slowrev
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I went shopping for a new riding lawnmower and found that they apparently don't exist anymore ! All I could find were lawn tractors.
What happened to riding lawnmowers
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Bob_Skurka
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There are a couple I know of.
Sears sells 3 differnet ones. One is made by MTD, not sure who make the other 2 models they sell. And I was at the supermarket today and saw a riding mower sitting out front for sale next to a tractor.
But I was talking to the Cub Cadet dealer this morning, I wanted to buy one like the one I got last year. He said that he can no longer get either Cub Cadet or White (both MTD companies) riding mowers, all he can get are tractors.
Sears sells 3 differnet ones. One is made by MTD, not sure who make the other 2 models they sell. And I was at the supermarket today and saw a riding mower sitting out front for sale next to a tractor.
But I was talking to the Cub Cadet dealer this morning, I wanted to buy one like the one I got last year. He said that he can no longer get either Cub Cadet or White (both MTD companies) riding mowers, all he can get are tractors.
Gatorboy
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What exactly do you mean by riding lawnmower? Something like these Snappers?
timb
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JD still makes them. GX85 (5-speed) and SX85 ("automatic") models. 30" decks, 13hp.
Tim
Tim
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Probably has quite a bit to do with the market, and what the market will pay for riding mowers. I remember way back when I had a Hahn Eclipse riding mower, and my Dad had a Montgomery Ward riding mower, and a neighbor had a Deere riding mower. I will never own one again. I much prefer the tractor type. Much more universal, mow better with multiple blades rather than one large one, and have bigger wheels to accomodate rough ground, which translates to "easier on the back and the rear end".
As to the real reason - I don't know, but assume the marketing people have an idea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As to the real reason - I don't know, but assume the marketing people have an idea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
KubotaSteve
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It seems like these days MTD makes all the lawn tractors and then just changes the paint and decals. Is John Deere lawn mowers made by MTD too?
timb
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MTD makes a bunch but there are still 'independents'. Far as I know Deere, Simplicity, Snapper, and Toro are all still the 'real' thing, probably others as well. I believe that all of the Cub Cadets (at least the lawn tractors and garden tractors) are made in one specific factory that doesn't make anything else for MTD so while MTD-owned, they are unique and not just 'paint du jour'.
Tim
Tim
Bob_Skurka
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MTD owns Cub, Bolens, Troy Built, White, Yard Man, Yard Machines, and Ryobi brands of yard equipment. (they may own more, but those are what I am aware of).
There is SOME cross engineering of SOME product lines. Cub is their premium line and seems to be unique. Troy Built also seems to be unique.
Currently, there are no riding lawnmowers in the Cub or White brands being offered. Sears Craftsman has one riding mower, it used to be marketed by Cub, it was later switched to White, and is now not sold under either of those brands. It may or may not be available under some other brand names of MTD. Sears sells this unit under the Craftsman brand name.
Toro currently does not offer a riding lawnmower, however they do offer some small residential ZTRs.
I found 2 small units on the Deere website, but I have been told they are discontinued or will be discontinued. I don't know if that is true or not.
Snapper has 3 riders available, each is available in a couple variations.
Don't have a clue about Simplicity.
I believe Murray makes a couple units, they sell them under various brand names. I've seen them at Sears and at a couple box stores. I'm pretty sure they are Murray, might be American Yard Products (in fact they might be the same company???).
There is SOME cross engineering of SOME product lines. Cub is their premium line and seems to be unique. Troy Built also seems to be unique.
Currently, there are no riding lawnmowers in the Cub or White brands being offered. Sears Craftsman has one riding mower, it used to be marketed by Cub, it was later switched to White, and is now not sold under either of those brands. It may or may not be available under some other brand names of MTD. Sears sells this unit under the Craftsman brand name.
Toro currently does not offer a riding lawnmower, however they do offer some small residential ZTRs.
I found 2 small units on the Deere website, but I have been told they are discontinued or will be discontinued. I don't know if that is true or not.
Snapper has 3 riders available, each is available in a couple variations.
Don't have a clue about Simplicity.
I believe Murray makes a couple units, they sell them under various brand names. I've seen them at Sears and at a couple box stores. I'm pretty sure they are Murray, might be American Yard Products (in fact they might be the same company???).
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Dave:
I didn't know Snapper still made the "Forrest Gump" style lawnmower. Years ago, before Forrest Gump, we had one. I think It had a 13 horse Tecumseh OHV engine on it. We sold it and I am soorry we did. Good lawnmower. I see they aren't too pricey.
I didn't know Snapper still made the "Forrest Gump" style lawnmower. Years ago, before Forrest Gump, we had one. I think It had a 13 horse Tecumseh OHV engine on it. We sold it and I am soorry we did. Good lawnmower. I see they aren't too pricey.
I think as others have said, it is due to marketing. The RERs just are not manly enough. Go to Lowes, HD or Sears and you can get garden tractors with 27 HP engines. Bigger than most entry level CUTs!! How are little 10 HP RER supposed to compete with that.
a few years ago Walmart started carrying the Snapper RER. This was before JD, Husqvarna or Cub were in the box stores. The Snappers are solid little machines with a reputation of lasting forever. But I do not see them in Walmart this year. Tons of "tractors" made by MTD or Murray but no RERs.
When I first moved to MD a neighbor lady cut her grass with a CC RER. She was married but said her husband had health issues. After a few years she traded in a brought a CC garden tractor. All of a sudden her husband is cutting the grass /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
a few years ago Walmart started carrying the Snapper RER. This was before JD, Husqvarna or Cub were in the box stores. The Snappers are solid little machines with a reputation of lasting forever. But I do not see them in Walmart this year. Tons of "tractors" made by MTD or Murray but no RERs.
When I first moved to MD a neighbor lady cut her grass with a CC RER. She was married but said her husband had health issues. After a few years she traded in a brought a CC garden tractor. All of a sudden her husband is cutting the grass /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
