Riding lawnmowers

[dboat]

Well I am considering buying one. I do have some limitations though.

My yard isnt all that big, but it does have about a 10 foot slope from the midpoint of the house to the end of the back yard. I have a storage room under my back deck and the opening for the doors will only accomodate, at most, a 38 inch deck. I would like to get that new 4 wheel steering I have seen but cant remember which manufacturer its on. I would prefer a Honda, Kohler but not Tecumseh and maybe not even B&S engine, I just am not sure about the long term viability of those. I would prefer auto trans over shifting, whether clutch was needed or not. My yard tools tend to last a long time, as I take care of them very well. I use synthetic oil in my 4 cycle ones and lawnboy oil in the 2 cycle ones (the ashelss stuff seems to build up less carbon).
Having said all that, I am finding it difficult to find this combo.. I might just have to stick with my self propelled LawnBoy and keep wearing my football cleats when I mow so that I dont slip and fall. Fortunately, I have slipped a few times but been able to keep feet and hands from under the mower, then I bought the cleats.

If anyone has some good leads, please let me know.

Thanks
Dana

 

[GearHead_1]

John Deere is doing the 4 wheel steer thing. They're just new enough that I haven't had a chance to repair one and give you an honest evaluation. Waiting a year on this design may be worth while. It will give them some chance to prove their track record. Snapper is a good choice for the home owner. Toro is nice but a little more money. Briggs overhead valve twin cylinder engines should give you little to be scared of. They'll go as long as any of them. Honda is also a good choice. If you lived a little closer I could get you a Snapper, LawnBoy or Toro.

 

[kartracer55]

Heavy duty kohler engines are pretty serious, but they have a reputation for valve tap and not holding a ring job.

Il take a briggs over tecumseh anyday.

Jim

 

[dboat]

John Deere is doing the 4 wheel steer thing. They're just new enough that I haven't had a chance to repair one and give you an honest evaluation. Waiting a year on this design may be worth while. It will give them some chance to prove their track record. Snapper is a good choice for the home owner. Toro is nice but a little more money. Briggs overhead valve twin cylinder engines should give you little to be scared of. They'll go as long as any of them. Honda is also a good choice. If you lived a little closer I could get you a Snapper, LawnBoy or Toro.

Thanks, I have a Toro snowblower with the Tecumseh SnowKing engine, but I am told those are decent unlike the other Tecumseh engines. I have a Honda pressure washer, and generally like their product.
I used to travel to Ogden quite often a few years back.
Thanks again, good info.,
Dana

 

[Michael]

The John Deere X304 is 4wheel steer. They come with a 42inch deck. I haven't looked at them real close yet but a 38X deck ought to fit on it. Unless the 4 wheel steer conflicts with the 38X.

Well I am considering buying one. I do have some limitations though.

My yard isnt all that big, but it does have about a 10 foot slope from the midpoint of the house to the end of the back yard. I have a storage room under my back deck and the opening for the doors will only accomodate, at most, a 38 inch deck. I would like to get that new 4 wheel steering I have seen but cant remember which manufacturer its on. I would prefer a Honda, Kohler but not Tecumseh and maybe not even B&S engine, I just am not sure about the long term viability of those. I would prefer auto trans over shifting, whether clutch was needed or not. My yard tools tend to last a long time, as I take care of them very well. I use synthetic oil in my 4 cycle ones and lawnboy oil in the 2 cycle ones (the ashelss stuff seems to build up less carbon).
Having said all that, I am finding it difficult to find this combo.. I might just have to stick with my self propelled LawnBoy and keep wearing my football cleats when I mow so that I dont slip and fall. Fortunately, I have slipped a few times but been able to keep feet and hands from under the mower, then I bought the cleats.

If anyone has some good leads, please let me know.

Thanks
Dana

 

[moparfreak]

I work at B&S in Milwaukee and can say that the engines in the range you're looking are durability tested to quite a high mark. The differences between the different grades are mostly cosmetic and marketing-related, so even the "home-owner" base grade is tested to the standard for extended-life engines.

If you're looking at something w/ the single cyl OHV Quantum, I'd wait just a couple months, as there are significant internal improvements on the horizon.

