"good" newer riding mower vs. vintage Bolens or Al

TimTheWiner

New User
When I start researching something I go crazy spending hours on end until I've consumed a wealth of information. I want to start looking for a riding mower before spring and everyone else is looking. Just bought a small .75 acre property so I'd rather not use a push mower anymore. My grandmother owns the wooded abutting 8 acres to the North and West sides, which I would like to clear out a bit and extend my yard space. My budget is a measly $1k. From what I've gathered (and I'm sure I'm generalizing a bit), Kohler Courage is crap. Kohler Command engines are good, but do not seem as common. Heard various thing about Briggs Engines. From what I understand the V Twins seem ok, but the Inteks are considered only a hair better than the Kohler Courage?? I was set on Deere for a while, but read tons of bad reviews on the newer stuff (mostly from Lowes/Home Creepo), and told that if looking at a Deere then mainly something from a dealer (ie: x300 and above) are decent, which is out of my price range.

My Uncle restores vintage Cubs in New Hampshire and piques my interest when posting restoration projects on Facebook. With this I looked for some older stuff and found an amazing (by the pics) early 80s Bolens HT 14 XL (Tecumseh) with a 42" mower deck. Priced at $1,100. Seen cheaper across the country, but CT and New England seem to demand a premium. Apparently needs a starter or solenoid, but I would make sure it's running before purchasing. From what I gather it is a medium tube frame and there could be potential for some attachments, but not sure what really exists anymore and for 14hp I wouldn't go too crazy.

Another option is a late 70s Allis Chalmers HB212 (12 hp) with a couple mowers, snow blower (I don't need), and a tiller for $1,400, but much less "pretty". Not sure about the track record of either of these machines or engines, but if they're still running strong after 40 years then I'd say it's a good sign.

My main question (and sorry for the essay), is, are there any "newer" trators (Craftsman, Husqvarna) that are in my price range used and can hold there own for reliability. I'm sure most of these would be considered more riding mowers than garden tractors. Thanks much
 
Hi if you are a good mechanic and like to tinker and work on the older machines then that maybe the way to go, keep in mind the Bolens and Allis tractors are 40+ yrs old the Tecumseh OH140 in the Bolens is a good engine but there are very few new parts available, the ignition system (SSI) are old and fail there are no new OEM units on e bay the price for a 40 yr old unit generally starts at $150 to $200+, the is an aftermarket one available for $150.00. The Allis is for the most part a Simplicity good tractors but likewise old.
IMHO for mowing .75 acre you would be much better going with a newer tractor like a Sears LT2000 Husqvarna YTH 1542 newer Simplicity or Allis, Snapper all of which can be purchased for $1000.00 or less.
I have 3/4 Sears Suburban's with decks but mowing with the Husqvarna YTH1542 or the GT5000 is so much easier with the Hydro trans etc.
GB in MN
 
As much as I like the older stuff I don't need another hobby. I think it would be decent if I had something cheap/newer that I wouldn't have to worry about working on and then something older. Will have to really think about it.
 
I think that you need to come to grips with reality.

There are two types of domestic lawn cutting tractors out there.
One is the garden tractor and all of these are premium quality
products that use premium quality engines but come at a
premium price. Today, a true garden tractor costs 8 grand and
up plus attachments and options.

The other type is the entry level LAWN TRACTOR that is
primarily a grass cutting tool that is sold for around the 2 grand
mark. These units are not designed for longevity. They ALL use
engines at the bottom tier of engine maker line up.

Your budget is the problem here along with your expectations.
The Big Box stores sell entry level products and by the time
those units reach your budget level, they are already 4 or more
years old and nearly at their half-life of usability. There will be
repairs needed on these units because of the low quality parts
used to construct them to meet the price-point you see in the
stores. Cheaply made engines and cheaply made hydrostatic
drives often fail at or before the 10 year mark. A failure of either
one usually means the tractor ends up at the scrap yard. In
other words, you get exactly what you pay for.

On the other hand, a 30 year-old garden tractor can be had for
$1000.00 but...... it is going to need repairs every year or two
because of its age. Even high quality parts do wear out and
need replacing.

IN my opinion, what you are looking for..... does not exist. If
working on machinery is not something you like to do, then
increase your budget and buy something brand new. Keep it
clean and well maintained to maximize its life. Take out to cut
the grass and then put it back in the garage after cleaning it.

Read the manuals and follow the instructions regarding how to
care for it. If you do all of that, you might get 15 years of fairly
trouble-free use.
 
I do agree that in an ideal world I would have a newer tractor with implements. I spent $25k last year on a Deere 4520 TLB at auction with only 104 hrs on it. Fantastic machine but overkill for my needs (small vineyard) and light land work. Ended up selling it and making $5k. Guess I just like the option of a machine that could potentially accept a loader, maybe rear tiller, but as you mentioned with this price point it'll have to be older and need a lot more repairs.
 
