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Choosing a riding mower

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john in la

04-18-2008 06:48:18

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I have a 20hp Craftsman mower right now that I have been "thinking" about replacing. I know once I start looking at the price of a new mower I may just bandade this one together for another year but might as well start looking around.

Can any of you guys give me some insite on differant brands.

I cut about 1/2 a acre.
I like buying quality when I can because I know it is best over the long run but I am not looking for a top of the line commercial unit.
Have been thinking about buying a lower end zero turn to save time but just afraid I am giving up to much quality to stay in my price range.
I can get another crafstman for about $1500 and it has done OK for me so I have set this as my goal price but I am open to comments.

Home Depot sells the John Deere mowers but I have heard threw the grape vine that our local JD dealer sure puts you on the back burner if you ever need warrenty work because it is not a mower he sold.

Thanks

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TX656

04-24-2008 19:35:53

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

My 'press to mow in reverse' button has experienced a 'malfunction' and now the mower operates in reverse just fine. It's almost as if the mower thinks the button is pressed all the time.

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greygoat

04-22-2008 06:23:04

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

I swear by my SNAPPER rear engine rider.
so easy to work on, and no transmission, just an
easy to replace drive disc,(1890s technoligy
that still works today)
As for "no mow in reverse"? just a simple unhook
of a cable!

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jd b puller

04-21-2008 21:31:50

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to Eddie Jones, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Hey John, I think the 1st twin is the LA135 (22 HP). On the reverse thing, until recently, other manufacturers simply couldn't mow in reverse, the machine was required to shut off. Deere spent the extra money and came up with "the switch" that's on the dash, which allows you to mow in reverse. I think the MTD stuff caught up a couple years ago, as the Cubs, Toro's etc have some sort of button on them now.

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john in la

04-22-2008 19:29:28

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to jd b puller, 04-21-2008 21:31:50

jd b puller;

Yes the LA 135 LE is the one I have been looking at. Smallest mower they have with the V-twin motor. 22hp. You guys have about got me sold on my first green machine. From what I have seen so far the JD may be the best quality for the dollar.
Yes I can go with a commercial mower and spend big bucks; or I can go cheep and get what I pay for but for less than $1900 I do not think I will find better quality than the JD.

And at $1899. it is just a little over my set budget so will not take long to save the few extra dollars.

Thanks for the help
John

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Eddie in MI

04-21-2008 16:46:44

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Buy an old Case Ingersoll... not many built like those machines.

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supera2

04-20-2008 05:34:53

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

If you ever use a zero turn you'll never go back to a big farmer wannabes. They are built to mow grass and will flat do it, no need to mow backwards.

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john in la

04-19-2008 00:36:54

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Thanks for the comments..

I looked at a JD mower today. While I do not know the features of the other brands the one thing that has me turned off on JD right now is there no reverse mowing.
The mower has a button you need to push every time you want to back up or else the mower kills. (this is with the blades on)
That would sure get old real quick with all the trees I have to cut around.
If the other brands have the same feature I may start leaning toward the Zero turn.

I also noticed you need to get up in the 24 hp range (or there abouts) to get a twin cylinder engine in a JD.

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flying belgian

04-20-2008 06:23:53

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-19-2008 00:36:54

I liked the all wheel steer feature of the deere so I got one and with use of a 2" jumper wire I overran the reverse kill switch because that got old after about 5 minutes of mowing. Then I had to take it in to dealer for waurentee work and when I got it back they had reconnected switch. I called them up and told them leave my alterations alone. They said they were required by law to reconnect all safety features. I had added a rubber strap to hold the grass deflector up when going through a narrow space between buildings and they left that on there so I don't know how they determine which alterations to put back. Anyhow you would like the all wheel steer better than zero turn. I have had them both and zero turn leaves a divvit in grass. also you cannot mow around a 2" tree with zero turn without jocking it back and forth in little circles and gouging out dirt from around all trees. None of that happens with all wheel steer. Test drive both and you will see what I mean.

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Annn

04-19-2008 14:38:49

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-19-2008 00:36:54

You're going to find that reverse issue on many other brands as well. John Deere at least offers an override button. Some brands don't, and you simply can't mow in reverse at all with them.

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hay

04-19-2008 10:52:10

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-19-2008 00:36:54

i bought a JD LA100 lawn tractor from home depot and like john in la says: i have to push the little yellow button every time i need to reverse when mowing. sometimes it is a PITA, but i bought this brand because there is a local JD dealer just a few miles from me and so service and parts are easy to obtain. it means a lot to me to have that convience and beside the JD mower was priced about the same as the other brands that home depot sell. i'm happy with my choice.

