OT: Riding Mowers

[Seinfeld]

Any of you guys have a good recommendation for a new riding lawn mower? Last summer when it rained at least twice/wk pretty consistently and I was having to mow my lawn every 4 days, I swore that I'd get a new mower with my tax money this year. The only problem right now is that I don't have a clue what I'm looking for...

Not trying to find anything super fancy, but I do want something that will be reliable for years to come. Also, my lot is nothing huge at somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 acre. Any recommendations? Other than common things like HP and deck size, what should I be looking for? Thanks

 

[RocketDawg]

and has had it for years, so it must be dependable.<div>
</div><div>Not sure how big a lawn freak you are, but a riding mower doesn't cut nearly as neatly as a walk-behind. Plus, using a self-propelled walk-behind is much better exercise, especially on an average size lawn such as you have (and probably half the lot is taken up by the house, driveway, and flower gardens). Each to his own though.</div>

 

[Rutherford B Hays]

Hondas are supposed to be really good too.

 

[dawg66]

John Deere is a good product, Husqvarna has the best warranty and and sells for less than John Deere.
I have owned both, and I wont buy another JD. Lowes has the best price on both these brands.

 

[Seinfeld]

Are you talking about that it leaves uncut blades, it's unlevel, or both? I'm not a big time lawn freak, but I guess bottom line is that I want a lawn that green, weed free, and cut well.

 

[EmoryBellard]

Seems like I recall hearing this.

 

[coach66]

nm

 

[hotdigitydog]

than the other riding mowers they sell, your simply paying more for the name........If your going to buy a John Deere, make sure it's from a certfied John Deere Dealership.....Most of the mowers at Lowe's/Home Depot/Wal-Mart/Searsaren't made by the company whose name is on it.......They are made by MTD and assembled in Tupelo...........Took my mower to the small engine shop last summer to have some routine maintenance performed.......While there I noticedseveralof the cheaper JD"s there......I asked the mechanic about it and he smiled and said, "One man's junk is another man's treasure"........

 

[idog]

i did a bunch of research 3 or so years ago and i came to the conclusion that i could spend 1200-1500 and get a mower that would last 6-10 years or i could spend 2500+ and get a mower that would last 8-15 years. once you start spending more than 1500 the only thing that you're really paying for that means anything is a sturdier frame and components. as long as you aren't running into things and aren't going to be beating the mower up it makes little to no difference. the difference in a 12hp mower and a 20hp mower means nothing unless you are mowing 6-8" grass on a hilly lot or if you're using it to tow a cart full of dirt around. i got a free 10 yard towing attachment at Lowes on promo in the early spring so watch for that.

the only specs that will affect how quickly and easily you cut your yard: turn radius, deck size, speed(although this is pretty negligable bt models)

things i'd recommend: stick with one of the better brands(i boughtthelowest modelJD and have had zero issues), get the biggest cutting deck you can fit through your fence gates, change the oil when you're supposed to, don'ttreat it like a bumper carand add fuel stabilizer at the end of the season(run it for 5mins to get it in the carborater) and you'll be good for years to come. go to the Lowes or Home Depot website and sign up for a "movers coupon"(even if you're not moving).10% off up to $5k of stuff: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Lowes+Moving+Center_509684072_

edite to add: any mowercan cut cleanly and evenly if the blade is sharp and the deck is level.alot of these issues are about setting the mower up right beforeusing it, not how well it's made. you're wasting your time if you're getting into these details.

 

[00Dawg]

you have the least bit of elevation changes in your yard. They only have one pivot point on the deck and will cut patches into your yard at the first sign of dips, rises, or even a tight turn. I used mine for a year, got fed up with how it cut, and finally sold it last weekend.
Note that the engine worked well, and it ran consistently, with the exception that the fuel shut-off solenoid went bad during an extended storage period.

