Let's talk riding lawnmowers for a minute

[DT]

I use a 4x4 1100 Ford diesel tractor with a 4 ft brush hog.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by illflem

Use a 8' flail mower with 80hp JD tractor for trimming the 120 acres next to the lawn.

Whoa! That sounds almost painful. I first started doing 25 or so with a six footer. No sooner finish if that then go right back at it. Moved up to a 15' wing and cut my time to 5-6 hours. I didn't get a mower for under the fence lines yet so the trimming still takes me forever.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by dmurdock

I don't know if they still sell them, but home-depot sell's re-badged john deer's under the Scott's name. I bought one about 4 years ago and have had 0 problems (42"cut, 16hp kohler, hydro drive, sealed mulch deck) at about an acre a week (my yard and g-mother's yard combined).

The first Scott's were made by MTD and IMHO are junk. I have the 19hp Briggs with 46 or 48, I forget which. I can't get a good cut no matter what I adjust. Drive train adjustments are rediculous. Only good thing is I got it for free via a work incentive.



I also have a JD self propelled walk behind. I bought that for a smaller property and it's to heavy for the little bit of trimming I do where I don't need a self propelled mower. This one has to be the finest mower I ever had.

 

[MOWPAR]

Mine dosent leave the yard looking very good but it sure is fun!!!

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[illflem]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS





Whoa! That sounds almost painful.

Scott, not really. Here in the inland west if it isn't irrigated it doesn't grow. One, sometimes two mowings and one broadleaf weed spray (2,4D) does it for the year. It's the irrigated crops that don't get mowed that are painful.

 

[dmurdock]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS





The first Scott's were made by MTD and IMHO are junk. I have the 19hp Briggs with 46 or 48, I forget which. I can't get a good cut no matter what I adjust. Drive train adjustments are rediculous. Only good thing is I got it for free via a work incentive.



I also have a JD self propelled walk behind. I bought that for a smaller property and it's to heavy for the little bit of trimming I do where I don't need a self propelled mower. This one has to be the finest mower I ever had.

That sux. . mine has a metal plate under the seat which says "manufactured for scotts by john deere". That is neat I guess, but I've never been in awe of JD stuff (yard tractors that is). I mean they make solid equipment, but if $$ is not an object I'd go with a cub cadet.

 

[B KIRK]

Check out a Kubota. Bought my first one in 1980. Sold it 9 years later for $300 more than I purchased it for. Only reason I sold it was to purchase a bigger one that was Hydrostatic, and so I could put a Loader and Backhoe attachment on it. Best compact diesel engine out there. Lots of models and sizes available. What ever you buy, be sure to get hydrostatic drive.



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Brad

 

[Andy Perreault]

Holy smokes! 26 replies in one day!! I thought I might get 2 or 3! Thanks guys, looks like I have some ideas to go by when I check the classifieds. There is a wealth of knowledgeable, helpful people on this site, with all kinds of experiences and expertise on a wide variety of topics. Well worth the $35 a year, I'd say!

Thanks, Andy

 

[Steve G]

I have a JD and I like it. It's pricey but it was best for the money I had to spend. Get the lastest copy of Consumer Reports, they have testing on Riding Mowers and was very informative.



Steve

 

[Andy Perreault]

When I wrote my previous reply above, it was a school night, so I just skimmed through your replies quickly because I had to get to bed. I just now read over all of your suggestions, and I want to thank you all again. I will look for a hydrostatic drive, looks like that is a "must have" feature.

What do you think of this classified ad?



"John Deere LX176 lawn tractor, like new, 14HP, hydrostatic drivetrain, 38" twin blade mower, deck, 2 rear mounted grass catching bags, asking $2900 or best offer"



I'll keep it in mind, but I was just surfing the John Deere site, and I didn't see that model. It sounds like it's awful light-duty and maybe an older model. It appears as though the newer bottom-end JD's are 15+ hp and are 40" or 42".

I'm going to stop and browse at a John Deere dealership while out running errands today. I also know where there is a place that sells used mowers. It's a bit of a drive, but I might go up there to see what they've got.

