Best Choice For A Lawn Tractor

[brownthumb]

I have an old Gravely that finally bit the dust. I might try to find another motor to restore it for no good reason other than that it is almost an antique, but it will take a long time and it's time to move on to a new lawn tractor.
I have a small Xmas tree farm and about an acre in grass around the house so I need something fairly durable. I am looking at Lowe's and they have zero turn mowers and regular lawn tractors. I subscribe to Consumer Reports but they weren't very helpful in regard to lawn tractors. Does anyone have an opinion on whether Deere, Troybuilt, Toro, etc. would be best? There are a few places with modest slope that I have to mow but nothing especially dangerous. What type do you have and would you buy another one?

[Thoughthound]

I have a craftsman and wouldn't buy it again.

Spend the money and get something good, especially if it is a business purchase.

I also wouldn't buy from a box store because they don't support it if you have problems. They say, "Take it to . . ."

And the repair place often also sells, and if they sold it to you, you will get much better and faster service.

I had a friend who bought a Deere from Home Depot and when he had problems, he had to take it to the Deere dealership.

Had he bought it at the Deere dealership, Deere would have come out and fixed it at his place or hauled it to their shop free of charge.

Seems like everything is made by MTD anymore, so who knows if it is any good.

I have heard good things about Dixon, but have never been in the seat of one.

As for engines, Honda and Kohler, but I'm sure they have their detractors too.

I'm told the old snappers keep going and going but I'm not sure about the new ones.

Also, beware of WalMart. They get special made mowers that are crap but look the same as mowers at dealerships. In reality, the engine parts are not as beefy even though it has the same model name.

[Bay Mare]

Originally Posted by Thoughthound

I have a craftsman and wouldn't buy it again.

Spend the money and get something good, especially if it is a business purchase.

We bought a new craftsman garden tractor (18hp I think) 10 years ago. It has mowed the lawn, the pasture, the road frontage, many big rocks, etc. I don't know about the new ones but my old one is a tough old machine. We have never had to use the Sears repair service for this.

But I agree that as a business purchase you may be able to spend more money and get something that will get the job done faster (zero turn) and maybe has a longer warranty.

And Thoughthound is right about MTD. DH is a truck driver and had to pick up at one of their factories. I forget all the different names he said were made there but I will ask when I talk to him and post here for you. (If I can remember )

AngelaW

[Ramblin Wreck]

I've had good luck with a White lawn tractor for the past 4-5 years, but if I were buying again, I'd be looking at used Kubota diesel lawn tractors. I see them on e-bay quite often.

[Sand Flat Bob]

I recently did lots of research and looking at lawn mowers. In a garden tractor what I found and liked, you can look on google also, was go to the John Deere dealer and buy a 300 series tractor. About double $ of the box store little ones, but extremely better made and can get good service and parts. If you want just to mow grass and nothing else, the fastest mowing etc. is go to a zero turn mower. Here again you have a choice of the low end residential market or a quality commercial rated mower. I bought a Scag, to me the top built ZTR mower. But price is high, moving down to my next choice is a Fasttrak Hustler. There are lots of quality ZTR mowers. Avoid some of the old names because they are now built by MTD. They build them to sell and metal temper, bearings or lack of, etc. They are "Run them a couple of years then throw them away as you can't get parts or anyone to work on them"!! If you really want a large diesel ZTR, go to Kubota but take a truck load of money!!

Bob

[Judy in IN]

Kubota ZTR diesel 60" or 72" deck. End of discussion....


I LOVE the built-in worm gear that jacks the mower up so you can sharpen the blades!

The diesel engine should last a long, long time.

In fact, the toughest part of this mower is getting off! It's comfortable, and does a great job.

[FreeRanger]

I'm with Sam, I bought a SCAG. My research found the SCAG to be the best engineered ZTR. This is a commercial grade mower that is easy to service and can take a lot of use. I have the smallest one, 48" Tiger Cub. Love it.

[CGUARDSMAN]

for mowing close to the house i have a toro proline commercial 32" walk behind with a 13 hp kohler for everything else i have a 30 hp Kioti tractor and 60" woods finish mower. the ztr is a great way to go but buy a commercial grade mower with a kohler briggs or kawasaki engine with suspension or they will beat you to death.