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.
Describing green fandom as a “cult” is pretty accurate. That green paint and even Kubota orange will tend to command a higher price. It’s worth looking at other brands that are functionally and mechanically equal that can be had for less $$.
Same here but I do get the yearly maintenance done LOL. No doubt Cubs are definitely built to endure abuse and definitely keep on going. Before a Cub Cadet we had a Big Box Troybilt. It spent a good portion of the time even in the first year in the Big Box warranty approved shop. Belts were much smaller and thinner and pulley spindles wore out fast. Not to mention the chronic electrical issue of blowing the primary fuse bring it to a stop and the chronic oil leak all TroyBilts seem to have in the front of the engine causing them to smoke like mad upon start up.