Lawn Tractor for 1/3rd Acre

[MikeFitz11]

Hello everyone,

I'm very inexperienced in the area of lawn tractors, but I'm moving to a house with 1/3rd acre. The yard is flat and open, seems perfect for a lawn tractor. So far I've looked at John Deere LA series, as well as the X300. I've also looked at the Simplicity Regent. I bought a membership to Consumer Reports and they have the JD X304 and X300 rated near the top, unfortunitely they do not rank Simplicity.

I've had several recommendations for each tractor. Supposedly the LA series was designed for yards like mine, but after reading hundreds of poor reviews, I'm really hesitant to go in that direction. It appears the X300 is a safer bet, but I've read many people who insist you need to buy at least an X320 or higher. As for the Simplicity, I dont care about the lawn striping, and I know just as little about their durability.

Bottom line: I just want a tractor that will cut grass for many years with the least amount of problems on a flat 1/3rd acre. What do you think the best option would be for me given the work the tractor will be called upon for? Thanks for any input!

 

[bp fick]

Your statement, "many years" is the key. Any Big Box mower will work for your needs, but it is a matter of comfort, reliability and endurance.

Only you can decide if an X300 model, with its higher price is worthy of your consideration. Certainly cannot recommend the base model, say around $1000-$1200 you find outside of Home Depot or TSC. You seem to have more discriminating taste, which is fine. The better mowers justify their $2500-$3800 price by thicker deck metal, better engines, stronger frames, higher quality suspension parts and so forth.

 

[MikeFitz11]

Is there any reason to buy more than an X300 for what I'm looking for?

 

[tsteahr]

Is there any reason to buy more than an X300 for what I'm looking for?

With your interest in having the machine for many years, I think the upgraded tranny in the x320 (or a similar machine of another color (brand)) would be a good idea. Might be slightly overkill for a small lawn, but not a bad idea when long term durability is the objective.

 

[Deadman]

Would be a great choice for a 20+ year life mower.
If you buy a Homes Depot junker, expect maybe 5 years out if it, and then throw it away. Cheap price=cheap components.
I've always bought quality Deere mowers, and they have all lasted 15 years and still performed like they were brand new yet. I bought one cheapo mower, and it lasted 3 years, and was then taken to the dump, because the whole front end fell off, and the transaxle exploded.

 

[MikeFitz11]

Thanks for the advice on the better model. Any idea how the X320 or X300 compare with the Simplicity Regent on durability?

Also, are mulching blades the way to go or does it make more sense to side dispense?

 

[thetooth]

I will chime in on a Simplicity mower . My uncle gave me his old 2000 Simplicity Broadmoor ( 16hp / 44" deck ) that had been sitting in his wood shed for 2 years unused . I changed the fluids and filters put in a new battery and spark plugs . It is a beast . The floating deck does a nice job , ride is comfortable , has plenty of power and is really well made . The striping roller does work well but in my opinion it is a little gimmicky , my lawn is far from a golf course though .


He gave it to me with 182 hours this spring right know I'am at 210 and there is a lot of life left in her . So far I am really impressed with the quality of this machine .

Have you considered looking at used machine's ?

 

[MikeFitz11]

I will chime in on a Simplicity mower . My uncle gave me his old 2000 Simplicity Broadmoor ( 16hp / 44" deck ) that had been sitting in his wood shed for 2 years unused . I changed the fluids and filters put in a new battery and spark plugs . It is a beast . The floating deck does a nice job , ride is comfortable , has plenty of power and is really well made . The striping roller does work well but in my opinion it is a little gimmicky , my lawn is far from a golf course though .


He gave it to me with 182 hours this spring right know I'am at 210 and there is a lot of life left in her . So far I am really impressed with the quality of this machine .

Have you considered looking at used machine's ?

So is the general consensus that Simplicities are built as well as deeres? What Deere would you compare a Broadmoor to? X300, X320, X500?

Used..not really, I feel like I just dont know enough about them to get something used. That just introduces another variable of wear and tear, seems like it makes it more of a guess...? I'm not sure where to go in order to buy them either, I live in Pittsburgh.

 

[gauthier]

1/3 of an acre ain't much grass cutting[does that include house and buildings?],wouldn't spend more than 2-3 grand if that,you got lowes/sears/huskys/cubs,cheaper models that are all about same,than maybe snapper/simplicity,for a little more,but don't know if they are really worth a little more?
Than you got deere,kubota,etc,very expensive,are they worth that much more? I doubt it myself.

 

[MikeFitz11]

1/3 of an acre ain't much grass cutting[does that include house and buildings?],wouldn't spend more than 2-3 grand if that,you got lowes/sears/huskys/cubs,cheaper models that are all about same,than maybe snapper/simplicity,for a little more,but don't know if they are really worth a little more?
Than you got deere,kubota,etc,very expensive,are they worth that much more? I doubt it myself.

Until the suggestion for the JD X320, I had the X300 as the most expensive I wanted to go. I know its a weaker transmission than the X320, but how hard is this transmission going to be working on a flat 1/3rd acre, if I'm only using it to cut grass? The 1/3rd acre includes the house, but the house is just small cape cod. There's no woods, and few trees. The lot is almost entirely flat grass.

 

[thetooth]

So is the general consensus that Simplicities are built as well as deeres? What Deere would you compare a Broadmoor to? X300, X320, X500?

