Need help picking the right one for the Wife

[slan]

Well its time to get a mower for the wife :laughing:to help the mowing around the property. We have about 2.5 achres of rough lawn with a lot of hills and berms.

Since its the wife, a ZT is out (have a pond, lake and a 50' water feature) so she needs something that is like a car to drive.:thumbsup:

I was looking at the john deere LA165, the Craftsman 24hp Yard tractor here in Canada.

The Deere is nice and the wife likes the foot control but I am concerned about the belt path and the fact it has an electric clutch for the deck.

The Craftsman (mtd) seems to be built a bit tougher (transaxel and front end) and its an older proven design but doesnt have the foot controls.

The property is still in mid construction so there are a lot of rough spots, hills, and rocks so I need something that will take some rough terrain.

I have an old bolens 2 range hydro, hyd lift 54" deck with a transplanted 20hp honda that weighs about 1,000 pounds for the rough spots but its a beast to drive with the suicide bar for the hydro.

Any other thoughts on the two units or other suggestions around $2500 CAD.
Is the hydro unit better in the craftsman? it looks larger and a bit better castings but no filter.

I really wanted a Cub 2554 but its $6,000 in Canada

Thanks for any help you can shed on my Wifes mower.

 

[Thomas]

Do you have dealers near by which will let your wife test try..let the mower make your wife feel comfortable when operatoring.

 

[bp fick]

I believe you will find that Craftsman is likely a Husqvarna in disguise. Actually a company (AYP) set up to build for both. (and a couple other name plates too) The little Deere's are built by a little factory that Deere bought out just so they too could sell in front of big box stores. When you compare these models to the better Deere mower line at a Deere dealership, you will find a big difference in both quality and price. In the end, she needs to feel comfortable, truly, with the controls, seat position, steering and brakes. There is a reason why one can buy a rider for as little as $900 and a different class of machines at $2000 and another class at $4500.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. Is one worth twice? Three times? Only you and, especially, she can decide.

 

[slan]

I guess I'm a bit more concerned about the durability than the comfort level unless it was a total "I hate this thing" type of deal.:confused2:
She should be ok with most traditional tractor type (as long as it has a cup holder):licking: but not a zt.

I even got here on my Kubota last summer and she really liked the foot control thing. (I had it in low range)

Interesting about the Craftsman and husky thing.

Thanks guys....

 

[LBrown59]

Well its time to get a mower for the wife :laughing:to help the mowing around the property. We have about 2.5 achres of rough lawn with a lot of hills and berms.

Since its the wife, a ZT is out (have a pond, lake and a 50' water feature) so she needs something that is like a car to drive.:thumbsup:

I was looking at the john deere LA165, the Craftsman 24hp Yard tractor here in Canada.

The Deere is nice and the wife likes the foot control but I am concerned about the belt path and the fact it has an electric clutch for the deck.

The Craftsman (mtd) seems to be built a bit tougher (transaxel and front end) and its an older proven design but doesnt have the foot controls.

The property is still in mid construction so there are a lot of rough spots, hills, and rocks so I need something that will take some rough terrain.

I have an old bolens 2 range hydro, hyd lift 54" deck with a transplanted 20hp honda that weighs about 1,000 pounds for the rough spots but its a beast to drive with the suicide bar for the hydro.

Any other thoughts on the two units or other suggestions around $2500 CAD.
Is the hydro unit better in the craftsman? it looks larger and a bit better castings but no filter.

I really wanted a Cub 2554 but its $6,000 in Canada

Thanks for any help you can shed on my Wifes mower.

To bad we aren't closer .
I have a like new 2005 Cub Cadet Gt2554 with a 54'' MMM.
I bought a new front blade and a rear tiller for it and never used them .
So they are same as new.
To buy a new CC today with these attachments today runs around $9100.00.
I'm asking $6800.00 US for the complete out fit .

 

[peterc38]

To bad we aren't closer .
I have a like new 2005 Cub Cadet Gt2554 with a 54'' MMM.
I bought a new front blade and a rear tiller for it and never used them .
So they are same as new.
To buy a new CC today with these attachments today runs around $9100.00.
I'm asking $6800.00 US for the complete out fit .

LBrown, You gonna put the $6800 towards another BX?

 

[radioman]

I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Maybe he will get a BX24.:thumbsup:

 

[slan]

Well, were getting closer.

I am (we are) leaning toward the Craftsman 24hp 48" yard tractor. It seems to be built well and has foot control hydro.

Question for the experts.
1) What transmission does it have? tuftorque, etc and are they ok?
2) They don't have an external filter for the hydro but can they be drained and refilled? I would like to change out the fluid after the first 50 hours if possible. Maybe there is a small filter somewhere accessible to the service tecs or even a screen?

Thanks again tractor gods....:thumbsup: