Buying Advice Sick and tired of low quality riding lawnmowers

[Teachu2]

New 218 Husqvarna Power Equipment TS 348XD Lawn Tractor Kawasaki Lawn Mowers in Fairview, UT | Stock Number:

If you can find dealer who still has one of these - with the Kawasaki engine - it would be comparable to the machine I'm running. Vastly superior to the box-store models.

 

[Tractorable]

Drive down to PA and pick up this 2015 JD X590 with 150hrs for $4999. Kawasaki motor, EFI, hydraulic deck lift, power steering, K72 hydro transmission with differential lock, and HDAP tires.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/33726719/2015-john-deere-x590

 

[ETD66SS]

This is the Husqvarna I'm dealing with.

Tractor Model: Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Engine: Imgur: The magic of the Internet

I'll see how many hours are on it next time I work on it.

The market niche you are looking in is filled by diesel powered sub compact utility tractors. Something like a Kubota BX1880 with a mid mount deck.

I think you're right. I know more about Ford tractors with Shibaura engines in them than any other brand. It would be nice to find a 1220 HST with a mower deck on it

Please do not flame me...

He is 86. A $2000 rider will last his lifetime unless he is cutting more than 3 acres. My Big Box store Husqvarna YTH24K48 is 7 years old and still works well. I cut 1.5 acres. I figure the cheap riders like mine will last about 300 hours with normal maintenance. I put about 20 hours a year on mine...15 years of use in my case. I am in my late sixties and will be in my mid seventies when I should need to replace my Husky. I will likely get a cheap ZT as it will reduce my mowing time to 12 hours a year. With a 300 hour service life that will be 25 years. I doubt I will be cutting grass when I am 100...if I make it that far.

People who have low usage make a poor decision when they buy a machine good for over 1000 hours. Unless you are younger and can benefit from the investment, it is a more about bragging rights and pride of ownership for many people.

I believe when my father bought the Husqvarna, he thought it would be the last riding mower he'd be purchasing. It was the first ever brand new riding mower he ever bought in his life (in his late 70's), a last hurrah kinda thing. He never got to buy much brand new on the account of having 10 kids...

 

[Diggin It]

If you really want a "quality" tractor mower, you'll need to pad your check book a bit and get a SCUT, such as the KB BX1880 or JD 1025.

Disagree. While a SCUT can have a mower attached, it is not a lawn mower, it's a small tractor with a mowing unit. They don't ride well over rough ground and they're not particularly easy for a older person to get on or off.

 

[4570Man]

People who have low usage make a poor decision when they buy a machine good for over 1000 hours. Unless you are younger and can benefit from the investment, it is a more about bragging rights and pride of ownership for many people.

What if someone just wants a nice machine? What good is money if you’re never going to buy anything? I see plenty of old people that grew up poor and made a good living and still decided to live like they’re poor. Back on the subject of riding mowers. The cheap unit is scrap metal in 10 years worth maybe 100 if it still runs. The commercial unit with half its life already used up that you bought for $3500 is probably still worth $3500.

 

[slckeys]

Not sure how far you're willing to drive... But this looks like a decent deal. I don't know much about their riding mower quality, but I would think decent considering reputation...

Kubota garden tractor mower with plow and bagger - farm & garden - by owner - sale

 

[RickB]

Disagree. While a SCUT can have a mower attached, it is not a lawn mower, it's a small tractor with a mowing unit. They don't ride well over rough ground and they're not particularly easy for a older person to get on or off.

Had a customer that was recovering from a stroke and struggling to walk with a cane buy a BX. Had to bring it out to the customer parking lot so he could drive it. He got on it fairly easy, bought it and I never heard a word about it being difficult to get on or off. There is probably more room on a SCUT platform than your average big box rider.

 

[RickB]

Not sure how far you're willing to drive... But this looks like a decent deal. I don't know much about their riding mower quality, but I would think decent considering reputation...

Kubota garden tractor mower with plow and bagger - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Transaxles on those things are garbage.

 

[Alien]

I bought a 42" Husqvarna with a Kawasaki twin motor about 17 years ago. I must say I cant complain. I have replaced the battery once, spindle bearings and spark plugs in that time. It originally had straight blades that I replaced with swing blades when new.
No idea what they are like now but I have always said that if I bought a new one I would put the old Kawasaki motor straight on it. Never uses oil and is just one sweet motor.
Still performs as well as a new one.
I forgot to add. I fitted tubes to all the tyres about 3 years ago as they were leaking. Been great since.
I also tow a lawn sweeper with it regularly.

 

[slckeys]

Transaxles on those things are garbage.

Did not know that. Good to know since I've been looking for something for my mom to upgrade to soon.