lawn/garden tractor

wjytexas · Jan 25, 2017

I'm in the market for a new lawn tractor/mower. I have an older, but not vintage, Cub Cadet and it has been a royal PIA. When it runs it is great but lately the problem have been increasing. I've heard negative comments on the new John Deeres. A friend's Husqvarna has not impressed me and there is Ariens which I know nothing about. I like the hydrostatic drive of the Cub but I could just get an MTD or one of those old standards. Experiences? Suggestions?

hd6gtom · Jan 25, 2017

I have an LT 190 Deere it is trouble free, had a LT 160 same way, Had an JD STX38 big piece of Junk

NY 986 · Jan 25, 2017

It depends on the series of JD. The ones sold through Lowe's and other big box stores are meant for small lawns and short life times. I have a X500 which I picked up used and it has been a very good (lawn) garden tractor. The X500 is still offered new. Go to a JD dealer and check out the X 3XX and X 5XX tractors. Yes, they are pricey but are meant to last. I read customer reviews on the more basic models in those lines and they are very good for the most part.

mmfan55 · Jan 25, 2017

Ever hear of Simplicity? They are not cheap but seem to be durable. I have an older model "Conquest" . It has a "locking" rear axle that is amazing on hills. Only real problem I have encountered is it is hard on blade drive belt. My yard is rough and uneven that allows deck to move up and down a lot.

Oregon Tractor Jack · Jan 25, 2017

I read an article a couple of years ago about who makes what for garden tractors. It was interesting. There are like three manufacturers that make all the lawn mowers and garden tractors for the US market. Let Google be your friend and do a search. I know that Sears and Husky get theirs from the same manufacturer. Right now I have a Husky 48" tractor I got from the aunt in-law when she down sized. It is about 5 years old and still going strong. It has a Koller (spelling) engine in it. I have read that these engines are not the most reliable, but I haven't had any problems yet. My last mower was a John Deere it was one of the LX series and was 15 plus years old when I sold it. It was a great mower, never had much trouble with it. I sold it because it was under powered for the amount and type of mowing I do. The nice thing about a JD is that you can go to or call about parts and they will have them in a couple of days even for a 15 year old mower. Try that with an MTD... Of course you know you will be paying extra for the special green paint.

OTJ

David G · Jan 25, 2017

JD has multiple levels of quality, get one of the better, should be fine.

russ1 · Jan 25, 2017

I would vote for Simplicity.

ed will · Jan 25, 2017

Hi I have a 26hp Craftsman 54"cut, 8yr old now. Starts and runs perfect. Foot actuated drive (has cruise control). Last year I bought a Poulan. It has 26 hp Briggs pro , 54" cut but it has hand operated drive. I really didn't need it but it was on sale so cheap I had to buy. The point is the foot control is better for doing weed kill with the wand as you can stop back up, regulate speed with foot. I don't like kohlers although they are made well because the parts are horrendously priced. I mow 5 acres ever 5 or 6 days.

VicS · Jan 25, 2017

Had a 325 JD great tractor, 54" deck. But no power steering. Important when get older. Dealer brought a zero turn out to try. Took a little while to learn to drive. Till my brother in law, told me to set my speed with my left hand and drive with my right hand. Never looked back. Don't expect to buy a lowes jd and expect it to be same as a real jd.

Texasmark1 · Jan 25, 2017

I had a 17.5 and 20 hp Kohler singles in a JD and a Husq. 24 and 26" mower respectively. Last year I went to ebay and bought new BS 18 and 20 V twins for $600 and $700 with free shipping, no tax. Since I had the machines extensively modified in other ways to suit me I didn't want to just junk them and buy new, having to start over and there weren't any problems with them other than normal service items that come and go.

It'll be a year since I made the swap. The JD is a L110 and it's my Gator getting used every day. The engines are super and run/start great with super fuel efficiency. The hole patterns in the mower decks in both machines are stamped for either singles or V engines, 10" diameter bolt pattern as I recall. The wiring and fuel connections are identical since the OEMs make the machines to accept either engine.

The difference comes in the throttle and choke. I bought a couple of JD separate C-T controls also on ebay, made for the JD L120 (has the V engine) and mounted on the side of the cowling just to the left and below the original control. One lever is black and the other orange to help in identifyiing them. They work super. Really worth your consideration if your engine is your only problem.

