Riding mower opinoins

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2010

I need your advice or opinoins on a rider.I'm looking at a J.D. or Husqvarna. I probably will buy from a big chain store for pricing reasons. I've talked to dealers and the price is twice as much! Do to the difference of materials.Do any of you have experience with one or other? I'm looking at a 22hp with about a 46" deck. I posted on garden tractors but got no replies. Thanks in Advance Mike

ericlb · May 28, 2010

ive had experience with both, the difference is unbelievable, i bought a box store rider 3 years ago, simply put, its a big p.o.s. its worn out now and had always run poorly now it barely runs period, we also have a john deere 260, bought at the dealer in '94 it cost twice what the box store one did, but its at least 3 times the tractor, much more power [ even though both units engines are rated the same hp] easier steering there is a huge difference in quality of the whole unit, ran perfect new, and still does,has had yearly tune ups and the belts replaced twice, and i do a lot of mowing i couldnt be more pleased with that one , as for the box store tractor i will never buy another , my advice is spend the money for the dealer unit and get one that is worth bringing home with you

INCase · May 28, 2010

I don't know about either of those. Older JD's were good. In-laws bought a newer one from a local dealer who met the big store price. Not the best mower, I would imagine their about the same build wise. JD parts and service could be easier to get.

IF I was looking for a new rider I'd watch for a Full size Wheel-Horse at estate sale (old folks with small yard and took care of stuff). Some of the best mowers built but not a golf course quality mow though.

FARM-STOCK · May 28, 2010

i own a deere x340 best mower i have ever owned.

Mashbox · May 28, 2010

Whether from a big box store or the dealer, beware of the L and LA series John Deere mowers. These are advertised as having a sealed hydrostatic unit, which is non-serviceable, usually a Tuff Torq K46 unit. I purchased a L120 from the dealer about 5 years ago, and the hydrostatic went out last spring at around 200 hours. This is the same series unit as sold in the big box stores.

I ended up installing a K66 rear end in it, the same as used in the garden tractors. Had to change pulleys and rear wheels, as well as other miscellaneous parts. But this was about $100 less than the cost of a replacement K46, and it's serviceable.

4 bottem · May 28, 2010

I agree some of the older units are the best (price and build) The cases have a pure hyd drive, pump,valve,motor which is indestructible and big tires to boot. Don't be fooled by the higher HP of the tractors today, all they do is burn more gas. I seem to always end up with about a 38 inch mowing deck and have run them over the years with 10,12 hp. I have a JD 180 now that seems to be a good lawn mower with a 38 inch deck but it has a 17 hp motor. My old case did the same job with 10 hp.

thurlow · May 28, 2010

Have you considered a zero turn; if you use one, you'll never go back to a conventional riding mower. I nearly always use Amazon for a price check no matter what I'm buying and often wind up buying from them.
Mow here

jm. · May 28, 2010

Find you a good KUBOTA dealer get quality and SERVICE when it goes..if ever. Never been a more true statement in you get what you pay for in the box store mowers.. made cheap for a cheap market. John Deer company even admitts they are made for what they call the entry market. Read anothere way we get you comited to the brand then work you up...Better to start with something better first.

circus · May 28, 2010

For the biggest bang for your buck get premium tractor thats a couple years old. Used expensive tractors are alot tougher but you may have to buy some minor maintainance items initially.

TonyIN · May 28, 2010

I would have to agree with the zero-turn comment. A good one is expensive, but if you can put a little work into an older one, you"ll be right where the new rider is and probably less cost.
I resurrected an older 48" walk behind with a Kawasaki motor. My cost including the machine was way less than half that of a new 22 hp rider, and the cut is beautiful.
I"m also making the assumption this will be just for cutting grass and not yard work. In my case I was able to snag an old rider for that type work and my combined cost still way less.
Good luck.

Kyle Fenstermaker · May 28, 2010

Depends on how much grass you mow. My neighbor has a 2.5 acre yard and would buy the cheapo mowers from Lowes,TSC,Walmart about every 3-5 yrs. We was talking and I said to him, If you'd buy a good heavy duty mower, all the mowers you have purchase over the last ten yrs, would've paid for itself by now and would still be going. So you need to look at how much grass you mow and determine the size and capability of the mower you need. A lot of company's Exmark, Scags, Kubota to offer "0" percent financing. Just an option to think about.

M Nut · May 28, 2010

I have a 10 year old Husqvarna with a 18hp Kohler and a 46" deck. It currently has 325 hours on it, and I have only replaced a couple of belts and a set or two of blades. Only thing I've noticed is the steering is getting a little sloppy, but other than that it still works good as new.

Scott KY · May 28, 2010

If the dealer is twice as high you are not comparing apples to apples. Pricing should be the same. Box stores do not have any service. Buy from a dealer.

