JD L130 vs 2 Craftsman Lawn Tractors (buying)

[baxsie]

I’m looking to finally buy a new mower.

History:

2 acres, hobby farm in Washington state near Spokane. I have had a 14.5HP MTD riding mower for about 7 years. It has a carburetor problem (float valve does not shut off completely and fills the crank case with gas /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ) and I got the front metal work hung up on a stake and broken pretty badly.

I do not like mowing (allergies), so I tend to let the pasture grow pretty high before I knock it down. With the (non-automatic, belt-clutch drive) of the MTD, large parts of the pasture could only be mowed by repeatedly inching forward 6" to a foot, which would bog it down, then stopping until it cleared. Or I could take about a 1' swath in 1st gear. Unlike the consensus in the HP thread, I could easily stall the 14.5 Intek OHV Briggs even with fresh, sharp blades.

The pasture is pretty rough, and the MTD tends to get stuck in the slightest dips. One corner goes down, the opposite unloads and then the unloaded wheel is spinning. Also, if the deck goes over a rise, the belt tension is released and the blades stop (often high-centering in the bargain). I also would try to cut the grass in the highest position, but that put the least tension on the blade drive belt, and made it so the belt would slip in heavy grass if the slightest rise lifted the deck at all.

So, while I can spend a couple of days and repair the MTD, I still am going to end up with a 8-year-old riding mower that is not well suited for my situation.

Contenders:

John Deere L130

23HP Kohler V-twin, 48" Deck, $2600 at Home Depot

Craftsman 27636

25HP Kohler V-twin, 48" Deck, $2850

Craftsman 27636

24HP Briggs & Stratton V-twin, 48" Deck, $2470

(Frankly, all of these are “over-budget” for me, and I have considered something like this $1800 Craftsman 27568 riding mower, simply based on its high HP/deck width ratio. However, it has the small wheels and the deck is not free to move very much vertically before it stops against the frame.)

What I would really like is one of the lawn tractors with a 42" deck, but it seems like the smallest decks that can be had with a decent clearance tractor* style frame are the 48" wide 3-blade ones.

I am only looking at automatic transmission models, because I want to be able to creep slowly through the heavy grass without the stop/start action. I have never had an automatic, but I assume that they can move positively at a very low speed.

I did look at the Cub Cadet models, but:

1) I am frankly a bit turned off by MTD right now. Perhaps I should not be, since the old tractor went 7 years (and could probably be forced through a couple more) in conditions it was never meant for.

2) The salesman did a lot of "belts are not very good, you need shaft", yet the only CC models in my price range were belt to at least some extent.

3) The decks were not free to float up in nearly the range as the JD or Craftsman models (judged by dropping the deck down, then seeing how far I could lift it freely by hand before it hit a stop).

On the JD L130, I like that a single serpentine belt drives all three blades. The craftsman brings one belt from the mower to the one blade on the deck, and then another belt from that blade to the two others.

Also on the JD, I like the forward/reverse foot shuttle action—though I am a bit concerned about whether it might be difficult to regulate the speed. I assume their “cruise control” is meant to address keeping a constant speed.

The Craftsman I like because of the higher horsepower (yes, I am willing to bet that I can bog even a 25HP in 4-5 feet of tall, wet bunch grass). However, it is only 2HP from the largest Craftsman to the JD.

The Craftsman’s 23” wheels vs. the JD’s 22” is a plus, but like the HP, probably a small difference.

I do not know how much difference it makes in real life, but I like that the JD says 18” turning radius vs. the Craftsman 30”.

Another twist is that the local Home Depot has a “Reconditioned” L130 that looks near new for $2000. Probably a unit that someone bought and returned, but if they can give some kind of a decent warranty, I’d risk it for the $600 savings.

So what am I asking?

A) Partially just wanted to write this all down to make my criteria clear to me.

B) Is there one of the three engine choices that should be avoided or prized?

C) I know that all of these are “consumer” level mowers, but with my limited budget, I am not hopeful of finding a “commercial” rig that would do the job. However, if there is a model that is much better than one of these in the same price range, I would certainly look at it.

D) Is there one of these that has a “fatal flaw” or “perfect feature” that makes the decision a slam-dunk?

