Buying Advice Lawn Tractor for 1/3rd Acre Flat

[timswi]

I'm with sound guy on this. My last house had around 3/4 of an acre of flat gras. my parents bought me a 18hp Sears 42" garden tractor for a wedding present. Used it at least twice a week for eight years. Blades, belts and batteries were all that was ever needed. When I bartered it for something else it still looked and ran like new. Don't underestimate them.

Simplicity and JD (dealer version) are premium machines and are priced accordingly. If you have the extra money, the quality is generally superior. My mom hass 3 acres that I cut with her JD GT275. That thing is nearly 20 years old and never had a failure of any kind. It was around $4500 back in the day though.

Also, make sure you get a hydrostat...The gear versions of the small machines are never in sync with the cutting speed that you want. Either too fast or too slow.

 

[Soundguy]

ISoundguy, you are the luckiest guy I know getting that kind of life out of a murray/MTD. Our QC manager at my former job had one. The tranny died after 3 years and he was told $700 to fix it.

Many times, a Snapper RER will outlast the engine. The design is so simple.

I prefer to think of it as a greasy thumb. ( IE.. some gardeners have a green thumb.. etc.. )


soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

The tranny or the deck will usually be the first to go on a inexpensive rider. They are most more alike than different. Any mower will mow a flat yard with no obstacles. Hills, ditches and stumps are mower killers.

I'm now starting to notice deck wear. pullies are still good. I figure I can dink with the deck enough to get another 2-3 years out of it.. If it makes it to 17.. I'll just pull the deck and make a tow-buggy out of it.. ys


soundguy

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I prefer to think of it as a greasy thumb. ( IE.. some gardeners have a green thumb.. etc.. )


soundguy

Thats funny!!!
I'd bet a RER Snapper would last you 50 years.

 

[Soundguy]

I used to maow an elderly neighbors yard with one of those ( he owned it.. not me )

neat machine.. I always thought about getting one.. but this murray is still going strong..

soundguy