Looking for a decent riding mower

[T1320T]

It really depends on what you want to do w it. Are you just going to mow or are you going to use it as a tractor? I'd recommend Dixon. I have 2 of them & they're really a good mower for the $. Get a hydrostatic ZTR (zero turn radius). After you ride one you'll never plant your **** on another tractor style mower.

 

[Beaumont67]

Gus68 - I had a Deere L110 Box Store POS, that came with a property, always needed dealer work.
- they have very week "hydro's" / and will burn out if your property has any amount of slopes
(no filter or drain plug either - all sealed rears)
- not great at cutting thick / tall grass either (always wanted to bog down)

Now I went to a GT262 (although gear drive / not hydro) and this thing is a absolute beast:
- air cooled engine is a 17HP Kawasaki OHV / and true commercial (~2000 hour life)
- my 1998 model for under $2000, should be good for another +20 years, with regular & cheap maintenance
(just normal stuff)

TIP - find a used riding mower, with 5 bolts holding the rear wheels on. (doesn't have to be the green brand)
- tractor will have a thicker frame, deck made from thicker gauge metal, HD rear end, higher end motor, etc.


--------------------------------------
Beaumont { :>)) www.petperfectexpress.com
1992 JD 318 original paint w/484 hr. Onan - 1998 JD GT262 w/brand new Kawasaki OHV & 48" rebuilt deck

 

[tdkkart]

TIP[/B] with 5 bolts holding the rear wheels on.

This is what denotes the best of the Cubs too, and I don't believe any of the box store models have them.

 

[Beaumont67]

This is what denotes the best of the Cubs too, and I don't believe any of the box store models have them.

Couldn't agree more tdkkart,
I was just at the box store, they had a dozen models lined up outside, from $1000 to $3000 Canadian range. Cubs in the GT league, are great machines to.

I found - ALL with cheap light duty hydrostatic trans. and axles...I don't need the trouble, expense, or shortened design life...LOL...and the monster overrated HP engines, is another joke.
------------------------------------------------
Beaumont { :>)) www.petperfectexpress.com
1965 Malibu S/S, 1966 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont Custom, 1967 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont 396-350HP Sport Deluxe M21-411's - SOLD 1970 Judge

 

[lowendrider]

You didn't say how much grass you cut, but I'd recommend a commercial grade machine if you have a big yard. I just purchased a Scag Tiger Cat and its likely to last me most of my life. It will cost more up front, but I don't see me wearing this thing out. Cast iron spindles with tapered roller bearings, the deck is nearly 1/2" thick on top and 7 gauge everywhere else, seperate pumps with cast iron wheel motors, etc, etc. Love it so far.

 

[D.J.]

Bought a Snapper brand new in 1988 when I bought a business. I used it every week to mow the business 160' X 160' and home yard 70' X 140' and rental property of about 70' X 140' and it worked fine except every thing had to be flat if it wasn't it would be after I mowed with it. It lasted for about 2003 or so with basic maintenance. Recieved hand -me - down Murray, then two Craftsman's and still using Craftsman today. If I could afford it I would be on an Exmark, Ferris, Scag, Dixie Chopper, or the like Zero Turn Radius type. The Ferris has four wheel independent suspension. I think they are the only ones who have this feature. Second on the spin on oil filters, and keeping the oil changed regularly. This is where I have a tendency to fail in my own preventative maintenance schedule. Good luck on finding a good used mower, lots of good advice on here.

 

[LawnDart79]

I vote for used.

I have two old Cub Cadets (127 and 129), both hydrostatic, and an Allis Chalmers with a manual transmission. The cubs are from the old International Harvester days.

All of these vintage machines are beasts. With proper care, they'll last me out.

I'll never have any of that box store consumer grade **** in my possession.

 

[Gus68]

Thanks for all the tips!!!! I mow about 1 1/2 achre with some slopes and ditches. I have quite a few trees around my yard so I get lots of branches, branches that I dont pick up. Another thing is that I am NOT a yard guy! I mow the yard about every saturday, and i mow to get it done. So yes, i may be a little hard on things. I do change the oil every year and try to do the maintanance, but if I'm half done mowing and something brakes, I just rig it enough so i can finnish. (I'll fix it right later....or someday) Right now I have a 11 year old weed eater brand that I bought used 1 year old. It has a tecumseh and a 42" deck. Right now the thing is just old and falling apart, but the engine still runs strong. I would like a bigger deck, 54 if I could but would take a 48 or 46. I see alot of hydrostatic drives on these things. I don't know much about that but to me that sounds like more maintance and expensive when it takes a dump. Don't think I could rig that back together when it pukes. Who has time to take care of a yard and a mower when there are hot rods in the garage that need my attension.