 

[cldawg]

I have a normal size residential lot, and got tired of pushing it twice a week. I get my workout in on the treadmill, so I wanted something to let me spend more time on the golf course. I bought the smaller model cub cadet about 6 years ago. It takes me 15 minutes to cut the yard and all I have not had a single problem with the mower. Whatever you get, just be sure it has the hydrostatic transmission.

 

[eurotrash]

quiet, reliable, and inexpensive. Hecho en Mexico.

Friends of mine like John Deere.

 

[coach66]

a great job.

 

[Mr Todd French]

I have a 36 walk behind that works great. It has self propelled forward andreverse. I also had a 42inch home owners that I sold to get the 52 HD I'm using now. Never had any trouble out of any them. Some small stuff due to usage but nothing big. I put lots of hrs on them. They make some less expensive home owner ones that would be fine for the size yard you are talking about. Zero turn is a must. Like the other guy said size of cut and zero turn are what you need most. Or if you are from Hattiesburg you could get in touch with me and I could give you a estimate.

 

[slickdawg]

http://www.scag.com/turftiger.html

 

[CoachO.sixpack]

If there is any possible way you can get one from a dealer (and avoid stores like lowes, sears, etc.) do it. If you have the cash, look on craigslist for a homeowner who is selling a commercial zero turn. You can tell if they have been used commercially as they will usually have a lot more paint damage and more hours. Try to avoid these. If you go this route, tough it out one more summer and start looking at the end of summer. You will find great deals on a commercial zero turn at the end of the season. I like Hustlers because they are easier to work on yourself as far as simple maintenance. As far as engine, Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler Command in that order (assuming you go commercial). Keep in mind that if you get a zero turn (i wouldn't buy a tractor at gunpoint), a homeowner zero turn in the long run will probably cost you more than a commercial.

 

[MeridianDog]

for exactly the same price as Lowes sells it. After that, he ha full line of JD mowers that bear no resemblance to the Lowes mowers.

Having said that,I have a Husqvarnathat is 18 years old. Will replace it this year or next (deck is pretty much gone thanks to my willingness to run over tree stumps) and I'll probably buy another Huskvarna. I like the kawasaki engines and the new Husqvarna (non Lowes nodes) has a really nice deck. The Husqvarna dealer in Meridian is the same as the John Deere dealer. He carries all of the Lowes Husqvarna mowers for what you pay at Lowes and then a line that is much better than anything you'll ever buy at Lowes.

Remember - youare dealing with the guy who will eventually work on teh mower when you buy from a dealer.

 

[idog]

you have the least bit of elevation changes in your yard. They only have one pivot point on the deck and will cut patches into your yard at the first sign of dips, rises, or even a tight turn. I used mine for a year, got fed up with how it cut, and finally sold it last weekend.
Note that the engine worked well, and it ran consistently, with the exception that the fuel shut-off solenoid went bad during an extended storage period.

and have elevation cahnges in my yard, including a large ditch that pitches about 20 degrees and i don't have this problem.

by the way, Craftsman is making rear engine mowers again(like Snappers). not sure how good they are but i prefer them for visibility and ease of stearing around obstacles. there's one by Weedeater like this that is really inexpensive but was reviewed as a best buy and if you took care of it would probably get you through 6-8 seasons for $600-700(i think), which is about 35% what you're going to pay for anything else.
ref: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07128034000P?mv=rr

 

[DEEREdawg]

Like Meridiandog posted you can buy the same mower at your John Deere dealer for the same price. The difference is that Lowe's doesn't have a parts or service department and you will wind up at a JD dealer eventually. These mowers are also 100% JD products built by JD employees in a JD factory in the USA. I've had one for 4 years and have had good luck with it.

 

[Dawgbite]

If it is a stamped formed deck then it is not heavy enough for extended use and life. the bent metal decks with welded ends are much stronger and will last. Also look for greasable bearings in the deck spindals, a big plus! The moters on most any mower, commercial or the Lowes specials, will generally out last the deck so the strength of the spindals and the area around where they bolt on is very important. I have a commercial zero turn but when it finally dies, I'm looking real hard at the Hector idea. I have done the math and its not much more expensive!