The last couple years our old 16hp craftsman has been cobbled back together to get us through, but I'm afraid it is going to be retired to the cabin where Pete can pay to keep it running ;D. Anybody have some suggestions on a replacement? We don't have a huge lawn, but you never know what I'm going to ask of the mower when working around the house. I need to keep it under $2000 Preferably half that so I can afford gas for it.
I doubt this will come in under your budget but a zero turn mower is the only way to go.
Quote from: customsawyer on March 14, 2012, 07:56:24 PM
I doubt this will come in under your budget but a zero turn mower is the only way to go.
There you go! Get John to hand make a "SLING BLADE" and put it on the auction block. :)
But on second thought, the way the axe auction is going UP....you'll come out cheaper buying a Mower.
Weill Zero turn chop and bag leaves and pull a yard trailer?
Quote from: Jeff on March 14, 2012, 07:59:58 PM
Weill Zero turn chop and bag leaves and pull a yard trailer?
I have a zero turn. Yes it will pull a small trailer. I had to add the hitch to the back bumper since it did not come with one. You can buy an attachment bagger for them also.
Mines a Kabota 28 hp. You'll never go back to a steering wheel.
I don't have one on mine, but you can put a stripper kit on it to make your lawn look like the Baseball fields on T.V.
*****Just reread your post about GAS.. :D It takes $42.00 to fill up both tanks on empty and the 28 hp....well...SHE LOVES GAS!*****
A few years ago I bought a Gravely Zero turn mower because at the time I equated the name Gravely with quality. While I really like the Zero Turn capabilities and it has cut my mowing time almost in half, I'd be hard pressed to recommend or buy a Gravely.
I have a 17hp Kubota that I also put a 42" snow blower on. I know that is out of your price range but snow removal with a lawn tractor works great for me.
We have a Woods zero turn, and love it! We don't rake leaves or need to bag anything since it mulches what it cuts.
Quote from: Roxie on March 14, 2012, 08:09:22 PM
We have a Woods zero turn, and love it! We don't rake leaves or need to bag anything since it mulches what it cuts.
You're right ROXIE....you probably have the mulching blades. They're GREAT. Makes leaves look like sawdust!
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on March 14, 2012, 08:03:09 PM
*****Just reread your post about GAS.. :D It takes $42.00 to fill up both tanks on empty and the 28 hp....well...SHE LOVES GAS!*****
:o :D Only takes me about $35 to fill up my Honda Civic... :D
A Dixie Chopper or a Grass hopper are dandies but you will have a hard time finding one for 2 grand new .
Well then there's me with 2 or 3 running that way I usually have something I can mow the yard with .Bunch of 200 dollar specials .---Al the tight wad ---
If you have a lot of obstacles to mow around a z turn is the cat's meow. As Charlie found, they can save a lot of time but don't go for the entry level at the box stores. IMHO, they are a waste of time and money. Too slow and maintenance is a pita. I would look for a well maintained pre owned mid range commercial with a 48"-52" deck but I doubt you will find one within your budget.
A tractor is not as efficient for mowing but would be more versatile especially if you want to plow snow.
Jeff, in 1998 I bought a Craftsman mower just like yours. It served me well for 11 years, but finally gave it up year before last. I went back to Sears just when the 2010 models came out and bought a 2009 leftover for $999. You know what my place is like, so you know what my mower goes through. The new one has more power and turns sharper than the old one, but is otherwise identical. You don't have enough area to justify a zero-turn for four grand. This 17.5 hp "crapsman" would knock your place out in under an hour.
Dang, do the newer ones have any wheels or anything on the mower decks? One problem I have here, with the berms and hills around the house, is the deck scalping the yard when going up or down one of the little rolls on the edge of the yard. I've seen mowers with wheels on the decks, and I'm guessing that is the sort of thing they prevent?
I know its kind of pricey but I cut with a Scag. Its made in the good old USA. If you ever cut with a quality Zero Turn mower you'll throw rocks at a Craftsman mower. Scag also makes a trailer hitch for their mowers but you have to be careful because you can jackknife going forward. ;D
Jeff...try craigs list in your area. You can probably get a lot more mower for less $$ than buying new. I'm in the same boat. I have a JD325 that needs a bunch of work, so I'm in the market for another. Try to find a JD 300 or 400 series with low hours. They'll do alot more than cut the grass. ;) I bet you can find one for under 2K.
