Lawn Tractor - JD vs Craftsman
- Thread starter GaryS
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LBrown59
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- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
I"ve seen as high as $3000 on some of the Box Store low end tin lawn tractors.war_eagle said:
I got a New CC gt2500 last year for $3500.
I know I got luicky but it was a steal compared to a $3000 Box Store throw away.
So if 2 acres is kind of a rough cut off, what about the vast majority of us who live on less than half of that? I accept your statement that a better machine is needed for the larger jobs or for commercial work, but what 'bout those of us with a half acre? Are the entry level tractors so bad, they won't even stand up to small yards? Just wondering since my advancing years may soon require me to quit pushing a mower and ride one, and I see all my neighbors on JD 100's, MTD's and Craftsman, and they all seem happy enough.
For entry level, I don't think there is anything wrong with an entry level mower.
If you have simple needs, get the simple mower.
If you want it to last 10 years and it does, be happy.
If you want it to last 20 and it only last 10, also realize you bought a 10 year mower and not a 20 year mower and accept that.
It is just economics and people need to do what they feel is best.
I used to have this argument with my wife until I proved it in a way she could understand. She loves to hike. So I took up mountain hiking with her. She had cheapo hikers and I went out and bought LLBean Cresta's (15 years ago) for $115. In the 15 years since she has gone through 5 pairs of $50 boots ($250.00), while I can still wear my higher end boots. (I had the soles replaced once for $30.00). My overall cost, $145. Hers, $250.
BUT.... I felt I could afford more up front and she feels better spending $50 bucks every few years.
Now she sees the savings, even though she still makes the same choice.
She DOES let ME spend more up front now if I feel I can afford it because it proved itself out in her eyes.
I try to buy as much quality as I can.
For me, that means buying used higher end equipment for this type of item.
Hence, I spent $1800 on a 5 year old tractor instead of $1800 on a new one.
It might look like I got the worse of the deal, but the reality is the machine I bought should be expected to last more hours than as a new mower (at the same current year cost) and is very low hours and has a very high transmission rating. I spent more up front, but will spend less in the long run.
If you have simple needs, get the simple mower.
If you want it to last 10 years and it does, be happy.
If you want it to last 20 and it only last 10, also realize you bought a 10 year mower and not a 20 year mower and accept that.
It is just economics and people need to do what they feel is best.
I used to have this argument with my wife until I proved it in a way she could understand. She loves to hike. So I took up mountain hiking with her. She had cheapo hikers and I went out and bought LLBean Cresta's (15 years ago) for $115. In the 15 years since she has gone through 5 pairs of $50 boots ($250.00), while I can still wear my higher end boots. (I had the soles replaced once for $30.00). My overall cost, $145. Hers, $250.
BUT.... I felt I could afford more up front and she feels better spending $50 bucks every few years.
Now she sees the savings, even though she still makes the same choice.
She DOES let ME spend more up front now if I feel I can afford it because it proved itself out in her eyes.
I try to buy as much quality as I can.
For me, that means buying used higher end equipment for this type of item.
Hence, I spent $1800 on a 5 year old tractor instead of $1800 on a new one.
It might look like I got the worse of the deal, but the reality is the machine I bought should be expected to last more hours than as a new mower (at the same current year cost) and is very low hours and has a very high transmission rating. I spent more up front, but will spend less in the long run.
Last edited:
skidoo
Gold Member
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- Location
- Montana - Growing Zone 5
- Tractor
- JD 2520, JD X749, JD110TLB
In late 1991, I purchased 8 acres and in 1992, I purchased a Craftsman 12.5 HP gold lawn tractor and a snow blade. Only about an acre of the land was previously being mowed. It did fine on the level, relatively smooth ground.
But, I wanted to expand some area on the south sloping land for a garden. So, I used it as a brush cutter. It did the job but it sounded like a chipper. Shortly thereafter, the rear axle housing cracked. Fortunately, it was relatively new and Sears sent out a repairman to replace the parts under warranty.
That winter and each thereafter, I used it to plow snow on a 1,000 ft long hill of a driveway. I got chains and left them on all year. It took a lot of time to plow the driveway, but I was determined to do it myself. As snow got deeper, there were areas where the only way I could move the banks was to lift the blade part way, get momentum and plow full speed into the bank. Once the top moved, I would then lower the blade and get more runs at it. Eventually, it worked enough for a clear drive and parking area. But, it did take a lot of time.
After the second year, it developed cracks in the frame, so I had a friend weld some bars on the frame to shore it up. it wasn't a very good weld and it went another season before I had enough and was able to upgrade.
For the upgrade, budget was fairly tight, but I needed something more durable. So, I looked more closely at the axle housings and transmissions. I went with a Toro Garden tractor 520H. It has cast iron axle housings and a Hydro transmisssion. It was significantly heavier than the Craftsman and claimed to have "no tool" attachments. I bought it with a snow blower, tiller, mid mount grader blade, and a 48" deck. This worked great! The next season, we had a record snowfall and was glad to have the blower. But, it wasn't perfect because it was prone to picking up big rocks that grow on the drive. After repairing impeller damage too often, and getting covered with snow when blowing, I decided to add a front blade. I was happier with the blade and put away the blower since. The Toro was big enough that I could just move the snow without getting a running start at it.