Married2Allis · Jan 25, 2017

For a new premium tractor that's relaible I would vote for Simplicity as well. But I would look at dealer support in your area. Kubota is high-end and pricier, but probably better dealer support at more locations. Me? I love old Cub Cadets and wouldn't trade my '81 IH 782 for anything. It mows great and the Kohler M18 is one heck of a motor.

S2710 · Jan 25, 2017

I had a John Deere LT155 it was 15 years old and ran great but I had to repair the deck several times because it was rusting out. The reason I sold it was it was wearing out on the under side and would throw the belts at least once every time I mowed. I bought a cub cadet and it is made by MTD but I bought it from real dealer and not the big box store. That way if it needs work they will fix it unlike the big box stores who don't have anyone who knows anything about them. Also it had a fabricated deck and not a stamped deck. Also it was half the price of the good JD so I figured I could buy two for the price of the JD.

Bob

Russ from MN · Jan 25, 2017

We have both a Husqvarna and a JD, and they have both been very good. My wife researches everything before we buy and she is good at it, and she does most of the mowing. The JD is a zero-turn and if we were doing it over we would of gotten a 48 instead of 42, we think it probably would mow around trees better, but because we have so many trees we went with the 42. The Husqvarna is about 16 years old, with a Kawasaki engine and it has only needed blades and 2 belts in that time, it also has an excellent bagger.

JD Farmer · Jan 25, 2017

If you are looking for a GOOD one, go back to before 1992 and get one of these. I bought my first one in 1985 and another around 2000 used. Both are still here with me and going strong. And right now that original 85 deck is still being used.

Then when the mowing is done, put the plow on and go to a plow day with your son and grandson. Nothing beats that.

redih55 · Jan 25, 2017

I have a zero turn cub cadet mower with the 50" deck and it has been a great mower. I bought it used to start with, and the only thing I have done to it has been normal maintenance and blades.

jeffcat · Jan 25, 2017

Lots of good machines listed. I have two Husqvarna machines and just love them. Here is what you need to know. If you can avoid MTD machines you will be better off. They are for the small lawn crowd. If you want a real garden tractor then the smallest i would go are AYP machines American Yard Products. Many of the Husqvarna larger units are AYP . Very tough machines and heavier mechanics and decks. You most likely want to start at the top of the price range and slide down to what you can afford. These are the two machines i have. The one in the front was only made one year and is an "Estate " machine. 25 inch rears on 12 inch rims and 54 inch deck 22hp. The one behind is 21hp 46 inch hydrostatic. You don't want any of the Kohler engines. Briggs twin V or a Kowalski. Kohler had a lot of problems with engines self distructing. Might be fixed now but i would still want a Briggs. You really get what you pay for. Right now is when you can look on ebay and find dealers getting rid of 2016 machines. They can knock off from $200-500 bucks on the Husqvarna machines. You might need to drive a little but some of them will ship it for free. Some real bargens

Traditional Farmer · Jan 25, 2017

Very few if any true garden tractors anymore its lawn mowers and then you go to mini compacts

NY 986 · Jan 25, 2017

Not true if you look at Deere's X5XX and X7XX lines. There are no Cub Cadet dealers around here anymore so I have no idea as to what CC is doing on that front.

D beatty · Jan 25, 2017

Craftsman & American Yard Pro (AYP) still make garden tractors. I have a Yard Pro and 2 Craftsman garden tractors that are around 20 years old and no big problems with them outside of normal maintenance.

wjytexas · Jan 25, 2017

I appreciate all the responses. One thing struck me. All the folks that said "I have a 10 y.o., or 20.yo such and such" Yep, they were good back then. Almost any brand even from a box. I had a '98 Weed Eater (Poulan) and the electronics went haywire a few years ago. My neighbor had a '99 exactly the same. Her engine seized (long story involving a non vented gas cap). I made one mower out of the 2, "Frankie"stein. Still going! But I gave it to her when I got the Cub. Gonna check out real JD's and Simplicity. Thanks y'all. John

MtMan · Jan 25, 2017

I also have a Yard Pro like the picture in D Beatty's post. Looks identical. Mine is a 20 HP and a 50 inch deck. I bought it new in 1995 and it is still going strong with 1300 plus hours. I wish they still made them.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 25, 2017

wjytexas,
All my garden tractors and lawn mowers are old, so I didn't post what I have.

