Posted on 02/24/2018 10:13:46 AM PST by Red Badger
Will have to buy a riding lawn mower soon.
Have never owned one.
42 Inch seem to be the right size for my yard.
Have no experience with any, so I ask for your comments and suggestions on what brand to look at and what to stay away from...........................
What a great and clever solution! I wouldn’t have thought of that. Years ago, I bought a Stilton style wrench with smooth jaws. Think of the hex opening in a Crescent wrench, only much bigger. The more pressure you apply, the harder it grips the hex head. It was a huge help in my first field service job and occasionally around the house. It probably would have worked perfectly on that nut.
Your right. I was thinking of Huskie.
Hustler or Big Dog. Both are made by the same company. The Big Dog has a 7 year warranty.
I’ve had a 42” Hustler for nine years. I’ve had very few problems, and what I cut is rough. I’m looking at replacing in this year with either a 48” Hustler or Big Dog. I’ve looked at the others, but still keep coming back to what has worked well for me.
Hustler was the originator of the zero turn mower.
I am of pleased with my Husqvarna. The hydro transmission overheats.
But most brands are the same components with different sheet metal.
You’re right about fun...used to dread mowing our three to four acres every week when I had a 42 inch Snapper (good mower though) but with the 50 inch zero turn I almost look forward to it.
You’ll have that Ford 8N for the rest of your life. How long that will be depends on how careful you are.
Excel Industries manufactures Hustler and Big Dog zero turn mowers.
LOL. That is indisputable. Lots of unwary are no longer with us.
I agree with you on Gravely Zero-turn. It will be the only brand I buy from here on out.
You pay a premium for John Deere, but hands down the best especially if you’re looking for one with attachments. Just make sure it’s not one from the Big Box stores as they’re rebadged mowers to keep in front of the populace.
Also looking at the Hustler Raptor Flip-Up, or the Big Dog Blackjack. They have a flip up deck which makes it easy to clean and change blades. At my age it will make life a lot easier.
Smart man! The perfect belated valentines gift for your loved one...........
Had a Cub Cadet for years. It worked fine.
Got a John Deere - from the tractor place, not the Home Depot.
So much better it’s not even funny. The Cub Cadet felt like a model T after using the JD.
I had an MDT from Walmart that lasted almost 20yrs., a friend had his dads cub cadet from the early 70’s and its still running, so I then went with Cub Cadet, after 2 yrs the welds broke and the mower deck fell apart. $3000 down the drain. I’ll never own another one. I am now looking for the old twist blade manual push mower. My dad had one from the early 50’s and it got stolen a year ago. If I was to get another riding mower I’d go with a John Deer, that I could put a plow attachment or snowblower on it.
When I moved to KY, I bought a 46” craftsman used for 900. It’s lasted me seven HARD summers and severe abuse, but I’ve had to do a lot of repairs. That said, most of them were my own darned fault.
It does have a 25 hp v-twin, which really is a must IMO.
I’m looking for a 60” zero turn now and will buy new. I expect to pay at least $5,000 and will not touch anything like Troybuilt or Club Cadet.
In the 30 years I have lived on this 4 acres, I have spent 1k on garden tractors. I always buy used when someone upgrades, and have had JD, Huskies, Cadets, etc. They all cut about the same and the bit of maintenance I have done on them is only changing oil/plugs, sharpening/changing blades and replacing belts. Son has a landscaping biz and he swears by Husky Zeroturns for a nice manicured lawn. Most pieces of equipment nowadays hold up fine if you treat it right.
It shows that I care...................
Cub Cadet. I have 3 of them. We bought them all at Home Depot on their “NO interest” loan promo. Paid them off before the time limit (2 years) and never paid a cent in interest.
I have one very old one that I only use as an implement hauler. One fairly new one, my wife uses and a new one that I use.
I have a large yard. I mow rocks, branches, and dirt. I use it as my bush hog. I put my mowers through HELL. I never change the oil. (wait... I changed the oil in the old one once after 10 years).
When the steering wheel doesn’t return to straight ahead, I give them a grease job.
I put gas in them, check the oil, clean the air intake/filter, keep air in the tires.
Oh, did I mention that I don’t have a garage so they sit outside uncovered all year.
Get the Hydro-Static drive (one foot pedal for both forward/reverse. No gear shifting. Get electric switch for mower deck clutch. The ONLY lever is for the mower deck height adjustment.
Never had any major breakdowns. Just batteries, belts, and flat tires.
Ignore the “John Deere” snobs (it’s almost a “cult”). You don’t need to spend that much money to get a decent lawn tractor.
Cuc Cadet zero turn, the one with the steering wheel. 46” cut. Very stable, holds the side of the hill very well.
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