White LT 542G

[RichZ]

I've posted before that my wife is hard on riding lawn mowers. In the past I've bought several used machines, and fixed them as she damaged them, until they couldn't be fixed anymore. But now, our farm has expanded to the point where I just don't have time to work on old mowers, and I'm tired of being nickled and dimed for parts. So...I want to get a new mower, but don't want to spend too much, in case she breaks another drive shaft or something similar (meaning more expensive to fix than the mower is worth).

Several tractor dealers near me sell White lawn equipment. The LT 542G model is only $1000, and seems to give much more bang for the buck than any other model I can find. I like getting it from a dealer I know, rather than a box store, especially because I can bring it to someone I know for warrantee work. The entire machine is warranteed for 2 years, and the engine is warranteed for 3 years.

The engine is really my main concern, in that it's a Tecumeseh 18 hp V-twin. I've always heard bad things about Tecumeseh engines. But with a 3 year warrantee, maybe it's worth a shot. I don't even know if the whole machine can last 3 years with my wife running over stumps, rocks and driving it into swamps.

Is a V-twin a 2 cylinder engine? Does anyone have any experience or opinions about these engines or about White Lawn Tractors?

Thanks!!!

 

[nathan8804]

Rich,

I am also looking at getting a White Lt542H model. My dealer says I can get it for 1200. bucks. I have never owned a White however, it is made by MTD they also make the Cub Cadet models. If you notice the Cubs and White are about the same. The main difference is make of engine and the Cubs cost more for a few little extras. I really don't like Briggs due to hard starting problems with both push mowers and tractors. Deere uses a briggs motor in their lawn tractors and I have heard several complaints due to hard starting. As for the Tecumseh, I have heard that in the 80's the company had out some really poor quality motors. However, I hear that the company has really turned around and now the quality is equal to briggs if not better.

My personal experience with Tecumseh was with a 20-year-old push mower that I bought at a flea market. I paid 20 bucks and used it for 2 years each week. Motor started each pull and ran great. I hope this helped.

 

[DmansPadge]

If she can tear them up that quick.. I wouldn't worry about the engine! I have a good friend whose wife has the same problem. It's a V-twin and maybe Tecumeseh has made a turn for the better?? I never even see them used hardly. Briggs makes good engines and just like everyone else who makes engines... they have a cheap one, better, and best. I have never owned a Tecumeseh because I've always been told to avoid them. They are about the cheapest gas engines you can get. All that said... with a 3 year warrantee, I wouldn't sweat it too much. If it last 3 years it'll probably go until your wife breaks a crankshaft! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dori]

The brakes on my White LT542H have seem to have frozen for the second time. I can't put it into reverse or forward without a grinding sound. is there some sort of other release?