Lawnmower Blues

[SAABseanSCANIA]

Hey gang,

I'm a long term reader and I've got some good info over the years so I figured I'd come here for some like-minded advice.

My JD LA105 box-store-special is still cutting but has seen better days. The deck is worn out to where I'm not sure it's worth me even dropping it to repair. For a Lowe's base model purchased new for around 850 bucks, it gave me 12 years of service and I was NOT nice to it. I can't complain, it's done it's job. I will keep it for the back areas.

I'm just Johnny Homeowner with a couple acres. My lawnmower mows and bags undesirable material from the lawn....that's it. If I replace the LA105, it's replacement will mow a lawn and hold a beer. I have a couple neat old garden tractors (none with a deck though) to tow the little lawn implements and an older JD 4200 to pull and pick things up. I need nothing more than a quality mow from a solid feeling machine. I'd love hydro because I have grades, that's about my only preference.

Do you recommend I just give the box store route another go or do you think i'd be better off with something else of higher quality? If I did the box store route, I'd go higher in the model range at least to get a hydro and a better deck. I love the idea of a quality model like an older GT or modern X, but I can't justify the added price of a little tractor with big capabilities, or the even price of a new X300. I like quality, and the decks on the real JDs are a LOT better, but a beefed up frame and axle just isn't a need, so at least on a new model I'm spending on features I don't need. I just need to mow and feel good doing it!

(not at all dedicated to Deere in this category either, all input welcome)

 

[Diggin It]

I'd love hydro because I have grades,

Steep grades eat box store hydros for lunch. Ask me how I know.

But how many grades and how steep makes a big difference. Mine are almost too steep to walk up or down. They're steep enough that I had to put chains on the rear wheels to keep from sliding downhill. I can mow them with my cheap hydros, but only a few passes each time before I have to park and let the trans cool.

 

[Cruiserdog]

Sounds like you’re a good candidate for one of the SCUT’s (BX Kubota, Mahindra Max or similar). They will be significantly more machine than anything the box stores sell, but will handle your grades safer and easily. They will hold the ground better AND they will have a ROPS to protect you if you get in over your head.

 

[big bubba]

this is why i have 2 zero turns, a rider & walk behind for my 3 pond dam slopes. the walk behind solved the problem. but realize there are many who only want a rider for all of the mowing. i never was comfortable on steep slopes on my rider zero turn. plus it tears up the turf a lot of the time. good luck & be safe

Hydro Drive Walk-Behind Mowers - Encore

 

[shovelmike]

I bought my sub compact tractor for the loader and bought a used finish mower for occasional mowing, but it's a major pain to mow with compared to a zero turn radius mower. I recommend going the extra money for a commercial grade zero turn, the deck will be fabricated from heavy gage steel and the whole machine is built to take abuse. I have 15 years of heavy use on my Hustler, and it's as good as new.

 

[fried1765]

Hey gang,

I'm a long term reader and I've got some good info over the years so I figured I'd come here for some like-minded advice.

My JD LA105 box-store-special is still cutting but has seen better days. The deck is worn out to where I'm not sure it's worth me even dropping it to repair. For a Lowe's base model purchased new for around 850 bucks, it gave me 12 years of service and I was NOT nice to it. I can't complain, it's done it's job. I will keep it for the back areas.

I'm just Johnny Homeowner with a couple acres. My lawnmower mows and bags undesirable material from the lawn....that's it. If I replace the LA105, it's replacement will mow a lawn and hold a beer. I have a couple neat old garden tractors (none with a deck though) to tow the little lawn implements and an older JD 4200 to pull and pick things up. I need nothing more than a quality mow from a solid feeling machine. I'd love hydro because I have grades, that's about my only preference.

Do you recommend I just give the box store route another go or do you think i'd be better off with something else of higher quality? If I did the box store route, I'd go higher in the model range at least to get a hydro and a better deck. I love the idea of a quality model like an older GT or modern X, but I can't justify the added price of a little tractor with big capabilities, or the even price of a new X300. I like quality, and the decks on the real JDs are a LOT better, but a beefed up frame and axle just isn't a need, so at least on a new model I'm spending on features I don't need. I just need to mow and feel good doing it!

