Looking for a lawnmower/garden tractor in the just-better-than-box-store range

radios1 · Sep 5, 2019

5030 said:
We have 2 Cubs. I have an M60 Tank which isn't cheap and my wife has an RZT 38" zero turn rider. Her's has a Kohler Courage 21 horse and mine has a Kawasaki 26 horse. Both are good, I think the Kaw is a bit better. I have 700 hours on my tank and have no issues but an ocassional drive belt. She has about 100 hours in her's and I've replaced nothing so far.

Engines are generic. What is important are the transaxles and transmissions. I'm a Hydro-Gear person 100%. 99% of the commercial units use Hydro-Gear no matter what brand and so are both the cubs we have. No issues with either units transmissions. Mine actually has filters on each unit, my wife's don't. You get into transaxle issues, the bucks mount up real fast. Husky might make a good chain saw but mowers, I prefer a Cub. Have one of their tillers too. It's also bulletproof.

Love to have a Kubota in as much as I have 2 large Kubota tractors for farming but mowing the lawn, a Kubota is way too expensive.

the M60 tank is very nice, but I don't see how it could be used to cut grass, unless you use a tow behind mower on it.. M6 Patton - Wikipedia

buickanddeere · Sep 6, 2019

First that I have ever seen or heard of such sacrilege.

buickanddeere · Sep 6, 2019

In the Deere line the X380 and up use a medium duty transmission. Anything below that model is a light duty toy.

Topcat14 · Sep 7, 2019

Get yourself a quality yard tractor and be done with it. The Husqvarna line looks appealing- but the late models units have known problems with weak frames and the steering mechanism stink. Get a least a John Deere X380, preferably an x570 or higher- feel pain once and be set for next 20/25 years

melehundele · Sep 18, 2019

Well, decided to bite the bullet and take the advice of many on here. Yesterday I took delivery of a John Deere x580. Did get the 54" deck after measuring and realized only one small area was too narrow; I'll saddleback that part. The power steering is fabulous. I was surprised that it only has HDAPs on the rear and turf tires on the front; expected 4 of the same.

Bummer was after mowing for 0 .1 hours, the neighbor took a peek under the hood and I discovered the dealer delivery guy had loosened the oil fill when showing me where the dipstick is; there was oil everywhere. "Great" dealer support consisted of an offer to let me come in and pick up a quart of oil. Glad I didn't go further and risk something really bad happening.

Thanks for all of the help!

buck12 · Sep 18, 2019

Congratulations. It should serve you well for many years.

tomplum · Sep 18, 2019

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Topcat14 · Sep 19, 2019

melehundele said:
Well, decided to bite the bullet and take the advice of many on here. Yesterday I took delivery of a John Deere x580. Did get the 54" deck after measuring and realized only one small area was too narrow; I'll saddleback that part. The power steering is fabulous. I was surprised that it only has HDAPs on the rear and turf tires on the front; expected 4 of the same.

Bummer was after mowing for 0 .1 hours, the neighbor took a peek under the hood and I discovered the dealer delivery guy had loosened the oil fill when showing me where the dipstick is; there was oil everywhere. "Great" dealer support consisted of an offer to let me come in and pick up a quart of oil. Glad I didn't go further and risk something really bad happening.

Thanks for all of the help!

Congrats on the new X580- HDAPS are a good compromise better traction than turfs but not as damaging to your lawn as AG tires. Reason they normally only go on back is to protect your lawn, if you have HDAPS on your front tires they would be more prone to rip on your lawn on tight turns

aaronrkelly · Sep 19, 2019

That x5 will serve you well for a LOOONG time. I had an x3 Deere and loved it, it was my first new mower. At the time I had a large town yard - worked great. Now Im mowing about 3 acres and Ive gone zero turn. I still keep a Cub Cadet X1 around for my small town yard for the same reason you mentioned wanting a smaller deck. The zero turn has a 61" and puts ALOT of grass down quick.....but doesnt work well around my yard. The Cub has a 48 and is perfect.

Honestly think the Cub XT1 I have is made almost as well as the Deere x3 I had at about half the price. That x5 is a far different animal though.

MESSMAKER · Sep 19, 2019

melehundele said:
Well, decided to bite the bullet and take the advice of many on here. Yesterday I took delivery of a John Deere x580. Did get the 54" deck after measuring and realized only one small area was too narrow; I'll saddleback that part. The power steering is fabulous. I was surprised that it only has HDAPs on the rear and turf tires on the front; expected 4 of the same.

Bummer was after mowing for 0 .1 hours, the neighbor took a peek under the hood and I discovered the dealer delivery guy had loosened the oil fill when showing me where the dipstick is; there was oil everywhere. "Great" dealer support consisted of an offer to let me come in and pick up a quart of oil. Glad I didn't go further and risk something really bad happening.

Thanks for all of the help!

Very nice choice. My neighbor has one and loves it. I am sure you will to.