Looking for riding mower

[irish88]

I totally agree with you plowhog. I now more leaning towards new. Also really aiming at husky gt48dxls. I will be stopping by a local shop who sells them.
True. I just want to mow nothing more. Yes it tad over the budget range still realistic goal.

 

[MHJ]

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.

I just did a lot of looking myself.. I preferred diesel due to it's reliability and longevity and I just like diesel engines! (have an f-250 and a kioti ck20). My budget was $2,500 and I ended up with a used Kubota G1800. Those things are beasts, all metal, 3cyl diesel engine, just a very well built long lasting machine. I got mine for $1,750 and included new battery, all fluids and oil changed and new blades.

 

[coobie]

Find yourself a good used ingersoll 4016 or 4020 lawn tractor.They are a very stout lawn tractor in your price range.The one I purchased(1996) a few years back came a 20 hp onan motor(with 400 hours)power steering 3 point hitch,tire chains,front snow plow,& 48 inch deck.I paid $2900 bucks for it.Parts are readily available to boot.

 

[fried1765]

Find yourself a good used ingersoll 4016 or 4020 lawn tractor.They are a very stout lawn tractor in your price range.The one I purchased(1996) a few years back came a 20 hp onan motor(with 400 hours)power steering 3 point hitch,tire chains,front snow plow,& 48 inch deck.I paid $2900 bucks for it.Parts are readily available to boot.

The JD318 (great tractor/mower) also has an Onan engine, and engine parts are either absurdly expensive, or not available.
Many JD318 owners "repair" their Onan powered 318's by replacing with a Honda GX630 conversion kit.
I would be very wary about buying anything with an older Onan.

 

[coobie]

The JD318 (great tractor/mower) also has an Onan engine, and engine parts are either absurdly expensive, or not available.
Many JD318 owners "repair" their Onan powered 318's by replacing with a Honda GX630 conversion kit.
I would be very wary about buying anything with an older Onan.

Never had any issues yet with my 20hp onan engine has 694 hours on the clock.I change the oil & filter every 50 hours.From my research air cooled Onan engines can go up to 2500 hours if maintained correctly.Reliability issues can be traced back to owners who do not properly maintain there engines such as low oil levels.

 

[2ndhalf]

I totally agree with you plowhog. I now more leaning towards new. Also really aiming at husky gt48dxls. I will be stopping by a local shop who sells them.
True. I just want to mow nothing more. Yes it tad over the budget range still realistic goal.

I was going to say a used kubota rider since you want a rider. However, if you want new I think I would get the Husky I have heard they are decent; though I haven't done any research. I do like the Kawasaki engines on mowers have had several and they have great torque.

 

[cford36]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my question is going nowhere in another forum.
Is $1500 a good price for a 2015 Cub Cadet XT2 LX46, 50 hours on it, stamped deck, looks clean.

 

[2ndhalf]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my question is going nowhere in another forum.
Is $1500 a good price for a 2015 Cub Cadet XT2 LX46, 50 hours on it, stamped deck, looks clean.

Seems like an OK price considering the new ones are goin from 2000 - 2500

 

[Texasmark]

I just bought a Ferris 61" with the BS Vanguard 26 hp. After years and years of looking and going through the rainbow of colors and types, I found rapture.

I know you are looking for a 48, but with what I found in this machine, you might include Ferris in your search since you are looking for a long term investment, if smooth ride is at the top of your list along with long term reliability and performance. Really a well engineered, well built machine.

The 44" Hustler Fastrak ZT with an 18 Honda has been a real nice, trouble free machine since purchasing in '05 and it too is well built, have only replaced spark plugs and tires in that time, but will not handle rough terrain like the Ferris. It's currently dedicated to lawn vac service.

The Husqvarna 46 big box purchase (about a 2007 year model) that had the Kohler Courage 20 hp single....it's in the trash with a BS 20 V twin replacement and ATV tires....it mows my pond banks and other structures in the 20-30 degree slope range. Had a crack develop in the deck to mounting bracket this year I had to weld up. But it is a twin blade and really sweeps the wet grass out without clogging which I really like.

The JD L110 (about a 2000 year model) has been converted to a "Gator" with a new BS V twin 18 and ATV tires. It was trouble free (except for one instance of my abusing...see comment below) and a big box purchase. It served well over the years with little to no upkeep.

The DR 52" Pro Z has provided excellent service since '05 too with no repairs required. My main dislike with it is the fabricated deck clogs and doesn't sweep clippings out like the Ferris which helps to cause the clogging problem. Deciding now what I will do with it as the Ferris is it's replacement due to soft ride and superior non-clogging deck performance.

The Scotts 42, about a '95 purchase, with it's 15.5 hp Kohler single has been highly modified to now run my 16 gpm log splitter.

So there are a few hydrostatic drive (zero hydro problems with any of them but the L110 and I caused the problem and was able to fix it with parts from Tough Torque the mfgr) inputs for you from my corral.

 

[Teachu2]

I just bought a Ferris 61" with the BS Vanguard 26 hp. After years and years of looking and going through the rainbow of colors and types, I found rapture.

I know you are looking for a 48, but with what I found in this machine, you might include Ferris in your search since you are looking for a long term investment, if smooth ride is at the top of your list along with long term reliability and performance. Really a well engineered, well built machine.

The 44" Hustler Fastrak ZT with an 18 Honda has been a real nice, trouble free machine since purchasing in '05 and it too is well built, have only replaced spark plugs and tires in that time, but will not handle rough terrain like the Ferris. It's currently dedicated to lawn vac service.

The Husqvarna 46 big box purchase (about a 2007 year model) that had the Kohler Courage 20 hp single....it's in the trash with a BS 20 V twin replacement and ATV tires....it mows my pond banks and other structures in the 20-30 degree slope range. Had a crack develop in the deck to mounting bracket this year I had to weld up. But it is a twin blade and really sweeps the wet grass out without clogging which I really like.

The JD L110 (about a 2000 year model) has been converted to a "Gator" with a new BS V twin 18 and ATV tires. It was trouble free (except for one instance of my abusing...see comment below) and a big box purchase. It served well over the years with little to no upkeep.

The DR 52" Pro Z has provided excellent service since '05 too with no repairs required. My main dislike with it is the fabricated deck clogs and doesn't sweep clippings out like the Ferris which helps to cause the clogging problem. Deciding now what I will do with it as the Ferris is it's replacement due to soft ride and superior non-clogging deck performance.

The Scotts 42, about a '95 purchase, with it's 15.5 hp Kohler single has been highly modified to now run my 16 gpm log splitter.

So there are a few hydrostatic drive (zero hydro problems with any of them but the L110 and I caused the problem and was able to fix it with parts from Tough Torque the mfgr) inputs for you from my corral.

Funny how different perspectives give different points of view. I'd consider transaxle failure and a new engine to be disqualifications to the "little or no upkeep" category.