One of the best riding mowers I ever had was a LAWN BOY. Yes, Lawn Boy. It looked basically like a go kart with a mower deck on it. That thing would FLY around the yard (faster than my Wheel Horse ever would). I made the mistake of selling it to my brother who promptly blew it up.
Riding Mowers
- Thread starter Jeeper
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eschoendorff
Well-known member
Lawn boy used to make THE BEST 21" in mowers EVER. I mean the old 2 cycle magnesium deck models. Those were beauties. Too bad they don't make em anymore...
Right on Charles!
Most of my acres are wooded. But I have about 3/4 acres that I mow, usually with a walk behind rotary mover. After all it’s good exercise. I think it looks rather silly when I see an oversized person moving a postage stamp sized lawn using a riding mower with a beer can holder…
Uncle Buck
Banned
I agree, but what is a guy to do when his yard got downsized in a move and he does not want to give up his rider.
bobthecop
Member
I resemble that remark, lol, actually I have 5 acres to mow and I have worn the decks out on 3 mowers in 3 years, not trying to hijack the thread, but would I be better off buying a Ford 9N, used of course and a brush hog, than trying to find a smaller riding mower to keep up with the lawn and back field which is full of johnson grass??
Uncle Buck
Banned
True, or perhaps an old International Cub with a belly mower! You would not lose either way
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Yotaforce
Well-known member
Buy some goats.
paramudduck
Well-known member
The MTD family of brands include Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Man, Yard
Machines, Bolens, McCulloch and White Outdoor while the Cub Cadet
Commercial brand is targeted to the commercial industry' needs.
From the MTD product page. Personally I prefer the Kubota's.
Machines, Bolens, McCulloch and White Outdoor while the Cub Cadet
Commercial brand is targeted to the commercial industry' needs.
From the MTD product page. Personally I prefer the Kubota's.
joa65
Well-known member
Snapper!!!!!!
Firetrucks
Well-known member
I bought a Gravely ZT last Spring for my 2 acres and love it! It did cut my mowing time down to nearly half.
Gravely is part of Ariens now and has become their "residential line" of mowers.
Watch for sales in the Spring and deals like no payments for X number of days.
Gravely is part of Ariens now and has become their "residential line" of mowers.
Watch for sales in the Spring and deals like no payments for X number of days.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
I'm on 3.33 acre, and probably 2 to 2.5 of it has to be mowed. I have a rider, but I use it for alot more than mowing this yard. I use it as an aircraft tug, pulling a trailer around the yard collecting limbs, I use it to mow several acres of community property when it is my turn (we have a community SCAG but it is easier to just use mine than go 3000 ft to the far end of the street to the mower shed to get it, only to find that it was left with no gas). I also have a Sarlo walk behind. That is a bicycle wheel belt drive blade, walk behind. Its as tough as nails, I use it to trim the rough edges of the yard, sorta a mini bush hog.
My main mower is a Great Dane Chariot zero turn mower. They have changed alot from my early model however. It has a 25 hp Kohler and a 52 inch deck. The deck is indestructible, heavy steel like I've never seen on a mower before. It is designed by Mr. Dane Scag. He sold the Scag mower company and when his non-competition contract ran out, he founded the Great Dane Mower company.
Charles
snorvet
Well-known member
I have 5 acres, about 2 is mowed, 2-3 times a week. I have a 13 year old John Deere that has held up well, even through hauling boulders and landscaping stone
RPH
Well-known member
I Have 13 acres and thank god only about 4 acres are mowed. Look at the Swisher units. Made in America and by the people who built the first powered mower. Available at tractor Supply. I bought the 60 inch ZTR. 26 hp B&S engine, 11 gauge welded mower deck and commercial grade hydrostatic drives. Cut my mowing time by 2/3 rds.
Sack
Well-known member
Sounds to me like you should look for a 36" or 42" walk behind with or without sulky (no idea how to spell that one). From what I've been told, the weight of a bigger heavier tractor really harms the grass. If you can go with a bigger walk behind perhaps it will look much nicer when done.
I've been traveling too much to go this route but starting this spring hope to be doing my own lawn and the above is what I'll be looking for.
I've been traveling too much to go this route but starting this spring hope to be doing my own lawn and the above is what I'll be looking for.
Crossthread
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2007
- Messages
- 103
Go to home depot and buy a real tractor like a john deere man. That green and yellow will last for 300 yrs.
Cen-Cal Coatings
Member
Bought JD L120 from HD 3 years ago. 1 year 0% interest, 2 year warranty, same unit/different model at JD dealer was an extra $1000.