People get rid of mowers usually for a reason. I'm not lucky enough to find a used one simply because someone's grass quit growing. :D
I could sell mine. Right now it runs, it cuts. I pity the fool that would buy it though.
Quote from: sawguy21 on March 14, 2012, 11:25:20 PM
If you have a lot of obstacles to mow around a z turn is the cat's meow. As Charlie found, they can save a lot of time but don't go for the entry level at the box stores. IMHO, they are a waste of time and money. Too slow and maintenance is a pita. I would look for a well maintained pre owned mid range commercial with a 48"-52" deck but I doubt you will find one within your budget.
A tractor is not as efficient for mowing but would be more versatile especially if you want to plow snow.
Jeff, my thoughts echo Sawguy21's. I have a Scag Turf Tiger and love it. You ought to look for a good used one. It will probably be the last mower that you ever need to buy.
Zero turns will sure spoil you. I have a Troy built Bronco(lawn tractor from Lowes) hydrostatic drive that I really like. Lots less investment and gets the job done. Zero turn still on the wish list but just too pricey.
It has the wheels for the deck too
I googled Scag Turf Tiger, and it seems like over kill for my yard. I can mow it in an hour with the rider, and about two with a push mower.
Jeff, not sure how much you have to take care of, but we have about 2 acres we mow, couple years ago I bought a new 27hp 56" cut cub cadet...we like the ability to push a button and mow in reverse, or set the cruise and just kick back, of course the armrest are nice too. So far other than normal oil change etc.. I have'nt had to do any maintenance on it, this will be it's 6th year since I bought it. And although I don't like the plastic hood I like the heavy steel deck and grease fittings.
Jim
Lastec 4520 ZSR, Woodmizer owns Lastec, there is a U tube of it. Yes its over the 2 K budget but its the answer to not scalping the yard. After my 2nd Craftsman I bit the bullet and bought a Toro wheelhorse tractor mower 9 yrs ago, It was a lifetime mower investment. Still runs and mows like new. I have a 6 hr. Yard. if I was shopping this year it would be a zero turn. Nice feature on the Lastec is the steering wheel. its big man friendly.
Well, you could use a chainsaw like I do. What's a lawn, anyway ???.
:D :D
I have a Hustler zero turn with a 60" deck and she has to cut a lot of grass. Those that have seen my yard can verify this. Jeff if you make it over this way to carry your end of that 11,000 lbs of log I will let you ride the mower. ;D
Jeff I got the Professional line of Craftsman mower, 26 HP. It also has the arm rests, cruise and the back and forward is by pedal on the floor which seems rock solid. PTO is push button. They have a tight turning radius (8"). Can't be too much in your yard requiring any tighter than that with them trees and flower beds. It was 2011 model on sale before the grass season began up here. But they are the same price on either side of the border, around $2700 before tax. I figured some day the walk behind blower is going to calve, so I plan on putting an attachment on the lawn mower. I didn't realize this, but one day I flipped up the seat and low and behold it's actually a Husqvarna built mower. The mowing deck is also identical to them. A zero turn is no good where I am, too much hill and a ditch, which your not even suppose to use this in, but I do. The only thing in the lawn that I scalp is ant hills. ;D You can also turn off the back up cutout by just turning the key switch a notch. My uncle never figured that out on his Husky, of course he doesn't read instructions. :D I mow the cemetery with mine, so you know all the obstacles that would be there. It takes about 20 minutes on an acre of stones. ;D These decks also have a water hookup to clean it after use The mower is also heavy enough that I don't spin out on hills unless it's on apples that fell off the trees by the hundreds. Makes quick applesauce. ;D
Quote from: CHARLIE on March 14, 2012, 08:04:27 PM
A few years ago I bought a Gravely Zero turn mower because at the time I equated the name Gravely with quality. While I really like the Zero Turn capabilities and it has cut my mowing time almost in half, I'd be hard pressed to recommend or buy a Gravely.
Charlie,
I completely and totally agree with you about Gravely. I love my old walk behind gravely. Need to get the tank fixed so aI can run it this summer instead of riding. I really do need the exersize.
Bruce
I agree with Bruce 40 years ago I bought a used gravely walk behind with a 40" mower deck.Same time my neighbor bought a "mart" small rideing tractor and kidded me about having to walk.His mower lasted three years,he's moved away and 40 yrs. later my gravely is still trucken.Anouther option Jeff get one of those small diesel tractors you can use it for so much more than just mowing.Better a used commercial type mower than a new "mart" mower,spend more and get somthing for the long haul. Frank C.