 

[bdkruger1]

It's true hydro is expensive to repair. However, any of them I've ever owned had spin on filters just like on an engine. That old Ariens I had, had a funny sound in the hydro trans. from the day I bought it till the day I sold it. It never went out or even showed any signs of weakening. Maint. is key. The biggest pain in the *** with a hydro is replacing hydraulic lines when they start cracking and leaking, and they're not cheap either. My 240 is a 6 speed man. I like it, but it definitely takes more effort to use than a hydro.

 

[Ezzie]

Kubota gets my vote. I sell into that industry. Just take a look at the decks, and pick one up to see how heavy the steel is. Just little things like welds, etc. Don't let sears fool you with their cast iron axles, etc.

I agree completely. I have a Kubota 2880 (28 HP three cylinder diesel) with a front mount 60" deck. I mow about 8 acres and it does about 1 acre/hr. at a nice easy pace. The deck is extremely thick steel - definitely commercial grade stuff. The front mount also allows for quick attach PTO driven accessories so in the winter I remove the mower deck and mount a 52" snowblower on it. Other toys you can get include sweepers, blades, etc. I have about 500' of driveways and a couple of large parking areas and it takes a couple of hours to completely clear them after a heavy snow storm.

Oh, did I mention it has a cup holder! Definite "must have" to carry a cold one with you for mowing on a hot summer day.

 

[rocklobster]

FWIW my last (2010) consumer reports book rates the scotts brand John Deere's the best of consumer/light duty by a large margin.

When I was looking for a machine a few years back I wanted something that would last with thick steel and beefy construction so I looked into commercial JD and Kubota. I ended up getting a used 1996 JD 455 with a 22hp yanmar diesel, 60 in deck, and hydro 4 way front blade. It was only a few thousand more than getting a good big box store brand but this machine is downright impressive and plus it holds it's value much better than a disposable machine sold at a big box.

That little tractor will plow snow 2' deep without a problem even with the small turf tread tires and chains.

The best thing about a diesel is fuel consumption, with dyed off road diesel this machine is downright CHEAP on fuel!! I cant remember the last time I filled my jerry can with diesel...

 

[petee_c]

FWIW my last (2010) consumer reports book rates the scotts brand John Deere's the best of consumer/light duty by a large margin.

Can you tell me more about this article? Is it a user survey? I was under the impression that the Scotts brand for consumer /light duty was discontinued 5+yrs ago.

------

What is hard on a hydrostatic transmission? If towing something slowly (300lb trailer with say 400lbs of lumber) Is it better to have the pedal floored and the engine in the idle range, or throttle the engine rpm up, and go light on the pedal.

My yard is fairly flat, I only use it to haul stuff occasionally, usually a couple sets of snow tires and wheels out of the back shed, or leaves in the fall.

Property size is just under 1/2 acre (100x175'), so it's not like I'm going miles.

(We had an old MTD/Craftsman riding mower too that came with the property. Traded it to my wife's cousin for some electrical work. Worked great for a few years, until he decided to move a trailer with almost 2 yards of fill in it....... Found another similiar used model for cheap on kijiji, and used it for parts.)

We kept the Scotts L2048 that came with our property

 

[vpd66]

Why limit yourself to new?

The quality of any of the newer stuff marketed to the average homeowner nowdays is nothing compared to what it was 20+ years ago. Google "best garden tractor ever made", and the first one that shows up is the John Deere 318. Hasn't been made since the early 1990's. You can spend similar money on a well maintained, low hour JD 318 as a new "box store" model, and in 5-10 years, the brand new one won't hardly be worth the gas to haul it to the steel recyclers. On the other hand, the older JD will likely be worth at least equal to what it is worth today, but it won't matter, because it will still be going strong.

Although I don't have the 318, I do have a late '60's 110 (built like a tank!) that I use year around in northern MN for many of my yard and garden chores. I picked it up a couple of years ago with a tiller attachment for $400, and have since spent a few hundred more getting just about every attachment that was ever made for it. The attachments for the 110 are interchangeable between many models from the late '60's, thru early '90's, so they are plentiful and fairly cheap. In the event that I need a replacement part, most of the common stuff (belts, mower blades, bearings, etc.) is stocked at the local John Deere dealer, and if I would ever need more uncommon parts, good used ones are widely available on ebay. I would also compare the 8 hp Kohler in my 110 to a 15-18 hp engine in the newer tractors for the work it gets done, and how easily it does it. Remember, there was a class action lawsuit in recent years against lawn mower manufacturers over inflated hp claims, and the manufacturers lost....


