Well-regarded lawn and garden tractors?

[rootytoot]

Hi, I'm finally gonna break down and buy a lawn and garden tractor to manage the orchard down at the farm (the big tractor does not fit in there!). But, being cheap, times being what they are, I'm looking at used mowers such as the ones that perennially populate craigslist. So-o-o, I'm wondering, what are some well-regarded lawn and garden tractors? What should I be looking for in terms of quality features? Any dogs that I should avoid at all cost?

For instance, this week's craigslist has the following:

Snapper LT14H33 lawn tractor
wheel horse charger 7 tractor, hydrostatic trans, Honda 11hp motor (but no mower deck, that might be hard to find?)
Bolens ST120 " Suburban" riding mower
18hp twin power kraft riding mower
Sears 12HP, 6 Speed Garden Tractor

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Kurt

 

[devildog1]

[quote= So-o-o, I'm wondering, what are some well-regarded lawn and garden tractors? What should I be looking for in terms of quality features? Any dogs that I should avoid at all cost?
Now just listen up, there will be those that tell you the green machines are the best. But there will be some that tell you white and yellow is the only way to go. Now just from my experience I can tell you it really does not matter if the mower was maintained regularly.I have had 5 different color machines and they all worked well as long as the scheduled maintenance was done. You see that's the key, (keep up with the oil,filters grease).I have a Craftmans 18 horse 48" cut lawn tractor that is 15 years old, I replaced belts, new blades and just last year installed new electric clutch. But I mow 2 acres of lawn and parts will be worn, It's normal.Try and find a tractor that the previous owner took good care of, you'll be able to tell just by looking at it. Good luck.
DevilDog

 

[Bird]

I tend to agree with devildog. Personally, I'd only consider those with hydrostatic transmissions, but others may have other preferences. And while I've had a hydro with a hand control, I much prefer the foot control.

 

[x595]

Hi rootytoot ,

What kind of budget do you have , that we can help you spend ???

Later,x595

 

[bontai_Joe]

Since you mentioned cutting grass in an orchard, I'm thinking lots of trees to mow around fairly closely planted? Good used tractors would be ones you have a local dealer near by to get parts and service (if needed) from. In general, Deere, Simplicity, Snapper, Cub Cadet, Massey Ferguson, are all fairly good with parts support going back 20 years on models. I think a hydro would be a definite plus, and size the mower deck to get in between the trees, gates, etc. Definite dogs? Anything with the old Kohler 17 HP series one motor. Machines that have Wisconsin motors because parts are hard to come by. Machines with Onan motors and 1500 or more hours on them, because they will need work soon, and parts are expensive.

 

[2manyrocks]

Condition, condition, condition, condition.... if you buy a beater and start fixing it, will cost you time and money, especially when you start having to run down parts.

It might help to know what you plan to do with the machine. Some of the IH Cub Cadets and John Deeres had hydrostatic lifts which can be useful for some tasks. But if you're just going to cut grass, then you don't need it.

 

[shot_gun]

If your mowing between trees, a rear discharge riding mower would be good. I oppologize I only know Deere but I'm sure there are other out there. We used to sell LTR mowers to orchards to mow between the trees. You can trim on both sides and discharge in the rear so the grass doesn't get on the trees. Old JD mowers with the 44" piranna deck can rear discharge, LTR 166 and 180. These are some examples. I forgot the new X300M and X300R also can rear discharge but they are getting a bit on the pricey side. I'm sure other manufactures have some rear discharge options. It would just be a matter of doing your homework. Good Luck!

 

[rootytoot]

Thank you for the stimulating discussion... TBN is the best! All I need to be able to do is cut grass with this size tractor. I'm fortunate to have a big blue tractor for any big tasks. The trees are not too close together, maybe 20-25 feet on center. Most of them are full size fruit trees, so the lowest branches are a little above head height when you walk under a tree. Maybe it's unrealistic, but I was hoping that one of the used ones I see in the $400 to $600 range would have some life left in them... maybe not, hmm.

I see a lot of Sears Craftsman riding mowers on craigslist. That could be because they're a popular brand, and a lot of them get sold, or it could be that people buy them and don't like them, or ??? They're probably made by someone else, and different models are probably made by still other manufacturers. Still, any generalizations on Sears mowers?

Hydrostatic seems to be really popular, and probably easiest to use. Are the non-hydrostatic ones belt driven, like a centrifugal clutch? Or are they like a true big tractor, with a foot clutch?

Thanks for your advice, I'm pretty green (well, inexperienced) in this area.

Kurt

 

[Tig]

My riders have all been belt driven. The belt either drives a gear box or the hydro tranny.
My Bolens was a tough machine. I broke it before it wore out. Totally my fault by missing an important lube point. Repair cost was prohibitive. My Murray on the other hand is a going concern. It fits your price range but I can't say I would recommend one for a large task.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Craftsman mowers are good machines - if annual maintenance is kept up. I just picked up an all wheel steer model with B&S motor in it (no idea if it's original or not) with the body in good shape for less than $400 -- even after I replace the mower belt I toasted trying to mow too fast in wet grass as soon as I got it home.