I bought a used Scag years ago with a Velky loved that machine and so did someone else as it was stolen. Next was a 58" cut with the deck wheels Bolens from the Blue Box store. What a piece of junk!!!!! JUNK!!!!
I now have a Ariens zero turn it's ok but has had a few issues.
I too owned a late model craftsman. I patched that thing for several years. Steering broke, electric clutch broke, spindles wore out and on and on. I had the scalp problem too. Late last summer the tires finally gave out from dry rot and rather than put 200 dollars of new rubber on it I bought a 1200 huskee (not husqvarna) from tractor supply. Its a nice rider with no problems to date. No wheels on the deck but its good and solid mounted and no scalp problems. I'm mowing about 1.5 acres of moderate slope. These things are basically throw aways so i would not go overboard on spending for your basic lawn tractor.
I bought a used Walker with a grass hopper for $2500. just before I retired from the FD. A lawn service had owned it before. Change the oil annually, bought new blades last year. Fuel pump two years ago. Burns a little oil on one cylinder.
Oh say talking about Huskee mowers with opposed Briggs twin engines .Looking aft to fore on those things the twin horizontal Briggs has the oil slinger on the left side of the engine .
If you side hill those things always toss the grass up hill .If you don't you'll blow the engine from lack of lubrication .I've got the remains of two pancake engines as proof of that .Snaps the rods right off of them when they hang . They were already junk when I got the mowers .I already knew better but most don't .--junk mower trivia 101 ---
From personal experience, do not buy a lower end John Deere. We have an L130 and it's JUNK. Seems like every other week I'm changing a clutch or buying new bearings for the blades.
A few of long standing and most reliable JDs are the 314 316 318. 1984 to 1992
http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/000/0/3/34-john-deere-316.html
If you can find one for 2000 grab it. A lot of them still sell for between 2500 and 5000 around here, depending on what the have for attachments and how well they have been looked after.
The X 300s are newer and have a few more models in the higher power range but still a darn good tractor as well.
http://www.lawn-tractor-buyers-guide.com/John-Deere-Riding-Mowers.html
There is a 300 on ebay for 2000 in WI for what it is worth to you.
http://www.tractorshed.com/cgi-bin/photoads/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=468962&query=retrieval
Old school :) 8)
Quote from: Bandmill Bandit on March 15, 2012, 11:47:01 AM
A few of long standing and most reliable JDs are the 314 316 318. 1984 to 1992
http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/000/0/3/34-john-deere-316.html
If you can find one for 2000 grab it. A lot of them still sell for between 2500 and 5000 around here, depending on what the have for attachments and how well they have been looked after.
The X 300s are newer and have a few more models in the higher power range but still a darn good tractor as well.
http://www.lawn-tractor-buyers-guide.com/John-Deere-Riding-Mowers.html
There is a 300 on ebay for 2000 in WI for what it is worth to you.
that's the way to go. I bought a used 318 in 1994 for a quarter of the price of new. still have it today
and it runs good. nothing has been replaced except the blades and one deck belt. the deck belt blew when my (extreemly drunk) girlfriend tried to run over a coiled up water hose while doing me a favor and cutting the grass lol. other than that the older machines with limited use are a good buy.
Quote from: davidv on March 15, 2012, 11:32:04 AM
From personal experience, do not buy a lower end John Deere. We have an L130 and it's JUNK. Seems like every other week I'm changing a clutch or buying new bearings for the blades.
I had a "Box Store" JD L110. It ran for 5 years (900+ hours) then it would turn over, but not start. Fed up, I loaded it up and headed to town. At the JD store, the sales guy pointed out that the box store JD's are made in a different plant, different specs etc. This dealership carried replacement parts for the cheaper line but refused to sell the cheaper line.
They gave me $500 trade in and I bought a X320 and love it.
My dad passed away last year and his 1968 JD garden tractor went to a neighbor...it's still running great.
Jeff, the Craftsman I have does not have the anti-scalp wheels, but some models might. This one has exactly the same deck your old one has. My place is pretty much level, so scalping isn't a problem here.
Whatever you get, stay away from electric clutches and cruise control. They are useless gadgets, and expensive to replace WHEN they fail...not IF. :D I can't imagine why you would need cruise on a bloomin' lawn mower, anyway. Just set the throttle, select a gear and go. ::)
A friend of mine bought a new Husqvarna for $2300 a year before I dropped a grand on mine. He has more money in repairs than I paid for my mower. So far, I've only had to replace a spindle housing because I hit an immovable object in the grass. It cost me about $25.