(not at all dedicated to Deere in this category either, all input welcome)

If you are less than 70 years old, buy a high quality mower!
If you are 70 or older, buy a big box hydro JD.

 

[i7win7]

the back areas.

I'm just Johnny Homeowner with a couple acres. I have a couple neat old garden tractors (none with a deck though) to tow the little lawn implements and an older JD 4200 to pull and pick things up.
/QUOTE]

Have you considered a 3pt finish mower? $1500-$2000 price range. All grease fittings readily available. May need to add wide angle mirrors to tractor.

 

[Citydude]

If you are less than 70 years old, buy a high quality mower!
If you are 70 or older, buy a big box hydro JD.

As funny as this sounds, it’s what I would do.

I have an LA125 JD I bought at Home Depot 11 years ago and it’s never given me a problem. My plan if it fails, but another.

 

[finn1]

Get a ztr for mowing.

If you insist on a rider, just get another box store unit. Your Deere cos less than $100/year. That’s a pretty good investment.

 

[SAABseanSCANIA]

Thanks for the replies gang. I threw a new battery I had on the shelf in the box store bandit and treated the mower deck to a sledge hammer massage, so it's back cutting again. I'm still going to replace it but now I have plenty of time to make a decision or wait for a sale.

Steep grades eat box store hydros for lunch. Ask me how I know.

But how many grades and how steep makes a big difference. Mine are almost too steep to walk up or down. They're steep enough that I had to put chains on the rear wheels to keep from sliding downhill. I can mow them with my cheap hydros, but only a few passes each time before I have to park and let the trans cool.

Well, I actually don't have much grades but around a couple of my garden beds I do have some where stopping or slowing would be easier on a hydro. It certainly sounds to be less that your situation.

Sounds like you’re a good candidate for one of the SCUT’s (BX Kubota, Mahindra Max or similar). They will be significantly more machine than anything the box stores sell, but will handle your grades safer and easily. They will hold the ground better AND they will have a ROPS to protect you if you get in over your head.

I have a JD 4200, I don't need a subcompact. Plus a BX kubota has 2 figures before the comma in the price. I think we're talking apples to firetrucks. Plus, I'm not spending anywhere in the same universe as a SC tractor's pricing.

this is why i have 2 zero turns, a rider & walk behind for my 3 pond dam slopes. the walk behind solved the problem. but realize there are many who only want a rider for all of the mowing. i never was comfortable on steep slopes on my rider zero turn. plus it tears up the turf a lot of the time. good luck & be safe

I agree on the ZTR where not feeling 100% confident on the hills, but I don't have a lot of seat time on them either.

I bought my sub compact tractor for the loader and bought a used finish mower for occasional mowing, but it's a major pain to mow with compared to a zero turn radius mower. I recommend going the extra money for a commercial grade zero turn, the deck will be fabricated from heavy gage steel and the whole machine is built to take abuse. I have 15 years of heavy use on my Hustler, and it's as good as new.

In the family we have a big newer Gravely ZTR sitting dormant (sold the house) that I've been offered but it's a 60+" machine one and the space I have dedicated to "lawnmower" storage isn't going to fit a big unit like that. That and a ZTR will take serious getting used to, I've run it and it's just weird having nothing in front of me.

As funny as this sounds, it’s what I would do.

I have an LA125 JD I bought at Home Depot 11 years ago and it’s never given me a problem. My plan if it fails, but another.

I can't knock this. My LA105 purchased at veteran's day 2008 sale is still kickin'. It's a major POS by all means, but it does it's functions it was sold to do.

the back areas.

I'm just Johnny Homeowner with a couple acres. I have a couple neat old garden tractors (none with a deck though) to tow the little lawn implements and an older JD 4200 to pull and pick things up.
/QUOTE]

Have you considered a 3pt finish mower? $1500-$2000 price range. All grease fittings readily available. May need to add wide angle mirrors to tractor.

