New to site. Need some expert buying advice

[sloretto]

Hello Everyone!

I am looking to buy a riding mower tractor for a 1.5 acre property. My wife and I are expecting our first child in august and decided to move out of the city to the burbs in CT. I always wanted a riding mower and have been looking into purchasing one. Have checked out Cub Cadet, Husq, Craftsmen, Arien, and some others.

I am hoping someone can give me some buying advice. My budget is $1500.
Thanks!,
Stefano

 

[greenmule]

In that price range,they are all the same,just different names and colors,so go buy the cheapest one.

Now if you wanted to spend 3-5 thousand,you'll have more meaningful choices.

Not an expert by the way.

 

[JoeinTX]

"In that price range,they are all the same,just different names and colors,so go buy the cheapest one...."


While some will argue up and down against that, I totally agree. Not much difference in most of them except for the price tag.


Three years ago I was looking for a rider and spent some time checking all the different makes out. Dad had bought a 20hp JD riding mower a few years ago so I was familiar with their product but it wasn't all that much more impressive than the 18hp TroyBilt (MTD) that I bought for $1k at Lowes. Three years on I've had to replace the blades 3 times (rough lot, put severe duty blades on this last time and they are great) and a new battery this spring. Otherwise, couldn't be happier no matter how much money I would have spent. We have a one acre lot that gets cut 2-4 times a month 8 months out of the year so it's seen a fair amount of use and held up very well.

 

[sloretto]

thank you for the advice. I was tempted to spend more $$, but I realize i have small yard with seasonal cutting needs, so can't really justify the expense of better quality mower. Thanks again!
Stefano

 

[flusher]

thank you for the advice. I was tempted to spend more $$, but I realize i have small yard with seasonal cutting needs, so can't really justify the expense of better quality mower. Thanks again!
Stefano

Four years ago a bought a Huskee riding mower with 42" deck from Tractor Supply for $899. At the same time I bought a 4-year service plan from TSC for $125 or so. This is the 5th season. No problems with the mower. I did use the service plan once to have an electrical problem fixed (battery not fully charging). No cost. Now I just keep the battery on a trickle charger. Works fine.

No need to spend thousands on a JD, Toro or other expensive mower unless you go for the snob appeal. I figure if I get 5 or 6 seasons out of that Huskee cheapie, I'll be money ahead.

 

[NY_Mr Project]

Not An Expert...But my story/ backround is alot like yours so I wanted to throw my 1 Cent in. (I dont even know enough for 2 cents)

Not to repeat everyone, but I recently did the research, and I tried to work within a 2000 budget. It was tough, I ended up well above that.

but to stay in your range, I don't know much more than craftsman that will be a good buy. Stay away from extra bells and whistles, look for Engine / deck size to be a good deciding factor.

If you are just mowing a lawn, the options are meaningless. I'VE heard that the "John Deere" sold at Home Depot are not worth the $$ b/c you are buying the name (when in reality those are below grade to be called a "DEERE")

Good Luck with Baby/Wife and Tractor.

 

[Charlton John]

I can attest to this on my last property (just under an acre) I bout a JD from Home Depot for over 2k. Nothing fancy just buying the name, (didnt know any better at the time) + this was my first riding mower. My neighbor at the time had a Craftsman rider from Sears and spent about 900 on his new and there was really no differnce in the tractors except the name and the deere had a bagger that could have been purchased seperatly (for another 3 hundred) I agree w/ others in this price range not really much of a difference. Good Luck

 

[JDMachineFinder]

Thought about used? Might be able to get a slightly used quality tractor versus a not so great new one in your price range.

 

[LBrown59]

I can attest to this on my last property (just under an acre) I bout a JD from Home Depot for over 2k. Nothing fancy just buying the name, (didnt know any better at the time) + this was my first riding mower. My neighbor at the time had a Craftsman rider from Sears and spent about 900 on his new and there was really no differnce in the tractors except the name and the deere had a bagger that could have been purchased seperatly (for another 3 hundred) I agree w/ others in this price range not really much of a difference. Good Luck

The BEST deal on a BBS Tractor is the one with the lowest price .

 

[jd2305cd]

Some are made in the USA, some aren't!

US MADE LAWN MOWERS

I think scags are too...