Low budge what would be best?

[yulost1987]

I I'm new to the site and I have limited cash to buy a lawn mower but I've been looking at 3 different Jon Deere models that are used and older, my yard is half an acre and no hills,a and would also like to pull a cart around with fire wood and little things. First is a 98 lt133 not sure of it because it's had the steering shaft replaced solenoid replaced and the muffler, sounds to be beat up but could be wrong. Second is a said to be a stx46 model 170 which looks to be in good shape or repainted I'm thinking and I assume it's a model 170 that just has a stx46 deck on it which the 170 came with a 38in deck originally so I'm not sure if it would cut so good being a much larger de k and it's hydrostatic. Third is a stx38 and its beat up a bit and been used a lot so I'm not sure, I know these are all low end models but I'm just wondering what one would be a better buy, pictures posted below of each

 

[beenthere]

Would help us to know where you are located, and what your budget is.

Can add your location to your profile, tks

 

[yulost1987]

500 bucks and I'm from Minnesota

 

[jenkinsph]

Buy the one that drives and mows the best. I am looking at a picture and you would be looking at it in person, that makes my opinion worthless.

 

[kevin37b]

I have a lt 133 and stx 38 , both good machines . Depends on how they have been treated . The Kohler Command engine in both of them are bulletproof .Check the pulley on top of the transaxle by driving it .If you here a clunk or it surges a little it is wollered out . It is retained by a snap ring instead of what should have been a compressed fitting , bolt . Not hard to fix , about 2 hrs .