Is there such thing as a premium 42" mower?

[quicksandfarmer]

I got out my trusty, 20-year-old White Outdoor lawn tractor today to pull some stuff in a wagon, and while it was idling in the driveway it made a horrible noise, stopped running and started spewing oil and smoke. Upon inspection there was a hole in the side of the cylinder wall that didn't used to be there, and pieces of cylinder in the driveway. I haven't done an autopsy but I think it threw a rod.

So I need a new mower. I've used and abused this mower a lot. Typically I burn out each of the three belts about once a season. I mow in high grass, which burns out the mower belts, and I pull heavy loads in the wagon, which burns out the drive belt. I have rocks all over the place, and I've broken blades, bent the deck more times than I can remember, and welded the deck several times. Worst of all my teenage son has been the principal mower the past couple of years.

While my recently departed mower has performed beyond expectations -- I never thought it would go out idling in the driveway -- I'd like to see if I can get something a little tougher so I don't have to fix it so much. A locking differential would also be nice, so would something a little faster. The catch is that it had a 42" deck and there are several spots on the property where a 42" mower just barely fits. Looking at things more in the garden tractor range it seems like 48" is about the smallest they go and most are in the 54" and 60" range. What I'm seeing in the 42" range is basically versions of what I have now.

Any thoughts on where I should be looking?

Thanks.

 

[3Ts]

There are some zero turn mowers out there that are 42" although they may not pull a wagon very well. John Deere is one and there are other brands.

Z3 Series ZTrak™ Mowers | Z335E 42-in. Deck | John Deere US

 

[3Ts]

Another thought, I'm not familiar with your lawn tractor, but it's engine is probably replaceable with a new engine. I would expect clutches and control levers will probably match as well.

 

[whistlepig]

John Deere, Skag, Ferris, Exmark, Toro, to name a few. If you buy the commercial models. You may pay a little more. It's expensive when a brand mower fails. Spare parts, filters, tools are no longer needed. When I find a reliable brand hopping the fence for something less expensive never really worked out for me.

 

[RandyT]

I think you will find that if you get a 42 inch deck mower the transmission isn't heavy enough duty to do much towing much past a wagon full of yard debris. The riders with the tranny heavy enough to tow more will all have larger engines and larger decks than you want. and most Z turns are not designed for towing either and may run into the same issues that you would with a light duty rider. Gear drive would hold up better to towing than a hydrostat. The hydrostat trannys in most of the low end consumer mowers are barely heavy enough built to pull the mower and the normal weight operator. And then throw in the 10 year maybe parts will start going obsolete issue.

 

[s219]

If the deck and all the running gear is in decent shape, I'd consider putting a new motor in what you have.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I can recommend the Husqvarna Rider 155 2WD, but I have no experience with the 4WD other than others reporting problems with that model. I have a 19 year old Husqvarna Rider 155 with over 2500 hours on it, 41 1/2 inch cut, articulating mower, front cutting mulching mower.

Pulled many a trailer with logs, trash, dirt, etc. with it. I've mowed fields with weeds waist high with it. So far the Kohler motor hasn't blown up yet. Admittedly, even with excellent maintenance, the old gal is overdue to quit on me. On the other hand, it just keeps on going, cutting 10x better than any other mower I've ever owned; golf course smooth. I attribute that to the triple blade setup.

I've had to replace the spindles once, one throttle cable, and 2 sets of belts over the years. Other than that, basic maintenance is all I do to it.

I think if you've had such good service out of your White, you'd do well to find a used Husqvarna Rider. It'd last you for a lot of years.

Other than the Husqvarna Rider, I can also recommend a used Snapper rear engine mower. Those old war horses just don't know when to stop. But before jumping off on the Snapper, there are some very good YouTube videos on what to look for before buying. They do have some hidden flaws that can be fixed but aren't exactly simple.

Of course, you could just jump out there and pick up a new Snapper in just about any size you want. I had an antique Snapper 32" 8 hp that would out cut any mower I've ever owned, including my 26 hp Husqvarna Garden Tractor. Now... that's saying something!

 

[gary49]

If you can find one, and could use a 44” deck, Simplicity made and maybe still makes, the Conquest model. It is a “yard” tractor, not quite a garden tractor and it uses a K66 transaxle. It has a differential lock. I have a 2003 model which has a 16 hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine which is enough power even though it doesn’t sound like much these days. Weighs about 700#. Simplicity is definitely a premium tractor, and a new one costs plenty, but I got mine in 2018 off Craigslist for $500. The other thought is to look for something with an Onan engine, perhaps a Wheelhorse 520-H, or an old Sears Suburban, both of which are beasts and were available with 42” or 44” (Suburban) decks. Neither of the latter tractors has a differential lock, but they’re really heavy and have excellent traction.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

John Deere, Skag, Ferris, Exmark, Toro, to name a few. If you buy the commercial models. You may pay a little more. It's expensive when a brand mower fails. Spare parts, filters, tools are no longer needed. When I find a reliable brand hopping the fence for something less expensive never really worked out for me.

According to their website the biggest Deere that comes with a 42" deck is the X350, which from its stats just seems like a lawn tractor.

 

[Carl_NH]

I just looked at Craigslist RI for Garden Tractor and there are a lot of good choices on there - several JD 235, 345, and x300, one liquid cooled Kawasaki, several Wheelhorse 264, several Cub Cadets with 42 and 44" decks. Most of these are 1995-2005 vintage with shaft drive, some are hydro too, weigh 700-900 Lbs, and last a long time - just get one that has been taken care of.

I would favor these over the newer machines for the $.