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jd b puller

04-18-2008 18:03:43

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

John, contrary to what "mss3020" said, the JD tractors sold at THD and Lowes are in fact IDENTICAL to the ones sold at the dealer.

If your dealer doesn't like working on THD units, why not just buy it at the dealership? It's going to be the same price. Just saw on the website that it's 12 months no interest, no payment.

Deere Season

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KEH

04-18-2008 15:43:44

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

I had good service out of a Snapper riding mower. Simple to maintain. Fewer parts to go wrong than a Murray or other of that type. Good resale value. I have 2 large lawns to mow and got a small Dixie Chopper. If you use a ZTR you will be spoiled. Oh, I did the tractor and finish mower routine. It did good work, just not so good for mowing around tees and shrubbary.

KEH

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Gun guru

04-18-2008 13:36:41

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

I would get a cub cadet zero turn for about $2600, or a deere for the same money. A friend of mine had a Huskvarna lawn tractor---Junk, he burned up the trans in 2 years, not servicable (according to him) I think of it this way. --Dont go cheap and then have to buy something else in 3 years and then another 3 years and so on. Buy quality first (like a cub or deere zero turn) and then it will last 15 years, hopefully. Or get a good used zero turn or lawn tractor. I looked for a long time for a used zeroturn in my area and I couldnt find one, unless I wanted a super razmatazz commercial for $5,000, used of course.

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spitz

04-18-2008 10:54:50

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

A lady I do some landscaping for is selling her craftsman. Its an 05 with 24 hp and a 48 inch deck. It has mowed he lawn 2 times only! Her back couldnt take the bouncing so she has hired me since. She wants 1250 for it. I am in S minnesota if your interested.

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IH2444

04-18-2008 10:40:58

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

1,500 ?
Get another Caraftman or MTD. The best value for the average homeowner is the cheap riding mowers. Less $ per year cost once you spread it out. If image is an issue Green paint for the MTD is cheap.

Just get one with a cast iron sleeved engine in it, keep the blades sharp, and it full of clean oil.

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Glenn F.

04-18-2008 09:53:12

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

If your lawn is smooth and you maintain your equipment well I would buy the cheapest mower on the market. I am about to begin the 16th season on my cheapie Murray. I'll buy another one when this one's gone, but that won't be for a while.

Glenn F.

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Aaron Ford

04-18-2008 09:25:15

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

The guys at work are impressed by the Bad Boy Zero Turn mower. Built out of Atlanta, I believe. Tractor Supply sells the samllest of thier lineup. Anyone heard of this one?

Aaron

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mtgummibear

04-19-2008 04:18:12

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to Aaron Ford, 04-18-2008 09:25:15

I almost bought a Bad Boy. I"m pretty sure it"s a darn good mower but the dealer network still seems pretty limited. NOTE: My Tractor Supply sells the mower, but does NOT stock any parts. My nearest full service dealer would have been about 90 miles away.

The mowers are actually made in Arkansas and if you go to their web site you can see their entire lineup. To the best of my knowledge TSC only sells the consumer grade with a Briggs Engine instead of the Kohlers and Kasawakis available on the top of the line units. But even the TSC models have the welded heavy steel decks instead of the stamped decks.

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thurlow

04-18-2008 08:30:58

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Have you checked out Amazon? For anything I don't need right away, it's the first place I look. Have bought books, electronics, power tools, dishes, flatware, zero turn mower..... ...bunch of stuff. You can often find tremendous discounts, if you keep checking. Just put lawn mower, zero turn mower, whatever, in the search engine.

Poke

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buickanddeere

04-18-2008 08:22:34

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

1/2 acre? Just get a 21" push mower. As for the cheapest entry level riding mower/lawn tractor. That the manufacture has cheapened as much as possible to compete for the "lowest price is most important factor for me customer"? I'd hesitate no matter who built the machine. Your Deere dealer will have the best service and parts supply. The mower will have the highest resale/trade value 5 years from now too.