Hope this helps,
Adam

 

[dboat]

I work at B&S in Milwaukee and can say that the engines in the range you're looking are durability tested to quite a high mark. The differences between the different grades are mostly cosmetic and marketing-related, so even the "home-owner" base grade is tested to the standard for extended-life engines.

If you're looking at something w/ the single cyl OHV Quantum, I'd wait just a couple months, as there are significant internal improvements on the horizon.

Hope this helps,
Adam

Adam it does, thanks

 

[dboat]

The John Deere X304 is 4wheel steer. They come with a 42inch deck. I haven't looked at them real close yet but a 38X deck ought to fit on it. Unless the 4 wheel steer conflicts with the 38X.

I will have to see if they will make a swap.. I couldnt find it and I appreciate the help.

Thanks

 

[eschoendorff]

Il take a briggs over tecumseh anyday.

Jim

Amen, brother! B&S engines have never let me down.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy has a John Deere LX289 that is powered by a liquid cooled 17 horse Kawasaki. In addition to the cup holder, it also has cruse control. Yep cruse control. Had a LX175 for about 14 years. Both had a Hydrostatic transmission. It's the only way to go. Problem is they still run off a V-Belt.

 

[kartracer55]

Elroy has a John Deere LX289 that is powered by a liquid cooled 17 horse Kawasaki. In addition to the cup holder, it also has cruse control. Yep cruse control. Had a LX175 for about 14 years. Both had a Hydrostatic transmission. It's the only way to go. Problem is they still run off a V-Belt.

Elroy, Have you had any problems with throwing/bending pushrods? A friend of mine has one of those and within the first, Id say year, he managed to throw and bend all 4 of the rods. I replaced them all for him and set the valvelash, and since then no problems or tapping, but I mean, really... right from the factory???

Jim

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Cant be Kubota Diesel Lawn Tractors IMHO.

I run a G1800 for the front yard

 

[ranger_dood]

We've had a John Deere LX176 with a 14hp Kawasaki air-cooled engine for the past 10 years. It's seen a LOT of hard hours, and keeps kicking the grass out there!

Single cylinder... less to go wrong

 

[kartracer55]

Damn, his kawasaki totally screwed my opinion of them. I HATE that thing! All 4 pushrods in less than a year!!!

Jim

 

[ranger_dood]

Sorry, but we simply have NEVER had a problem with that engine. After 10 years, it smokes a little on a cold start, but still starts and runs fine. All we've really done to the engine is keep the oil and filter changed. I think it may even still have the original spark plug.

At my old house, we had 7.5 acres of ground, and mowed probably 3 or 4 of it regularly. Like I said, that tractor has a lot of hard hours on it.... Washed the beast last year... it still shines up pretty good

 

[DavidL]

Go for a JD just don't get the L100 series go for the LT or higher

 

[Michael]

Damn, his kawasaki totally screwed my opinion of them. I HATE that thing! All 4 pushrods in less than a year!!!

Jim

I wouldn't jump to conclusions from just one engine. I really don't think any of the small engines are much better than another. Actually I've seen more Briggs that were screwed up from the factory than any other but I still think they have a good product.

 

[jfelbab]

I have an old (27 years) Case lawn tractor with a Kohler engine. It is hydrostatic drive and I'd highly recommend the automatic. The blades are belt driven but the drive and attachments are all hydraulic. This unit has a 38" deck. This is the toughest lawn tractor I've ever owned. Case no longer makes them though.

I think I'd hold off on the 4 wheel steering for a while to see how reliable they are and how well they wear. If I were to buy a new tractor today it would be a Deere or a Husqvarna.

 

[snorvet]

11 year old John Deere LT155. I mow about an acre 2-3 times a week, and also use it with a trailer to haul mulch and landscaping stone. Every year just give it an oil change and its ready to go.

 

[Willy Victor]

I think you are going to have trouble finding a mower with a 38in. deck, maybe I'm wrong but I think the smallest you can get is 42in. Iv'e got a Husqvarna 2548 with a Kawasaki eng. So far no problems with it, it has about 75hrs. on it. Knock on wood.

