Can't find a new rider

[japody]

My Snapper LT200 riding mower finally gave up the ghost after 20 years. I like the new Snapper SPX line because they have a fabricated deck that is 10 gauge steel. But, they are not to be found. I searched a 200 mile radius and no one has any. One dealer told me that he ordered them last year and has not heard back. My next choice is the Cub Cadet XT1. It has a stamped deck. Both Home Depot and Tractor Supply advertise that they carry the line. TSC has it for $200 cheaper. Alas, neither one has any within a 200 mile radius. The last one I looked at was the Red Max line made by Husqvarna. They do have the fabbed deck but are running about $1500 more. My front yard is now officially a hay field. What to do?

 

[jaxs]

"What to do?" Either start looking for used,hire some kid to mow the yard or hook your trailer behind the family station wagon and expand the search.

 

[beowulf]

When my Husqvarna riding mower conked, I did my due diligence to find a replacement. I could not find any of the first 3 or 4 on my list of wants. I settled. One of the simplest JDs - and not the one I would have chosen. but it works fine and actually is quite suitable for our uses - I guess I did not need some of the features I looked for after all. This is happening a lot now - i.e., being unable to find what we want and either going without or settling for something else. I think this is our future.

 

[scaredychicken]

Classifieds, MarketPlace, ... research your options and fine tune your preferences. You'll find something, though it may not be a Snapper

 

[jaxs]

I keep an old mower (presently Craftsman 1000) around to mow areas where i might hit an obstacle and damage mower. If the primary machine is out of service or in need of replacement I use the old beater to allow plenty time to make good decisions on repair or replacement. I buy the machines from someone who doesn't know how to fix or don't want to spend money on repair.

 

[Thomas]

Check classifieds purchase mower get you thru mowing season,than early next spring purchase what you want.

 

[jaxs]

Check classifieds purchase mower get you thru mowing season,than early next spring purchase what you want.

Buy something to get you through summer then buy new one when they put them on clearance this fall.

 

[Rich B1]

Find yourself a solid 6 speed Craftsman/Husqvarna garden tractor. They have some age to them, but are tough if taken care of. 2nd choice would be a hydro version witch the external oil filter. Take care of it and it will work all summer. That gives you time to find something newer. Then keep the older one for back up.

IMe: they are best with Kohler engines, 21 22 HP seem best; Steering bushings on the sector shaft are likely worn but can be replaced; All sheaves on the drive belt may need replaced; Go over the deck spindles and idler sheaves, if the feel tight/rough, fix it now.

Otherwise, they are solid

 

[stevem5215]

It used to be that if you needed a piece of equipment you would have a backup machine. Then things became more reliable and the backup machine ended up getting sold. We've moved into backup territory again due to the shortages in choices. At least with a backup in use you can get the job done. I personally have a backup and backup to the backup. I had to use the backup mower a few weeks ago when I came home and found a flat on the main one. Cut the grass and went to the TSC and got myself a tire repair kit and a tube. Fixed the tire and it's leaking ever so slowly now. Fill tire and it holds for a week or so. Going to be a problem it looks. Backups are not always needed due to reliability of current equipment. But there's times when you just have to get the job done. A backup is used for that still.

 

[PuffyC]

You never appreciate how much you need a mower until you don't have one

If it helps, I've been mowing about 6 acres a week for over 5 years now with a mower with a stamped deck (9 gauge) and have never had an issue. I've probably cleared a couple acres of pasture with it too, going through scrub and saplings pushing an inch in diameter, hitting stumps, etc. If a stamped deck is supposed to be inferior I can't even imagine what you'd be doing with a mower that would require a fabbed deck. After owning mine and seeing the kind of abuse it'll take, the next time I'm shopping for a new one a fabbed vs stamped deck won't even be on my radar.