Need some quick advice....

[Cecil]

Simplicity and Snapper are both AgCo brands, not to say that's bad, but that's what they are.

http://www.agcolawn.com/

 

[Zoomie]

In the local TSC, they have their (MTD built) Huskee line of "Garden Tractors". They had a (last years model) 25HP, 50" cut for $1799, or the new for this year, 25HP, 54" cut for $2799!

Yep, a cool grand for 4" more cutting width. On your budget, you might look also at Husqvarna. I have one of their larger mowers (25HP Kohler, HST and 50" deck), and its been trouble free and does a nice job.

I live on 5+ acres and keep about 4 of that manicured, the other acre is under water (my pond). I can mow my whole place in less than 5 hours with the Husqvarna. Not fast, but not bad for the price.

 

[rback33]

Thanks a lot guys... I'll llok into some of that. I don't worry about service on anthing built by MTD. Through work, I deal with those same service guys on an almost daily basis. In fact I already picked their brains on this too. I was just after some less, albeit slighlty, biased opinions. Thanks for the help... *L* even though I am STILL not sure which way I am going.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[jayhawkRoy]

I agree with Bob Skurka. You may get better value out of a Cub Cadet. Check out the Craftsman mowing deck carefully. The one I have (and wish I had not purchased) is a pain to change blades (requires ramps), and needs new blades every 25 hours (Sears doesn't recommend sharpening and balancing the blades due to mulching aspect, but to purchase new each time). I much prefer my JD 325 (also cost about three times more) because the mower deck maintenance is so much easier. Of the three garden tractors my family has, the Craftsman will be the first to go; we will keep the Murray my son has and the JD 325 I have, because they are easier to work on.

 

[BobInMN]

If you are limited to $2300 I know you won't like my advice, but here it is anyway. At the beginning of the mowing season last year I was using a 12-1/2 HP MTD 38" cut. It would take me over 6 hours to mow the yard. After putting in 50+ hours a week at work I hated using half a day on the weekend to cut grass. Towards the end of the year I bought a Scag Turf Tiger with a 61" cut. It now takes me just 2 hours to mow. Now, I had to pay $7250, plus the dealer threw in a 21" cut high wheel mower to trim with. My wife still gives me a hard time for dropping 7 grand for a lawn mower, but, I bet I will never have to buy another one as long as I live. My advice is to check out the financing on a commercial grade mower. You won't be disapointed.