Looking for riding mower

   / Looking for riding mower #11  
Before I would recommend anything, I'd rather get some basic info first.

How many acres do you have to mow?

Slopes, obstructions, etc.?

Do you use your mower for anything other than cutting grass?

Would you prefer getting the job done in less time, or be more comfortable while you mow?
 
   / Looking for riding mower #12  
You should probably look around quite a bit at several different brands. There is some truth to you get what you pay for. You can usually see the quality in construction. I went to but a Gravely four years ago but ended up with a Scag. Love it. Not sure what options are available in your price range. Brother in law bought a Craftsman zero turn and it's been great.
 
   / Looking for riding mower #13  
Foregoing the aforementioned info...

My wife and I was in the market last year, with about the same budget. I decided on a used commercial front mount mower... and I couldn't be happier (so is my wife).

For the same amount of cash that would've netted us nothing more than a disposable lawn mower (big box store, or not), we now have a front mount 72" deck, diesel dependability, 4wd traction, rear steer maneuverability, a much more comfortable ride, hydraulic power steering, and a shaft driven deck.

I cut my mowing time by half, use less than half the amount of fuel (in gallons) and only have to fill up once (instead of 3 times).
 
   / Looking for riding mower #14  
intersting.. how much that one cost?

About 4k. It also uses a lot less gas than the old 170, I think I played about 2k for it new 30 years ago. Hope the new one lasts as long, should be the last one I'll ever have to buy even if it only lasts 20:laughing:
 
   / Looking for riding mower #15  
Grass is not growing at our elevation yet, but it will be soon. So my experience with the Husqvarna GT48DXLS is limited. My unit is brand new-- a first year model. So there is some risk to buying a new year model, but Husky has also been making these machines for a long time. I have owned it less than 2 weeks and have maybe 20 minutes driving over the lawn. What I did observe is an almost unbelievable discharge force to the side. We have many, many leaves. So I was driving over the lawn mostly chewing up leaves and blowing them out to see what it can do. I didn't measure, but it was blowing the leaf debris quite a long ways out the side. I think they advertise a high capacity bagger will work even without a separate powerflow unit.

I agree on considering your needs, then matching the equipment to that. Mine are simple-- about a half acre of lawn, mostly flat. The previous mower was a 12hp Craftsman, with a 38" deck. It lasted 14 years before it finally gave it up. It was a lower end machine compared to my Husqvarna or compared to anything made by Deere (except maybe the Deere 100 series.) The Deere advocates talk up longevity of their models, and are justifiably proud of that. By my feeling is that if a low end Craftsman made it 14 years, either a Husky or a Deere should do that, and probably more.

Considering that, a $3,000 Husky beat a Deere x380 hands down. Both are fine machines, of course. The Deere has a slightly stronger stamped steel deck (10 gauge vs 11,), but the Husky has a 24hp Kawasaki engine vs 22, the Husky has a K66 transaxle, upgraded from the earlier K46 variants, and the Husky has electric locking differential, completely absent on the x380. I felt the x380 was a bit light to push it into higher service tasks. And it seems the locking differential is purposely omitted on the x380 to push buyers into the next level (and higher priced) platform. So, I also considered a Husky GT48DXLS versus a Deere X5XX model, which is much better suited to using the many optional various attachments. But that comparison pushed the pricing from $2,999 for a Husky vs $5,500+ for a Deere, before purchasing any attachments.

Deere models are well proven, at least the quality models. I've seen many complaints about their 100 series. As best as I know, Husqvarna's previous models had a weakness with the K46 transaxle. That was a common weakness across many brands and models. They seemed to have addressed this, and much more, with the GT48DXLS. Good luck with your decision!
 
   / Looking for riding mower
  • Thread Starter
#16  
I got 1.5 acre of mostly flat with some obstructions
May tow going to be a backup for ATV.
Rather get job done BUT quality grass cut. My old cubby 50" do in half time compared to Sears 44".
 
   / Looking for riding mower
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Thanks for your good insight
 
   / Looking for riding mower #18  
Hi folks. I hope you can point me to right machine. I had two tractors are 30 yrs old and point of not worth fixing. A Cub cadet 50 inch mower with burning engine and leaky hydro seal.. a Sears gt3000 with a dying transaxal gearbox. So I am looking at a 48 inch mower Cub cadet xt2 models, John Deere 300 models and Husqvarna. I noticed the kabota is very pricey. I am looking for a quality mower to last a long time. I am avoiding big box stores types.
Kubota GR2120.
 
   / Looking for riding mower
  • Thread Starter
#20  
Never care for zero turn mower. Yes the Kubota is on high side even used one.
Last time my dad paid just over 2 grand for the Sears gt3500 model with snowblower. 30 yrs ago.
I know today machines are not yesteryear types. But finding a gem in today's machines is looking hard and ask others who got them.
 

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