Which lawn tractor to buy?

[NoTrespassing]

forgot, that 36K hours on the one and 11K hours on the other, both bought new.

36K hours on a 15 year old lawnmower?

2400 per year?

Almost 7 hours per day, 365 days per year?

 

[TreePointer]

I have a Huskvarna LGT- 2654 which I bought at Lowes about 9 years ago which has 348 hours on it. About a month ago the frame on both sides broke and I have just finished welding and reinforcing the broken areas.
View attachment 882462
Starboard side


View attachment 882464
Port side

Turns our the frame on these tractors is stamped steel and I guess not too strong. Granted the ground is very uneven and hilly here but I never expected such a break to occur. According to my research almost every brand tractor is made by MTD so there are few choices. I also found out that the transmissions in these tractors are weak so don't try to tow anything.

After fixing the frame and reinforcing the break area I tested the mower out and after a while the tensioning spring for the mower deck belt broke. I am wondering what is next.

Sorry for the rant.

Guy

Unfortunately, that looks familiar. The frame broke on my 2009 Husqvarna 2354GXLS, which at the time was their high end model for this type of lawn tractor. If I recall correctly, the lesser models in their lineup had been MTD clones, but this model was made by AYP. At the time, Husqvarna provided a repair kit for the frame, but it had to be during the warranty period.

I had to weld the stamped deck back together, the sway bar bent easily, and the transmission bit the dust well before 500 hours (no steep hills, no heavy carts/trailers, 2 acres regular mowing, meticulous maintenance). It had a 23hp B&S Vanguard that blew a rod around 300 hours (bad luck, repair shop agreed). At the time, this tractor also was available as Craftsman's high end lawn tractor.

Even though I bought it at a Husqvarna dealer, it was a big box store model, and I have since vowed never to buy this level of tractor again. It was replaced with an eXmark ZTR that I can buy parts for very easily, mows better than anything we've ever had, is much faster, and very comfortable.

 

[kozal01]

36K hours on a 15 year old lawnmower?

2400 per year?

Almost 7 hours per day, 365 days per year?

Right! Something is off there. Some hour meters will clock key on time, not just engine or PTO time. My neighbor had a Cub Cadet ZTR that hey left the key in the on position all winter and by spring it had thousands of hours logged.

 

[BobLewis]

Who makes one anymore ? Everyone has a zero turn

Husqvarna?

I have a cheap Husqvarna that I paid $200 for with ~50 hours . It's got over 650 hours now and it's falling apart.

I have a Husqvarna LTH142 I bought in 1996, although there have been a few incidents in 28 years, I've been able to repair them all and parts were available. Biggest mistake was misdiagnosing a miss in my original Kohler, a loose coil and I sold it and put a Briggs in it. But, that runs great and I put a new deck on it 4 years ago to replace the rusted out one and still use it weekly. I used to use it to spray/mow fence lines and it's seen a lot of miles and hours. I would tell you how many, but the engine change made the hour meter useless.

 

[AndyMA]

I've been using Deere X748 for over 10 years. 60" commercial deck, Yanmar 24 HP Diesel No issues

 

[ritzal]

HI,
I bought a Sears Craftsman DGS6500 26hp, which was made by Husqvarna, back in 2008 and it now has over 600 hours on it. It's been a great machine except for the coil which I had to replace with a better one that the manufacture recommended. Other than that it's been working and cutting like a charm. Of course I had to replace the mower blades a few times over the years. I just started my third set of blades this spring and the belts are still all originals. My next tractor will definitely be another Husqvarna.
Hope this helps you out with your search.

 

[Flogger]

I own nothing but John Deere!!
Of course the newest on is a 1958. I might suggest your luck will not be comparable to mine. LOL

 

[Flogger]

I own nothing but John Deere!!
Of course the newest on is a 1958. I might suggest your luck will not be comparable to mine. LOL

Of course with the new Deere your number one objective should be not getting sued!!

 

[Yander]

Something like this used. Or a used SCUT with just a mower you can find them for $6k.

 

[Grumpycat]

I'm not sure that the electric clutch's are more problem free. I have seen a lot of reports that the way the clutch slams into motion tends to break belts.

Oddly it will if the engine is spinning too slowly.

Read the owner's manual, YMMV. My Country Clipper zero turn specifies 2/3rds to full throttle when engaging the PTO. My dealer has a collection of belts on the wall from customers who ripped the belt by starting the blades too slow.