REALLY?? In your initial post, you lambasted the Kohler
Courage engine and now.... your first choice is powered by that
same engine.

What does the Hour Meter on this tractor say?

Does the Seller tell you the year he bought the tractor?
 

Damn, cancel that. For some reason I read on that link that it had a Kawasaki. Now seeing it IS a Courage. No thanks lol
 
I don't have any specific newer makes/models, that is why I posted the question. From what I understand if it's a newer machine I should be looking at something with a Kohler Command, Briggs Vanguard or maybe a V Twin Intek? I'd consider an older Deere as well. Pretty open to potions. If I have to finance something then I will, but I think whether I get something newer or older it would be good to learn to service myself.
 


From reading the posts on here It sounds like you should buy a newer riding mower. As long as you use it as intended (Grass cutting only) you should be ok for a few years atleast as long as you keep it clean and take care of it.
 
(quoted from post at 18:27:40 02/22/15)

From reading the posts on here It sounds like you should buy a newer riding mower. As long as you use it as intended (Grass cutting only) you should be ok for a few years atleast as long as you keep it clean and take care of it.

So what are the suggestions? I still don't have any examples to go by.
 

In all honesty for an entry level riding mower they are all about the same.
Most are made by the same manufacture (MTD) and just have different colors/brand names slapped on them.
 
The other day, some on tractor talk, were talking
about the plastic hoods on the 10 year old JD
falling apart and extremely expensive to replace.

There are many different models of JD's too,
mowers, garden tractors. I think my old JD275 is
a garden tractor.

Ask JDSeller on tractor talk which JD is the
best.
I have a 48 inch husquvarna, 22 hp briggs, hydro
trans, electric clutch for mower deck. It has 400
trouble free hours on it. Have a 46 inch troy-
bilt, 20 hp briggs 400 hours on it too. It older.
only had to replace voltage regulator and blades.
The troy uses two belts and a variable pulley for
tranny. Had to replace the belts, expensive set
of belts. I like hydro trannys over the two belt
system. JD275 is hydrostatic.

I run mine at 90% full speed. Motors are good so
far.

If I were looking for a rider, I look for cast
iron front axles, electric clutch, hydro tranny.
I think those 3 items sets the cheapie from the
step up models.

I think the engines are mostly good. Not sure if
one has more issues. I'm somewhat more in favor
of the Kawasaki or honda engine for quality.

Not sure, but was told, briggs may be made in
china now. Boy told me that when his 6.5 hp out
of the blue, put a rod out the side. The end cap
bolt came loose. Engine wasn't that old either.
It was on a JD push mower.
 
Tom several times I have gone to look for an indicated reply and it not be there, and complained on the site coms thread, the answer is that sometimes the two versions get out of Sync. and replys get lost. Seems to be they get lost on "modern" when they were posted in "classic". I try to stay in modern all the time and xxxx happens.
Bryce
 
Tom:

I'm very partial to the older Snapper riding mowers.

These were manufactured from the mid-60's to the 1980's. ...While that makes them old, they are reliable, easy to repair, and readily available in my area. ....They were available in 25", 26", 28", 30", 33", & 42" cutting widths. ....All sizes (except the 42") could accept a grass bagging attachment.

I do realize that if someone can not do their own repairs, it is not a practical solution.
 
I agree that Snapper produced a well-made product. I have no information as to parts availability or pricing but the OP might want to take a look at that brand by joining a Snapper forum to get opinions and information.
 

On the Courage vs. Command question, my information gleaned over the years is the single cyl. Courage IS junk, or will soon be. The 2 cyl. Courage is much better and longer lasting. My Husqvarna LGT 2554 has the 2 cyl. Courage and has about 520-some hours of no trouble performance.

My first two riding mowers were big box MTD built units. The first had the stamped metal front axle, 1 cyl. B&S and the only reason I stopped using it was one side of the axle got wallowed out from turning, this after 10 years. Paid about $800 for it in '92. I was mowing about 1 acre. Replaced it in 2002 at the new place (mowing almost 2 acres now) with a slightly bigger Huskee branded MTD which was TSC's house brand at the time, with a 2 cyl. B&S. Had issues on the engine with the valve guide raising up on one exhaust valve and causing the rod to bend and the starter was slightly misaligned with the ring gear causing the plastic gear on the starter to break. Mower deck hanger broke after 12 years, a quick weld fixed it. Replaced main drive belt once and deck blade twice. Still using it for places the 54" Husqvarna won't fit, its a 46" cut. The Huskee was and is also used to pull my poo vacumn (to suck up llama dung pellets) and was used at the old place to roll out limestone screenings on some driveways around the barn, so it wasn't used just for mowing. The Huskee was almost $1,600.

You do the math on the yearly cost of the purchase price spread over the years on these big box mowers that everyone is damning. Pretty good return in my mind, especially since the issues were later in their lives. If you don't beat them constantly and take care what you do with it, and maintain them properly and regularly, you can get good service from them.
 

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