Scag is definitely overkill..lol..they are the bradley tank of mowers...love my big wildcat, but ten k, you might as well hire someone...
I a have pretty much grown to detest anything not commercial in quality...slow, they break and are often hard to get parts for in a few years.
you might look into a used commercial walk behind with a sulky...I picked that big john deere up at that auction and love it. simple, everything is easy to get at, all belt driven...no hydraulics to mess with..lots of power and fuel capacity...
The 16 horse craftsman is 12 years old. It didn't start falling apart until it was about 10 years old. I think it cost $899 but it might have been $799. It did everything I needed it to do except last 30 years. :) The biggest issue with it now is all 4 tires and the front axle. The engine still runs fine. It would cost about $350 for the parts I need to put it together this time, and at its current age, I know it will keep getting in my pocket until I get something new.
Quote from: Jeff on March 15, 2012, 12:16:30 AM
People get rid of mowers usually for a reason. I'm not lucky enough to find a used one simply because someone's grass quit growing. :D
I could sell mine. Right now it runs, it cuts. I pity the fool that would buy it though.
Jeff, the banks have been cleared to do foreclosures and are doing it again. Someone losing their home might sell for whatever they can get out of a mower. After all, if they are moving to an apartment, they don't need a mower. I would not discount trying to find a good one at an auction, craigslist, etc. Never hurts to look.
I had one of the Scott's made, John Deeres, and it lasted about five years and went to pot...my experiences with the new craftsman stuff has been less than positive..they seem to get cheaper and cheaper made.
wish I was closer, I have an old ariens I would just give you...thinking about converting it to use as a hydraulic power pack.
:D :D Dang, cruise control isn't like on a car. It's a lever you set your current speed, so it's not a darn bit different than riding a tractor with manual shift set to lets say gear 2. It might sound the same, but it sure ain't. Otherwise your driving an automatic. ;)
If distance wasnt so great I would a bought the one at the sale I was at today. mid 90s JD 320 3pt hitch, 60" mower, 48" tiller, 48" snow blower, dozer, rear bagger, and a trailer with 1080 ish hours. Went for $2180. probably would a cost that much to ship it too you.
I got a mower here for you Boss. ;) Works just fine as long as you add oil to it before you turn the key. :D It does good at keeping our skeeters under control too. :D You can have it if you can load it..... she is one heavy old brute I can tell ya. I don't even take the keys out of it anymore cuz it's got its own anti theft mechanism..... you never sit on it when you start it or your butt will arc to the seat with a good electrical shock. :D Nobody likes my poor old LEMON around here.... They painted it the right color from factory.... it's a Cub Cadet. :)
A lot of mowers are like appaliances, different color and stickers but made by the same few companys which makes it hard to compare brands from one year to the next.
The deck is often the weak point, the thin ones will crack and rust out after a few years and to replace them is not worth the cost. The anti scalp rollers and wheels are a nice feature on a uneven lawn and the wider the deck the more problems you will have with scalping.
Perhaps a nice self propelled hand mower would be another choice, most people that have a Honda seem to like them.
Hmm.... I guess it would not be good for towing a trailer.
Quote from: Jeff on March 15, 2012, 04:26:06 PM
The 16 horse craftsman is 12 years old. It didn't start falling apart until it was about 10 years old. I think it cost $899 but it might have been $799. It did everything I needed it to do except last 30 years. :)
That's about as cheap cost of operation that you will ever get. Go down to Sears and buy another one.
What the heck, the snow don't melt up there till sometime in June than it starts again in September. ;D My yard is already near baling time.
Buy a goat ;D
last spring early march bought a sears GT6000 cost 2700 w sale taxes & free delivery. My 10 yr old Murry trans-axle is going out bad so went for the NEW GT = (Garden Tractor) capable of ground engaging items. Tractor & Deck are good but the Kholer is a boat anchor. I like everything other than the engine... My old IC Briggs 20HP runs circles around the 27HP Kholer. I know something is wrong with the engine should have a LOT more power thing almost stalls in 3" grass.
The GT is made by Huskpharna all the others are made pretty much by MTD all on same line there are only I think 3 manufactures left in residential mowers.