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mss3020

04-18-2008 07:54:08

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

I have a husky 48 inch lawn tractor 18 horse. My folks bought it in 1986. I now have it and mow with it. I have a craftsman 21 horse 2002 model. And I have a three year old Husky 25 horse 50 inch cut. Now my folks bought a J.D. 425. 25 horse. It has more pulling power than my 25 husky and cost them 4500.00 my Husky cost 2200.00. Pulling power meaning that mine wont pull a arator theirs will. I love the husky mowers. Still use the 48 older model. Have to boys so all of us mow to keep up the place. We mow about 4-5 acres of "good" lawn. I would not buy a craftmen again to save my soul. HATE IT. Same motor as the husky except 21 horse but the mowing deck stinks to undo, take off and clean. Also dont like the way it mowes. I do take exeptional care of my equipment. Decks get cleaned weekly and washed when needed, on time oil changes with good oil, aircleaners maintained reg. carbs cleaned etc. I would buy the husky again in a second. The cost in working on briggs motors compared to the J.D. Kawasaki, also the Depot or Lowes J.D. are NOT the same as what you would buy at the dealer. They to usually have briggs motors in them. Anyway my two or three cents. good luck

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135 Fan

04-19-2008 15:57:41

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to mss3020, 04-18-2008 07:54:08

Craftsman and Husky are made by the same company. Husky usually have a Kohler engine I believe but even a Briggs will last a long time if taken care of. Dave

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Jerry Eime

04-18-2008 07:34:22

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Just for my 2 cents, we are an ExMark dealer and have excellent success with Exmarks Quest. This is thier homeowner model and is projected to last a homeowner 15 to 20 years. Comes with a Briggs ElS motor and a fulled welded 7 gage deck with 10 gage reinforcement and baffles. Look into them. They are well worth the money and with an excellent financing until the end of april. no payment for 6 months and followed by 1.9% apr for 36. Cant beat that. go to www.exmark.com and take a look. Don"t buy cub you wont be happy.

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rodgernbama

04-18-2008 17:25:40

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to Jerry Eime, 04-18-2008 07:34:22

I lost faith in the Briggs and Stratton engines long ago. They would"nt last very long. Are they better now? Are they on par with a kawaski or kohler? By the way you see alot of commercial cutters using exmarks. They have good ratings.

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Jerry Eime

04-18-2008 20:40:57

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to rodgernbama, 04-18-2008 17:25:40

Yes ExMark is very very good. One of the best in the industry. They have been in commercail mowing business since early 1980's and have been number 1 since about 94. They have enginered the quality of the commercail mowers into the homeowner Quest. We have worked on many cub cadet homeowners models and they are about the ceapest material mower you can get. Even the motion contorls are weak. ExMark makes their products last and thats what built their company standards. Give them a look.

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mtgummibear

04-18-2008 07:25:24

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

Here's my two cents worth. If the half acre is pretty smooth mowing, in other words a lawn instead of glorified pasture, I think you would do just fine with the consumer grade zero turn mowers.

Generally speaking zero turns can mow at a much faster speed and if the ground is rough the "cheaper" ones might get shaken apart. But if your ground is pretty smooth I don't think it's an issue. The engines and decks on the consumer grade zero turns are virtually the same as your typical lawn tractors.

I typically see the 50 inch cut Cub Cadets with a 21 HP Briggs for about $2500. I do know this much, once you go zero turn you never want to go back.

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Uncle Ernie

04-18-2008 07:12:30

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

I mow with a Farmall Cub and a Woods belly mower. Makes me look forward to mowing(most of the time)LOL! Was money well spent. Now I have an antique AND a mower!!

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Animal

04-18-2008 11:24:31

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to Uncle Ernie, 04-18-2008 07:12:30

Ernie, you have the new stuff, I use an F12 with a belly mower!

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Uncle Ernie

04-18-2008 21:34:25

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to Animal, 04-18-2008 11:24:31

I am modern ... and too lazy to spin a crank!1

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glennster

04-18-2008 07:07:07

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

i have a deere rider i bought from the dealer, same price as the big box store units. the dealer has my mower on record, any time i need parts, they look up my name and have all the info on it. parts and service are great. mine is an automatic, really nice for trim work. i also have 2 commercial zero turns, 72 inch decks, way too big for what you need, if you have a lot of trees, bushes, the zero turns are great for trim work.

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dave2

04-18-2008 06:58:10

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Re: Choosing a riding mower in reply to john in la, 04-18-2008 06:48:18

We had a half acre when I was a kid. We had a little simplicity mower and dad had a Satoh S650G with a mower behind it (forget the brand, but believe it was from Satoh also). Got to the point that we didn't need the simplicity anymore as Dad was having too much fun. If you've got a small tractor, may have more fun and save some bucks by investing in a mower. As far as what is a good riding mower, can't help you.

Sorry,

Dave

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