Well-regarded lawn and garden tractors?

[bontai_Joe]

Sounds like you have the space to use a 50" to 60" deck, and I'm glad Shotgun mentioned rear discharge, That was a feature of Snapper/Massey Ferguson clone machines of the late 1970's. $600 can get you a nice Cub Cadet model 147 or 149 or a nice condition Deere 200 series, both from the Late 1970's to mid 1980's and both powered by a Kohler "K" series motor (very reliable motor, easy to get parts for, and long lasting. Not sure of Wheelhorse model numbers, butthey are available in decent condition for about the same money.

 

[2manyrocks]

For more money, a zero turn would cut circles around a regular LGT.

rootytoot- you said you are inexperienced in this area. My concern would be that somebody would pawn off a junker on you. Do you have anybody that could help you look at a used machine to try to make sure you're getting something useable?

bontai_joe is giving you a list of the "classic" heavy duty garden tractors from the 1970's. Cast iron rear ends, cast iron Kohler engines, etc. They were top of the line equipment when they were new, and the shipping and manufacturing costs today probably keep them from being made and sold today.

When you start getting away from garden tractors into inexpensive riding lawn mowers, then I don't know how you really tell them apart because they all sort of look like clones with different paint jobs.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Keep in mind, too, that every brand line has a "disposable" lawn mower at the bottom of the line. It seems that everyone's disposable mower is a re-badged MTD. You can't just buy color. Try to get one that is a little higher up in the product offering.

Sears and John Deere will be the best at keeping parts available to you. That is important in a used machine.

 

[artfull dodger]

Many consider the John Deere 318 to be one of the top older garden tractors, its only downfall being the Onan engine. But its not a total bad thing, the Onans are powerfull power plants that can go over 3000 hours without blowing up. The key to this is proper maintance by the book, which many never got. Oil changes, valve adjustments, decarboning the heads and keeping the flyhweel side of the cylinder jugs clean. Every blown up Onan I have delt with have issues with either plugged up cooling fins or improper maintaince. Onans are used in stand by generators and RV gen sets, in those applications the issues with dirt, grass and grease that a garden tractor deals with, are not present or only in small doses. I have personaly seen a P218 Onan with over 3K hours on it, with only oil changes, valve adjustments/decarboning done by the book. I have also seen every brand of engine blown up or so down on power that it wont mow with less than 1000 hours on it. You can also repower most any older GT. John Deere, Cub Cadets, all can get a fresh engine, usualy a Briggs Vanguard or Honda Vtwin is used. You can even bump up the horsepower over the original power plant. My pics for the Best older GTs are John Deere 140's, any of the 300 class other than the 317 with a KT17 series 1, and any of the older 400 class machines. IH and early CCC built Cub Cadets are also high on the list. Those are followed by the pre Toro era Wheel Horses and Simplicity/Allis Chalmers machines. JD and Cub Cadet have the best parts avaiblity with both factory and aftermarket parts out there. Cheers Mike

 

[FlaDon]

As nobody seems to have mentioned them, 8000 and -G series Gravelys from the late 1970s to early 2000s. All gear drive transmissions with no belts except on the deck itself. Built to last and they do.

 

[Gittyup]

I second the gravely's, if you can find one in good shape. A beast of a mower. Excellent cut, excellent traction. Yep, staying away from belt systems is staying away from problems and down time. Just saw one on local Craig's list in nice shap for $700.

When you start looking at JD 318's, and 400 series you will be spending at least $2000 and probably closer to $3000 or more. The "best" of the GT's, but you'll pay for them. A model with AWS would probably be of great benefit cutting around those trees.

 

[x595]

rootytoot ,

With a $400-$600 budget , what you want and what you want it to do , is
going to be tough , good luck ...

Later,x595

 

[Wis Bang]

Simplicity has an extensive parts support network, I've often found parts in stock for 30 yr old machines

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Hi, I'm finally gonna break down and buy a lawn and garden tractor to manage the orchard down at the farm (the big tractor does not fit in there!). But, being cheap, times being what they are, I'm looking at used mowers such as the ones that perennially populate craigslist. So-o-o, I'm wondering, what are some well-regarded lawn and garden tractors? What should I be looking for in terms of quality features? Any dogs that I should avoid at all cost?

For instance, this week's craigslist has the following:

Snapper LT14H33 lawn tractor
wheel horse charger 7 tractor, hydrostatic trans, Honda 11hp motor (but no mower deck, that might be hard to find?)
Bolens ST120 " Suburban" riding mower
18hp twin power kraft riding mower
Sears 12HP, 6 Speed Garden Tractor

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Kurt

Exactly where in W Oregon are you located? Any chance the orchard is a filbert orchard? How many acres are we talking? Are we talking a few trees at home or a real commercial sized orchard?

There actually is 2 different classes of tractors in the size you are looking at. The LT= (lawn tractor) riding lawnmower & the GT= (garden tractor) much tougher machine, built stronger and can do a lot more things.

I'm thinking (thinking of commercial size orchard) you are under estimating the task for what is needed to mow in and under the trees. Potential for twigs and if a nut orchard, stray nuts laying on the ground. Both will get picked up by the mower.

You budget doesn't allow for much. My son has an older JD 316, engine (Onan) is worn out and too spendy to think about trying to overhaul and is still worth about $1k. Replaced my JD 318 4-5 yrs ago and it was worth about $2000-$2500 at the time.

I Do think HST is the way to go. I also prefer shaft drive over belts. They've not been a problem for me in nearly 40 yrs I've had a GT. I'd also think an HD (for this class machine) deck is called for. It will be stronger and have more grease fitting for maintenance and longer life, better qlty spindles that will last longer under tough operating conditions.

 

[toolmaan]

Cub cadet makes good mowers, I use one around my pond and through some rough areas and it is always up for the task. I purchased it used 2 years ago for $650 and it has been worth every penny.