Mark
Quote from: Corley5 on March 15, 2012, 08:13:11 PM
Buy a goat ;D
Or cow. That's what mom's dad always did, tethered the old cow out on the lawn. Lawn mowing was way down on the list and fishing and hunting was at the top. 8) 8)
meh..goat...can put a goat on the most luscious grass in existence and that sucker will nearly starve to death...and the grass will be four feet tall...will eat the daylights out of some vines though..want some serious grazers/guard animals..get geese.. lol
Quote from: zopi on March 15, 2012, 11:46:54 PM
meh..goat...can put a goat on the most luscious grass in existence and that sucker will nearly starve to death...and the grass will be four feet tall...will eat the daylights out of some vines though..want some serious grazers/guard animals..get geese.. lol
The goats will go after the weeds too, but they LOVE fruit trees and flowers. Chickens will eat a suprising amount of grass. Cows or horses will eat more and fertilize all in one easy step.
zopi is right about goats not really liking grass. I am claiming back a field and they loved all the suckers coming up. I would turn them loose and they would eat that stuff like candy.
I would of said a Craftsman. They use to last for years,just homeowners work, maybe 2-6 hours a week. But have noticed how most of the cheaper riding lawn mowers deck are kinda cheap. Not good for hitting stumps and roots and rocks.Made for just a lawn.
They'll eat grass when everything else is gone and they're hungry ;D :) or they'll get out and eat at the neighbors :)
There are some islands off the coast here that have camps on them they keep sheep there as well, the grass is like a putting green, all you got to do is rake the path.
Just be careful where you step. ;)
The goat is really 2 functions. Mow + fertilize. Or three if :D its a nasty one (security).
...or 4 if you like the taste of goat meat at the end of the season. ;D
Gee thanks guys, now I suppose the first roast I'll get to go to will be goat instead of pork :D
Might be. They've got a pretty sharp axe on the auction to perform the ceremony. ;D
time vs health benefits is the thought to ponder not HP. get a self propelled mower and enjoy the walk. people pay to go to the gym. people buy exercise equipt.. Then and oh Then they want the least taxing way to do simple work. waste not your hard earned money. self propelled will pay for it's self in less than 4 months. get it on deferred payment so you can use it cost free for11 months. buy no extra warranty. goes dead get another, pays for itself in 4 months. need cart pulled? got a wife? explain the health benefits. sell the project! be a man go for it!
Quote from: mooleycow on March 16, 2012, 07:22:33 PM
time vs health benefits is the thought to ponder not HP. get a self propelled mower and enjoy the walk. people pay to go to the gym. people buy exercise equipt.. Then and oh Then they want the least taxing way to do simple work. waste not your hard earned money. self propelled will pay for it's self in less than 4 months. get it on deferred payment so you can use it cost free for11 months. buy no extra warranty. goes dead get another, pays for itself in 4 months. need cart pulled? got a wife? explain the health benefits. sell the project! be a man go for it!
I went for it....Bought a rider, eat BIG MACS, drink soft drinks and chew tobacco. I feel much better! 8)
I looked at riders today too. I need one. Had a Cub Cadet. Will never buy another one. Looked at Bad Boy mowers today. Nice looking. Starting at a little over $3K on up to $6k'ish. Down here ExMark mowers are big in the commercial side of things. They're high. Looked at the Gravelys too. High$$$ and I've read less that stellar reviews. Dixie Choppers are stout too but high$$$. It's just one of those things ... gotta spend the money if you want the "thing".
I rented an ExMark awhile back when my Cub Cadet was in the shop. It took me about 15 minutes to mow an acre. I was shocked. So I mowed it again just for the heck of it. One thing is for sure, you won't spend much time cutting grass if you own one of those. If you value your time, and the things you could be doing instead of mowing grass ...like fishing, milling, making money, or just spending time with the family bbq'ing, then spending the money on a zero turn could be worth it.
Quote from: LOGDOG on March 16, 2012, 09:02:45 PM
If you value your time, and the things you could be doing instead of mowing grass ...like fishing, milling, making money, or just spending time with the family bbq'ing, then spending the money on a zero turn could be worth it.
I have a Zero Turn and I use Woodmizer Re-Sharp Program......I fish.
The other option is you hire a lawn service. That way you don't have to lay out the cash, buy the gas, do the maintenance, store the mower, or spend your time mowing. Hire a teenager or someone to mow the lawn. In Michigan it should be easy to find someone who needs to make some cash.
Logdog, go look at a Ferris mower. pricey but pure 100% commercial. the deck is 1/4 inch steel plate, re-inforced at the corners...
