Riding mower?

[Tflynn]

I'm in the market for a riding mower. What do you all recommend?

 

[Admin]

 

[Delton]

I'm in the market for a riding mower. What do you all recommend?

Get an older tractor style John Deere ( non home improvement type). Just my opinion but they will last you forever. My 98 GT275 will be passed on to my daughter and probably her kids. They build them right.

 

[swsebek]

New,or used,how big,hows terrain look?hillside,golf course,bumps no bumps.

 

[Springer]

Take a look at the Kubota BX series. I have a BX 2230, 22 hp 3 cyl diesel with 60 inch deck. I mow about 5 acres, and run a 3 point snow plow in the winter. It's a small tractor, or a large lawn mower. It's the best one I have ever had and will probably outlive me.

 

[Tflynn]

New,or used,how big,hows terrain look?hillside,golf course,bumps no bumps.

I'm looking at new. Probably 46" deck for about 1.5 acres around the shop, house, and equipment yard...so flat ground in other words. Right now I use a combo of a Honda push mower and a 6' new holland 3-point mower off the back of a tractor. The 3 point mower won't cut short enough so that's why I'm looking at a riding mower.

 

[joeymt33]

I use a Honda self propelled mower with a hydrostatic transmission, not a belt drive!

For riding the mower, I went cheap and bought a 54" craftsman. I made sure to get the model with the kohler engine so I could up fit it with oil cooling and gauges. It's a great mower so far and it was just under $3k. Just don't get the standard cheap craftsman if you go that route. I found this craftsman pro series on sale and it's tough.

Now, if you want to get serious. My dad cuts about 10 acres with his John Deere. It's a three cylinder diesel and 62" deck. That thing is no joke! It's about 10-11 years old now and will out cut anything we have.

Here's a pic of the craftsman mower set up. Instrument panel


Much larger filter for increased oil capacity.


And lastly, here's the oil cooler and fan

 

[joeymt33]

The reason I showed you the pic of the mods I made is for a good reason. I decided to put a oil temp gauge and oil pressure gauge on my new (at the time) craftsman since I had just blown up a Fawn Deere (sold at lowes).

I immediately noticed the the oil pressure would start out at ~40 psi and fall slightly as the oil warmed up. After ~30 minutes of cutting, the oil temp would reach 300°!!! No joke. That's probably why my John Deere blew with only 190 hours. So, with the oil cooler and fan, I can maintain about 210° which is where I have the thermostat set for the fan.

 

[joeymt33]

I never understood why mowers are rated for certain acreage. Some mowers say for "up to .5 acres" or "up to 1.5 acres". I always thought I don't care if it takes me longer, I'll buy the smaller mower and it may take me a little longer. BUT, it actually means that the motor will over heat and possibly blow up (John Deere example below) if you use it more than its intended.

Moral of the story is follow these guide lines.

1. Buy a mower rated for your acreage if it's an air cooled engine.

2. Buy the cheaper mower and mod it like I did.

3. Buy a water cooled or oil cooled mower from a reputable manufacturer.

The con rod blew out the side and 15' across the yard


I still have the mower actually, it has a new engine and is used at my wife's office.

 

[Tflynn]

Thanks @joeymt33. I was leaning towards a craftsman or a cub cadet because of the kohler engine (has anyone seen a Honda motor in a riding mower??) I really wasn't impressed with the JD, although initially that's what I thought I wanted. After looking at them I think the only thing "john deere" about them is the color scheme and stickers.

 

[joeymt33]

I have not seen a Honda motor in a riding lawnmower. I'm sure somebody out there has one though.

As far as John Deere, if you get one from a dealer they will be great mowers. If you get one from a big box store, it will probably be crap.

 

[Stauvo]

I have 2 John Deere 445 models. They are 99 and 2000 models. I bought the 99' model brand new with 54" deck and hydro front blade and use the heck out of it. I picked up the 2000 model with a 60" deck about 4 years ago with about 350 hrs on it and it went down with engine failure last year with bent push rods etc. $500 to fix and all good. They both have 22hp feul injected Kawasaki engines. I really like them as they have power steering, differential lock, power, shaft drive deck and Hydro controls, comfy seat support.

 

[Stauvo]

I have not seen a Honda motor in a riding lawnmower. I'm sure somebody out there has one though.

As far as John Deere, if you get one from a dealer they will be great mowers. If you get one from a big box store, it will probably be crap.

Yes, definitely stick with a dealer. And there are places online for ordering dealer stock items such as blades, belts, filters and all other parts too if you live a ways from one as is my poblem.

 

[d_b]

I agree with alot of others, all my farm tractors are GREEN and I purchased a riding mover from the hardware store and was totally upset. Green bailed me out and got one from them totally different machine. Dealer all the way.

 

[Plumber32]

Thanks @joeymt33. I was leaning towards a craftsman or a cub cadet because of the kohler engine (has anyone seen a Honda motor in a riding mower??) I really wasn't impressed with the JD, although initially that's what I thought I wanted. After looking at them I think the only thing "john deere" about them is the color scheme and stickers.

I had a cub cadet from a box store 60" 24hp
Gave it to my brother because I wanted a new one and he needed one. I checked out and was set on the big craftsman tractor. Until a little more research I found pretty much all of them are made by mtd. And picked up a troy-bilt 24hp 60" deck. Exactly the same as the craftsman other that stickers $1000 less paid $2000. Its a great mower cuts awsome and fast. Runs like a top and is faster and cuts better than my neighbors $4500 john deere. And he admits it! Plus it has a 2yr unlimited warranty. Hard to go wrong unless you need hydraulic or attachments. My 2c

 

[swsebek]

I have 2 toro wheel horses that are tuff as nails.one is a 2000 deisel 60 inch,the other is 1999 gas,with 48" deck.....I honestly dont think I will ever have to buy another again in my lifetime....Both have been problem free...But Im the only owner and driver.900 hours on gas ,1200 plus on the deisel....Only complaint is the smaller tires will beat you if you have bumps or roots..

 

[sajnaj]

scag thats all i have to say let the war begin

 

[CPope]

I would have to go with Kubota, the Diesel engines run for ever and use very little fuel, I just sold my bx2230 lawn tractor, bought it new for $9600 and 13 years later sold it for $6500, I now own a zd326 zero turn and love it! Both were 60" cut , but the zero turn still cut my mowing time almost in half. I cut about 5 acres. Good luck with your purchase. They are like Hondas , you get what you pay for . Lol

 

[Tramguage1]

Bought the wife a used zero turn JD 445 I think it is. She LOVES it, cut her 3ac. mowing time in half.

 

[chadbo]

scag thats all i have to say let the war begin

 

[KevinSC]

View attachment 11277

Hustler all the way