She's Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

cowboydoc · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

Charlie,
No it's not any kind of a trick question. When we moved to our new place my wife wanted a big yard. At the other place I had made it all into pasture for the most part. I told her that was fine but I was going to get a bigger mower. They brought out this 935 which I thought would be good but it's terrible on the hills. Not enough traction and it has the bar tires so it takes out chunks of the lawn. Dealer said he would put turf tires on it and weights for the wheels or said he had that 455. Also it's so dang big that it's hard to get around the house and the trees, took out the air conditioner last week! I wasn't real impressed with the cut either. Maybe I was going too fast though, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I called the dealer and he said he had a nice 455 there with a 60" deck if I wanted to try that. What I had originally planned to do was buy a 485X with a 64" deck but this dealer has alot of used ones and has been trying to talk me into a used one. I think his prices are right just trying to decide which way to go.

Charlie_Iliff · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

935 which I thought would be good but it's terrible on the hills. Not enough traction and it has the bar tires so it takes out chunks of the lawn. 
That is surprising to hear. I have hills and tight places on my lawn, as well. The Jacobsen is only a little clumsy, as expected with 72" deck. The rear steering and tight turning radius make it more maneuverable than the little Kubota B7100. The traction with turf tires has been good enough to handle up to 20 degree hills, although the power and now the worn out HST are a little anemic for those areas. I would have expected the 935 Deere to be similar, but it obviously isn't.
If the only function of the machine is to mow the lawn, you may want to try a Dixie Chopper, Exmark or Skag commercial ZTR. The pros around here swear by them, even on pretty steep areas, and run faster than any of the small tractors. They are in about the price range you're looking.
They are really neat toys.
Of course, if you really want to do it right, a Power Trac is the answer. (Had to throw that in.) And they even have some in green, if it has to be that color.

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

Those 6" stumps will get you every time...

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

Now that you mention it, I see the similarity to the old Ropers. My dad had one for about 10 years. Was burning a little oil when he got rid of it, but it still mowed fine. Only thing he ever replaced was the battery, drive belt and a tie rod.

JohnMiller3 · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

...I've got a question for you....

Huh....?

Hi Richard,

Do you have a coin in your pocket...? Now pick heads or tails... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

I don't have the foggiest idea about lawn mowers... Hey... remember... you're talking to a guy who just bought his first ever riding lawn mower... (automatic at that!) /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

cowboydoc · Jul 23, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

LOL. Ok I just thought you might have that handy dandy price deal that you do on tractors to see what the average prices were. Wasn't looking so much for your opinion as to how the prices were. Don't worry about it though. It's not that big of a deal. Talk to you later.

Steelfan · Jul 28, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

John, I've got a question about the "Automatic Transmission"? Does the shifter only have forward, and reverse? Does the speed selector have a lever that is ran by a belt? My Dad has an old Montgomery Wards 12HP Tractor , that is "Automatic". Its called Transaxle. You can shift without stopping, but sometimes if not adjusted correctly the belt will slip when you try to climb a hill. About 25 years of Garden Tractor use can teach a guy a lot. Never owned a JD or Cub Cadet. Hard to part with that much money, when I can get a great cut with my Wheelhorse, and Sears Craftsman. Both are about 15 years old, and they still cut like a champ. Can't part with either of them, even though I got the TC21D. Have fun with the MTD.

b8200hst4wd · Jul 29, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

I've used one of those at an eldery neighbor's house to mow with but technically it has more hp then my Kubota but it can't put it to the ground

BTW, I think Harv could retro-fit a FEL to fit it /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JohnMiller3 · Jul 29, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

...Does the shifter only have forward, and reverse? Does the speed selector have a lever that is ran by a belt?...

Hi Kent,

The control lever is "Forward, Neutral, Reverse", and a pedal to control the speed (just like a go-kart /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)... the more you press on the pedal the faster it goes... yes it has a couple drive belts "buried" in the middle of the mower, besides more belts for the 46" mowing deck... and also a transaxle...

I'll try to get a couple pix's sometime... or go to any Walmart or True Value store that sells MTD products and you'll see the same things... a zillion different prices for basically the same product.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Well, I'm convinced now... without ever owning a riding mower in my life... I told my wife if this thing ever breaks... I will go out and buy a "automatic" only, absolutely no gear job for me & minimum 18" turning radius... this is a very productive way to mow... especially around obstacles and on hills... to speed up and slow down and just plain get the job done the quickest way possible... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

JohnMiller3 · Jul 29, 2002

Re: She\'s Red, Automatic... & I bought her...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/16-178353-WizardPixleftside-1024cropped.jpg>...a pix from the left side showing the "control" lever FNR...</A>