Who sells them around here? You know Bad Boys are stout too like that. Made up in Central Arkansas. I'd like American made if possible.
Quote from: LOGDOG on March 16, 2012, 09:24:04 PM
Who sells them around here? You know Bad Boys are stout too like that. Made up in Central Arkansas. I'd like American made if possible.
There an Arkansas success story. Couple boys start up out of a garage. They just knew they could make one better than anything on the market.
They are gearing up to make ATV's now.
My next mower will be a Bad Boy...gotta support your neighbor. Especially ones creating jobs.
Get a Zero Mower with a Hydraulic Deck lift. The manuel deck lifts will kill you.
Larry ...don't they already make ATV's? http://www.badboybuggies.com/
Or do you mean like 4 wheelers?
Here's the mower site for those of you who may not have seen them. http://www.badboymowers.com/
I had a JD 455 all wheel steer for 16 years and just replaced it with a zero turn. The neighbor inherited it and it's still going strong. If you can find a used one with low hours it will last years. Has hydraulics and easy to work on also.
Quote from: pineywoods on March 16, 2012, 09:19:37 PM
Logdog, go look at a Ferris mower. pricey but pure 100% commercial. the deck is 1/4 inch steel plate, re-inforced at the corners...
I have a Ferris zero turn and it is built like a tank and the only real issues I have had with it is the fuel pickups. Well that and mowing too close to the pond. (
and the fire while refueling ::))
It will be 10 years of service in June. I still have the original deck belt but it should be replaced.
I change the blades out every other year. They have been pricey.
I looked at the Ferris mowers online last night. My nearest dealer is to the East about 28 miles. I can't believe they don't have a dealer over here in a city with a population of 300,000+ combined. I did like the suspension on the Ferris deck and front end.
I'm drawn to those Bad Boys for some reason. They're sales/service center is about 4 blocks from my office.
I will say one thing from my observations of Gravely mowers. I liked the big floatation wheel they had on the front end of the mowers I looked at. Down here, when we get a lot of rain, the ground gets super soft. Now last year, it wouldn't have been a problem in the drought. Didn't have much grass to speak of in fact. I was glad I didn't drop $5-$6k on a mower last year because it would have been dead money without any grass to mow.
I'd really rather put that kind of money towards something else sawmills related or a brush grapple for my Kioti tractor or something. Maybe I can just bush hog my lawn with the big tractor and rake out the scrape and ruts. ;D Then spend the money I would have spent on a new mowers somewhere else.
My bother still runs an old Kabota we had since 1984 if I recall, so almost 30 years. Little diesel motor. The deck is an issue now because it's so old and warn, hard on belts with the pulleys getting warn. Had new pulleys put on but didn't do much good because some fella's aren't all that great aligning and welding stuff. The reason I went with Sears is they have a lot less hassle, at least here in Canada, about warranttee work. And it's a step up from the flimpsy cheap mowing decks on the $1000 stuff. Plus a strong motor is what I was after besides a good deck. I have used under powered riding mowers and in grass 4 or 5 inches above the cut height they over heat and pretty much kill the engine in no time. I've your only cutting 1-2" high stuff, then fine. My place is like a pasture and not a manicured McMansion lawn. :D
Here's what we use: http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/lawn-mowers/64/
I s'pose you could try to ride it and get the Mrs to push it around for you but that might be a bit painful. LOL
Actually they make pull behind models of those reel mowers that Jeff could put behind his 4 wheeler. I'd rather rise a 4 wheeler than a lawn mower any day.
As a boy, grew up pushing those reel mowers. Trying to mow under the hickory trees was not fun. But was all we had until I left home. They leave a nice cut lawn however.
Just went thru the same process of looking for a new mower. Wife and I had been doing the lawn with a 37 year old Hahn walk behind. At 72 now and the heat of the south we decided to treat ourselves to a rider. We have some burms on the lawn and the shed that we want to keep it in, only has a 48 inch door. So with those two issues the biggest deck size was determined to be a 42 inch deck. I can reach down and lift the deflector chute and it just fits thru the door.
What we found, that had every thing that we wanted, was a Craftsman model # 28856.
It is actually built by Husqvarna for Sears. Comes with the new version B&S 24 HP Platinum V-twin 724 cc, full oil pressure engine. Has the larger tuff torq trans axle rear with foot control for speed selection rather than the fender mount selrctor. I feel the fender mount works better if you have long straight runs, but if your yard is such that you need to slow down for a lot of turns, than the foot control is much better.