So, the Toro worked fine for the next decade and we used Craftsman for a few more years just for mowing in addition to the Toro. Two people mowing cut the time... The Craftsman finally gave up and is now sitting in the barn with flat tires.
After 10 years, I grew tired of the PIA "no tools" attachment system that seemed to take me several hours to do and purchased a JD 2520. Since getting the JD 2520 in 2005, the Toro is now only used for mowing and maybe tilling. But, I'm also tired of the column "go" handle. So, it is being downgraded to backup and shared mowing time in favor of a new JD with the foot pedals.
The Craftsman did what I needed it to do at the time on a very tight budget. It wasn't pretty and had limitations of which I exceeded often. I sure wish I had the bigger equipment back then. Of course, if I only had perhaps up to an acre of the flat grassy area to just maintain, it could have lasted perhaps to today with a little maintenance here and there.
But, I wanted to expand some area on the south sloping land for a garden. So, I used it as a brush cutter. It did the job but it sounded like a chipper. Shortly thereafter, the rear axle housing cracked. Fortunately, it was relatively new and Sears sent out a repairman to replace the parts under warranty.
That winter and each thereafter, I used it to plow snow on a 1,000 ft long hill of a driveway. I got chains and left them on all year. It took a lot of time to plow the driveway, but I was determined to do it myself. As snow got deeper, there were areas where the only way I could move the banks was to lift the blade part way, get momentum and plow full speed into the bank. Once the top moved, I would then lower the blade and get more runs at it. Eventually, it worked enough for a clear drive and parking area. But, it did take a lot of time.
After the second year, it developed cracks in the frame, so I had a friend weld some bars on the frame to shore it up. it wasn't a very good weld and it went another season before I had enough and was able to upgrade.
For the upgrade, budget was fairly tight, but I needed something more durable. So, I looked more closely at the axle housings and transmissions. I went with a Toro Garden tractor 520H. It has cast iron axle housings and a Hydro transmisssion. It was significantly heavier than the Craftsman and claimed to have "no tool" attachments. I bought it with a snow blower, tiller, mid mount grader blade, and a 48" deck. This worked great! The next season, we had a record snowfall and was glad to have the blower. But, it wasn't perfect because it was prone to picking up big rocks that grow on the drive. After repairing impeller damage too often, and getting covered with snow when blowing, I decided to add a front blade. I was happier with the blade and put away the blower since. The Toro was big enough that I could just move the snow without getting a running start at it.
So, the Toro worked fine for the next decade and we used Craftsman for a few more years just for mowing in addition to the Toro. Two people mowing cut the time... The Craftsman finally gave up and is now sitting in the barn with flat tires.
After 10 years, I grew tired of the PIA "no tools" attachment system that seemed to take me several hours to do and purchased a JD 2520. Since getting the JD 2520 in 2005, the Toro is now only used for mowing and maybe tilling. But, I'm also tired of the column "go" handle. So, it is being downgraded to backup and shared mowing time in favor of a new JD with the foot pedals.
The Craftsman did what I needed it to do at the time on a very tight budget. It wasn't pretty and had limitations of which I exceeded often. I sure wish I had the bigger equipment back then. Of course, if I only had perhaps up to an acre of the flat grassy area to just maintain, it could have lasted perhaps to today with a little maintenance here and there.
WayneB
Elite Member
I just don't understand why you just don't bite the bullet and by a finish mower to go on your MF 1428 tractor. I cannot see anyone mowing 8 acres with a lawn tractor unless that is all you wish to do everyweek.
I mow around 4 acres of field with my Kubota and it takes me about two hours if I had to do it with my JD lawn tractor it would take two days.
Buy a woods finish mower and you will be a happy tractor owner
I mow around 4 acres of field with my Kubota and it takes me about two hours if I had to do it with my JD lawn tractor it would take two days.
Buy a woods finish mower and you will be a happy tractor owner
Shantycoke
Silver Member
Some JD's I believe are built by MTD, which is translated to junk. If you do buy a J.D, at least get it from a dealer, not a Lowes or any other box store.GaryS said:
I think a JD from JD would be your best bet over a Craftsman. My buddy has a JD from the dealer, and it's pretty well torn up. He's burned mower deck belts with it from the get-go, and the dealer wouldn't cover replacement belts. Local dealer said that it's not meant to cut more than a yard, hence the name yard tractor, and not acreage. So shop carefully, better to buy a little too big and be happy with it than to buy too small and have to get another in a few years. My own opinion from experience and from the mistakes of others, go Kubota.
CCinCT
Gold Member
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- Mar 9, 2006
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MTD does not make any tractor for JD.Shantycoke said:
LBrown59
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- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
Shanty Coke is not the only 1 wrong on this . somebody else posted the same thing awhile back.CCinCT said:
Is there a guide or has someone compiled a DEPENDABLE source telling which machines are made by the same company that brands them and which are contracted out? So much is contracted out these days that there should be a law requiring manufacturers of all products (not just tractors) to state if they make the product or if it is contracted to another manufacturer.