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mdagron · Aug 28, 2009

I have been looking for information on buying a new lawn mower/tractor. I had a ~1998 LT133 JD with a 38" deck that we got from my FIL. After moving to MD, the motor blew up. I found that it is not worth putting in a JD motor. If someone knows of a cheap foreign motor to just bolt in the mower, I can do that. If not I am in the market for a new mower. I have about $2000 to spend on a new mower. I have 2 acres. My wife wants the widest lawn mower there is. I want the widest but does a good mowing job. I found a Ariens 54" with a 25 hp Kohler Courage motor. I can get that for $2000 at HD. Is this mower going to last more than a few hours. What can I get for the money that will last for at least 5 years? Thanks in advance.

jayste · Aug 28, 2009

Welcome! I'd say probably but your best bet is go ahead and post this in one of the other subjects/threads to get a better overall veiwing.

Jay

JohnDeere4300 · Aug 28, 2009

Welcome to TBN!

Hope you enjoy it here.

whistlepig · Aug 29, 2009

If you want a motor that lasts a long time buy a lawn tractor with a motor that is water cooled. You may be able to find something used with a water cooled engine. I had a John Deere lawn tractor for a short time (don't remember the model) with a water cooled Kawasaki motor in it. It was the sweetest running gasoline motor that I have ever owned. There are some premium motors out there too. Kawasaki, Kubota, Honda. I don't know if Honda makes a water cooled lawn tractor motor. I also have a Honda generator with a 13HP air cooled gasoline motor. It's an awesome motor also.

LBrown59 · Aug 30, 2009

mdagron said:
I have been looking for information on buying a new lawn mower/tractor. I had a ~1998 LT133 JD with a 38" deck that we got from my FIL. After moving to MD, the motor blew up. I found that it is not worth putting in a JD motor. If someone knows of a cheap foreign motor to just bolt in the mower, I can do that. If not I am in the market for a new mower. I have about $2000 to spend on a new mower. I have 2 acres. My wife wants the widest lawn mower there is. I want the widest but does a good mowing job. I found a Ariens 54" with a 25 hp Kohler Courage motor. I can get that for $2000 at HD. Is this mower going to last more than a few hours. What can I get for the money that will last for at least 5 years? Thanks in advance.

What kind/degree of lasting are you talkin about?

mdagron · Aug 30, 2009

3-5 years. I have looked at the Ariens 54" sold at HD. It has great reviews on HD site. I know-I know. On the other mowers on HD site, there are some bad reviews. It seems that the Cougar motor has some problems. Right now I need a few years of use with no major problems. I have 2 acres with about 500' feet of very steep road ditch (100' with 4-5 passes). So I need some protection from lubricating the engine on this ditch. Will the cougar do OK with this steep mowing. Maybe that is what killed the LT133 engine? I know I need a better mower, but right now I need a reliable cheap mower for the next few years.

LBrown59 · Aug 30, 2009

mdagron said:
1*3-5 years. I have looked at the Ariens 54" sold at HD. It has great reviews on HD site. I know-I know. On the other mowers on HD site, there are some bad reviews. It seems that the Cougar motor has some problems. Right now I need a few years of use with no major problems. I have 2 acres with about 500' feet of very steep road ditch (100' with 4-5 passes). So I need some protection from lubricating the engine on this ditch. Will the cougar do OK with this steep mowing. Maybe that is what killed the LT133 engine? I know I need a better mower, but right now I need a reliable cheap mower for the next few years.

My Cheap $1300 BBS mower lasted 10 years and so did the constant battle to keep it running .
It Was made BY CC labeled PowrKraft and sold at wards.

This is what I meant by asking What kind/degree of lasting are you talkin about?

Thomas · Aug 30, 2009

Welcome to TBN...enjoy.

whistlepig · Aug 30, 2009

mdagron said:
3-5 years. I have looked at the Ariens 54" sold at HD. It has great reviews on HD site. I know-I know. On the other mowers on HD site, there are some bad reviews. It seems that the Cougar motor has some problems. Right now I need a few years of use with no major problems. I have 2 acres with about 500' feet of very steep road ditch (100' with 4-5 passes). So I need some protection from lubricating the engine on this ditch. Will the cougar do OK with this steep mowing. Maybe that is what killed the LT133 engine? I know I need a better mower, but right now I need a reliable cheap mower for the next few years.

If the engine has forced lubrication (oil pump) it will do just fine on a slope. Ariens is a good name brand and has been around for a while.