Suggestion for new Riding Lawmower, please.

[skfullgun]

I need a new rider. I have a zero- turn -an old John Deere z-series that just keeps going. I was going to purchase a new zero-turn, but my applications are varied. So, I've decided to keep the zero-turn for use on the fenced yard where I have multiple trees , and buy a traditional riding lawn mower to mow a couple smalls fields and along the sides of my 1/2 mile driveway.

Yes, I have a compact Mahindra tractor and a shredder, but I grimace at the thought of attaching the shredder every time I need to mow. And if I leave it attached it limits its primary use as a front-end loader.

The zero-turn is not really a good match for mowing along the driveway or the fields that I have to mow, because I have to go really slow anyway because of the Johnson grass.

I figure I can save some money if I don't buy another zero-turn and try to make the one I have last by only using it for the fenced yard with all the trees.

So, what do you suggest?
Husqvarna, CubCadet, John Deere, others?

My current John Deere is somewhere around 1,700 hrs and the B&S engine has been a champ.

 

[Axxe55]

If the riding mower is going to get limited duty, you might look at getting a good older mower in good condition, at a way much cheaper price point than buying a new one.

Honestly, I have only bought used riding mowers in the last 25 years. I can buy several for what one brand new one costs. The one I have currently is a 28 year old Montgomery Wards with the L-head twin cylinder B&S engine.

 

[Axxe55]

Another point to consider, disregard the color or name on the mower. There are only about three or four manufacturers of riding mowers in the US. And they make mowers for everyone, with the only difference many times being the colors and the decals.

 

[skfullgun]

Good advice. The only one I won't buy would be Craftsman. That's all my dad would (or Lawnboy), and when Sears went to crap he got burned on the last several he bought. I tend to hold grudges.

 

[1911'S 4 Me]

You could get some goats. But then you may end up with muslim neighbors.

 

[skfullgun]

The JD zero turn I currently have? I'm the 5th owner. A friend of my youngest son bought it new, then sold it to my youngest son about a year after due to a divorce. Then my oldest son bought it for my younger son and used it for about a year. Then my brother-in-law bought it for my oldest son and used it for about a year. I bought it for my brother-in-law and I've been using it for the last 5 Years

 

[skfullgun]

No farm animals. I finally off-loaded the peacocks, two stray cats, and my on-again, off-again g/f and her pack of 8 dogs. I'm enjoying the quiet...

If only there were some quiet, good looking women around here that still had teeth...

For now, it's just me and Josephine, my Rhodesian Ridgeback. She is pretty quiet, and has all her teeth.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

I have a $2000.00 CubCadet that's only three years old. Never again! Junk.

 

[Axxe55]

Good advice. The only one I won't buy would be Craftsman. That's all my dad would (or Lawnboy), and when Sears went to crap he got burned on the last several he bought. I tend to hold grudges.

Craftsman are usually manufactured by MRD or AYP.

 

[skfullgun]

That's the thing I want to know before I buy. Thanks!

 

[skfullgun]

So, Craftsman is the same as Murray?

 

[Axxe55]

I have a $2000.00 CubCadet that's only three years old. Never again! Junk.

I'd love to have an older, (pre early 1980's) Cub Cadet lawn tractor. The ones with the cast iron frames. But even used and in good shape, they command a pretty price.

 

[skfullgun]

I passed on a little JD diesel rider when I first bought this place. Mistake, I'm sure.

 

[Axxe55]

So, Craftsman is the same as Murray?

Pretty much, since MTD owns both.

 

[Sam7sf]

My fil and friend have Cub. I gambled with a husqvarna and I gotta say dude it’s turned into a honey badger. It has taken a beating. I killed the engine twice due to steel wire. Both times it started right back up and the spindly still has no play. My property is has few flat spots...I can feel the dang thing flex and it’s been holding together for a while. I ever get a crack in the frame I’ll just weld it.

I’m not nice to my husqvarna. My vote is husqvarna.

Deck height could be higher and sometimes I’ll pile drive my deck and spindle into hard gumbo and ant mounts; she likes it.

 

[msharley]

I passed on a little JD diesel rider when I first bought this place. Mistake, I'm sure.

Hey Skgun,

Diesel. I have an old diesel (traded a revolver for)...and a 5' three point hitch King Kutter deck.

About 1/2 gallon of fuel per acre.

The last gas riding mower I had? About 2-1/2 to 3 gallons per acre...

If? You can find one with the Jap 3 cylinder diesel? buy it NOW!

Off Road Fuel is about sevent-five cents a gallon less ......than on road fuel...

Hope this helps...

Later, Mark

 

[pronstar]

If the riding mower is going to get limited duty, you might look at getting a good older mower in good condition, at a way much cheaper price point than buying a new one.

Honestly, I have only bought used riding mowers in the last 25 years. I can buy several for what one brand new one costs. The one I have currently is a 28 year old Montgomery Wards with the L-head twin cylinder B&S engine.

That what I did when I got mine - bought it used at half price. Got super lucky because it was on my short list for the model I wanted.

Retail at the time was about $3200 and I paid half that for a one-year-old model.


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[Axxe55]

That what I did when I got mine - bought it used at half price. Got super lucky because it was on my short list for the model I wanted.

Retail at the time was about $3200 and I paid half that for a one-year-old model.


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I haven't paid over $500 for a riding mower in over twenty five years now. And I have worn a few out mowing and maintaining our property. The parts i tend to wear our or break, (like belts and blades) are not covered under warranty anyways.

 

[Axxe55]

Also I will generally buy older riding mowers that have problems, simply because many times even if not necessarily fixable, they have lots of great parts I can use for mine. My method would not be for people that are less than mechanically inclined, or willing to spend the time or energy to save money.

 

[Grumps21]

If I was in your shoes, I‘d be on the lookout for an older IH cub cadet from the ‘70s. Cast iron Kholer motors will run a long time and are rebuildable. Std gear box or hydrostatic if that’s your thing. Can double as a tow motor to ferry trailers around and you can even get a few implements. Dad had one when I was a kid. He had a belly mower that was on it almost all the time because that’s what I cut the grass with, but he also had a disc that would attach to the back and a blade on the front. Actually it was probably a snow plow attachment now that I think about it, but he used it to push around dirt. For anything new, be prepared for the safety nannies, and look forward to trouble shooting no start situations. Could be something with the brake switch, seat switch, clutch switch, or it could possibly be a legit engine or starter issue. Ask me how I know this.