These new Craftsman riders have the new Turn Tight front ends, they turn in a very tight radius, and steer real easy. The front axle is cast iron with grease fitting on the king pin areas, the steering pivot points and the wheel spindles. No grease fittings on the drag links tho. Rear tires are now 20x10 instead of the earlier 20x8.
The engine layout is great, has a quick detach tube that drops down to drain the oil without running on the tractor, and the oil filter is right in front of you when you lift the hood. The hood also lifts off the tractor with no tools, just disconnect the wires to the headlights. Air filter also serviced without the use of tools. This model also comes with an hours meter. The tractor has a two position ignition switch, that allows mowing in reverse if desired. Six position grass cut selection lever that is spring loaded and operates easy enough for the wife to use. 12 ga. Channel frame, 3 gal gas tank with sight gauge under the seat.
The tractor accepts a whole bunch of accessories as well. List price was $1998.00. They usually have it on sale at $1699.00. Once in a while they will have a two day sale where they sell stuff at 25% off. We caught this and got the tractor for $1556.00.
Very happy with the deal so far, but just got it a month ago.
Only down side I have found and it may not be a problem at all, is the toe in. It definitely has more toe in than I would like, but have checked and they are all about the same. No adjustment and Sears says they have had no complaints of tire wear etc. Sears warranty for consumer for two years.
Mines the next size up, but sounds like similar features. Just lift the seat and it will say Husqvarna. As I said I can mow around an acre of stones in 20 minutes. I can mow my own lawn in half the time of the old Kabota. As far as I'm concerned you have to have HP if your mowing what I do. 8)
Jeff, I'm getting in on this late, but I'll echo Dang said, replace what you have with about what you have. No way could you justify a zero turn no matter what they cost or how much fun they are to operate. I have a 42" JD e/w a 21 horse Briggs engine and I do just fine with about the same amount of yard that you have. It cost about $1800. A bit smaller would still do just fine because I used a 38" cut Murray for years. After about 10 years you go into the repair/replace mode with any of them. Bearings and other stuff will only last so long.
Here you go. :)
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We went looking at mowers today, and the mower I was drawn to of all the ones we looked at, was a Craftsman with a 21HP Briggs & Stratton Platinum engine. Its a tight turn model with a cast Iron front end. That's important to me, because that was the point of failure on the last one which had a stamped steel front end. It's listed at $1549, but Sunday and Monday they are having a friends and family sale and this mower and its accessories will have 15% off. We can get it tomorrow for $1396.55 out the door and that includes a pull behind trailer. Its a much better mower than what we had and in our budget. I've had good luck with Briggs & Stratton engines but have had some issues with Kohlers. It looks like Kohler is the engine of choice for a lot of the other brands of mowers now.
With the 42" cut it will have no problem hitching a ride in the back of my pickup.
Quote from: mooleycow on March 16, 2012, 07:22:33 PM
time vs health benefits is the thought to ponder not HP. get a self propelled mower and enjoy the walk. people pay to go to the gym. people buy exercise equipt..
Some of us walk all day swinging a brush saw all summer and fall, so a little ride'n is mighty nice instead of pushing/walking for 2.5 hours in the heat. ;D
Go for it!! :) 8) Look under the seat. ;)
I did. The Battery is there. :)
have you looked at www.mowersdirect.com
I was just wondering if Husqvarna had made it.
Jeff, I've got 209 hours on a 22 HP Briggs. They call it an Extended Life Series whatever that means. It's had a very tough life on steep slopes. No problems at all in the five years I've owned it. Chances are the mower will fall apart long before the engine shows any wear.
it used to be almost all the cheaper riders were made by mtd no matter what the brand name on it. i would much rather have a older john deere . ford .case the real deal. there hystat trans was 100 times better than mtd stuff. the old cast iron kohler will last a long time. i have a ford that was handed down to me that was new in 1978. never a problem with the hystst trans. the motor is a little tired. put a new piston an rings in it and it will hum for another 20yrs. there is a big difference between a lawn tractor and a garden tractor. i did upgrade bought a b 8200 kubota with a 3pt hitich finish mower works pretty good can be hard on the flowers tho mower swings wide in a turn
Many mowers of different brands come from the same assembly plants. They just grab another can of paint and fill the contracts. Back when Jacobsen had a plant here, it looked like a rainbow looking at all of the different brands and colors. It sounds like what you picked out is about like the JD that I have.
