Recommend Used or New Lawn Tractor

[TangoJuliet]

I am starting to save and need some opinions

I like mowing manually but I really want a tractor for its accessories - I'd prefer a mower that was capable of bagging so that I could mow once (a month) and then mulch the other times

My home is around half a acre - Most of the property is flat however it does pitch down in some places - I do not need a zero turn $3000 piece of equipment - It takes about a hour/hour half with a mower

I'd like to have the options of leaf pickup, snow removing and fertilization

From what I been reading/hearing is that the John Deere models (that are sold in home depot, etc) are crap and that I should go with something like cub cadet, troy built or Husqvarna - It is possible that by buying used I would be able to get a deal that would include the accessories for less than buying new without them

I am currently looking at this:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&productId=3191179&cId=

Its got a B&S engine, it bags and mulches and has a "Premium hydrostatic transmission with foot pedal control " - $1600 is still a little more than I want to spend especially if I want the accessories - I'm probably looking at a March/April purchase date so I have some time to compare and save

 

[DesiPower]

I have no idea... but your link failed me... brought up a blank page, titled shopping cart...

 

[TangoJuliet]

I have no idea... but your link failed me... brought up a blank page, titled shopping cart...

I fixed it (I think)

 

[DesiPower]

something's not right on the forums right now, all the dots are being replaced with asterisk and smiles now showing up

 

[TangoJuliet]

something's not right on the forums right now, all the dots are being replaced with asterisk and smiles now showing up

yep just seeing that - I took all the periods out and replaced them with ( - )

Can't do anything with the link until the forums are fixed though

 

[PottedMeat]

sure you need a riding lawn mower? how about a nice self propelled bagger push mower?

my dad's got ~1 acre and his riding lawn mower is sitting outside rotting, always uses the push mower.

 

[TangoJuliet]

sure you need a riding lawn mower? how about a nice self propelled bagger push mower?

my dad's got ~1 acre and his riding lawn mower is sitting outside rotting, always uses the push mower.

I got a self propelled now but really want the tractor for its versatility.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Ok, looks like everything with the forums has been fixed. The link should be working now.

 

[squirrel dog]

Husky is a good one.Get one that can be serviced(belts) near you.I have a garden tractor(bigger than a lawn tractor)from Sears.It's 8 years old now,still going strong.It weighs 600 lb,do you have a small utility trailer?

 

[EagleKeeper]

John Deere is decently quality IF you go to a dealer and get the 200 series models.

Main trick is to be willing to pay (from any brand) an extra 300-500 for the non into model.

They will have better components and tougher engine.

While it may also cost a little more; get it from a dealer vs Home Depot/Lowes, etc.
They will know what to fit you into based on your needs; can advise you on servicing; will service if needed.

As an added benefit, take any of your boys with you and they can have a blast for an hour or so climbing over display models while you talk to the staff. bonus if you find a John Deere dealer and do not live in the city - they have real tractors to look at.

 

[JoeyP]

John Deere is decently quality IF you go to a dealer and get the 200 series models.

Main trick is to be willing to pay (from any brand) an extra 300-500 for the non into model.

They will have better components and tougher engine.

While it may also cost a little more; get it from a dealer vs Home Depot/Lowes, etc.
They will know what to fit you into based on your needs; can advise you on servicing; will service if needed.

As an added benefit, take any of your boys with you and they can have a blast for an hour or so climbing over display models while you talk to the staff. bonus if you find a John Deere dealer and do not live in the city - they have real tractors to look at.

I bought a Cub Cadet through a dealer. There are certain models that overlap between Big Box Stores and dealers, but also dealer-only models. I ended up getting a dealer-only model with a Kawasaki engine, and really enjoy it.

I prefer dealers because you can get service more rapidly; Big Box Stores have to ship the equipment to a repair depot.

 

[bignateyk]

Even the cheapo riding mowers are gonna cost you a good bit of money. I have a huskvarna garden tractor I got used off craigslist for $1300. I use that to mow 5 acres though. If I only had a half acre i'd probably still use my self propelled walk behind mower.

