Recommend Used or New Lawn Tractor

[EagleKeeper]

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.

Agree here.

Larger tractors are OK, but not the ones for lawn mowers IF you have any type of hill.

As stated, anything over 2-3 inches will not plow with a tractor.

 

[TangoJuliet]

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.

I've been looking on CL but I am hesitant because I don't want to get scammed with a POS. That being said, what do you think about this

http://longisland.craigslist.org/for/3400693527.html

 

[bignateyk]

I've been looking on CL but I am hesitant because I don't want to get scammed with a POS. That being said, what do you think about this

http://longisland.craigslist.org/for/3400693527.html

Looks pretty decent. How much does one cost new? You should be able to test it and look at the gauge that tells you how many hours it has been used for before you buy it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

Looks pretty decent. How much does one cost new? You should be able to test it and look at the gauge that tells you how many hours it has been used for before you buy it.

Not sure new but here is a similar one

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

 

[Fritzo]

Pretty much anything with a Briggs & Strat engine. I've had a Craftsman lawnmower for 15 years that I've never changed a sparkplug, added oil, or did anything but change the blade, and it still starts the first pull. My 6 year old lawn tractor also has a B&S motor and starts first turn every year.

 

[jupiter57]

Pretty much anything with a Briggs & Strat engine. I've had a Craftsman lawnmower for 15 years that I've never changed a sparkplug, added oil, or did anything but change the blade, and it still starts the first pull. My 6 year old lawn tractor also has a B&S motor and starts first turn every year.

^ This.
B&S is hands down the most reliable small engine ever made.
Tecumseh, Kohler, Wisconsin, etc. have more torque per CI, but most I've had will use some oil from day 1 and I feel they are not nearly so reliable.

I have owned 6-7 Lawn Tractors/ Riding Mowers over the years.

Worst ever was a Murray. Poorly made, constantly replacing parts.

Strongest was a Massey-Ferguson 16. Had a 4' "Belly Mower" that was as strong as a Bush-Hog but was good on the lawn too! 16 HP Kohler Engine, always started & ran but had to watch the oil! (This was actually a small "Tractor", w/a 3 point hitch)

Best for mowing & dependability was a Huskee from Tractor Supply, 24 HP B&S Twin Cyl., 42" cut, Hydrostatic Transmission. Smooth running, dependable.(Would still have, but Ex got it in divorce)

Now owner of a John Deere 155, 15 HP Kohler, 38" cut, Hydrostatic Tran.
Been a pile of junk from day 1. Wiring problems, engine so out of balance that it needs to be tightened down monthly from vibrating loose, cheap plastic hood broke, cheap, thin tires, bad deck design. This is supposedly the "Real" John Deere from the dealer, even has the official John Deer plate, but I would rather have the Huskee!

 

[Lemon law]

Briggs motors used to be terrible because they did not have full pressure lubrication. Meaning if your lawn slopes, the down slope cylinder would have plenty of oil while the up still a slope cylinder would get no oil at all. Briggs has since corrected the defect, but still a prime consideration for anyone with a sloping lawn.

The other consideration every one has ignored, is the question of a power takeoff only found in garden tractors in the 5 to 6 K class. But given the fact I have plenty of trees on my 1.25 acre lot I have a ZTR I bough 15 years ago, and for tilling. I have a used troy built tiller that was built to last for garden tilling and a nice snow 2 stage snow blower that can go through 36" high snow drifts.

 

[Mandres]

I think you're talking about a huge waste of money. No tractor at Lowes is capable of running ground-engaging equipment at all, and the only accessory that works worth a damn is a pull-behind cart.

You're looking at spending 5k+ for any tractor that can do real work or run a hydraulic attachment. For a 1/2 acre lot just buy a rake...

 

[EagleKeeper]

<snip>
Now owner of a John Deere 155, 15 HP Kohler, 38" cut, Hydrostatic Tran.
Been a pile of junk from day 1. Wiring problems, engine so out of balance that it needs to be tightened down monthly from vibrating loose, cheap plastic hood broke, cheap, thin tires, bad deck design. This is supposedly the "Real" John Deere from the dealer, even has the official John Deer plate, but I would rather have the Huskee!

Swap the Deere with the Huskee your Ex got.

Also, you have the 100 series Deere.:thumbsdown:

Needed to go to the 200 Series; must better quality/manufacturing

 

[tooriski]

For all those who think 100 series JD are made by some other company.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=232704

 

[waggy]

I think you're talking about a huge waste of money. No tractor at Lowes is capable of running ground-engaging equipment at all, and the only accessory that works worth a damn is a pull-behind cart.

You're looking at spending 5k+ for any tractor that can do real work or run a hydraulic attachment. For a 1/2 acre lot just buy a rake...

/this.

i tried to say the same.

the amount you want to spend you are not going to get something that you can put a plow or snowthrower on (unless you buy something very very old).

just get a toro snow-king. it will do the snow for ya!

 

[jupiter57]

Swap the Deere with the Huskee your Ex got.

Also, you have the 100 series Deere.:thumbsdown:

Needed to go to the 200 Series; must better quality/manufacturing

Oh, I will when this one dies, soon!
New wife bought me this one last year(as well as a new Tractor this year!).
She's not too savvy on equipment, so she has her Son-in Law (who thinks he is an expert on everything) pick these things out & surprises me, because I'm too stubborn & cheap to buy new equipment.
I told her gently that from now on, please get my input before surprising me:\.
God bless her, she's only trying to help.