Willy Victor

 

[eschoendorff]

I have an old (27 years) Case lawn tractor with a Kohler engine. It is hydrostatic drive and I'd highly recommend the automatic. The blades are belt driven but the drive and attachments are all hydraulic. This unit has a 38" deck. This is the toughest lawn tractor I've ever owned. Case no longer makes them though.

And it's a damn shame. I think that Ingersoll-Rand made the old Case models in the later years, but those tractors were so cool. I always wanted one of those. IMHO, they were as real a tractor as you could get in a lawn tractor.

 

[dboat]

I think you are going to have trouble finding a mower with a 38in. deck, maybe I'm wrong but I think the smallest you can get is 42in. Iv'e got a Husqvarna 2548 with a Kawasaki eng. So far no problems with it, it has about 75hrs. on it. Knock on wood.

Willy Victor

Willy,
you are right in that 38 in deck is hard to find.. it is, but they do make them. The only reason for me going that way is so it will fit in my storeroom, that is the width of the door, and believe me, changing the door width really isnt an option.

 

[carcentric]

I've used this for the past five years:

It's a Scotts (built by J.Deere, same as their Sabre model) "2046" - 20 horsepower V-twin B&S Intek with a 46 inch 3-blade deck - and it's been very reliable and super strong (even in tall wet grass).

We converted ours to a mulcher and would recommend that over bagging or side discharge. Our only after-purchase costs were for a fuel filter (old one clogged from some bad gas) and a battery about every other year (it doesn't get run from October to April).

Now that I no longer mow a full acre, I'd like to find a 38" to 42" 2-blade deck for it (I'd trade my 46" deck straight across, if anybody wants to change to the larger deck).

 

[toolman]

I have a scotts s2048 which has run great for 7 years now. but I just had to buy this.


View attachment 6073

 

[dboat]

I have a scotts s2048 which has run great for 7 years now. but I just had to buy this.


View attachment 6073

I bet that comes in handy..

 

[73GRAND]

I have the Scotts 17HP x 42" Deck. I bought it new 8-years ago. I change the oil twice a year and follow all the grease and lubrication instructions to the tee. The only thing I have replaced is the spark plug and battery. My wife laughed at me this weekend, she caught me washing it. What, That's not funny. I don't use the mulching plate. I think that it puts too much stress on the belt. If the grass gets too long I'll reverse direction and blow it away from the cutting side (counter clock wise). Also, I cut 3-acres twice a week. For the money 1498.00 back in 98 it was a good deal.

 

[cw_racefan]

I have a scotts s2048 which has run great for 7 years now. but I just had to buy this.


View attachment 6073

Man, I wish I had the $$ for one of those right now. Too many things that a small loader would come in handy for.

Craig

 

[ironroad 9c1]

when i met my wife ,the people she bought her house from gave her a 4 wheel steering craftsman riding mower it was a 36inch deck i beleive , had it for years worked good ,just wanted a new 40inch cub cadet (MTD) so we sold it to one of her neighbors.

 

[eschoendorff]

Man, I wish I had the $$ for one of those right now. Too many things that a small loader would come in handy for.

Craig

AMEN! I've wanted a small loader for years...

 

[MoparFreek]

Go for a JD just don't get the L100 series go for the LT or higher

Is that tire dressing I see??? If so

 

[70BOWTIE]

What do you guys use to help in cleaning the bottom side of deck,I usually spray some w-d 40 on there or even Pam cooking spray.These seem to help when cleanig the grass out from the deck,allso buy them from the dollar store so it's not that much $$$.

 

[Bradley Miller]

Is that tire dressing I see??? If so

LOL -- that is ********. I'm lucky to hose the thing off once in a while whether it needs it or not. I've just got an old Swisher Big Mow for my riding mower . . . gotta get a pulley bearing repaired.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'd really question whether Dana even needs a rider. If the yard is getting mowed OK with a walk behind, and the hill is this steep, how would you ever manage to do it with a rider. I have a Great Dane zero turn commercial with a 25 kohler and it does well on steep banks but I cannot even imagine a regular rider on a slope so steep that you slip while walking behind the mower. You ARE mowing across the slope? and not up and down the hill?

Charles

 

[tubeman]

Here is the one I just bought. It has a 27 hp 3 cylinder Kubota engine.

