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Riding mower advice

bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭
in General Discussion
We're moving in a couple of weeks and the new house is on a little over 1/2 acre, I want to get a small riding mower for use there. I like John Deere mowers but in all honesty I don't know much about who's mower last longer, most reliable, has less maintenance, etc  I don't want to spend  tons of money on something that does anything more than mow grass and I don't need a a huge mowing deck, just want to ride rather than walk and reliability is important.
Thoughts ?
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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Comments

  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,285 ******
    Buy a Gravely. It’ll be the last mower you’ll ever need. 
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭
    I didn't think that Gravely made anything as small as I need, theirs are for commercial use.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • JimmyJackJimmyJack Member Posts: 5,515 ✭✭✭✭
    Lot of good ones out there,  I have two Husqvarnas that have been trouble free for me.  I always felt you pay a lot for the name on John Deere and they are as foreign as the  rest. Had good luck with Sears,  dont know who makes them.
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  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭
    https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11166409#Comment_11166409

    Gravely has 34, and 40" ZTR's. Commercial, and residential.

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  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,559 ✭✭✭✭

    For a mower from the big box type store I would go with the husqvarna . Seem to be better built than anything else

    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    I have 2 John Deere L120s. Both are going on 20 years. One in San Diego, and one in Boise.
    No problems, just replaced two belts in each machine.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    Guessing that out of the 1/2 acre, the house is part of that, along with the drive way, flower beds, etc. So how much do you need to actually mow? 
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,459 ✭✭✭✭
     unless you buy commercial grade, I think all the mowers are made by MTD nowdays, they just have different paint and hoods, for only a 1/2 acre, as long as it is fairly flat, I think any box store brand would do you, if you want a 10-15 year mower you may have to go commercial grade, prices are all over the board, good luck
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  • BrookwoodBrookwood Member, Moderator Posts: 13,768 ******
    I recommend Simplicity.  My 14 horse gave me 22 years of reliable service on a 3 acre lawn.
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  • spasmcreeksrunspasmcreeksrun Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭
    hustler...got 2... a 60" and a 48"  Z turn .... heavy welded steel deck and lots of good features ....tough rigs
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  • Butchdog2Butchdog2 Member Posts: 3,834 ✭✭✭✭
    MTD = More Trouble  Daily. Honda if your budget allows. Don't buy from a big box store please.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,529 ✭✭✭✭
    Pick a  42" rider out they pull outside at lowes. 1000 -1500 will have you riding.
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  • mac10mac10 Member Posts: 2,748 ✭✭✭✭
    been rideing my 18hp mtd since 2000 easy to fix for parts 1.5 acre
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭
    It's not that the property is big as much as it is "I don't want to walk", I'm 73 and the Florida heat and humidity is a killer in the summer.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,671 ✭✭✭✭
    Another vote for the Husqvarna. Mine is only 3 years old but trouble free so far. Unless something has changed recently they made the Craftsman brand for Sears also. Bob
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  • Mark GMark G Member Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭
    I have a 48" Husqvarna bought from Lowes for my 1.5 Acres. It has been a great mower for the last 5 seasons. My daughter and SIL have a John Deere 42". I have used both and prefer the Husqvarna. My Brother in law purchased a Cub Cadet 54" zero turn and absolutely loves it. He has 6 acres and can mow them faster with the zero turn then with his tractor with a  belly mower.
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  • dcon12dcon12 Member Posts: 32,040 ✭✭✭✭
    Why not just pull your push mower with your Jazzy? Don
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,721 ✭✭✭✭
    Now that's just mean. :D
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • JIM STARKJIM STARK Member Posts: 1,152 ✭✭✭
    It's really hard to drink  beer on  a zero turn with a hand on each  steering thing!!!
    JIM............
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,285 ******
    Forrest Gump mowed a football field with a Snapper.

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  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,559 ✭✭✭✭

    The snapper would be the best bet from a longevity standpoint. Not sure on price . The John feeres sold at the big box stores use a cheaper motor , usually a Briggs . The front wheels use greasable bushings instead of roller bearings and a stamped rather than welded deck . These are the main difference I am aware of that make them cheaper than the actual John Deere’s from a dealership . The husky is better built in all areas . But for the size you are cutting most any of them should be okay

    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    Sometimes you need to do a cost analysis.   There is no need to buy a 6k dollar mower for 1/2 an acre.   For that price you can buy five 1200 dollar mowers and if each last 7 years that's 35 years.   In the mean time you can leave the 4800 dollars invested and use the returns for the next mower.   Of course with care a 1200 dollar mower should last more than 7 years mowing a 1/2 acre lot.       There are electric riding mowers out now that can handle up to 3 acres so a 1/2 acre lot wouldn't be an issue.

