Looking for a Lawn tractor seeking advice

[vlmuke]

I am looking to replace my 1965 Simplicity Broadmoor, it still runs and the bearings in the deck need replaced I have gotten 17 years out of and my 100 bucks as well, however it requires a certain procedure to get it started, I am not gonna get rid of it, its 52 years old need a grille plus the other work, anyway I want to buy a used one that would give me another 17+ years of use, one that is turn key so the woman can use it as well, I have budget of 700 bucks, I have no understanding of hydro tractors as that's what the newer ones seem to be, other than the big names it seems that most are made by MTD, and I have heard that basically they are throwaway tractors, would love to know if there is truth to that. Locally the Simplicity are out my price range, however I see some older John Deere that are from 90's I did see a 2014 D105 at an auction I may be able to get, but what about Cub Cadet, I know Husquavarna are out of my price range, are there any other models, I should look at or not thinking of, most of the ones I see for sale locally tend to need some work except for the few towards the limit of m price range but are older, my concern is availability of parts if I go with an older tractor, it will be used mostly to cut my lawn and rolling it, may use it with a cart.

 

[cford36]

Some other recent threads about this. I recently purchased at 2015 Cub Cadet XT2 with 50 hours on it for $1500. Everything I read said to stay away from the big box store ones, which would be the XT1 in this case. I think the only thing you are going to find in that price range is a big box store one or and older model. I did see some older John Deere's in that range. I think you might be better off with the older ones, which will not be hydros, than a newer low end model. I'm sure others will have some more info for you. Good luck.

 

[vlmuke]

See that's my conundrum is that do I buy and older one or a newer Box store, being a hydro doesn't matter as I heard if the pump goes out is can be costly, I mean I am not set on John Deere Its just what is available in my local market. I even did ebay and search 200 miles and got about the same results, I am open to other brands just want something durable and will last, I mean for example there is a white 1850 with 20 horse wanted 500 asked about it said the coils were shot, so I looked and its 100 bucks for me to change the coils and started thinking, like well they don't know for sure if it was the coil, but thats what they said, immediately said i could have it for 300 bucks and I started thinking could be more than the coil so i passed.

 

[Rich B1]

The Craftsman GT's are a Husqvarna with different paint. IME, they are a good value for the money. Reasonably tough, and 6 speeds still show up.

Actually going to replace the trans this weekend in the GT I have, the original only lasted 19 years and 1100 hours. Got a good trans from a tractor with a sick motor. Cheap.

Cub Cadet, not so much or I got a really bad one. It truly is not worth the powder to blow it up.

I would avoid most of the box store stuff except for anything built by Husqvarna and rated as a garden tractor

 

[woolyAcres]

You might add an older Wheel Horse garden tractor to your list. I've got a 520 Hydro which is an absolute beast. It has a few issues that might make it something your wife (or kids) won't or shouldn't drive. The seat safety switch was removed by previous owner, the PTO belt is exposed so the operator needs to be aware and the belt guards for the 5' mowing deck are missing so when mowing there are 3 places where you can get tangled up if you are doing something stupid. I don't let my kids run it, whereas they are allowed to run Grandma's Craftsman (which has been very solid as a mower). My WH does grading, snow plowing, 48" snow blower. It does everything without any complaints.

The 520 can be a bit pricey but I think, with some patience you could find a 300 or 400 series that would fit your budget. Finding a hydro in those series might a bit challenging; geared tractor should be easy to find.

Just a thought. There are also some really good resources/forums out there for support on the wheel horses. I'm sure there is for other brands as well but it's nice to know there are others out there willing to help.

 

[vlmuke]

I would love a wheel horse they are kinda pricey around the Bend as thats where they made them here in South Bend lots of collectorsbut will keep my eye open for one