 

[bobbyd]

You guys are spoiled. My grandfather bought a 36" Toro back when I was 5 or 6 years old (25 or 26 years ago). Can't even tell you what HP it is, but I'm guessing around 8. It's has a B&S engine. When he passed my dad got it. He only used it for a year before he got a big craftsman and only had that for a year he bought his big New Holland with the front end loader.

Needless to say I got the Toro. Have an acre that I mow. It does a fantastic job, particularly for the money (free). I love the fact that it has a manual 5 speed tranmission with a clutch. I learned how to drive on that thing. It's rear engine too, making it easier to see where you're headed. Cooler in the summer too. The only motor I want between my legs in the summer is one accompanied by only two wheels.

Say what you will about B&S, but I know that Briggs motor has never had a new spark plug and hasn't had an oil change in at least ten years, and, I **** you not, still has the orginal battery! It starts on the third pull (starter lost a shim or bolt or something and I haven't got around to replacing it so it doesn't grind when it turns over). All I've ever done is sharpen the blade.

I know, I know. How can I be a garage guy and not change the oil in the damn mower. Truth be known, I would love to have a ZTR. I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money (read wife) when I've already got an operational mower. If the motor shells, bingo - new mower.

 

[Michael]

Your saying you have a 25 year old Toro that has the orginal battery and that battery would start the mower if the starter had not "lost a shim or bolt or something". Just what kind of battery is that?

You guys are spoiled. My grandfather bought a 36" Toro back when I was 5 or 6 years old (25 or 26 years ago). Can't even tell you what HP it is, but I'm guessing around 8. It's has a B&S engine. When he passed my dad got it. He only used it for a year before he got a big craftsman and only had that for a year he bought his big New Holland with the front end loader.

Needless to say I got the Toro. Have an acre that I mow. It does a fantastic job, particularly for the money (free). I love the fact that it has a manual 5 speed tranmission with a clutch. I learned how to drive on that thing. It's rear engine too, making it easier to see where you're headed. Cooler in the summer too. The only motor I want between my legs in the summer is one accompanied by only two wheels.

Say what you will about B&S, but I know that Briggs motor has never had a new spark plug and hasn't had an oil change in at least ten years, and, I **** you not, still has the orginal battery! It starts on the third pull (starter lost a shim or bolt or something and I haven't got around to replacing it so it doesn't grind when it turns over). All I've ever done is sharpen the blade.

I know, I know. How can I be a garage guy and not change the oil in the damn mower. Truth be known, I would love to have a ZTR. I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money (read wife) when I've already got an operational mower. If the motor shells, bingo - new mower.

 

[bobbyd]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Up until last fall when the starter lost alignment, it started fine. Even last weekend I instinctively reached down and hit the key. Plenty of juice but just a lot of grinding. I'm out of town at the moment and there's no telling if I'll even be able to read the label on the battery, but I'll take a look when I get home this weekend. I'll even post a pic so you guys know I aint full of it.

 

[eschoendorff]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Up until last fall when the starter lost alignment, it started fine. Even last weekend I instinctively reached down and hit the key. Plenty of juice but just a lot of grinding. I'm out of town at the moment and there's no telling if I'll even be able to read the label on the battery, but I'll take a look when I get home this weekend. I'll even post a pic so you guys know I aint full of it.

Please do. This has gotta be some mower!

 

[the intimidator]

Here is the one I just bought. It has a 27 hp 3 cylinder Kubota engine.

wow that's what i call a mower share some more info with us

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

OK ready for a laugh?

About eighteen months ago, I bought a Craftsman 12.5 HP 38" rider for $50. The guy I bought it from, got it with his house. It needed a battery (done), fuel filter and clamps (done), carburator cleaning (getting close to), Headlight lens (watching ebay for, no biggy), and the deck needed a weld and new bearings. I pulled off the deck, had it sandblasted, welded up the crack I saw, and bought new spindles (ebay for the price of the bearings at Sears (not where I would have bought them, but someone else was planning on buying them for me)).
Now for the funny part....
My yard has 5000 square feet of grass. That's right.



I figured I'd rebuild it, and loan it to my brother, while his 48 Farmall is in the shop, then give it to dad.
But, I may just use it on my lawn, JUST to see the expressions on the neighbor's faces.