Looking for New Lawn Tractor

[Deere Dude]

My advice is don't go to a box store like Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc. They sell junk that is cheapened up to appeal to consumers that only shop for price and don't care that it won't last very long. Yes, John Deere makes great tractors and mowers, but they also build cheap junk and sacrificed their reputation to chase after the general consumer that buys only based on price and name recognition.

Tell us a little about your situation. How much area do you mow? Is it lawn or pasture? Why type of grass/vegetation? Hilly or flat? What's your budget? Do you want a lawn tractor or a zero turn?

There isn't anything wrong with the stuff Lowes and Home Depot sells. Like you said, they are cheaper models that appeal to different customers, light users and for small yards. They are still there after 15 years so they must appeal to a lot of them. I was just surmising that if someone had a rider for 20+ years, more than likely the budget would fit into those type models.

I looked at a number of them and I think they look pretty nice. No doubt they won't last as long as a real heavy duty Deere mower, but the option is out there to tap into any price range.

I know a man who mowed commercially and bought a cheaper model Deere from a dealer and was angry that it only lasted two years. How he expected the the cheapest in the lot to stand up to everyday all-day pounding is beyond me, but as a rule, cheaper won't last as long as more expensive but maybe it is all that's needed or wanted.

 

[tracmax]

Tell us a little about your situation. How much area do you mow? Is it lawn or pasture? Why type of grass/vegetation? Hilly or flat? What's your budget? Do you want a lawn tractor or a zero turn?

I mow about an acre of lawn. In the shady areas, the grass is a mix of perennial fine rye, fescue, and bare spots. In the sunny areas, the grass is a mixture of blue grass and fescue. The yard is hilly and has a few obstacles: trees, retaining walls, irregularly shaped house, and shed. Ground often stays a little moist by the tree line. I am looking to spend between $2000-2500. Zero-turn mowers are non-starters; my wife mows occasionally and absolutely refuses to consider a zero-turn mower, and I'm not keen on using a zero-turn mower on my hills. I average about 40 hours of mowing per season.

I have been researching Husqarvana YT42LS and YT46LS. The 46-inch comes with two options: (1) Kohler 7000 series 24 hp engine and well reinforced stamped deck, and (2) Kawasaki 21.5 hp engine with less well reinforced stamped deck. I am leaning toward the Kohler to get the extra deck reinforcement, because I sometimes get a little to close to obstacles. I've read a fair number of complaints about the automatic locking differential on the YTxxLS series tearing up the lawn when making sharp turns, however, the locking differential would be handy on my hills. Posted a question about this on the Husqarvana forum with no responses so far. Husqarvana dealers in my area carry very little inventory, so I will probably have to order on the internet. (That's a little scary.) Any advice will be welcome.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Check on what transmission is in any mower you buy. One of the main differences between the cheaper mowers and the better (more expensive) ones is some of the cheap ones use low end non-serviceable hydrostatic transmissions. Hills and slopes are especially hard on them.

For example, my 2003(?) John Deere GT235 uses a Tuf Torq K71 transmission, which is known to be a good quality, tough tranny. The John Deere X300 series uses the K46 transmission, which have proven to be problematic. Go to TractorData.com, click on "Lawn Tractors" and find the manufacturer and model that you're looking at for the specs. Then google that model tranny to find out more about it.

 

[tracmax]

@Pappy--Thanks for the TractorData.com link.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

You're welcome. Good luck with your lawn tractor search. You can sometimes find good deals on gently used, good quality older lawn tractors these days because so many people are changing over to zero turn mowers. In general, the older stuff was built better than today's lawn tractors. But used equipment always comes with the risk of unknown issues.

I know we all have budgets we have to live within, but try to remember that you will remember the money you saved on a cheap piece of junk every time you use it. If you buy a quality tool, you'll soon forget the extra money you spent on it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

at your local Tractor Supply Store.

I got one 3 years ago, 46 inch cut with 22hp Kohler 2 cyl motor. I researched them all for a long time and decided on this one. I'm very pleased with it.

I use it for mowing and moving my log splitter around with it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For the price range you are looking at, box store mowers are going to be about all you will get for $2500. I would get a Kawasaki engine in what ever mower you get. I think they are better than the B&S or Kohler in the low end mowers. Look at the comfort features like good seat with arm rest, chain hung deck vs suspended on flat bar links, heaviest deck that you can get. I prefer the deck height adjustment that is done manually with your foot, no motor, gears or switches to wear out.

In order to get into the 20 year durable goods mowers, you would be in the $6000+ range and while they will last much longer than the $2000-3000 mowers, the cheaper mower might last a long time if only used for an hour per week, regularly maintained, stored inside, grass clippings cleaned after each mowing from both top and bottom. I like to use a leaf blower on the top of the deck to avoid water contamination into the bearings on the pressed deck mowers which always seem to have the spindles recessed into a pocket that holds water. If needing to use water, do it when the bearing are cold and then use a leaf blower to remove the standing water. Water hose is ok under the bottom of the deck. Most complaints come from the transmission on the cheaper mowers and of course rusting out of the deck. Keep the transaxles cleaned of grass clippings and mud so they run cooler and that will help them to last a bit longer.

 

[nybirdman]

Another vote for Simplicity,very well built.A friend just purchase a Broadmor and it's very impressive(not cheap).
Lots of little things to like;fabricated deck,power lift,mesh seat,extended oil drain ect.I currently have a decent JD,but when it does fail I will be going Simplicity for sure.

 

[zd21]

Concur. One who mows a quarter or half acre lot should be pleased with many of the budget priced riding mowers, which contain some variety to choose from among the various makers. My friend John used a John Deere JD140 for years on his small rural lot with good results. I use a Kubota ZD21 for our several acres but would choose something larger for a larger acreage.

There isn't anything wrong with the stuff Lowes and Home Depot sells. Like you said, they are cheaper models that appeal to different customers, light users and for small yards. They are still there after 15 years so they must appeal to a lot of them. I was just surmising that if someone had a rider for 20+ years, more than likely the budget would fit into those type models.

I looked at a number of them and I think they look pretty nice. No doubt they won't last as long as a real heavy duty Deere mower, but the option is out there to tap into any price range.

I know a man who mowed commercially and bought a cheaper model Deere from a dealer and was angry that it only lasted two years. How he expected the the cheapest in the lot to stand up to everyday all-day pounding is beyond me, but as a rule, cheaper won't last as long as more expensive but maybe it is all that's needed or wanted.