The very best thing about Sears/Craftsman is the warranty. smiley_thumbsup
Just tooled around back with the new Craftsman lawn tractor. I suspect my taking the snow blower back behindthe barn and the purchase of a mower in mid march shall cause us to loose all this early summer like weather and summon at least one major snow storm to his us head on.
Jeff
I took the snow plow off the tractor, and look forward to one more good snow storm.
I prefer that to the 80+ weather we are having now. ;D ;D
Glad you are sporting a new mower.
Grin and bear it. ;)
62 here in the shade, 69 in the full sun, 82 against the south end of the house. Not hardly any water running off the snow, it's going in the ground. No frost. There is even a summer-like haze in the distance. :o The robins are going crazy here, there must be 50 in the yard.
Enjoy the new mower this summer. 8)
You made the right decision for sure. What is this "summon at least one major snow storm" that you speak of ??? :)
Make no mistake, there will be more snow. I would be very surprised if otherwise. I've seen weather change mighty quick in the Maritimes. May could turn cold and be snow squalls the first part of the month. I saw this in 1997. And in 1996 it killed off the barn swallows which do not arrive here before the 20th of May.
Neat birds .I must get 20 of them swooping hither and yon every time I mow my front field and stir up the bugs .
In my folks barn there are so many nests stuck to the rafters and floor joists I think they are about out of space .They raise I think two broods a year .The nestlings from the first brood help feed the second .
They used to be thick here, but not so much now. But they will some day again I suspect. It was interesting. Even in the deep woods around bridges, logging camps and fishing/hunting camps, the barn swallow was/is present. On the Little SW Mirimachi R was a long span logging bridge and a fish camp beside it for crown reserve salmon fishing (reserved by lottery for residents of NB only). Both the bridge and the camp eves had barn swallow nests. 8) They used to bother the house cat(s) here and swoop down on them. Just inches away and make a cherp like they were clipping their ears as they went bye. :D
They also do a number on the mosquito population ;D (besides scaying the heck out of cats :D)
The swallows can buzz pretty close to people too not just cats .I think they try to snatch the fleas out of my whiskers at times .. :D
Mowers ! Funny a majority of mowers are made by the Ohio mower compnay which for some reason is in Kentucky . ???
MTD ,Huskey ,Cub Cadet to name a few .Yardman I think is home ported in Cleveland but I think is or was made by Ohio mower .They just go down the assembly line every color of the rainbow built to whatever specs they call for .
Some bad actors need their ears clipped once in awhile anyway. :D
This is just a little note on the side. The first zero turn mower I saw was orange. That was 1997. The place was Indianapolis. Don Laskowski was showing me around his factory. If you haven't guessed, it was a WoodMizer. Funny but I haven't seen a Woodmizer zero turn since then.
Den
I believe there was a spin-off corp. from WM formed to get in the lawn mower business.
ZTR mowers go back further than 1997. Here is a note from Dixon Co.
Quote
After joining his father's company in the 1960s K.O. Dixon bought the rights to a revolutionary ZTR lawnmower system that began production in 1974.
Yes I didn't figure they were a new invention. I just hadn't seen one. They were probably being used on golf courses. But nowdays you see them everywhere.
I'm just beginning to see a few in homeowner yards, maybe the price came down. Heck I even see guys mowing about a 1/5th that I do on a zero turn. I looked at them before, but determined I have more use for a Tight-Turn lawn tractor which will mow quicker than a regular old style lawn tractor.
It sounds like you have a small yard. Do you plan to pull anything heavy? Zero turns do not do well if you have a steep ditch. If your just replacing a craftsman and expect it to do the same amount of work look for a lawn mower with a solid cast front axle. I can't tell you what to buy but i can tell you to stay away from kohler engines as they are chineese crap. I know a guy that works there and he won't even own one. john deere is a nice mower but they don't paint the underside of there decks so they will rust out faster. i bought one a few years back. When i asked the sales guy about it after the sale he said it would just wear off in less than one season. I sold it and bought a 23hp diesel sub-compact tractor with a deck 2 seasons later paint looks like new under the deck. stay below 20hp they use alot less gas. Kubota,harsquarvarna or polan mowers is worth checking out. I would never buy a craftsman but thats only because i have no idea who actually made it. I hope i was some help. I bought way to big of a tractor but i needed more work to be done with a bigger tractor. I opted for the front end loader to pick up logs and whatever else i can't lift.