Today's garden tractors

[RayCo]

A few years ago, I had five different tractors, which were a 90'ish Deere lawn a few older garden tractors, and a Kubota TLB. In order to simplify life, I got rid of the garden tractors and just kept the Kubota for projects and the Deere for ordinary grass cutting. This Deere tractor is approaching the end of its life, as although it still runs great after 25 years, it's falling apart beyond the point that I care to continue owning it. So, I started poking around at new lawn and garden tractors. Seriously, WTF? That is my reaction.

I just poked around at Deere's site, and I see they have these "X" series garden tractors. The most expensive one starts at $14,000. Who buys this? If I'm spending $14,000 on a freaking garden tractor, it darn well better have a loader and a 3 point hitch. It is completely insane that a garden tractor exists at this price with the ability to do nothing but cut grass and hold your beer.

 

[RollingsFarms]

If all you're doing is cutting grass I would be looking at commercial grade zero turns. I guess you would be ok with entry level commercial grade ones too but my commercial Deere zero turn is going on 4 years now and had never had a problem at all besides new battery and a new belt and oil and filters and blades.

 

[RayCo]

More than likely, I'll just pick up some ordinary lawn tractor. Most of my property is woods, so there isn't that much to mow to justify a zero turn.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I know what you mean about the average lawn tractor being "cheap" quality these days and having to spend $10k or better for a quality machine that resembles your current one is crazy but that's the world we live in today. How about looking around for something like a nice used Deere 455 or so? I saw quite a few nice looking ones on tractorhouse awhile back for what seemed like good prices.

 

[yelbike]

If all you're doing is cutting grass I would be looking at commercial grade zero turns. I guess you would be ok with entry level commercial grade ones too but my commercial Deere zero turn is going on 4 years now and had never had a problem at all besides new battery and a new belt and oil and filters and blades.

Sincerely no of fence intended, but unless you know something about the op that I don't know ,why do you recommend a commercial ztr. What's wrong with the residential ones. The op is never mentioned anything about 30 plus hours per week. Rant done.

Although I agree with a ztr are awesome alternatives to a garden tractor especially if mowing is the only task required.

I just don't see what dictates the need for an expensive commercial mower. I use a jd z465 (I believe to be a residential unit) to mow over 7 acres every week, no issues with proper care and maintenance.

To the op, I must be missing something also, how do those x700 series tractor sell? Only a little more $$ and you can jump into 1 series tractor with at least the capability of adding a loader, the 3pth comes with obviously. But one dealer near me stocks more X700 machine than one series tractors, go figure.

 

[mikehaugen]

To the op, I must be missing something also, how do those x700 series tractor sell? Only a little more $$ and you can jump into 1 series tractor with at least the capability of adding a loader, the 3pth comes with obviously. But one dealer near me stocks more X700 machine than one series tractors, go figure.

I see a lot of farmers around me with them. They have big tractors to do the work and no need for a small tractor. The x700s are light and excellent mowing machines. I guess the older guys are used to riding mowers and don't want to get used to zero turns. Plus, if you have deep pockets and want the best (traditional style) mower available, why not?

 

[OldMasterTech]

I just poked around at Deere's site, and I see they have these "X" series garden tractors. The most expensive one starts at $14,000. Who buys this? If I'm spending $14,000 on a freaking garden tractor, it darn well better have a loader and a 3 point hitch. It is completely insane that a garden tractor exists at this price with the ability to do nothing but cut grass and hold your beer.[/QUOTE]


That's what my eXmark Navigator cost and it does not have a beer holder. I almost brought it back....................

 

[RollingsFarms]

Sincerely no of fence intended, but unless you know something about the op that I don't know ,why do you recommend a commercial ztr. What's wrong with the residential ones. The op is never mentioned anything about 30 plus hours per week. Rant done. Although I agree with a ztr are awesome alternatives to a garden tractor especially if mowing is the only task required. I just don't see what dictates the need for an expensive commercial mower. I use a jd z465 (I believe to be a residential unit) to mow over 7 acres every week, no issues with proper care and maintenance. To the op, I must be missing something also, how do those x700 series tractor sell? Only a little more $$ and you can jump into 1 series tractor with at least the capability of adding a loader, the 3pth comes with obviously. But one dealer near me stocks more X700 machine than one series tractors, go figure.

Because I've owned enough residential mowers that only lasted two or three seasons before they were completely worn out or the same part kept breaking and I got tired of fixing some small plastic piece that had to be working for the entire mower to work. Not to mention little things like speed, ride quality, no need to tinker with your deck because you knocked it out of whack and now it cuts uneven, etc. I'm also noticing those residential mowers have gone up a good bit in price and there's no way I'd spend money on them now only to have to throw away in two years.

Your 465 isn't what I'd call a residential mower, it's entry level commercial.

 

[flusher]

I get by with two mowers: a Huskee riding mower with 42" cut that I bought 10 years ago from Tractor Supply for $899. And a Bolens 1453 garden tractor that I bought 6 years ago off Craigslist from a local guy for $600.

That Bolens has a mid-mount mower 42", rototiller 32". When the Tecumseh engine on the Bolens started to smoke badly several years ago, I replaced it with one of those 14 hp Honda clones from Harbor Freight.

These two mowers are more than enough to do the work around my 10 acre place.

 

[DHD]

I went through the same sticker shock, and bought a GT made overseas.

Do you plan on using your GT for more than mowing ? Snow removal ?
What's your mowing situation, hills, tight maneuvering areas, soft areas ?

I really like my Husqvarna R322T AWD machines.
They are all wheel drive for excellent traction, maneuvers very well in tight turning areas.
The mowing deck is out front so you don't run over your grass before it's mowed.
The deck also flips up for very easy servicing (cleaning out grass clippings and changing blades.)
The engine is in the rear, so you don't drive thru your engine exhaust smoke, and there's less noticeable engine noise.
It's one of the few Husqvarna's that's Made in Sweden.
The Husqvarna R322T AWD with mower retails for $5200
Currently in the New England area there are a couple of Husqvarna dealers selling it for about $4300.

I believe it's going to be a very reliable machine.
There is a member on this site that has a two wheel drive version (Husqvarna 155), who has over 2500 hours on his machine and has owned it for 12 years.