Suggestions on new riding mower/lawn tractor?

[Jeff]

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.

[customsawyer]

I doubt this will come in under your budget but a zero turn mower is the only way to go.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

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.

[Jeff]

Weill Zero turn chop and bag leaves and pull a yard trailer?

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

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!*****

[CHARLIE]

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.

[Holmes]

 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.

[Roxie]

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. 

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

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!

[Clam77]

*****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!*****

    :D Only takes me about $35 to fill up my Honda Civic...   :D

[Al_Smith]

 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 ---

[sawguy21]

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.

[DanG]

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.

[Jeff]

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?

[Paper Maker]

  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       

[5quarter]

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.

[Jeff]

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.

[scsmith42]

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.

[Buck]

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

[Jeff]

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. 

[tractormanNwv]

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

[redbeard]

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.

[Brucer]

Well, you could use a chainsaw like I do. What's a lawn, anyway ???.

:D :D

[customsawyer]

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

[SwampDonkey]

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