I would recommend you make a list of what you want.

As for me, I want a cast iron front axle, not a bent tin axle.

I want a HST.

I want an electric mower clutch, not a mechanical one.

I have a Kawasaki engine on my John Deere garden tractor and Briggs and Kohler engine on mowers.

I've had good luck with all my engines. If I had to choose one, Kawasaki.

If you want attachments like a tiller, better look at a garden tractor.

If you look closely at many mowers, they will all start to look the same. Good chance they could be made by MTD.

If I can get parts, I will keep my mowers going until the wheels fall off. If you like what you have, fix it or find one with the same features your Cub has.

I'm not sure the newer HST are built as well as the older ones. I can change the oil and filter on my old JD275. Most new HST's don't even have a drain or fill plug. I've heard of people not getting 4-500 hours on the newer HST's.

Good luck.

rrlund · Jan 25, 2017

I've got the Allis Chalmers version of the Simplicity,my son has the orange Simplicity version. Looks just like it except for the color. The only thing I'd advise on those,the deck drive belt has given us a little trouble on the AC. We went through several of the blue belts on it. When the dealer finally got us a new Simplicity replacement belt,it took care of the trouble,but just know that it has been a little bit of an issue.

accumulator · Jan 25, 2017

JD Seller, The picture of the young boy operating that mower makes me ill. That is purely ugly display of child abuse. Hope he is still alive with all his limbs.

JD Farmer · Jan 25, 2017

Really? This is all part of his education. When he gets older he will not be a snowflake looking for a safe place.

504 · Jan 25, 2017

My oldest granddaughter wants me to teach her how to drive this summer,she is 14. I told her mom she already knows most of the job,she has helped me mow for three years. Her cousin is almost 18, and can barley drive down the lane with out hitting the ditch,last summer I got him on a mower for the first time in his life(he broke the hood on my 455).

gab · Jan 25, 2017

I don't know anything about the new ones, never had one. My newest two are both 1988 Wheel Horses, the one with the mower turned 1700 hrs., one with blade and blower has 1250 hrs. 1970 John Deere back/up, 1968 Wh. Horse with tiller must have a million hrs. on it's 14 horse Kohler. The most I gave for one was $700.

Ozlander · Jan 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 19:49:12 01/25/17) JD Seller, The picture of the young boy operating that mower makes me ill. That is purely ugly display of child abuse. Hope he is still alive with all his limbs.

I suppose you'd have him play video games all day.
Safe but stupid.

Traditional Farmer · Jan 26, 2017

And you can buy a better small compact for what they cost

Mike M · Jan 26, 2017

I think you chewed out two different guys at once ? JD farmer made this post JD seller is another different fellow as far as I know.
I was running a far more dangerous Simplicity Wonder boy when I was likely that age. No safety shut offs and not even BRAKES !no steering wheel either just a joystick type lever that worked clutch and steering. If the safety switches are hooked up and the kid is good at operating machines this is how they become GREAT at operating machines.

Texasmark1 · Jan 26, 2017

Nice collection.

RedGreenGuy · Jan 27, 2017

Look over what you buy. Many manufactures give song and dance on hyros being lifetime fill. That way they don/'t have to make a drain plug in the tranny. I just gets dirtier with use and can not be serviced.

I have Kubotas. Purchased new in mid 80s. Regular oil changes and grease make them a life time mower. Running 2 G5200s and a smaller G4200. The 1st G5200 paid for my youngest daughters college mowing many hours of yards.

buickanddeere · Jan 27, 2017

There is more than one model of JD tractor. There is the low buck entry level market and then there are medium and HD tractors .
Iirc the X370 and higher have a medium duty or better tranaxle.

Fatjay · Jan 27, 2017

Five years ago my old MTD from the 80's died and I was fed up fixing it. I bought a new craftsman 42" 18hp single cylinder tractor. Bells and whistles galore. 3rd year mowing, the connecting rod snapped to the piston. I picked up a used 20hp twin from craigslist and bolted it on. This past year the main spindle went in the mower deck, chewed up the belt beyond recognition.

So a $1000 mower needed $800 in repairs in the first 5 years.

I went out and spent $2000 on a kubota b8200 4wd hst and $300 on a 3pt 60" finish mower, and that should last me a life time.

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