Looked at all brands before I bought, like having deck control next to the seat vs lever next to engine cowl.
Just replaced the battery last month, have sharpened blades and changed filters/oil and that is it. Over 100 hours trouble free.
You will see that the local JD dealer services/ predelivery inspects the units that HD sells.
Will last many years at this rate!
Looked at all brands before I bought, like having deck control next to the seat vs lever next to engine cowl.
Just replaced the battery last month, have sharpened blades and changed filters/oil and that is it. Over 100 hours trouble free.
You will see that the local JD dealer services/ predelivery inspects the units that HD sells.
Will last many years at this rate!
Benchloader
Well-known member
My Sears Craftsman 42" deck & 18HP B&S been working for me on similiar size lot. Only caveat I can offer is if the deck you choose is 42" or greater that you be sure to have the deck wheels also. The deck will flex on turns making the blade dig into the ground. The deck wheels help prevent that from happening.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
BuickFarmer
Well-known member
The best riding mower I have ever had on the farm is a Honda, 8 HP with a single blade 32 inch deck. It's about 20 years old and still running strong. We bought a Husqavarna several years back because we needed a bigger deck. It has proven to be a total lemon. the Honda will mow circles around it. I now use the Honda pretty much as a small bush hog to mow about two acres around the pond. It will also pull like you wouldn't believe. The Honda engine has plenty of torque and the ****** is strong. they are very hard to find as I believe Honda quit making them several years ago. Like all Honda parts, they're expensive but still available. If this one was closer, I'd be all over it.
Honda Mower on eBay
Honda Mower on eBay
BuickFarmer
Well-known member
Just wanted to show off the new/old little red riding Honda I found on CL. It's a Model 3011 which is a 30 inch cut and 11 HP Honda engine. Only has one blade so it cuts like a small bush hog. This is the best $175 I have spent in a long time. It is a late 80's model but I don't believe it has been used 20 times. It was in a richie neighborhood, stored in a garage all it's life and the owner had about a quarter acre of Centipede but had been using a mowing service for several years. One little bump on the front but the rest is as clean and shiny as the day it came out of the dealership. The tires still have the little rubber **** on them. It had a mulching set up on it but I took it off as I will use the mower like a small bush hog to mow around the pond and in the meadow. I put the grass catcher on it just for pictures. I am so proud of it and feel so lucky to have finally found a replacement for the other one we bought in 87 and have just about worn out.
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nissan_crawler
Well-known member
This was used for 40 years to mow large yards (12 care yard for the first 30 or so years, and a 10 acre yard for 10 years or so) It was over 35 years old before the Wisconsin engine was rebuilt. It needs some work now, so I looked into replacing it. The local shop that services Wisconsins said that to replace my 12 hp Wisconsin and have comparable power, I would have to move up to a 24-26 hp twin cylinder for a new engine.
Yeah, I'm just going to have a Wisconsin guru rebuild it for me. This thing has exploded rocks, cut down tree stumps, and it just keeps going. It was built in 1966, and I'm finally tearing it down for a full restoration, and building a loader for it.
It has a 50" belly mount mower deck and 36" rototiller. Hydrostatic drive, and I mean real hydro, just drive, neutral, park. Forward and reverse are controlled with the pedal, no shifting, ever. This thing will pull a half ton with flat tires around a yard. I love it.
Edit: Beware of using the older tractors like the 9n for mowing, they have a live pto.
mikester
Well-known member
Ive had great luck with JD lawn and garden tractors. I owned a 1969 112 from 1981 to 1998. Cut my lawn every week, chopped up the leaves in the fall and plowed my driveway every winter. It was a well built piece of equipment. I sold it to a guy down the block for $1200. I stepped up to a newer (1978) 316 that I paid $2800 for, used it until 2004 and sold it for the same price that I paid for it. Now I have a model 425. I love this tractor. 22HP, liquid cooled, power steering, for me its the perfect mower. I have a little over 3/4 of an acre but the back yard has a little bit of a hill. This thing has a 54" shaft drive deck and I cut my lawn in about 40 minutes. My driveway is 30' wide in front of the garage so I use it to plow snow too. I found it online used. I think you should look for a used older JD. Built to last, not too expensive to buy and you can still buy almost every part thats on them. The 318 was the most popular LG tractor that Deere ever made and there are tons out there for sale. Alot of people are restoring them so parts are very easy to get. Id look at them before I bought a new one from HD.
wrigh003
Well-known member
I bought a 46" craftsman with a 21HP B/S motor couple weeks ago for what turned out to be 35% off. Big sale, closeout/leftover '07 model, craftsman club discount, etc. Hopefully it'll survive for several years. Looked well made enough for me, I guess we'll see.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I am going to resubmit my two cents and suggest an older Cse/Ingersoll. those machines are right up there with the older JD 316/318/4xx.