    Actually for small yards it is hard to beat the simple snapper rear engine mower.   Easy to maintain should it be needed.   The belt and drive system on them are simple and easy to work on.

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  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,115 ✭✭✭✭
    I am on my Second Troy Bilt from Lowes. First one lasted 12 years. I know they are cheep, in the lawnmower realm but they have been trouble free for me. Mine outlasted my neighbors cub cadet and craftsman zero turn.   
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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,309 ✭✭✭✭
    A small Snapper like pictured above is all you need on your lot   ;)

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • fugawefugawe Member Posts: 1,540 ✭✭✭
    Whatever you choose, buy it from a dealer who will support it with parts, service and advice.
    My vote is for a JD with a Kawasaki motor.
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******

    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,697 ✭✭✭
    I have had a John Deere X300 since 2007 and use it to mow a 1 acre yard that has slopes, never a problem. The "X" series, at least when I bought mine, could only be bought at John Deere dealerships, not at Big Box stores. And, the X300 uses a high torque Kawasaki motor especially for yards with slopes. I service the X300 myself, but about every 5 years I do have the John Deere dealership pick it up and do a complete service to make sure everything is in good shape (never a major problem, just routine servicing).

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

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  • Wild TurkeyWild Turkey Member Posts: 2,425 ✭✭✭✭
    fugawe said:
    Whatever you choose, buy it from a dealer who will support it with parts, service and advice.

    That's exactly what I suggest.  Got a Husky from local small engine store and they helped me pick the best model for my use and when the ammeter went bad they quickly replaced it under warranty.
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    We've got a couple of acres but I only mow about 3/4 of an acre since the rest of it is woods. I use a self propelled walk behind mower. Even if I had a riding mower I would still have to use my walk behind to trim around flowers and shrubs. So by the time I do that I might as well do the rest of it with the walk behind. No need putting that mower up and dragging out a riding mower to gas up to finish. I could have it all done in the length of time it would take to do that. 
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  • truthfultruthful Member Posts: 2,143 ✭✭✭✭
    Be aware that the "John Deere" mowers sold by places like Lowes and Home Depot are not made by John Deere. Deere licenses the name to other manufacturers. If you want a real JD, you have to buy it from a JD dealer.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,393 ✭✭✭✭
    The only way to buy a new real John Deere is to buy it from the dealer and it will most likely have a Kawasaki engine.I bought a new John Deere 300 in 1977 and sold it,still running,cutting grass and looking good about 3 years ago.I think I sold it for about what I paid for it new.The newer JDs are good but unless they have improved them,the plastic hoods cracked very bad and replacements are about 700 bucks.Like someone else said to buy a cheap rider and take care of it and when it dies replace it with another cheap mower. 
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  • mohawk600mohawk600 Member Posts: 5,529 ✭✭✭✭
    ride your mower to the nearest bar and chillax
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  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,569 ✭✭✭✭
    For a 1/2 acre that rear engine snapper is hard to beat and still made in America
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,020 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2020
    I have a JD LT155.  Mulcher and "0" radius turns.  Bought it from the local dealer 20 years ago!  2 years ago had the belts replaced.  Some little stuff along the way but still.  I service it every year which I think may make a difference ;). Have just under an acre to cut.
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  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,671 ✭✭✭✭
    truthful said:
    Be aware that the "John Deere" mowers sold by places like Lowes and Home Depot are not made by John Deere. Deere licenses the name to other manufacturers. If you want a real JD, you have to buy it from a JD dealer.
    When I was researching mowers a couple of years ago I was told this and did a little research. At that time all John Deere mowers were in fact made by Deere. I think that rumor was started by the dealers to get you to buy from them. Like a lot of manufacturers Deere makes everything from a budget line all the way up to professional grade. You get what you pay for both in utility and durability. I am not an MTD fan  and didn't want to pay a $500 buck premium for the Deere name. Research led me to a Husqvarna yard tractor and I have been happy with it so far. Bob
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  • Cling2mygunsCling2myguns Member Posts: 1,291 ✭✭✭
    Husqvarna is made by AYP. So is Cub Cadet and several others. Similar to MTD in quality.
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  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,671 ✭✭✭✭
    Cling2myguns said:
    Husqvarna is made by AYP. So is Cub Cadet and several others. Similar to MTD in quality.
    Don't think that is correct. Husqvarna is made by husqvarna and Cub Cadet I believe is Mtd. 
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