Several of the other brands besides JD that were built in the '60's-80's are also excellent, heavy duty, built to last, classic machines, including (in no particular order): Bolens, Cub Cadet, Sears (Suburban), Wheel Horse, Speedex, Case (Ingersoll), and probably several others.

I agree 100%. I picked up a 1983 jd 318 last spring that needed some work for $500.00. After some TLC I mowed my 3 areces of grass all summer and it never gave me a bit of trouble. I believe this lawn tractor will last for a long time and parts new or used are easy to obtain.

 

[70chevellegsp]

I like the older garden tractors. Easy to work on, lots of information plus there's a market if you decide to sell. I have an early '60s cub cadet that I picked up for $92 with a deck, and it ran. I'm still deciding what to do with it, but I can tear one down and put it back together in an afternoon. Simple, overengineered machines. You'd be amazed a the torque of the 7 hp engine.

I got this one from a good friend that passed away. It's a Cub Cadet 1862 from the early '90s. 18 hp Mag engine, power steering, hydro lift and hydro drive.
Pic is right after I painted her.

Found a 2 stage snowblower and it keeps my drive clean all winter.

I found my Cub Cadet 982 (early 80's) on ebay, but local. Went to take a look and made a deal. Needed a little work, but nothing major. It has a 19.9 hp Onan in it, steering brakes, and hydr lift. The 982 is considered a 'Super Garden Tractor'. Found a few accessories for it on ebay also and now I have a true super garden tractor.

PTO tiller

In action

I turned this JD 212, which was a great machine also. It was restored when I got it and came with a tiller, blower and blade. I used it for the year before I bought the 982 and sold it shortly after. Great tractor, but my arm got tired with the manual lift!

 

[Rickenbackerman]

Nice Cubs! I've posted this before in other mower/tractor threads, but here it is again, my '68 125 that I completely tore apart and restored two years ago. They don't build 'em like this anymore.

Now I've got a full set of winter tires for it - ags/weights in the back and tri-ribs up front. Also have a rear mount tiller that I haven't messed with yet.

 

[Joe B.]

Thanks for all the tips!!!! I mow about 1 1/2 achre with some slopes and ditches. I have quite a few trees around my yard so I get lots of branches, branches that I dont pick up. Another thing is that I am NOT a yard guy! I mow the yard about every saturday, and i mow to get it done. So yes, i may be a little hard on things. I do change the oil every year and try to do the maintanance, but if I'm half done mowing and something brakes, I just rig it enough so i can finnish. (I'll fix it right later....or someday) Right now I have a 11 year old weed eater brand that I bought used 1 year old. It has a tecumseh and a 42" deck. Right now the thing is just old and falling apart, but the engine still runs strong. I would like a bigger deck, 54 if I could but would take a 48 or 46. I see alot of hydrostatic drives on these things. I don't know much about that but to me that sounds like more maintance and expensive when it takes a dump. Don't think I could rig that back together when it pukes. Who has time to take care of a yard and a mower when there are hot rods in the garage that need my attension.

I would get a Craftsman GT6000 if you can stand to pay that much. 54" deck and goes up to 7.5 MPH. It also has an 8" turning radius so you can get around trees and stuff. It is a pretty heavy model so it should last. I think the only thing quicker would be to get a zero turn radius mower but then you can't use any attachments.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07128861000P

 

[Jimdril]

I have a JD 345 bought 10 years ago and I couldn't be happier. Fifty four inch deck 18 horse Kawasaki. Never a problem.

 

[some zilch]

i bought a brand new 25hp craftsman lawn tractor 3 years ago. it was half price becuase it was a year old. i got it for about $1200 with a 54" deck and tire chains. as much as i hate to say it, its been perfect. 150hrs, orig battery, no work needed, just basic maintenance. its certainly not a quality built unit, but it has been good so far.

 

[rocklobster]

Can you tell me more about this article? Is it a user survey? I was under the impression that the Scotts brand for consumer /light duty was discontinued 5+yrs ago.

I think that you are right. It sounds like the JD big box tractors are actually made by JD. But I am confused on who makes what...