Used..not really, I feel like I just dont know enough about them to get something used. That just introduces another variable of wear and tear, seems like it makes it more of a guess...? I'm not sure where to go in order to buy them either, I live in Pittsburgh.

I cannot compare this to a Deere I had a older MTD that I gave to a friend when my Uncle gave me the Simplicity . I would compare the MTD to what you would buy at a big box store for a $1000.00 . The Simplicity is much heavier duty then that , remember this is a 2000 so I am unsure about the current models or
current build quality . Simplicity does have a pretty informative website .

Best

 

[thetooth]

I suggested used because you can sometimes find a lot for your money and if you end up not liking the tractor or feel it's to big you will take less of a loss if you decided to sell it .

I would check craigslist and ebay if you decide to go used . Check the manufacture website for your closest dealer if you want new .

 

[MikeFitz11]

I suggested used because you can sometimes find a lot for your money and if you end up not liking the tractor or feel it's to big you will take less of a loss if you decided to sell it .

I would check craigslist and ebay if you decide to go used . Check the manufacture website for your closest dealer if you want new .

If I look into used tractors, any advice on how many hours to stay under? I see on ebay theres a used 2006 X320 for ~$3000 with under 300 hours. Begs the question, is a K58 tranny so important as to buy a 4 year old machine?

 

[gauthier]

No way,no how would I buy a used lawnmower unless I liked tinkering with lawnmowers,[many do],but not me.

If you want one of those 300 series deeres,you should go get it,you'll be getting a pretty good lawnmower with dealer support,but if this post goes on a couple more pages,you'll have people recommending to you to get you a 4wd small tractor with loader,so,,,,,:laughing:

 

[MikeFitz11]

No way,no how would I buy a used lawnmower unless I liked tinkering with lawnmowers,[many do],but not me.

If you want one of those 300 series deeres,you should go get it,you'll be getting a pretty good lawnmower with dealer support,but if this post goes on a couple more pages,you'll have people recommending to you to get you a 4wd small tractor with loader,so,,,,,:laughing:

I tend to agree with you Gauthier. Every forum I've read seems to turn out this way. Theres just such a huge price jump from the x300 to the x320, and I'm seriously debating whether or not the extra $1000 is worth an upgraded transmission, especially when I'm going to be cutting a small amount of grass with absolutely no hills. $4200 to cut 1/3 an acre seems like an awful lot of dough. Anyone out there with x300 experiences?

 

[dmay]

Until the suggestion for the JD X320, I had the X300 as the most expensive I wanted to go. I know its a weaker transmission than the X320, but how hard is this transmission going to be working on a flat 1/3rd acre, if I'm only using it to cut grass? The 1/3rd acre includes the house, but the house is just small cape cod. There's no woods, and few trees. The lot is almost entirely flat grass.

I think your needs can be met with any riding mower. Just pick your budget and stick to it. Don't forget to include cost of attachments. Do you want a grass catcher? Snowblower? Pull cart?

Did you consider a LA175/54in deck w. PowerFlow bagger? I find this model to be the overlooked model in the line up between the 100 and 300 series. For the size of entirely flat lot you have and mowing only usage, this meets your need.

 

[VABlue]

I agree with dmay - the LA175 is a good sized machine and will be more than capable of handling .33 acres of flat grass. Get it at a Deere dealer and you'll also have good support for it. This will leave you with change for toys - bagger/mulch kit; tow cart (you will end up with one); dethatcher; aerator; etc. The X-series machines are generally meant for some heavy duty work and would all last you a lifetime on a simple yard - regardless of which transmission it has. I suspect the Simplicity would last a lifetime, too...

Basically, for a yard of that size, you can't go wrong if you only stay away from the cheap box store machines. The heavier ones (IE: LA series; big Cub's; Husqvarna) will all do you proud although the lack of dealer support might be a tad unnerving...

 

[brin]

I bought a Murray 20 HP 46 inch cut lawn tractor at Home Depot in 2004 for $999.00 and it has worked flawlessly for all this time..just change the oil and do proper maintenace..I just don't see the need to spend more for 1/3 of an acre, as long as you take care of it you should be fine. I would not write off the big box stores as a source for your next mower.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for the advice on the better model. Any idea how the X320 or X300 compare with the Simplicity Regent on durability?

Also, are mulching blades the way to go or does it make more sense to side dispense?

1*So is the general consensus that Simplicities are built as well as deeres?
What Deere would you compare a Broadmoor to? X300, X320, X500?

.[/quote]
I would think so.
Simplicities are a top of the line product.

 

[jenkinsph]

Until the suggestion for the JD X320, I had the X300 as the most expensive I wanted to go. I know its a weaker transmission than the X320, but how hard is this transmission going to be working on a flat 1/3rd acre, if I'm only using it to cut grass? The 1/3rd acre includes the house, but the house is just small cape cod. There's no woods, and few trees. The lot is almost entirely flat grass.

I would not buy an X300 with the K46 tranny, I would consider an X320 and up. Otherwise I would buy a much cheaper LA series and would think you can get 10 years or so out of it on your 1/3 acre lot. Limit your purchase to half the cost of the 320.

My place in town is about 2.55 acres and would guess that about 2 acres is cut with my boxstore L130. It is currently in its fifth year of use and may need the $300 in tranny parts for next year. If you consider that I am cutting an area that is 6 times as big as yours then you should have no problems getting twice the life out of it.