J.ReinkeFarms · May 28, 2010

I went through the mower thing a little over a year ago. The tractors sold at the box stores are junk. I would not buy any of the little 100 series Deere mowers. I ended up getting an X340 to replace my old 214. Starts good, runs good, plenty of power, mows faster and turns better. I originally looked at the X500 series tractors but decided the extra cost wasn’t warranted since all I needed was something that would cut grass, so decided X300 series would work for me. I went with the X340 because it uses the larger transmission that the X520 has, but doesn't have the extra fluid capacity of the X520. I ended up getting my mower used, one year old, 78 hours on it for half the price of a new one. I figured at that rate it wasn't half wore out so I'd run with it.

As for the box store Deere mowers, neighbor has one, cuts 2 acres with it, 3 years old and it's about shot.

SCHMUCK 1 · May 28, 2010

I bought a Cub Cadet zero turn from a box store 3 years ago. The only problem I've had with it was about a year and a half ago I fell into about 4 mole runs at the same time, bent a blade and broke the drive belt, none of which would have been covered by warranty, anyway. Called the dealer, blades and belt were over $150, and they had to order them. Called the local small engine shop, blades and belt was $80 and he had them on the shelf. In less than 2 hours I was back mowing again. I intended to do my own maintenance/repairs on it when I bought it. For others, dealer service is all they want. Your choice. By the way, I mow 2 acres an average of every 6 days from late April until early October.

Mike (WA) · May 28, 2010

As others have said, the box store versions are pretty much junk. They will designate the local Deere dealer for service, but Deere dealer doesn't like working on them, and is not happy that you bought at the box store, so be prepared for them to hose you when you take it in for service.

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2010

I agree with the other statement about comparing apples to apples. Who do you think sets up the mowers for the big box stores? The servicing dealers do. In the case of JD, the dealer will still get most of the service work and warranty work for the box store machines, which makes them more money in the long run. The dealer may have higher end units but the other units are exactly the same. If a person wanted a really good mower, go to a commercial turf equipment dealer and get a used commercial mower. You could get a good Toro Groundsmaster or similar mower that would last you for years for less money than a high end garden tractor. Lots of golf courses typically trade in machines every 5 years or so. Most of them are well maintained since golf courses/municipalities have full time mechanics and don't want machines breaking down on the course. Dave

SCHMUCK 1 · May 28, 2010

And I still fail to understand how these guys think this treatment of a potential new customer is going to keep them going to their store and not returning to the box store. Do they think someone will stay away because they don't want the dealer mad at them? Fat chance, I'd say.

PreciseFarms · May 28, 2010

I just bought an X300 Deere and I like it. Would have rather had the X320 for the 48" deck because they do cut better than the 42". After I did away with the long plastic chute and disabled the reverse mower shutoff, it works great. That being said I may look for a 48C to put on it off of craigslist. We have had two 17hp Deeres with 48" cut but the dealer said they tried a 48C on the 300 and it wouldn"t pull it. Said he thought the mower didn"t have enough torque rise to handle it. Funny that its an "I-torque engine".

Old Roy · May 28, 2010

depends mostly what prestige you want setting in your garage . I was told by a mechanic 12 years ago If ya want a cheap JD go buy a Yardman --- choose your color, they will choose what you pay MTD will put on any decals? paint you want.

look at the new ones real good , body styles mower set up, controls ,---very mineute differences.

tomNE · May 28, 2010

the JD dealers i priced at all met the box store price with less sales tax. the dealers were in small towns and delivered, so i got the lowest sales tax. I got the biggest mower in the cheap line and am completely happy with it. I plan on running it 2-3 yrs and selling. One thing about green paint....someone will buy them when they wouldn't look twice at another brand.
JMO

buickanddeere · May 28, 2010

Do you want a lawn tractor or a garden tractor?
Who will be operating it? Any hills or grades on the property? How many acres or lawn? How long is the mowing season? How long do you plan on keeping the machine? Will you be towing anything with the machine? Intend on using any attachments?

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2010

Thanks Guys for all your replies, I greatly Appreciate them. I will take it all in and make a wise decicion, ( I HOPE! ) LOL :>) Mike

JD Seller · May 28, 2010

I have a John Deere 325 garden tractor, 17 hp kawasaki 48" cut. I bought it new in 1996 for $4250. I mow 3-4 acres every week. It has 650 hrs on it and I have only replaced two sets of deck belts.
At the same time my brother-in-law bought a TSC Husky. It had 25 hp and a 54" cut. He ragged on me on how good of a deal he made getting it for $3500, plus "bigger" mower. It did not last four years mowing three town lots.
By yourself a good used premium garden tractor. You can count on John Deere for parts for a long time.

barn E · May 30, 2010

Farmall Cub 1947 for the last 20+ years. Lotta work but a lotta fun.

Riding mower opinoins

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