From the consumer reports webpage:

John Deere
John Deere makes and markets one of the best-selling lines of lawn tractors at retail. John Deere lawn tractors are fully featured and have deck widths from 42 to 54 inches. Most models have hydrostatic drive and Briggs & Stratton engines. John Deere lawn tractors are sold at dealers, Home Depot, and Lowe's. The company markets a small line of three very similar lawn mowers through dealers and at Lowe's. Those mowers are also available in a California-emissions version. All models feature rear-wheel drive, a 21-inch, and a Briggs & Stratton engine and are priced from $400. John Deere also markets a line of garden tractors and zero-turn riders.

The Consumer Report I was talking about is in the annual book that you have to buy, the review showed that the JD light duty mowers were very good compared to the competitors. I will pull the article and see if I can scan it later.

 

[LocoCoco]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Toro, in particular the old Wheel Horse models.

I'm running a 1990 Toro Wheel Horse 520H (20 hp Onan engine) that my grandfather bought new in 1990, then later went to my dad and then to me. Last year my dad bought a new Toro GT 2200 and comparing the two is night and day. The old Toro has full working lights front & rear, a giant axle, full instrumentation, thick frame and the new Toro has sticker reflectors and dummy lights on a plastic body.

However, difference is my dad paid $3500 in 2009 for the new Toro and the old one was $7000 in 1990 (with a blower & sweeper). For the average homeowner the new, much less expensive Toro is fine. So it's kinda hard in my opinion to rag on Toro & JD for building cheaper machines in order to compete.


LC.

 

[banzaitoyota]

I would get a used Kubota G1800 or G1900

 

[csp]

I like the older garden tractors. Easy to work on, lots of information plus there's a market if you decide to sell. I have an early '60s cub cadet that I picked up for $92 with a deck, and it ran. I'm still deciding what to do with it, but I can tear one down and put it back together in an afternoon. Simple, overengineered machines. You'd be amazed a the torque of the 7 hp engine.

I have the same machine. Mine was built in 1963, though somewhere along the line the 7hp was swapped out for an 8hp Kohler. Mine was purchased from a friend's wife after my friend was killed in an avalanche. It came with two mower decks, a box scraper, and a snowplow. It runs like a top, though it's in desperate need for new rear tires and the good mower deck needs new bearings. Mine also has the creeper gear, which really makes it torquey.

 

[KEH]

I have been following the thread and see you have 1 1/2 acres with bushes to mow around. I would consider a zero turn mower because of the speed they run at and the maneuverability. They will mow around a light pole. Caution: they don't do well on steep slopes, going side to side around the slope. Up and down is fine. I would get a commercial grade if you can swing the thousands they cost. You probably won't wear out a commercial ZTR. Thing to look for: A welded deck instead of a stamped one, except for John Deere which has heavy enough stamping machinery to stamp decks of thick steel. The floor board should swing up to make changing deck belts easier. Look for a commercial grade engine. I have a Dixie Chopper.

KEH

 

[ksdaoski]

How fast does a Jd 318 go when mowing?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I can't really think of a better way to ruin a hydro drive than snow removal, so there is no plow. You have to ask yourself what you're wanting the machine to do for you and buy according to the greatest expectation.

My hydro's have been used for that for years, no issues. Many other people that never have issues either. In fact, I've never head of that. I would rather have a hole in my head than try to plow with a manual on a garden tractor.

I see alot of hydrostatic drives on these things. I don't know much about that but to me that sounds like more maintance and expensive when it takes a dump.

I have two hydro garden tractors, one built in 1967, the other built in 1990, both of them are using the original, untouched hydros. They get used for tilling, pulling a moldboard blow, blading snow, pulling a 4' box scraper, etc. Unless it hasn't been maintained (fluid and filter change), a hydro is pretty much a zero concern for maintenance.

How fast does a Jd 318 go when mowing?

Fast enough you have to slow way down in the turns so the front end doesn't slide, even with suitcase weights and ribbed tires on the front.

My neighbor and I had matching Craftsman riders...obviously, it took us the same time to mow. With the JD318, I can start mowing when he's halfway done, and be washing it before he finishes, and still have a better cut than he does.

I don't know what the Craftsman model was, but it's this thing...p.o.s.

Here's the JD:

One big thing...notice how much taller the deck is on the 318, the old Bolens is the same way. These things produce WAY more vacuum, and stand the grass up straight and cut it off, hence also being able to go faster. That short tin deck on that craftsman left 10"long grass laying matted, cut horribly, and you had to putter along to get that.

