Help with buying a cheap used mower

kholmes · Jun 23, 2005

I need help in deciding on what mower to buy used. I have called some local shops and people from classifieds. The one I am considering is a 21 HP B&S Craftsman 42" 2001 model for $500. I also found a 17.5 HP VTWIN Murray 46" for $475, MTD 19HP 42" $550, and a Wizard 18 HP 44" that has a 3rd blade between the 2 main ones (this one is only a couple of blocks from my house at a local shop, hes fixing the spindle and needs to put the deck back on) asked $425 & said he would take $400. I dont have a huge yard (about 1 - 1.5 acres) but parts have grown up and I need something with a day or two. Help me out, Im leaning toward the Craftsman (he said he replaced the oil and blades) since its alot newer than most of the other ones Ive seen. Thanks.

Gatorboy · Jun 23, 2005

I wouldn't recommend any of those mowers even if they were brand new. 1 to 1.5 acres is not a small task, and requires a decent mower if you want it to last. You could find a very good used commercial 48" walk-behind (Scag, Exmark, etc.) that will out mow any of the ones you have been looking into so far. If you buy one of these cheap (in both price and quality) mowers, most likely it will be breaking down and causing you grief.

What have you been cutting the grass with? John Deere is now offering No Money Down, No Interest and No Payments Until January 2007 on LT series mowers -- I'm not real sure of the details, but you could get yourself a new JD LT series. You have not mentioned your budget, so this may not be something you would consider.

You may want to take a couple minutes and fill out your profile. Many times the information you provide (e.g. where you are located) can help answer any future questions you may have.

beenthere · Jun 23, 2005

Help us out. Which one of those four 'cheap' mowers do you want to work on? All three will likely require a lot of maintenance. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If me, and I liked to work on keeping a piece of equipment running and mowing, I would look under and around each of the three, and decide which is
1) easiest to fix to maintain
2) easiest to get parts for when 'broke' down
3) easiest to remove deck, sharpen blades, and change belts.

Beyond that, I can not recommend you pour your good money into either of the four 'cheap' mowers.

kholmes · Jun 23, 2005

Hhmmm, I really dont know what to do. I am in Mississippi and I dont really have much to spend $500 is about the most I can afford right now (I was originally gonna get a junker for about $250 just to last the season) Im really not sure on which ones are easier to work on. I would guess and say the Murray would be the easiest to find parts for since it is so common but they all have about the same engine. I have to have something soon tho. If I can spend $400-$500 and it will last thru this summer and next, I will be happy. But it looks like I have to make a choice from these cheap ones and everyone Ive talked to says go with the newer Craftsman. Thanks everyone.

Bird · Jun 23, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( everyone Ive talked to says go with the newer Craftsman )</font>

I know there are better machines, and the other posters have recommended them. However, I also know sometimes price is important (has been to me anyway), and I think you'll be satisfied with that Craftsman. When I knew we were going to have to move back to town, I sold my tractor and implements, then had to buy a lawnmower before we sold the place, and I bought a Craftsman of that same size and mowed over 2 acres (closer to 3) with it quite a few times. Then when we sold the place, the buyer also bought that mower.

slowrev · Jun 23, 2005

Murray seems to be on the way out. Not sure what is going on but rumor says they are going out of business. Might soon become parts orphans.
Anyone know for sure on this rumor ?

Ben

bontai_Joe · Jun 23, 2005

From your list, I'd pick either the MTD or the Craftsman, depending not on their age, but their condition. The newer one might be more beat up than the older one, therefore the older one becomes a better value. I'd pass on the Murray and the Wizard. A year and a half ago (December), my local Walmart was clearing out some of their NEW Murrays at under $500 (original price was around $800)

Ledgemere Farm · Jun 23, 2005

Given the choices that you listed, I would go Craftsman. At least you have a shot at getting replacement parts. My Dad mowed 2.5 acres at our house, a cemetary and the local elementary school for 11 years with a Craftsman. It was loud and steered hard, but it worked. If money is your primary concern, but still want a half-decent machine, I would buy an entry level JD 100 series or a Cub cadet LT. Just my $0.02. Good luck.

Youngtractorman · Jun 23, 2005

"Murray seems to be on the way out. Not sure what is going on but rumor says they are going out of business."

Murray filed for Chapter 11. Briggs is now running the plant, but will close in about 15 months(18 month agreement).

For a good used mower.
Think GT(garden tractor). They have more power, bigger decks, and can pull more. I can get our yard(1 acre, .8 mowable) done in half an hour with the 12.5HP twin, 42" Simplicity. I had a 400lb load, and I couldn't tell it was back there. Tried to move it, but the tractor tires just spun. It is an 80's model, but preforms like a late 90's, early 2000, without the aluminum or plastic everything. On the other hand. I have a JD, '95 model that has given me grief ever since I bought it. Like someone already said, the age doesn't really matter. It's getting the power to the ground and grass with the least amount of power loss and the least amount of down time.

The newer ones are just harder to work on. Especialy now that JD's cup holder had a sensor that will shut the mower off if the cup is removed. The cup must also be a "genuine" $50 JD cup, or the mower will self implode. That is the best feature on the 2006 model JD's Home Depo is selling for $20.