dream. Quiet too. You should be able to get a brand new one in your price range. Mine was $2499.00, but I'm a friend of the dealer. I believe it listed for around $2900.00. A word of warning, my (extremely tight) mother-in-law needed a new riding mower for her 1 acre yard. She went to Lowes and got a John Deere LA 115 about a month ago. I was the one to pick it up for her, and the salesman there (another friend) told me that the JD's and Husqvarnas that they sell there are junk, and they get a lot of returns.The Husqvarnas more than the JD's. He also said if I wanted a lawn tractor that would last, go get a Kubota. Of course, I already knew that, but all she saw was the $1000.00 savings. So we'll see how this works out. I'm the one who will be taking care of her tractor, since my FIL has passed on, so I hope there is no trouble with it.
Best of luck,
Pat