I always left the deck down on the Craftsman when I ran down the street...never moved any dirt or rocks. Even with the deck up on the 318, you can watch dirt and **** being pulled under the deck from 3' away.

It also makes a big difference on evening out the clippings. The Craftsman windrowed them horribly, only blew them out a few feet at best, and in one big windrow. The 318 disperses them 5-10' out, nice and even when you're done.

The other nice benefit...the Craftsman needed something damn near every time it was used. The 318...well, I let you know when it needs something. It's going on 150 hours since I got it and went through it, haven't touched it since. Fill gas, check oil, turn key. Every freaking time. I love it. Sit for 3 months? Crank for 5 seconds, and it'll light off like it was running an hour ago.

 

[oldfart36]

What I found out lately! 2,1/2 years ago I bought a new Cub Cadet, from S&H tractor Supply in Joplin Mo. JUNKJUNKJUNKJUNK The cubs are and have been made by MTD now for about 5 years. After searching for a non MTD mower, I purchased a new Craftsman, yes Craftsman. The upper level (reds) Craftsman are made by Huskavarna (spelling), mine out of Warrensberg Mo., the old Switzer plant. The Craftsman made by MTD are the lower level Grays, and Blacks. Sears is really trying to kick some of the other brands in the ****. The warrenties are great.

 

[RonM3]

I bought a Craftsman DYT4000 about 8 years ago. It was a good lawn mower except for the holes around the spindles! The idea behind these holes was that it would help pull up the grass for better mowing. All it did was cause the grass to pile up on top of the deck. I don't mean a small pile either. It made it a royal pain to keep the mower clean. It took almost as much time to clean the deck as it did to mow the lawn. My yard is 4.5 Acres we actually cut around 3 Acres of it. This mower had a Kohler command pro engine. The engine is what broke. I started looking around and decided to go commercial I asked allot of people. One friend works on mowers for a living and another mows grass on the side. They both recommended the Exmark brand mower. I was a little leery since it had just about the same engine. The friend who works on mowers stated that my last engine was a fluke and that the Kohler command pro was just about the best engine to get. Well I finally found and bought an Exmark. We have had it 3 Months and have cut the yard 3 times. One word "AWSOME!!!”. This thing is built like a tank and is very fast. You really want to go with zero turn! It’s well worth the extra. By the way Exmark has a 2 year warranty on the motor and 5 years on everything else.

 

[ksdaoski]

I'm in the same boat, looking for a rider for around 2 acres.

Been checking out the Craftsman GT6000, the Husqvarna GTH26V52LS, and then used JD 318's.

Leaning towards the GTH26V52LS. I want something that is fairly quick while mowing. But also want something that can have either a plow or snow blower attached, for the great Milwaukee winters. So zero turns are out. The GT is rated up to 7.5mph. The GTH26V52LS is rated up to 7.8 And not quite sure what the JD 318 will do

 

[kelleybean]

We have a 3 year old MTD and all it has been is headaches. Blades dull fast, it goes through belts pretty quickly. The deck doesn't hang straight causing stripes in your yard. And the newest problem is that the blades continue to spin even after you pull the handle up to disengage the PTO.

We've been looking for a decent deal on a new or used Deere.

 

[pl_silverado]

Forget the riding mower, i just dumped my JD X304 in favor of an Exmark Metro 48" Commerical Walk Behind.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I'm in the same boat, looking for a rider for around 2 acres.

Been checking out the Craftsman GT6000, the Husqvarna GTH26V52LS, and then used JD 318's.

Leaning towards the GTH26V52LS. I want something that is fairly quick while mowing. But also want something that can have either a plow or snow blower attached, for the great Milwaukee winters. So zero turns are out. The GT is rated up to 7.5mph. The GTH26V52LS is rated up to 7.8 And not quite sure what the JD 318 will do

You're not mowing at those speeds, anyway.

 

[oldfart36]

We have a 3 year old MTD and all it has been is headaches. Blades dull fast, it goes through belts pretty quickly. The deck doesn't hang straight causing stripes in your yard. And the newest problem is that the blades continue to spin even after you pull the handle up to disengage the PTO.

We've been looking for a decent deal on a new or used Deere.

Sounds just like my 2,1/2 yearold Cub Cadet. Not to wish bad on anyone, but I'm sure glad I wasn't in this boat alone. I was beginning think I was the only one in this boat. Now the dam thing sit at the end of my driveway with a For Sale sign at a 3rd of what I paid for it. Just glad using it is over with!!!!!!