Riding Mowers

Weave

Weave

New Member
Jun 1, 2007
1,410
Western, MA
Boat Info
200 Sundeck 2005
Engines
4.3 MPI Alpha I Gen II
Have about .75 acres to mow and will be in the market for a mower.
I enjoy lawn care and de-thatch and aerate when needed ,etc.
I also try to mulch whenever possible.
What do you guys have and how have they treated you? I have been looking at Toro and Snapper thus far.....I like the idea of the striping kit that Toro sells...pretty cool
 
I have an older Wheelhorse that is set up for clearing snow. It has a cast iron 16 HP Kohler engine and is bullet proof with around 2000 hours on it. Also have a newer Wheelhorse with an 18 HP aluminum engine. The older tractor is easier to use because it does not have "safety features" that frustrate you (PTO shuts off in reverse; engine shuts down at a certain riding angle, etc.) The aluminum engine's oil drain is inconveniently located and you have to remove all kinds of protective covers to change the oil. The newer engine needs to have its cooling screen monitored for restrictions when working in dusty conditions and its oil checked often, because the aluminum engines are easily damaged if they overheat. Both do the job and have been trouble free.
 
I mow about three acres with a Hustler zero turn with a 18hp honda motor on it. Zero turn is the only way to go for grass mowing....cut my mowing time in half and cut is better.
 
Tough to beat a John Deere. The "value priced" ones at the box stores are good, the X series available at an actual dealer are better, but you pay for it.
 
Nothing runs like a Deere.:thumbsup: I have JD X485 AWS (All Wheel Steer) and like Quint4, the extra maneuverability cuts mowing time and reduces the amount of hand triming. This tractor has full hydraulics that lets me use it year round - mowing, leaf vacuuming, and snowblowing. I have 1.1 acres with about 0.75 mowable and 5400 sq. ft. of driveway thats blowable. The current model equivalent to mine is the X724 AWS. If all you want to do is mow, this tractor is probably a bit of an overkill and less expensive JDs with AWS are available if you decide to go that route.
 
John Deere from a dealer.
 
I use an Exmark (now owned by Toro) commercial walk behind mower with a 15hp Kawasaki to mow 2+ acres. Planning on moving to a zero turn in a couple of years when I get tired of walking.
 
I have a zero turn mower and it qualifies as some of the best money I ever spent. Cuts well and in half the time of previous riding mower. I have a Kubota brand but my dad has a husquevarna and loves it as well.
 
I have a Toro Timecutter z4200 with Kohler motor, I am on my 4th season. It has been a good mower. Hustler is a very nice mower and Deere's are always nice.

My goal was to be able to mow during the week to free up weekends for boating. It was a great decision. For your size lawn as long as it is relatively smooth - the more basic models will serve you well. If you have rough terrain, consider spending more.
 
I have owned several houses and a farm in my lifetime and most of them have had acreage to deal with from 1 acre up to 46 acres on my farm in Ohio. In my lifetime I have probably mowed the equivalent (in miles) of once around the world.:smt043

I recommend you first decide how you want to use the "mower" and whether you might even buy a place with more acreage in the future. If that is the case don't short change yourself on what you buy now or it may not work for you it in a few years.

There are two terms you should understand about "tractors" (which are many times called riding mowers) so you know what you are buying........Lawn Tractor and Garden Tractor. A lawn tractor is sufficient for most people but a garden tractor is much more rugged and will probably last longer and is usually more versatile in terms of attachments you can use on them such as snow plows, snow blowers, rototillers, etc. Also garden tractors typically have a frame under them whereas lawn tractors may not or if they do it is a comparatively lightweight frame. I have owned both. The drive system is equally important. If at all possible get hydrostatic drive. You will not regret it. Then there are the intensive grass cutting machines that the pros use which are typically zero turning mowers that are extremely maneuverable and can go a lot faster then a regular lawn tractor or garden tractor. If the speed of cutting your grass is important then get one of those. Again, I strongly recommend hydrostatic drive. There are many smaller versions of the commercial machines available for homeowners that can easily handle your property.

Of course budget is also a consideration but in my mind you really need to weigh all of these things before making a choice. I have owned mainly John Deere and Cub Cadet equipment in both gas and diesel versions and all of my equipment lasted for years and years. I live in a Townhouse now so I have no need for equipment but I still wish I could hop on one now and then and mow the "back 40" once in awhile.
 
60" Exmark Zero turn with a liquid cooled 27 HP Kawasaki. IMO Z-turn is the only way to go for anything over an acre, cut my time more than in half as opposed to my Kubota garden tractor.

Commercial grades like Exmark, Hustler or Dixie have heavy welded decks. The big box store ones have tin can stamped decks...you get what you pay for.
 
I have a Z-trac 425 John Deere zero turn 23hp. Cut my cutting time almost in half. Got it at the JD store but you can get them at Home Depot or Lowes. Same price both places.
 
I have a 1 year old Cub Cadet 1554. It has a nice sized 54" deck and hydrostatic drive. I have two nice sized properties to mow and it takes the abuse pretty well. I have the striping kit installed and it does a nice job.
It is also a tough built little tractor. I have a 2" ball on the back and I move my 20' Tahoe around in the shop sometimes with it. I had an eXmark for a large commercial property I used to own and they are NICE!, but along with that comes the price. For what you are mowing, you cant go wrong with the Cub Cadet IMHO. Great value, lots of versatility.
 
I like my John Deere SST 18. There are some small sections of lawn that I learned (the hard way) still require my Toro, but it's been a great little mower. Spin steers are slaves to gravity sometimes so the small sections of steep slope have to be done with my Toro self-propelled.
 
I have a zero turn from Simplicity (Citation 48") and would have a tough time going to something different...have had John Deere (way OVERRATED) and a couple of others...on my 4th year with this and have had zero issues. Nothing does stripes better than the Simplicity and the cut is awesome. Nothing even compares and I would HIGHLY recommend it. I have about an acre and it takes about 27 minutes to cut it once...I usually do it twice to get an awesome cross-cut look, Looks as good as any ballpark and is the envy of ALL neighbors!! It cost more than others out there but is entirely worth every single last penny. I went for the optional powered bagger and there is nothing that I cannot cut and clog it up. John Deere has a good name but the performance is like a Bayliner...if not worse. Saves me time for getting out to the boat!
 
Husqvarna 120.
I've had it for a while and can still get parts for it. I needed some steering bushing and never thought they would have them but they did. Only took 3 days to order and receive them and new deck spinals.

Also have a Husqvarna walk behind. Swedes make good stuff.
 
Acre here. When I moved to the 'burbs, I picked up an Craftsman 42" 16hp with Kohler engine, USED, that I found in a classified ad in the local paper. I think I paid $650 for it and the guy threw in the lawn sweeper and the bagger. The model year is 1992 and I bought it in the spring of 2000. Still going strong. I use it in the fall to suck up and shred all the damn leaves and in the spring to tote around 14 yards of mulch with my 2000 HARBOR FREIGHT fold-up trailer (yes HARBOR FREIGHT). This thing keeps going. Sears' website for parts is fantastic and you can get any part any time on the internet. I have a John Deere gas string trimmer and it's a pain to get parts for it - I don't like being at the mercy of the dealer for simple things.

If my Craftsman dies I'd get another in a heartbeat.


100_1399.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,182
Messages
1,428,060
Members
61,088
Latest member
SGT LAT
Back
Top