Looking for riding mower

[TheMadOne]

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.

Air cooled Gas engines are disposable. Throw them out when they blow and get another one. Texasmark admitted he caused the transaxle failure.

 

[Texasmark]

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.

The transaxle failure was with my attempting to remove mud from my front tires, I was on grass, had the steering hard left and pedal on the metal. Obviously the TA was under a lot of stress and after several minutes of this it just quit. I sheared teeth off a gear, a gear like a manual tranny gear, nothing unique to TAs.

ON the Husqv. The Courage has a history of problems and I have seen problems from other folks having the same problem as I had. It vibrated itself to death including about a 2.5" crack in the main casting up on top where the side plate bolts on and the bolts to this plate had vibrated loose as did the head bolts. I bought a new BS from an ebay lot seller for about $550 free shipping.

ON the L110, If I am correct at a 2000 model and I'm pretty close in guessing that, that's 17 years on a 17.5 hp single Kohler Command which is long enough. Besides, the great deal on the 1st ebay engine and the smoothness of it, and being winter and looking for something to do, I just decided to put one in it. The Kohler was still working fine and is sitting in my shop looking for a project. The Scotts at about 22 years old had some parts on the deck wear out and I just thought it was time to retire it. The 16.5 hp engine is the original and I didn't replace it on the log splitter conversion.

Soooo I'd buy any of the machines again and when the Husq. wears out I will replace it with like size and kind but with a V twin BS. On the Courage, I look at them every time I go into a big box store or TSC and I haven't haven't seen any with the Courage engine. Somebody must have gotten the message and pulled them from the inventory.

 

[MitchellB]

We went with the Husqvarna YHA24V48 near the end of the mowing season last year, so we really haven't had it long enough to give a long time review. I had a drive belt come off soon after we got it, but that was repaired under warranty for free. It has the General automatic transmission that has several good reviews online for durability. It also has a greaseable blade deck bearings that I wanted for longevity, as well as front axle/spindles zerks. I am not a fan of the plastic oil drain cap, but that can be easily changed out. I added a 1" block of wood under the grass shute and now it slings cut grass across the yard instead of in piles.

 

[Texasmark]

I added a 1" block of wood under the grass shute and now it slings cut grass across the yard instead of in piles.
View attachment 505462

I used a bungee cord to space it about 2" over the deck on mine too. I like the chute as it's rubber and deflects without hurting anything, shoots to the rear, and helps to keep the grass out of your right eye when in a cross wind. I don't like lumpy piles either.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

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.

. . . .

Which model Ferris did you get? I've driven the IS3100 and the IS2100, and was amazed at the ride quality with both of them. My Grasshopper front-mount rides better than any mid-mount I've tried other than the Ferris. But those Ferris mowers are heads and shoulders above anything I've tried when it comes to ride quality.