Do they still make RELIABLE garden tractors?

[Ruark]

Well, a moment might have come for me. I have a 30-year-old Sears Craftsman garden tractor, I think 13HP, that seems to have given up the ghost. It has served me well, but I can't get it started (it won't even turn over), and since we live in an isolated rural area 80 miles from the nearest Sears, heaven knows who could possibly fix it. I hate to see it, but this tractor has never, never, NEVER let me down. Never even had the belts changed, and it still works perfectly, but now I turn the key and it's just dead, even with a brand new battery.

I'm thinking of just retiring it and getting a new one. I use my big Mahindra tractor for most of our farm work here, but the little tractor is great for things like towing a 40-gallon boom sprayer, that sort of thing. I do NOT need a big, fancy, expensive one with a zillion horsepower. 15HP should be plenty, unless they're measuring HP differently these days.

Problem is, I'm sure they "don't make'em like they used to," and I'm afraid I'll end up with a piece of junk. Are there any common brands out there, or maybe specific models, that have this kind of old-school reliability?

 

[coolconnection]

Shoot if you are so happy with it just take it somewhere and either rebuild the motor or have a new motor put in it. Surely some mower shop somewhere would gladly do it and even change them old belts. You will not find another with the quality built in that old mower anywhere unless you are willing to spend some serious money. Good luck.

 

[JoeinTX]

All depends on what a "reliable garden tractor" means to you.

We ran a Monky Ward 10hp rider for 12 years mowing yards, driveways and cemeteries before the B&S died. Replaced it with a Lowes MTD that then ran another 12 years doing the same. Routine maintenance and oil and blades, etc. I"m now on year 6 with a Lowes Troy Bilt (MTD) that I bought new for $1k with B&S that mows around 30 acres a year. I wash after every use and, as above, it get's regular oil, blades, and belts. The thing looks semi-new. Can't say enough about it.

"unless they're measuring HP differently these days..."

They do measure HP a little differently these days actually. EPA regs, etc. Lop 2-3 HP off the rating versus 10-15 years ago.

 

[Tenn_Blue]

You might take some time and find out what's wrong with it - may be something simple to fix.... Even replacing an engine on a good machine would be cheaper than getting a new disposable tractor.

I have several older 60's and 70's garden tractors. They weigh 500 - 800 lbs each, and are still running strong - And if I ever need parts, I can get most of the parts new from Deere or used on Evilbay. Don't think I have more than $300 in any one of them. How many modern mowers can you say that about?

 

[wyeguy]

I'd have a real hard time giving up on that old war horse. I've got a newer craftsman that I try to take care of. I recently had a total nightmare trying to deal with parts reps who know nothing, they don't even have dimensions or a detailed description of their parts. They insisted on sending me the wrong part twice, then I contacted their parts supplier and figured out their problem for them....sorry about the rant.

 

[coobie]

My choice for a HEAVY duty lawn tractor would be the john deere 500 & 700 series lawn tractors.My second choice would be ingersoll lawn tractors.I own both a 2011 JD 740 (diesel) and 1996 ingersoll 4020.IMHO you get what you pay for.coobie

 

[savageactor7]

I do NOT need a big, fancy, expensive one with a zillion horsepower. 15HP should be plenty,

Yeah I agree with you. For the longest time that was sufficient HP for a god working garden tractor. Now HP doubled and tractor quality has cratered.

ps there must be a local repair guy that works out of his back yard that can swap out an engine for you.

 

[MESSMAKER]

John Deere 500-700,Ingersol,Symplicity,Kubota. That's about all I can think of.

 

[eagle107]

Another one to think about is the John Deere 445 series garden tractor. You should be able to find a used one without breaking the bank, they are really reliable and should have parts for a longtime... Below is a link to tractorhouse.com showing the 445s for sale. Also, the John Deere 425 garden tractor is a good model to think about.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/li...HN+DEERE&bcatid=464&Pref=0&Thumbs=1&scf=false

 

[Phil48]

An amazing little tractor is from Kioti, their latest:
KIOTI - run ahead of the pack!

Hydrostatic transmission, 24.5 hp diesel, rear pto, four wheel drive, and a very usefull mid pto. If you have a good Kioti dealer in your area, I sure would visit one!
Phil