Buying Advice Sick and tired of low quality riding lawnmowers

[Slowpoke Slim]

I've had my riding mower for 4 years. It currently has 66 hours on it. I use it to cut less than an acre (usually) of grass, sometimes more, sometimes I'll mow part of my road ditches, and to occasionally pull a utility cart, 100 lb hopper seed spreader and a 25 gal sprayer. Other than replacing the blades, I have not had one single issue or problem with my mower. Not. One. Single. Problem. Heck, I'm still on my original battery. It is one of those "evil big box store" mowers that folks on here seem so desperate to make disparaging remarks about every chance they can.

I think I paid just over $2K for it 4 years ago from Lowe's (the evil "big box" store that they are). They had the exact same model sitting on the floor last weekend with a $2200 price tag on it, which I think is what I paid ($2199) 4 years ago? "If" I get 400 hrs out of it, at this rate it will last me 24.5 years. Let that soak in for a minute. 24.5 YEARS... At that point if it goes nuclear and self destructs, I will have more than got my money's worth out of the original $2K investment. I can then go out and buy another "evil big box" store mower 20 years from now, and at the same rate of use, it will outlast me. For a total spend of 49 years of use, and $4K total out of my pocket (in today's $). That's a whole lot of "$10K-15K" worth of money still in my pocket from not buying a "good" (your guy's label) mower.

Some of you guys just need to get a little bit of "reality". There are applications that these mowers were designed for, like mine. If you need an AG tractor, go buy an ag tractor. These aren't meant to plow fields, or pull hay wagons. They cut grass, and do a pretty good job of it, for not much $ in today's world.

Just a different point of reference here folks.

Party on.

 

[Diggin It]

I think I got my Craftsman in January of '11 and I just turned over 500 hours. I mow too much and on hills too steep. I overwork it and don't maintain it as well as most would. I've gone through several belts and a battery or two. Had to replace the transaxle but I think I caused that more than the machine did. All totaled, I probably have less than $3500 into it including the parts. It's due for tires dues to sidewall cracking, probably from leaving it out in the Sun. I'll probably do those next Spring sometime.

 

[ETD66SS]

I've had my riding mower for 4 years. It currently has 66 hours on it. I use it to cut less than an acre (usually) of grass, sometimes more, sometimes I'll mow part of my road ditches, and to occasionally pull a utility cart, 100 lb hopper seed spreader and a 25 gal sprayer. Other than replacing the blades, I have not had one single issue or problem with my mower. Not. One. Single. Problem. Heck, I'm still on my original battery. It is one of those "evil big box store" mowers that folks on here seem so desperate to make disparaging remarks about every chance they can.

I think I paid just over $2K for it 4 years ago from Lowe's (the evil "big box" store that they are). They had the exact same model sitting on the floor last weekend with a $2200 price tag on it, which I think is what I paid ($2199) 4 years ago? "If" I get 400 hrs out of it, at this rate it will last me 24.5 years. Let that soak in for a minute. 24.5 YEARS... At that point if it goes nuclear and self destructs, I will have more than got my money's worth out of the original $2K investment. I can then go out and buy another "evil big box" store mower 20 years from now, and at the same rate of use, it will outlast me. For a total spend of 49 years of use, and $4K total out of my pocket (in today's $). That's a whole lot of "$10K-15K" worth of money still in my pocket from not buying a "good" (your guy's label) mower.

Some of you guys just need to get a little bit of "reality". There are applications that these mowers were designed for, like mine. If you need an AG tractor, go buy an ag tractor. These aren't meant to plow fields, or pull hay wagons. They cut grass, and do a pretty good job of it, for not much $ in today's world.

Just a different point of reference here folks.

Party on.

Yes, it is a different point of reference. I suppose being a mechanical design engineer that designs machines for the aerospace industry where demand for 99% uptime over a 10-20 year period is "reality", is maybe why my stance is different. Plus I am 46 years old and I can remember when quality of design, reliability and repairability actually meant something in the marketplace. It's likely the reason that when I see a starter shaft bending/breaking my head explodes in anger at the large corporation maximizing profit as opposed to supplying long lasting durable products.

 

[cdb2]

Yes, it is a different point of reference. I suppose being a mechanical design engineer that designs machines for the aerospace industry where demand for 99% uptime over a 10-20 year period is "reality", is maybe why my stance is different. Plus I am 46 years old and I can remember when quality of design, reliability and repairability actually meant something in the marketplace. It's likely the reason that when I see a starter shaft bending/breaking my head explodes in anger at the large corporation maximizing profit as opposed to supplying long lasting durable products.

Long lasting durable products cost more and not everyone is willing or able to pay for them. Some consumers want to pay less and are willing to trade longevity for it.

The big corporations maximizing profit are helping consumers by providing a lower quality option at a lower price point. More choice is better for everyone. If you want to and are able to spend $10K or $20K on long lasting durable and repairable mower then you are free to buy a Ferris or Kubota or other pro-level brand. If not, you have lower cost choices available as well. This is a benefit of the free market, not a problem.

 

[ETD66SS]

Long lasting durable products cost more and not everyone is willing or able to pay for them. Some consumers want to pay less and are willing to trade longevity for it.

The big corporations maximizing profit are helping consumers by providing a lower quality option at a lower price point. More choice is better for everyone. If you want to and are able to spend $10K or $20K on long lasting durable and repairable mower then you are free to buy a Ferris or Kubota or other pro-level brand. If not, you have lower cost choices available as well. This is a benefit of the free market, not a problem.

