Riding lawnmower recs?

[Geo's66]

Guys, at point where buying my own will be cheaper than service.. Flat, 1 acre lot... Any thoughts on capable good quality machine? Thanks

 

[larry_g]

I have a couple of Toro's one tractor style and one ZTR. If you have trees, beds, and other obstacles to work around then the ZTR is worth the money. If mostly long runs and not a lot of maneuvering around then the tractor is acceptable.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[LutzTD]

I mow 1.5 acres. I bought a very nice commercial Dixon ZTR for $3500. The guy across the street got a deal with a friend who owns a lawn service and had I not bought the mower I could have got my 1.5 acre cut for 8 months out of the year for 80/month. I look back now and wish I had looked into a service before I bought my mower. $3500 plus maintainance and time on the mower would have allowed me to pay him to do it for 5 years, plus he trims and hauls off the waste

 

[Crusty Nut]

most all the home owner grade new ones ****. I had a new deere L100 that worked okay for about 6 years, then it started to fall apart. I have a second (or third) hand cub cadet that is about 12 years old and have been happy with it.
There is always lots in the 3-7 hundred range on Craigslist. I wouldn't buy a new one unless you want to spend for a commercial model.