 

[Nintendesert]

Just hire a neighborhood kid with a pushmower and a hoe. You can pay him a 100 bucks a pop and you'll still save money over your lifetime.

 

[EagleKeeper]

In beginning of 2011; I was working for John Deere in Iowa.

Talked to a local dealer down the street from the hotel ; wanted to get a JD toy for grandson.

He explained in detail the differences between the Series 100 and Series 200 tractors; engine, transmission, frame and body down to the seat.

Just even sitting and running one around the parking lot, you could feel the difference.
Dealer though he had a sale and was willing to deliver it.
But not 1000 miles away.

Always wondered, if I had purchased a mowing unit and then started west along I80, mowing the shoulder; what would the DOT have done Maybe I could have billed for services on a per mile basis

 

[EagleKeeper]

Just hire a neighborhood kid with a pushmower and a hoe. You can pay him a 100 bucks a pop and you'll still save money over your lifetime.

that would be a loss; Mow the lawn at least once a month; sometimes twice depending on rain.

6 months; at figure at least 10 mows.
$1000/year

 

[TangoJuliet]

Always wondered, if I had purchased a mowing unit and then started west along I80, mowing the shoulder; what would the DOT have done Maybe I could have billed for services on a per mile basis

They would probably fine you and tell you to put the grass back!

 

[TangoJuliet]

that would be a loss; Mow the lawn at least once a month; sometimes twice depending on rain.

6 months; at figure at least 10 mows.
$1000/year

yeah, that didn't make much sense. I was paying $35 twice a month and honestly they were doing a shitty job. Had 2 other companies come in and both did worse. My original lanscaper was awesome but won't come out to the new property.

On top of those cuttings they would do the fall cleanup which would run around $300-450 depending on how much they had to clean.

This year I did it myself and while it was not hard work it was time consuming. I usually would do the work during my kid's afternoon nap and on Saturdays. I figured with a multi-purpose tractor I'd be able to cut down on how much time I was spending mowing, raking and bagging.

 

[waggy]

They would probably fine you and tell you to put the grass back!

just don't attach the baggers. the grass is still on the ground!


though then they would arrest you for destruction of federal property..

 

[Nintendesert]

that would be a loss; Mow the lawn at least once a month; sometimes twice depending on rain.

6 months; at figure at least 10 mows.
$1000/year

One a month?! You can't get any good safari grass with that frequent of mowing. D:

 

[TangoJuliet]

Ok, so I am finally getting around to buying one now. Since we cleared 1/3 of the property it is taking me 3x as long to push mow. I used to be able to do the front and back in a hour. It took me 3 1/2 hours yesterday!

For the most part the property is now level and open. There are hardly any trees either so going with a zero turn really doesn't make sense.

So far I have been comparing Huskys, Deeres and Cadets. I'm trying to stay in the sub $2000 range including tax, delivery and mulching blades.

I just got back from a local dealer and he recommended a cub cadet. The two models he showed me was the LTX 1042 KW and LTX 1046 KW. At first I was leaning towards the 46" deck and bigger engine in the 1046 but by the time you add tax and everything its about $300 more. Both mowers have commercial grade Kawasaki engines.

I am trying to stay away from the big box stores and just going with a dealer. I thought about used but I don't want to buy someone else's junk off CL. The local dealers didnt really have anything used that I was interested in. Plus by buying new I am able to get 0% financing. I have been trying to save up for this machine but I probably wont have the extra cash for another 4 months or so and I really need it for the summer season. I don't want to pay someone $200/month to do it either.

Like I said earlier we had the property graded and leveled and put down a brand new lawn. It grows really thick and really needs to be mowed every 5-6 days.

Edit:

I dont need any of the accessories from the OP. I purchased a dedicated snow thrower this past winter. The tractor will be basically be used for mulching the lawn. I don't plan to bag the grass (yet).

 

[slag]

Agree here.

Larger tractors are OK, but not the ones for lawn mowers IF you have any type of hill.

As stated, anything over 2-3 inches will not plow with a tractor.

I regularly bladed deeper snow than that with my MF8. Hydrostatic drive, chained rear wheels, 200 lbs of weight over the back in addition to my fat ass and I wouldn't get stuck at all. I then angled the front blade down to better dig at the snow/ice and have been very happy with the results for a couple years now. Most newer tractors don't have the heavy frame or solid transmission to manage this kind of load though.

 

[Pulsar]

Deleted.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I went ahead and bought the 42 CC today. I thought the 46 would be overkill for what I plan to use it for.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I went ahead and bought the 42 CC today. I thought the 46 would be overkill for what I plan to use it for.

What do you need the extra 4 inches for anyhow.

 

[TangoJuliet]

So after a bit of usage I have to say this mower is AWESOME.

The 18HP is more than enough for my property. I've had no issues going up and down the property. The 42" deck is the perfect size as well. I think if I had gone to the 46" it would have been too big to get in some areas.

The engine is really smooth and quiet (compared to other tractors). Its pretty fast as well. I compared it to my neighbor's Toro and it blew him away. The mow in reverse feature works great. I didn't realize that you have to put the key in the middle setting and then engage the child safety button to do it. If you dont then the machine will turn off if you try to mow in reverse.

The only thing that bothered me was the dealer didn't put any gas in it. I asked him why not - and his response was "gas is too expensive to put in everyones machine". I was like I just paid $2000 for this mower and you couldn't put $12 worth of gas in it?