The question is will that $14k JD X700 mower really match the durability of my 1983 Ford LGT17H? (which I don't think was any kind of top of the line model back then but not sure) I'm betting no, because inevitably that JD X700 has some globally sourced components which will fail well before 4100 hours. Throwing money at the market is not going to guarantee you get the type of quality that could once be had. I understand the throw away culture is upon us and there is not much that can be done about it. I guess I'm jut getting old. I honestly can't believe what people will spend these days on merchandise they know will be junk in 5-6 years.

 

[finn1]

I've had my riding mower for 4 years. It currently has 66 hours on it. I use it to cut less than an acre (usually) of grass, sometimes more, sometimes I'll mow part of my road ditches, and to occasionally pull a utility cart, 100 lb hopper seed spreader and a 25 gal sprayer. Other than replacing the blades, I have not had one single issue or problem with my mower. Not. One. Single. Problem. Heck, I'm still on my original battery. It is one of those "evil big box store" mowers that folks on here seem so desperate to make disparaging remarks about every chance they can.

I think I paid just over $2K for it 4 years ago from Lowe's (the evil "big box" store that they are). They had the exact same model sitting on the floor last weekend with a $2200 price tag on it, which I think is what I paid ($2199) 4 years ago? "If" I get 400 hrs out of it, at this rate it will last me 24.5 years. Let that soak in for a minute. 24.5 YEARS... At that point if it goes nuclear and self destructs, I will have more than got my money's worth out of the original $2K investment. I can then go out and buy another "evil big box" store mower 20 years from now, and at the same rate of use, it will outlast me. For a total spend of 49 years of use, and $4K total out of my pocket (in today's $). That's a whole lot of "$10K-15K" worth of money still in my pocket from not buying a "good" (your guy's label) mower.

Some of you guys just need to get a little bit of "reality". There are applications that these mowers were designed for, like mine. If you need an AG tractor, go buy an ag tractor. These aren't meant to plow fields, or pull hay wagons. They cut grass, and do a pretty good job of it, for not much $ in today's world.

Just a different point of reference here folks.

Party on.

Exactly my sentiments. I think it’s at least partially an ego thing to have a $7-10k lawn mower, when, for most people a $2k lawn tractor will mow their lawn fine for 10 or more years with only normal maintenance.

For larger acreage a zero turn makes more sense than a premium garden tractor, especially considering the faster ground speed.

 

[cdb2]

The question is will that $14k JD X700 mower really match the durability of my 1983 Ford LGT17H? (which I don't think was any kind of top of the line model back then but not sure) I'm betting no, because inevitably that JD X700 has some globally sourced components which will fail well before 4100 hours. Throwing money at the market is not going to guarantee you get the type of quality that could once be had. I understand the throw away culture is upon us and there is not much that can be done about it. I guess I'm jut getting old. I honestly can't believe what people will spend these days on merchandise they know will be junk in 5-6 years.

Maybe not, I couldn't say. But I don't think it really matters very much. If there is consumer demand for a mower that matches the durability of the Ford at a price that those consumers are willing to pay for it, then it's most likely already represented in the market. If it doesn't exist, then it's pretty good evidence that there is not a viable market for that durability at the price point it can be delivered.

That said, I'm quite happy with the quality of construction of my Ferris. I have no doubt the mechanicals will outlast me with regular maintenance and it appears to be very repairable, including the hydros. I'm less optimistic about the gas engine lasting forever, but if I was really worried about that are high-quality diesel powered mowers available (for thousands more of course). Whether it's more or less durable than an '83 Ford I don't know, but I am pretty sure that I don't need any more durability than this (and wouldn't choose to pay for it).

 

[ETD66SS]

Maybe not, I couldn't say. But I don't think it really matters very much. If there is consumer demand for a mower that matches the durability of the Ford at a price that those consumers are willing to pay for it, then it's most likely already represented in the market. If it doesn't exist, then it's pretty good evidence that there is not a viable market for that durability at the price point it can be delivered.

I think it is more of an issue that corporations don't even consider delivering the kind of durability/repairability that existed in the past, whether or not consumers want it. It's just not in their best business interest. Consumers' wants/needs don't drive the market 100%, in fact I'd say corporate business practices have more of an influence over the market than consumers. If they can get away with selling disposable products, they will continue to push that and not even consider actual durability. Durability would hurt their bottom line.

 

[rScotty]

I've never had a riding mower and doubt I ever will....but this thread has made me curious about their quality. If there are low quality riding lawnmowers there must also be high quality ones.
What models are the higher quality ones? And why not simply get one of those?

OK, it appears that the responses are about split on today's inexpensive riding mowers. Some think that an inexpensive one is fine for light duty and about an equal number are disappointed at what they see as deliberately making something of lower quality. Is that right? Oh, and everyone agrees that the older simple ones were more reliable and/or more repairable.

So I still don't know the answer but am learning. But I can help with one misconception. It doesn't cost the manufacturer more to make things reliable and repairable. From a design standpoint those are simple mechanicial choices that were well worked out years ago. Manufacturing expense comes more from including new styling and new convenience options.

It wouldn't surprise me if there weren't a few small less well-known brands that still make riding mowers in the "old style".
rScotty

 

[ETD66SS]

So I still don't know the answer but am learning. But I can help with one misconception. It doesn't cost the manufacturer more to make things reliable and repairable. From a design standpoint those are simple mechanicial choices that were well worked out years ago. Manufacturing expense comes more from including new styling and new convenience options.

It does cost more to deliver higher quality components/products. The way you get higher quality components is with better QC, better materials, tighter machining tolerances etc, many of those requiring higher labor costs to acquire the expertise. All these things, corporations look to China for these days so they can lessen their material/manufacturing/labor costs, increasing their bottom line but at the same time decreasing quality. They know what they are doing, and they are purposely doing it.