Smallest quality built lawn tractor

Cliff_Johns · Dec 20, 2005

( I had a LT133. It also had the unserviceable tranny that is filled with a type of grease (not oil.) I had it 5 years and never noticed any leakage from it. )

I've had a LT166 for ten years and have had the same good experience. I haven't even had to replace the battery yet. The unserviceability of the tranny is not too important if it never needs servicing. So far, I've just sharpened the blades, changed the oil and filter, greased the zerks and added gas.

Cliff

HGM · Dec 20, 2005

Boog,

Did you have zerk's on your 133? My LT150 doesnt have them on the deck spindals, leading to me having to replace one at about 2yrs(if I remember correctly).... I have always been carefull about washing them too....Maybe I got a lemon, if I got another it would have to be the 160 or maybe an LX series.

Woody71 · Dec 20, 2005

I've got a 2000 LT155 with the Freedom42 mulching deck. It has greasable spindles on it. I have never touched the spindle bearings other than to grease them every 50 hours as stated in the manual. I would recommend this mower deck to anyone. It is a very quiet mower and the best thing is I never have to worry about raking or collecting clippings. It also shreds leaves into tiny pieces that fall between the blades of grass. I haven't touched a leaf rake in the last 6 years.

As far as the "sealed" TuffTorq trannys go, I have worked the snot out of mine and it is no worse for wear. I have cut my 1.5 acres with it for the past 6 years and also pull the a 40 inch tow behind plug aerator with it at least once per year. I also have a tow behind aerator/drop spreader that I use in the spring for weed&feed and twice in the fall for over seeding and winter fertilizer. Both these implements give the tranny a workout as the hydrostatic whine is quite noisy when under load like this. I have even used it to pull an old pickup truck I bought for parts to the back of my lot.

Quality is in the eye of the beholder, but I am certainly happy with the noise level, comfort and quality of my Deere, compared to past experience with a much lower priced MTD.

Cliff_Johns · Dec 20, 2005

( Freedom42 mulching deck)

I have that deck too. It is a pleasure.

Cliff

cwarrix · Dec 20, 2005

( I have even used it to pull an old pickup truck I bought for parts to the back of my lot. )

Completely off the subject... I pulled my boat a short distance one time with my 3240 Cub, thought I was doing great until I wanted to stop and the boat didn't /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I probably won't do that again /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Dec 21, 2005

hmmmm,

I got the regular 38" deck, wish I'd got the Freedom...

JTKub · Dec 21, 2005

1) Quality.
2) 42" max deck width.
3) Ability to push a blade AND last.
4) Price not a huge concern.

If you have to stick with a 42", I'd get a new toro/wheelhorse classic GT/315-8.
http://www.toro.com/home/tractors/classic300/3158.html

The last of the between the knees shift real gear drives that will last 25yrs++. You can also get rear discharging decks with these machines to save you on width. If hydro trans is must, get a cub cadet 2042. I just dont care for the cut consistancy with the newer CC 42" deck. The 2544 with a 44" is better.
G/luck
Joel

FOURTEEN · Dec 23, 2005

( a lawn tractor capable of plowing the occasional 3-5 inches of snow on an asphalt drive and parking area, and mowing the lawn.

I want something that will last a long time.)

 I'd forget the snow plowing! A tractor that small and that light isn't going to push enough snow to bother. It would provide more frustration than help!!

A very high quality small mower is the ZTR Hustler Mini FasTrac, "a mower intended for the
residential marketplace but built to commercial standards of durability, performance, comfort, and quality of cut."
36" or 42" cut, 16hp Honda engine, and a three-year warranty!!

Mini FasTrac

pajoube · Dec 24, 2005

I think the PowerTrac 180 would be just the right machine for you
PJ

FOURTEEN · Dec 24, 2005

( I think the PowerTrac 180)

 Me too!! But, the PT-180 would cost ~$6500 to just do grass, or ~$7500 to do grass and snow. PT-180

The Mini FasTrac could cost ~$3000 to just do grass. Mini Fastrac

PS: I have both a Power Trac PT-425 and a Hustler Fastrac 52/20. They are both great machines but very different, and each far superior to any small lawn or garden tractor!