 

[EagleKeeper]

1/2 acre is about the dividing line to justify. 1/4 acre is a wishing I had it when you finish the hand mower

 

[Northern Lawn]

$1600 is still a little more than I want to spend especially if I want the accessories - I'm probably looking at a March/April purchase date so I have some time to compare and save

This is the best time of year to purchase lawn equipment, they are all on sale.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Depending on your location w/ respect to snow fall; you can get a small dozer blade vs a blower.

The blower requires a stronger engine and can be a hassle to hookup.
The dozer blade will work well with 2-3 inches at a time. takes less space to store.

 

[waggy]

sure you need a riding lawn mower? how about a nice self propelled bagger push mower?

my dad's got ~1 acre and his riding lawn mower is sitting outside rotting, always uses the push mower.

1 acre and uses a push mower? thats gotta take a while..unless he has buildings on it..

TJ: you can get a used tractor cheap. a good brand will last a long time if you take care of it. Since you want accasories you are going to make sure it can do it. just because it is a "tractor" does not mean it can take them. The main issue is the snowblower (or plow) the rest are just addons the back.

sure you can get a cheap one for $600 at lowes but it will only last 5 years or so.

 

[bignateyk]

Honestly, something like a half acre you'll be wishing you had a zero turn over a standard riding mower. Riding mowers are really terrible about making tight turns and you'll be making alot more of them on a half acre than you would on 5 acres. I have a riding mower with 54" deck and its great for mowing several acres, but when I get near the house and landscaping and start having to make more turns it's terrible.

 

[Northern Lawn]

Honestly, something like a half acre you'll be wishing you had a zero turn over a standard riding mower. Riding mowers are really terrible about making tight turns and you'll be making alot more of them on a half acre than you would on 5 acres. I have a riding mower with 54" deck and its great for mowing several acres, but when I get near the house and landscaping and start having to make more turns it's terrible.

I wonder if those lawn tractors have true 0 degree turning? I don't think the front wheels turn 90 degrees so there must be some tearing.

 

[steppinthrax]

Whatever you do don't get a craftsman, it's the biggest piece of shit ever, I'm waiting for mines to die....

 

[JoeyP]

Honestly, something like a half acre you'll be wishing you had a zero turn over a standard riding mower. Riding mowers are really terrible about making tight turns and you'll be making alot more of them on a half acre than you would on 5 acres. I have a riding mower with 54" deck and its great for mowing several acres, but when I get near the house and landscaping and start having to make more turns it's terrible.

Agreed on tight turns. I end up leaving those spots for the string trimmer.

For the rest of the lawn, I do a pattern similar to a Zamboni: overlapping rectangles. This is with a Cub Cadet LTX 1046 KW.

 

[Northern Lawn]

I believe that MTD and AYP are the same company and they make all the tractors you see in box stores including John Deere, Husquavarna and craftsman.

Most important thing is the engine you have for a half acre lawn I would just get the cheapest self propelled 21" with a honda engine.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think I am going to take a trip to a local dealer and see what they got.

The other reason why I wanted to buy from Lowe's is because I can probably find a good coupon to use towards the purchase plus they have 0% financing if I decide to buy something slightly over budget.

 

[bignateyk]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think I am going to take a trip to a local dealer and see what they got.

The other reason why I wanted to buy from Lowe's is because I can probably find a good coupon to use towards the purchase plus they have 0% financing if I decide to buy something slightly over budget.

Craigslist is your friend. I got basically a brand new Huskvarna garden tractor off craigslist for half of what they cost new at lowes. I think it had 100 hours on it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

TJ: you can get a used tractor cheap. a good brand will last a long time if you take care of it. Since you want accasories you are going to make sure it can do it. just because it is a "tractor" does not mean it can take them. The main issue is the snowblower (or plow) the rest are just addons the back.

sure you can get a cheap one for $600 at lowes but it will only last 5 years or so.

I have a standalone blower but its getting old. If I get a tractor I'd want a plow add-on.

 

[bignateyk]

I have a standalone blower but its getting old. If I get a tractor I'd want a plow add-on.

Garden tractors make terrible plows. Even with weights and chains they are awful. I tried that for one winter before I bought an ATV and put a plow on it. Works about 1000x better.