Hi All,
For some reason (I guess they took pity on us using a push mower in the Georgia heat), our family got together and wants to buy us a riding lawn mower, which was an unexpected, pleasant surprise. We have been using a 22" self-propelled mower, which worked but I didn't like the front wheel drive and it would get bogged down with tall grass or slightly wet grass. I'd love to hear your suggestions. Here's some information about our lot, and what my priorities for a mower might include:
1. We have an acre lot, sloping but no extreme hills. There are some trees and landscape beds to avoid, but not too many.
2. Grass grows fast for half the year, we live on a lake, so grass is frequently on the wet side.
3. We MUST mulch here - side discharge into the water is forbidden.
4. In the fall, I prefer to bag the last mowing of the year, to pick up leaves. I don't have a place to pile leaves and brush and burn it.
5. Would only rarely think about using the tractor as something other than a mower.
6. We don't want to spend a lot of money, since we're not paying for this, and hadn't budgeted to upgrade OPE this year.
7. We do have some independent dealers, Lowes, and even a good mom and pop shop that may sell used gear in addition to new stuff.
8. I take good care of my stuff DIY, but low maintenance would be a plus, since there are too many toys to maintain around here!
Thanks for your advice.
Educate me on riding mowers, please...
- Thread starter terminaldegree
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Buy a 52" Ferris z2 you'll be done in 15 minutes.
I have a 17 year old Home Depot/John Deer 1742.
450+ hours. Oil changes/plugs/belts and a few diaphram fuel pumps over the years.
1 acre minus house and deck.
Been pretty solid.
I've towed a trailer loaded with firewood a few times no problem.
Does it have to be riding? What about a commercial 48" walk behind? You can find those very easily used on Craig's list. Easy to take care of, parts are easy to replace and plentiful and last a long time. I have several.
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My neighbors have John Deere and cut their own lawns. I have a service and they have some heavy duty machine and like M-O-M says, they're done in 15 minutes. Seems there is a very linear inverse correlation between cost and time you'll spend cutting grass. What's more important to you, your time or your money?
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Buy a 52" Ferris z2 you'll be done in 15 minutes.
Just get a Troy-Bilt pony or similar MTD mower. I mow an acre and it doesn't take long. While many have negative things to say about these mowers, they work well and will last IF you take care of them. For a little over $1000, your family will feel great and you will be sitting on your tookis while cutting grass instead of walking.
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Originally Posted By: TheLawnRanger
Just get a Troy-Bilt pony or similar MTD mower. I mow an acre and it doesn't take long. While many have negative things to say about these mowers, they work well and will last IF you take care of them. For a little over $1000, your family will feel great and you will be sitting on your tookis while cutting grass instead of walking.
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Yard not a big as yours, but I just got a Honda, 190 cc, self propelled....has rear wheel dive and will and does power right through thick, wet Bermuda grass like a hot knife through butter....it will mulch, bag or bag/mulch combo. Easy as all get out to crank...that thing will outrun me if I set it too high. Like other said, if you got the time, I'd do this, but if you're wanting to get'er done quick, riding. If you got a mower shop that you absolutely trust, I'd go with them and get a sensible used one.
Thanks, all. I'll probably stop by the mom & pop OPE shop I like. They sell new zero turns (Gravely), but also deal in used riders, though the pickings are slim since it's the high season here.
Gravely makes an excellent mower. Home Depot sells the Ariens Ikon X52 a little cheaper than the Gravely, it is essentially the same as the Gravely. With an acre yard, a 48” mower would work fine. For not a lot of money, Poulan Pro has some decent machines. They make 46” and 48” units with Briggs & Stratton V twin engines in the 20hp range. The Poulan Pro is made by Husqvarna and are similar to Craftsman mowers. I would buy a Poulan Pro over a MTD built unit any day.
I have 3/4 acre, mostly flat. I had a Wright 52 inch ZTR mower that was fine, but it was overkill. I gave it to my son and bought a Snapper 2446 tractor, which only takes me about 12 minutes longer. I say to stay away from the big box stores. If you want a machine that is dependable and durable, go to an OPE dealer. You don't pay a large premium that way, but you get a better quality machine. I'd love to have a Simplicity, but there were no dealers near me. I'm a former Wheel Horse owner--had a 1986 Model 310-8 for 20 years.
Originally Posted By: knerml
[quote=TheLawnRanger]Just get a Troy-Bilt pony or similar MTD mower. I mow an acre and it doesn't take long. While many have negative things to say about these mowers, they work well and will last IF you take care of them. For a little over $1000, your family will feel great and you will be sitting on your tookis while cutting grass instead of walking.
[quote=knerml]Nope, just a piece of [censored].
Mine is about the same age. I really couldn't afford anything else at the time. Maybe mine won't start acting up.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2022
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Buy a 52" Ferris z2 you'll be done in 15 minutes.
A pal bought a slightly used (owner toppled over during year #1-a "wife induced sale") Cub Cadet 1042. It's been tremendous. He cuts 4 neighbor's property with it.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/John-Deere-E110...tely/1000368403
you can add the mulching kit.
5 percent off that with a lowes card.
Have a lawn mowing contest with the local youth. Winner who mows most grass gets 15.00!
Originally Posted By: Marco620
Have a lawn mowing contest with the local youth. Winner who mows most grass gets 15.00!
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