Is it

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Aren't Craftsmans now made by AYP? They sure resemble Husqvarnas.

 

[LBrown59]

MTD makes and sells Troy Built, Cub, Craftsman, Mastercraft, Husky and Bolens just to name a few.

MTD does not make or sell Craftsman.

Aren't Craftsmans now made by AYP? They sure resemble Husqvarnas.

U R right AYP builds one tractor and puts Craftsman labels on some and Husqvarna labels on the others.

 

[Denwa]

MTD does not make or sell Craftsman.


U R right AYP builds one tractor and puts Craftsman labels on some and Husqvarna labels on the others.

Just did a Google search on APY Lawn Tractors and no reverence pop other than parts for same. Kind a strange and not confidence building that a "major" manufacturer does not have a web site.

On any reviews I've read, The Husky Tractors don't do any better than JD or CC when it comes to user reviews.

Granted, a new out of the box mower of any ilk might do well on Consumer Reports type tests, but several mowings and a few months down the lawn seem to produce fairly uniform dissatisfaction with all brands offered in the US of A.

One of my concerns is service, and I would LIKE to be able to buy from a dealer I can deal with as necessary. A Sears tractor is therefor out of the running, though they seem to get slightly better press than some of the others.

Dang, what's a guy to do? For the price of a new one, buying a known runner of some older vintage and keeping it going would seem like a more cost effective option a lot of times.

As with our beleaguered auto industry, it seems that lawn tractor offerings by US manufactures just don't have the build quality that one would want. However, it does not seem that we have any options, at a reasonable price.

Really too bad that Honda got out of the rider market.
They could have set the standard. If what I've heard is correct, the quit the game because they gave up trying to fight the low end competition. *I* say come on back Honda!
Or, Kawasaki or ??? Perhaps BMW, Aprilla?

It looks as if I may just need to wrap the old brain around the concept of a long lasting, maintainable, low hassle lawn tractor is going to cost $3K +/-, and likely on the plus side.

Still scalping with my old MTD,
Dennis

 

[Scooby074]

Just did a Google search on APY Lawn Tractors and no reverence pop other than parts for same. Kind a strange and not confidence building that a "major" manufacturer does not have a web site.


Dennis

AYP is husquvarna formerly Electrolux.Husqvarna: About Husqvarna

I too wish Honda would come back, They were very nice machines, but priced quite high compared to the others.

Have you looked at the x300 series deeres. Id avoid all the entry level big box store machines from any of the manufacturers. they are price point machines.

I was having the same dilima as yourself in my recent purchase of a lawn mower. I wanted a quality, lomg lasting machine. I ended up with a Deere x540 and have been very satisfied so far. All hydraulic steer and deck lift, very comfortable drive, plus liquid cooled:thumbsup: id highly recommend it, but they arent cheap

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

It looks as if I may just need to wrap the old brain around the concept of a long lasting, maintainable, low hassle lawn tractor is going to cost $3K +/-, and likely on the plus side.

Still scalping with my old MTD,
Dennis

Scooby has the right idea on the JD x series machines. They're nice.

You basically have to pretend those big box, low price point machines don't even exist.

And if Honda re-entered the market, they ain't gonna be $1,500.00 machines either. So, just resist the enticing low prices of the el cheapos. After a year or so, the higher initial purchase price of a quality machine doesn't hurt anymore, but you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[LBrown59]

Scooby has the right idea on the JD x series machines. They're nice.

You basically have to pretend those big box, low price point machines don't even exist.

And if Honda re-entered the market, they ain't gonna be $1,500.00 machines either. So, just resist the enticing low prices of the el cheapos.
*After a year or so, the higher initial purchase price of a quality machine doesn't hurt anymore, but you'll be happier in the long run.

Good point.

 

[Denwa]

..... So, just resist the enticing low prices of the el cheapos. After a year or so, the higher initial purchase price of a quality machine doesn't hurt anymore, but you'll be happier in the long run.

Ain't that the way it always REALLY is. You pay now or you pay later, which, if you factor in down time and aggravation vs.
satisfaction, makes spending the extra money up front the much more intelligent choice. Guess I'll start looking at the X factor in that no metric lawn tractors seem to be available here.

Appreciate the input!,
Dennis