Thanks, Andy

 

[illflem]

Andy, $2900 seems too high for a used one. But you never know how used it is. I got a good deal on walk behind JD used for one pass. The guy sold it because the catch bag filled up too far from his trashcan and he didn't want to carry it.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Ride Red, Baby

www.steinerturf.com



I have the 430Max and I love it. Any attatchment you could ever need, easy hook up. Kubota diesel powered. I found mine used and paid about 5000. 00 with 504 hours on it. They are extremely pricey new and used ones are hard to find. The last mower/tractor I'll ever need



Skinny

 

[BCFAST]

I have a JD F510. This is a front deck mower that's good for getting around trees and under the bushes. Has a 14hp Kawasaki and hydrostatic drive, rear steering. Bought it used for $1k about 5 years ago... Have had a few problems with it, but really is a nice machine. The front-deck mowers seem to hold value better than even ZTR units.

 

[Hammer]

Andy,,Mine is a Cub Cadet HDS 2135 model,,14hp kohler with hydrostatic drive and a 38"deck double bagger system,,I have 1. 75 acres here to do and can do it in a short amount of time with this,,I bought it two years ago from my hemi racer buddy of mine 2 years ago complete with all equipment and only 75 hrs on it for $1400,,He stepped up to a 18hp and a triple bagger was the reason to sell it,,JD,Wheel horse,or Cub Cadet are the best built lawn care equipment for the everyday owner,unless you desire the more proffessional style(like Skag,kubota),,0 turn are great if you have a yard that has no hills,but,if your lot is hilly and full of trees like mine the 0 turn is a bad deal,,They turn with the brakes on the rear tires and if you have any sidehill to do one slip and your in trouble,,I tried one here and stayed with what I have due to that very reason,,Deere equipment will command decent money even used and its a price the same out new then decide whats reasonable for it deal,,hope you find what you seek... ... ... ... Andy

 

[Doc Tinker]

Can you ride a goat? That's the kind of riding lawn mower I'd like to have.



Doc

 

[merryman]

We bought a Dixon ZTR in 1986. With the prior MTD tractor with belly mount mower, it took me 6 hours to mow. With the Dixon, the mowing time was cut to just over 2 hours.

I am still using it in 2002 and have done allmost nothing to it other than new belts a couple of times.

Our local tool and equipment rental place now will not rent any other mower out as these are so trouble free.



Vaughn

 

[rrausch]

I bought a 1970's Massey Ferg. MF-12 "Garden Tractor" a few years ago, for maybe a hundred bucks, and had the engine re-built. Lots of cast iron and lots of torque. Mows real good. Has a cast iron 12 H. P. Tecumseh engine which really roars! Mows an acre real fast. Anything cast iron can almost always be rebuilt.



Here is a site for old Garden Tractors



http://www.antiquetractors.com/garden.htm

 

[Lurch]

Another angle to consider. Step dad bought a 6' self powered deck(not sure of brand). Pulls it with the atv. Works great for open spaces.



Lurch

 

[QRTRHRS]

Back to the top.

Question for the ZTR mower experts. Anyone got an opinion on either the front mount Woods Mow'N'Machine or the Cub Cadet midmount comercial line? I have a dealer close by that carries these two lines. That would be convenient but the Scag line mentioned up top in this thread sounds serious. I have a half dozen Scag dealers within 18 miles too. I think about a five foot deck will work for me. The deck needs to either flip for service or come out real easy. (Wife likes to make gravel out of stones)



I finally paid off the big tractor so it's time to buy another piece of equipment. Wife's been driving me nuts with the junk MTD built Scott's and I can't really blame her. I guess the skid loader idea is going to have to wait a year or so, dang.

 

[JSmith]

I bought an MTD 12hp 42" deck in 1989 sold it two years ago. I just had to have a hydro unit. Went to Sears and got a Pouland 18hp 42" deck. The Pouland has a cast iron front axle. I spent $1300 for the Pouland, $ 900 for the MTD. Both will cut grass, thats what I bought them for, grass cutting. If you are going to do more thatn cut grass look into the higher dollar units. $2500 is a starting point, and that may be a used machine. I cut 1/2 acre, the horse handles the other half.



The brothers on The TDR forum will not steer you wrong.



This bunch on this site is informative. And opionated.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/tractor/



Just remember, the mower of your choice will need love just like the Mighty CTD.