E) If you have direct experience with one of these models, can you give me your feelings?

Thank you for your time and opinions.

*I do own a diesel MF-65 (1962 vintage), and have considered a 3-pt mower for it, but it is very heavy, and much of the lawn is soggy from many springs well into mid summer. Of course the soggy area has the tallest grass /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The Massey would be up to its axels in minutes /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[BigEddy]

"4-5 feet of tall, wet bunch grass"

Personally - I don't think any of those units are going to make you happy if you intend to use them to bush-hog a pasture.

If the MF65 with bush-hog isn't an option, I suggest you look at a walk-behind bush-hog like a DR Field and Brush mower.

No lawn tractor, and certainly none of the consumer models you've mentioned, is designed to cut 4' grass, or a bumpy paddock as you are suggesting. Personally - if I intended to do that, I'd be looking at used beaters where I didn't have much into them, and I wouldn't mourn them when they disintegrated.

I just can't tell from your note if that is the extreme case, or what you typically cut.

 

[baxsie]

Thanks for your post.

That is the extreme case. We do not water (in the middle of dryland wheat country), so a lot of the upper lawn stops growing in mid-July. The lower area keeps growing though, and if I leave it it will grow that tall.

I was mainly trying to avoid a "you don't need the HP" discussion.

BigEddy wrote:
> . . . used beaters where I didn't have much
> into them, and I wouldn't mourn them when
> they disintegrated . . .

That pretty much describes my old MTD /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bontai_Joe]

If the Craftsman machines look good to you, you should be aware that the Husqvarna GTH2548 is a clone (made by the same company) with some slight upgrades. I mention this as you might score a better deal, or have a better source for service with the Husqvarna (local servicing dealer vs. box store) And you may prefer the orange color over the red /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[baxsie]

Interesting. I had not given much thought to the Husqvarna . . . I had kind of figured it was some exercise in badge engineering. I'll look around at that model.

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

You need a tractor not a mower. If the MF is too large, sell it and get the right tractor. What is the right tractor? It depends on what you want. The Kubota BX1500 could be it. A 18hp Chinese model may be right. One of the compact greys may be right. I think you need a 4wd small tractor with a 4ft hog. The hog on the back will help keep your alergies in check.

If it were me I would likely get the Kubota. You can mow more often and the more often you mow the faster you can travel. The faster you travel the less your alergies will be effected.

 

[Mith]

Have you thought about a tow behind?
Fix the front axle of your current tractor and the carb (probably just needs a new needle), buy a tow behind for $1000 or there abouts and youre swinging!
Itll be much more hard core than your tractor deck so youll be able to stick in 1st and go, no changing. Hopefully.......
I have never used one, so cant tell you how they work
Like this

PS, i have mown pastures before, 1 foot of thick grass with a 12HP 36", it wasnt particularly fun /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[baxsie]

I really appreciate the feedback you folks are giving me. Thank you.

Mith wrote:

Have you thought about a tow behind? . . .

Hmmmm, no I had not. I'll take a look. It seems like there would be the same problem with too much grass, not enough HP, but it does look like it would "float" over obstacles better.

Charlie_in_TX wrote:

You need a tractor not a mower. . .

Maybe so. The MF-65 is from my childhood, so it stays no matter what, but maybe I should take a look at something like the Kubota BX1500. The Kubota weighs in at 1200 lbs, compared to 700 for the Craftsman. Any idea of about what that Kubota costs?

For reference, here is a pic take this morning of the lower part of the pasture. The grass is just starting to come on. If let go, the whole area behind the boy will get the tall grass in it (you can see some of last year's near the road just behind him,

 

[BigEddy]

Having seen it, I repeat - that is not lawn tractor territory. At least not without regular mowing and some levelling and drainage work.

Take a look at some older 4wd Kubota's - B7100 or similar. You should be able to get something in the same price range, and it will far outlast any of the machines you are looking at. And will be much better quality than your old MTD.

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> Frankly, all of these are “over-budget” for me </font>

<font color="blue"> Any idea of about what that Kubota costs? </font>

I'd say about 5 times what your looking to spend.