I have and I tried a neighbors. This was my grand plan for another toy to buy and it didn't work on me (glad I didn't purchase). The areas are too tight for a finish and even too tight for the mid-PTO deck.

If you are less than 70 years old, buy a high quality mower!
If you are 70 or older, buy a big box hydro JD.

I'm in my 30's and not sure what that means haha. We're budget people who love our toys, but a lawnmower doesn't float or have 100s of horsepower, so it's not a toy. Even if I purchased a new X5XX I would still be looking to replace it after 10-15 years because I'm still an irrational person that just needs new things every now and then (honesty). The box store base model made it 12 years for 850 bucks.

Get a ztr for mowing.

If you insist on a rider, just get another box store unit. Your Deere cos less than $100/year. That’s a pretty good investment.

$71/per year plus the maintenance box! I'd like to try out a small (to fit places and fit in my storage area) ZTR and see how I like it. I know the large one we have in the family is a storage issue and I think would be too much for some of the tight squeezes I have.

 

[kthompson]

Only grades we have are slopes on pond or ditches. Have 72 inch rear finishing mower have used with tractor a good bit and it does decent job. Have two ztr mowers and they are faster than a tractor style mower or those I know and have their advantage but also negatives. Wet slopes stay off of them. The side yard of my inlaws is a natural slope that is often wet to a small branch. It has been pulled back up it more than once. Cutting sides ways on a slope you have to realize the front wheels are like those on a shopping cart, they go with the card or mower. No steering to them of any kind. It is the rear wheels that do all the driving and steering. So if you want to turn right the, the right rear wheel must slow down which means it is now throwing most if not all pulling on the left rear wheel. On dry slope no issue so far, damp one maybe or may need a tow.

However my rear finish mower of 72 inches is a Bushog brand as is our 52 smallest ZTR. 20 inches difference in width and use same deck design and spindles. Our yard is about 2 acres to be mowed with three buildings and variety of flower beds and trees. It took 2 hours with the finishing mower of 72 inches and the 52 inch ztr cut it in 1 1/2 hours with less trimming needed. String trimmer now is mostly for ditch use only now. The Bushhog ZTR is their middle of the line one now with a 20 hp Kohler motor. Just a basic ztr. About four years back bought a Ferris 61 inch with full spring and shock suspension and it cut the time down to just over an hour. It ought to. It has 37 hp Kawasaki. Great ride...about like a recliner, well okay better. It runs about 11 mph I think and it loves to run that fast, cut grass and drink ethanol free gas.

On ztr mower pay attention to the tire diameter, if you go that way they are running faster than again all tractor styles I have seen and the bigger the tires the smoother the ride. If you are happy with your tractor style then I would stay with it for the price you are saying they are and if the time to cut the grass suits you and how tight they turn.

 

[nards444]

how much do you actually mow. People say I have 2 acres but forget to minus house, driveway, woods, etc. With that said I was on year 7 of mowing almost two acres and yes I used map tools to figure it out. I took me over just an hour to do it on a box store zero turn that I had 2300 into. Could go out and spend 2-3 times that but not sure what upgrade I would have seen. zero turns are the cat behind, no better way to mow. But to me the big pricey ztrs are for commerical or guys that have maybe over 3 acres of mowable grass. Anything two and under not sure you get the advantage with the extra cheese you spent. Fast forward to today, just planting grass at house i built, its almost 4 acres of mowable, and going to give the box store ztr a test, but have a feeling I will have to upgrade.

 

[crazyal]

More importantly what's your budget? A Sub compact is out, got that. Are we talking $1000 or up to $5000? If $1000 then you are either going to be buying used or a budget box store model. I don't know if they still sell it but I have a MTD "super bronco" from 2006 that is like a hydro but it uses a reeves drive (like a snow machine). So when it starts to slip you replace a belt and are good to go again. With a little time you can usually find a low hour mower with a good transaxle (vs the cheap one that comes in the budget tractors). What you look for is the rear wheels having 4 or 5 bolts or lug nuts like a car, not the single bolt in the axle with a washer to hold the wheel.