Greetings BITOGers,
It has been a long time since I have posted here, but always get good insights. The search feature doesn't seem to come back with too many recent discussions on this topic.
I'm looking for a box store riding mower. I have a .6 acre property in MA, most of it grass. Front is meticulously maintained: fertilized 3-4x per year, pre emergent, spot sprayed for an emerald green appearance, ~4k sqft. The rest in the back is just kept "good enough" green grass with only invasive weeds addressed, keep stuff like clover, fertilized 2x per year so that I have to cut it less. Current mower is a 21" Toro Super Recycler with a B&S engine which has given me no trouble over the past three years of ownership. I enjoy cutting the front lawn with my Toro, but the back takes just long enough with the push mower that I find it a chore, especially with a toddler at home that I'd rather spend two hours more with on weekends.
So, I'm considering a riding mower. At first the 30" rear engine mowers looked like a good fit, since I have a few trees in the rear of the property, I could get around more easily. But the back yard is uneven, which I've heard they have issues with, and I've heard these models are problematic in general. They're also not much cheaper.
I'm not interested in buying used, I don't have a truck, and am not looking to problem solve. I want something easy and convenient, since my alternative is to just pay landscapers. Money isn't an issue but I don't feel the desire to overpay for more than I need for a basic residential mower. I will use it to cut grass in the spring and fall (back yard is not irrigated and goes dormant in the summer). I will also get the leaf bagger and bag leaves in the fall, and might also get a small trailer to move bags of leaves, sticks, etc. for curbside collection. Nothing more strenuous than that. I have a B&S/Snapper snowblower and small driveway for the winter. Being able to fit into a 10x10 shed easily is a priority.
So, I'm wondering a few things:
Thanks!
It has been a long time since I have posted here, but always get good insights. The search feature doesn't seem to come back with too many recent discussions on this topic.
I'm looking for a box store riding mower. I have a .6 acre property in MA, most of it grass. Front is meticulously maintained: fertilized 3-4x per year, pre emergent, spot sprayed for an emerald green appearance, ~4k sqft. The rest in the back is just kept "good enough" green grass with only invasive weeds addressed, keep stuff like clover, fertilized 2x per year so that I have to cut it less. Current mower is a 21" Toro Super Recycler with a B&S engine which has given me no trouble over the past three years of ownership. I enjoy cutting the front lawn with my Toro, but the back takes just long enough with the push mower that I find it a chore, especially with a toddler at home that I'd rather spend two hours more with on weekends.
So, I'm considering a riding mower. At first the 30" rear engine mowers looked like a good fit, since I have a few trees in the rear of the property, I could get around more easily. But the back yard is uneven, which I've heard they have issues with, and I've heard these models are problematic in general. They're also not much cheaper.
I'm not interested in buying used, I don't have a truck, and am not looking to problem solve. I want something easy and convenient, since my alternative is to just pay landscapers. Money isn't an issue but I don't feel the desire to overpay for more than I need for a basic residential mower. I will use it to cut grass in the spring and fall (back yard is not irrigated and goes dormant in the summer). I will also get the leaf bagger and bag leaves in the fall, and might also get a small trailer to move bags of leaves, sticks, etc. for curbside collection. Nothing more strenuous than that. I have a B&S/Snapper snowblower and small driveway for the winter. Being able to fit into a 10x10 shed easily is a priority.
So, I'm wondering a few things:
- How important is single cylinder vs. V-Twin for this use case?
- I will take care of the mower, do maintenance, store with ethanol-free in the winter, etc.
- I baby my equipment, keep it clean, won't push it.
- Is anything as basic as the 36" MTD/Craftsman with an 11.5hp enough for this?
- Is it worth it to step up to a 42" John Deere S100 for $400 more?
Thanks!