Lawn mowers

[Want2Wheel]

Does any know much about riding mowers? I am going to replace my old Craftsman Garden tractor that has a 44in deck. Anyone have any advice?
Thank You, Rob

[TiredIronGRB]

Cub Cadet and forget about it.

[LoOnaTik]

Cub Cadet and forget about it. :pukeright:

[Gordon]

Lots of "if's" -

The two biggest - How much a budget? How much yard?

I have a 6 year old Lowe's Yard Machines (MTD) 38" with a B&S 14hp. It's on its second set of belts and second oil change. For a throw away style mower, it has been fine. I have about 3/4 acre to mow. I still use it, but have an 18hp (B&S) 44" cut Craftsman ready to go.

Neither could handle a plow, but for plain cutting grass, toting a cart, or pushing a little snow, they're fine.

I personally have chosen straight drive models instead of automatics, since the price is usually a few hundred less.

A lot will have to do with how well you take care of them. I generally do not hose them down after each use, but they don't sit out in the weather, either.

When Bev's dad was cutting lawns in the late 80's to mid 90's, he would only use Cubs. For a 1/2 to 3/4 acre lawn, I personally can't justify the extra cost of one.

One thing I might say negative about the lower end models is the "sliding pullies & belts" method of changing "gears" instead of an actual gearbox. Also, stamped front axles don't hold up like cast.

My $00.02

[pplblazerdude]

Snapper makes a real good mower. Thats what we use on our yard and it does very well. Mind you we live on the side of a hill so we had to get one with a rear motor. We have rolled the thing 3+ times and it still runs like a champ.

[1-tonmudder]

My wife works for John Deere,but we use whatever we can find cheap.Our yard is too rough to put a new and or expensive mower on.

[BillM]

I have a Dixie Chopper zero turn, 50", 20 hp Kohler, I plum wore out a Murray so I got one that even if I have to put a new motor on it, everything else will last for a LONG time. But they aren't cheap. Cub makes good lawn/garden tractor. And, there is a quality difference in the Cubs you buy at Lowes/Tractor supply than the ones at Warranty One. I am not plugging Warranty 1 by any means here. I really don't like doing business there to be honest. Just use an actual Cub dealer like him.

[pplblazerdude]

I have a Dixie Chopper zero turn, 50", 20 hp Kohler, I plum wore out a Murray so I got one that even if I have to put a new motor on it, everything else will last for a LONG time. But they aren't cheap. Cub makes good lawn/garden tractor. And, there is a quality difference in the Cubs you buy at Lowes/Tractor supply than the ones at Warranty One. I am not plugging Warranty 1 by any means here. I really don't like doing business there to be honest. Just use an actual Cub dealer like him. I know the owner of Warranty one. He likes to throw out that his cub's are the HD models and his prices reflect this.

[Want2Wheel]

I have a 1 acre yard lotthat is prety smooth. If I get the crank on the push mower straightened tomorrow I will have a good push mower for the front yard. I want a good heavy duity mower that will not tear upp on me.

[TiredIronGRB]

It's really not so much the brand but the level, if you get the cheapest of any brand it's junk.

[BillM]

Very true George.

[Bluegill]

It's really not so much the brand but the level, if you get the cheapest of any brand it's junk.

x2

They just don't make 'em like they used to. The toughest mower I ever saw was papaw's old Ford. One of the first mowers with hydrostatic drive, he gave almost $1,000 for it (new) in '66. It was still running strong when he sold it in 1994. Had a 17hp Kohler. Rolled 9 times, by various people too. :oops:

I highly recommend a Kohler engine over a Briggs, my 22yr old Murray is on it's 3rd Briggs engine :roll: They're just not as durable as the mowers are.

[pplblazerdude]

It's really not so much the brand but the level, if you get the cheapest of any brand it's junk.

x2

They just don't make 'em like they used to. The toughest mower I ever saw was papaw's old Ford. One of the first mowers with hydrostatic drive, he gave almost $1,000 for it (new) in '66. It was still running strong when he sold it in 1994. Had a 17hp Kohler. Rolled 9 times, by various people too. :oops:

I highly recommend a Kohler engine over a Briggs, my 22yr old Murray is on it's 3rd Briggs engine :roll: They're just not as durable as the mowers are.x2 on the Kohler. I have seen a brings blow in half. Scary stuff.

[duke_lover_13]

My dad has a cub cadet. Its nice. But still doesn't mow as well as my Grandma's John Deer!!

[pplblazerdude]

Just get a scag and be done with it.

[Jazzman31]

I have a 30 year old John Deere 214, that is my finishing mower, then I have another 214 with a hydralic front loader. Its a finishing mower, but on a tractor frame.

[SurferSami]

Buy a good push mower and adopt a ten year old! :lol:



Speaking of riding mowers, there was a guy at URE on the 14th that was riding the trails on an old lawn tractor without the deck :shock: . It was pretty funny. :grin:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Just get a scag and be done with it.

X2 I worked for a mowing company once and thats what we used. They are to cool. Im hooked on the zero degree turning radious. when I get a new riding lawn mower its gonna be one that can turn like that.

[Jeep07]

I have a husqvarna 0 turn that I like. Has the Kohler 22 HP Engine. Does well and makes mowing the yard kinda fun. I found mine at an auction.

If you have steep hills in your hard then a 0 turn isn't the best choice but they are a blast to mow with and cut mowing time down alot.

[BillM]

Mine is nothing but hill and I mow with one. You just don't want to do it while it is the least bit wet.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SamuraiGuyTN]

Mine is nothing but hill :

yeah I would say yours is

My yard just has alot of trees adn if I had a normal mower it would be a pain. right now i just have a push mower and really not enough grass. :?

[Want2Wheel]

I tried to fix my grass in the back yard the other day. Just testing the rear locker. Those tires dig.

[crackerjack]

I remember as a kid my Dad and I saw the local college football field being replaced with new astroterf, he ask what they were going to do with it and they said take to land fill. We got a big trailer and loaded up enough to completely cover our yard. It was great for about 20 years til it got really crisppy...Now thats the kind of lawn to have haha

[Want2Wheel]

I like that idea. Anyone know where I can get some of that? LOL

[daguy]

Witch ever mower you pick be sure to come buy our test facility and try it first!
Be sure you can get your mowing done fast as to not get into your wheeling time!

Guy

YouTube- Lawn Mower Racing Rockingham 2006 NWLMRA