Lawn Tractor

Marcia in MT · #1 02/14/15, 04:52 PM

We need to replace ours -- does anyone have one they can particularly recommend? Why?

Thanks!

farmerDale · #2 02/14/15, 05:05 PM

Only lawn cutting? Trees and other obstacles? Lots of turning? Budget? Big space or small space? IMO, most companies make junk for mowers now a days, relative to 30 years ago. Lots of plastic and weak steel. Bushings rather than bearings etc.

Sawmill Jim · #3 02/14/15, 05:14 PM

I got tired of the regular lawn tractors

So I went out and found me a real mower it is about a 1965 year Yazoo 60'' cut mower mine has a Wisconsin two cylinder on it . In low range a wide open turn an't quite as bad as this guys story . Am looking for one in hydrostat

https://thecowetashopper.com/?p=4628

Dixie Bee Acres · #4 02/14/15, 05:25 PM

I have a kubota, not a compact tractor, not a garden tractor, just a lawn tractor. I like it. Heavy built 48" deck, liquid cooled kawasaki 2 cup engine. I like it.

Jolly · #5 02/14/15, 06:15 PM

According to Consumer Reports the highest rated of the consumer grade stuff is the 100 series from John Deere.

This is the cheapest:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/John-Deer...=5yc1vZbx5cZt7

Then they go up to about $2k.

Or, you could find a used Kubota G series. 1000 hours is nothing on one of these little diesels...

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings...x?OHID=9116475

Alternatively, you can sometimes find the small grey market Yanmar tractors pretty reasonable and hook a finish mower to it. There are some models you need to avoid:

http://www.hoyetractor.com/modelstoavoid.htm

Something like this may be more than you want to spend, but it has some parts in common with a certain green tractor:

http://www.southcircletractor.com/pr...sp?veh=4004992

Good luck, whatever direction you go.

Jlynnp · #6 02/14/15, 07:01 PM

We have 2, a JD 130 which I absolutely love and a Husqvarna (sp?) which is a piece of crap. I will stay with JD from now on.

Harry Chickpea · #7 02/14/15, 07:42 PM

The JD deck design seems to give a better cut than others I have tried. However - I don't buy new, only used, as long as there is a 16hp engine. (I have a couple spares, so if one goes bad I can swap.)

Triton9918 · #8 02/14/15, 10:04 PM

I have a Kubota ZG 23 zero turn 54". I love this tractor. Well built and well designed.

cntrywmnkw · #9 02/15/15, 06:43 AM

My BF & I have a JD D170, a 54" cut & absolutely LOVE it. I cut around 5 acres, have had it for about 3 years & have 295 hours on it, so it doesn't sit idle. I can also use it for toting & dragging big branches & stuff. Great machine.

JoePa · #10 02/15/15, 10:58 AM

If you have the money get a good zero turn mower - I got a Grass Hopper because I have a couple acres to cut - very good machine - but they don't come cheap -

Jonb · #11 02/15/15, 09:36 PM

If you got the money just buy a SCAG done deal

Marcia in MT · #12 02/16/15, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful answers, everyone! If anyone else wants to comment, please feel free.

PNP Katahdins · #13 02/16/15, 03:08 PM

Make sure you can get GOOD service on whatever you do buy. In fact, ask an independent mechanic what he/she would buy in your situation.

If you buy something used, make sure it was been well-serviced in the past.

Peg

wkndwrnch · #14 02/16/15, 04:01 PM

Sold our Toro (MTD) 42" rider mower,I wanted something classic,and DW wanted a little tractor. I started seeing $$. Found the solution for us,A Power King tractor,with a 48 " deck and 24" rims. DW now is able to use the 3 point hitch and move a trailer,go out into the pasture,and mow on her perfect little tractor.

HermitJohn · #15 02/16/15, 04:33 PM

If you have relatively small lawn, get an older Snapper mower. what I call the Forrest Gump option. These last forever and easy/cheap to repair, especially if you are doityourselfer. If you have larger lawn and beaucoup bucks to spend on mowing grass, and anal retentive about golf course type lawn, get a commercial duty zero turn mower. I personally think people that spend $10k+ on mowing a single lawn either have way too much money or are completely looney tunes. If you have larger lawn and limited cash, get an old Farmall Cub (the bigger red ones made pre-1960, not the little yellow Cub Cadet lawn tractors) in good shape with a Woods belly mower. Take care of one of these and it will literally last a lifetime used as a lawn tractor. And cheap to rebuild if needed. Not as smooth cut as zero turn mower, but good enough. If you live out in rural area and already have real tractor, just sharpen blades on your brush hog and use that for large areas. Get small lawn mower such as Snapper for around house. As others said actual lawn tractors have decended into light duty disposables. Hasnt been good lawn tractor since sixties and early seventies when they still made them with cast iron transmission/transaxle and used a horizontal shaft cast iron engine.

Chucknbob · #16 02/18/15, 07:52 PM

If all you want to do is mow, you can't go wrong with a dixon zero turn. Mine has been going since 91. My uncles has had his for 20 years.

If you want to use it for more on the farm, you can find many sub compact tractors with mower decks for under $2,000. I have a diesel kubota 6100 with a 48" deck, PTO, and class 1 three point hitch I paid $1500 for. There are plenty deals like that if you look.

Please, whatever you do, do not go buy a new riding mower from Wal mart, lowes, etc. Those plastic pieces of junk won't make it two seasons.

Wyobuckaroo · #17 02/18/15, 09:13 PM

I have JD L110 lawn tractor that is a very good grass mowing machine...

I also have a JD 855 compact tractor... It has a 60" mowing deck, plus a lot of of other utility tractor type implements... It is a diesel with more horse power, power steering, and a lot more power to use for other work...

The compact tractor handles a rough yard a lot better than the lawn tractor, which will jar your teeth out...

The lawn tractor has a 42" deck so it will go through tighter places... The compact tractor will mow as close in corners and such as the lawn tractor..

If I didn't need the extra power and features of the compact tractor, I would be happy with the JD lawn tractor as far as initial cost, cost to run and maintain...

I do so many other things with my tractor like farm food plots, and gardens.. plow a lot of snow, skid firewood timber etc...

For my use... I wish I had bought my compact long before I did..
Your uses may not require spending extra money for a compact..
But once many people get even a small compact, they say they would throw away there lawn tractors....

Good luck

charged · #18 02/18/15, 10:13 PM

We bought an Ariens from Home Depot's website and I am happy with it. If you want one let me give ya'all a tip. If you go to Home Depot to buy a lawn tractor you are going to get one that has been sitting out in the rain and elements. Instead, go online and order one for the same price. Delivery was only $50 or $100, I can't remember, but it arrives in a crate. This is especially useful if you don't have a pickup like me. You remove the crate, slap the steering wheel on it and you are good to go.

Bellyman · #19 02/18/15, 11:46 PM

John Deere Z425. Zero turn. Love it! Have used it pretty hard with little trouble.

Ramblin Wreck · #20 02/19/15, 10:26 AM

When my old White Outdoor got long in the tooth (and it was a dependable mower for many years), I switched to a zero turn. It cut my grass cutting time in half. There's a wide range of quality in these type mowers, but I went with a middle of the pack model (Toro MX5060), and it has served well for two seasons. While the primary benefits are speed and the ability to trim very close, you can tear up a yard doing quick, hard zero turns. It took me a few tries to get used to it, but I'm glad I made the switch now.

Good luck finding a mower that meets your needs.