Nisan Crawler: just make sure that you beef up the front axle and spindles before you put a loader on that nice old Bolens!
Nisan Crawler: just make sure that you beef up the front axle and spindles before you put a loader on that nice old Bolens!
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
It already has the large spindles and such up front. They had factory loaders for them, I'm basically going to mimic the setup, since used loaders can go for over $2,000 for these things. They're nothing much, but it will be a big improvement over manual labor for leveling the yard and graveling, etc.
Here's the model I have with a factory loader:
eschoendorff
Well-known member
It already has the large spindles and such up front. They had factory loaders for them, I'm basically going to mimic the setup, since used loaders can go for over $2,000 for these things. They're nothing much, but it will be a big improvement over manual labor for leveling the yard and graveling, etc.
Here's the model I have with a factory loader:
Oh, that is sweet!
seattlemart
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2008
- Messages
- 40
If you are going to be doing any ground engagement or earth moving I would suggest getting a tractor with reinforced front axles. The hydrostatic transmissions and electric clutch is very nice. You do not need a heavy duty tractor for 1/2 acre!!
Denny_Crane
New member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2008
- Messages
- 1
I had a yard man for years and it cut fine. The pully xmission slipped now and then and it used a belt or two but all in all it was ok. I recently purchased a new John Deere and it is just a pleasure to mow with. I don't know how long it will last but I sure enjoy using it. I bought at the JD Store in Silverdale Wa. They also sell Kabota's but I kinda like green.
What years did Honda make those mowers?
BuickFarmer
Well-known member
I think our H3009 was an 86 model. The first Honda riding mowers came out in 84 I believe. The 3009 and 3011 were made in the mid to lates 80's maybe into 1990. They came in gear driven and hydrostatic. I have never liked the pulling/towing power of hydrostatic. I have pulled my 54 Buick Roadmasters on level ground with the gear driven. Honda hasn't sold any riding mowers in the U.S. in 5-6 years , although they still make them and sell them in countries like the U.K. .They couldn't compete in the U.S. market because of their high price , expensive parts/service , and the mediocre cut quality of their decks . Pars are still available and in fact are actually cheaper than they use to be, but not sure how long before the supplies run out. I have stocked up for the future on blades, filters, pullies etc They are built tough but the single blade does tend to lend it to scalping. It has some serious torque as does all Honda motors, even outboards, so is great for cutting tall grass and even light brush. The deck comes up off the ground a good 4-5 inches so is good for mowing meadows.
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Uncle Buck
Banned
For me it was a kubota BX1850 diesel with Front end loader and 48" mid mount mower fine cut. cruise control and block heater for the winter. It also has a 3 point pto off the back.
Man that looks sweet, but it would be overkill for my needs.
Northstar9126
Well-known member
Truer words have never been written. The quill on Craftsman mowers will have you wanting to scrap the thing long before the miserable mower actually dies. It's not just the cost of the quill but the time spent changing it. Although with the number of times that I have had to change the quill on my mower I have it down to a science.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I've never seen one around here. Besides, where's the beer holder?
Uncle Buck
Banned
Man, with those big gnarley looking meats on the back of that rig it still has an almost musclemower appearance to it to me!
It does look like a very quality piece of equipment though!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Man, with those big gnarley looking meats on the back of that rig it still has an almost musclemower appearance to it to me!
It does look like a very quality piece of equipment though!
It is... new ones go for between $7000-12000.
I bought mine (1988 model) used with about 700hrs on it. Here's a shot of my dad tooling around on it in the back yard...
Yikes. I could buy a Corvette for that kind of cash.
I looked at the Ingersoll site, no dealers in California.
Uncle Buck
Banned
It is... new ones go for between $7000-12000.
I bought mine (1988 model) used with about 700hrs on it. Here's a shot of my dad tooling around on it in the back yard...
SEE, JUST LIKE I SAID! CHECK OUT HOW THOSE BACK TIRES DWARF YER POP! OMG! IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS OFF TO THE RACES!
AFTER LOOKING AT THAT PIC AGAIN THE HOOD EVEN HAS A DOWNHILL SLOPE TO IT AGAIN REINFORCING THE MUSCLEMOWER LOOK!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I did not pay anywhere near that amount for my used machine... there's NO WAY I would ever have one new....