Never heard of Lawnflite but great to see such a relic! So it ran for close to 40 years! I can relate to the mouse nest. Looks like a 38" deck which what I'd prefer, but they seem not to be available new.
High end lawn tractors vs. other brands
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Poor parts availability. Online order at best.
I’d avoid big box models for that reason alone. **** breaks, and often. It’s very nice to walk into your local dealer and pickup or have parts transferred. (I work for JD)
My advice will always be support whatever is local to you for that reason alone. I couldn’t imagine waiting weeks or a month for a “back ordered” part from one of the smaller brands.
The only advice I’ll give is to spend enough and buy big enough that you get a two cylinder engine. The difference in performance and smoothness between a single 19 and a twin 20 is noticeable.
I can’t remember but $1499 comes to mind. Yes, first transmission was covered as it was just under 3-years but technically it shouldn’t have been covered as the CVT belt overheated and that’s considered a consumable. When I asked why it was covered without hesitating he said because I took a hammer to the inside of that POS, took pictures, and magically it was covered. I didn’t ask questions…
Rare, I see a few popup on FB ML. A diesel would be nice.
I asked because I wanted to see if it was the unit I thought it was, and it was.
Sounds like the guy that serviced it was a righteous dude.
John Deere parts are almost all the same price too. One way of knowing you get OE quality I guess. But I usually get them from eBay or Amazon for the shipping. Local dealer If I need it today. I bought it at Lowes but would never go there for parts or service., if they even offer it.
The description of the John Deere S110 engine at a big box store is 'The 19-HP, single cylinder, John Deere engine...' From what I've seen so far that appears to be a Kohler engine. Maybe that and Kawasaki for the X series? I also found mention of Briggs & Stratton for the S series, Who ever makes them - they seem to be cut above what you'd get with lower end brands like Craftsman based on what I've read here.
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Not sure what is meant by home equity, borrow against the house?
As far as Kubotas go, they seem reasonable. The website is inconsistent but the L series starts at 16-19k. People spend way more on intangibles.
https://www.kubotausa.com/products/tractors/compact/l01
Edit ouch a front end loader is almost $6k and a backhoe $10k—almost the cost of the tractor itself. This is like a Porsche—get teased by the starts at and it rapidly goes up. Example? Optional tires $2600!
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Cash is king - buy what you can afford. Don’t finance a lawn mower. Please.
You got it! I'm kind of extreme with that policy, vehicles since 2008 have been cash. Used, which is why mine are older. I know it's not wise to buy 'cheap' - costing more in the long run along with downtime, but some of us must set reasonable limits. For some. the lawn tractor is used 9 months out of the year, or maybe more with accessories like leaf baggers and snow plows. In that case, I can see more of an investment. For me, only about 5 months, counting the one time blowing of leaves. I also need to have enough to get a wood splitter at some point. This situation kind of put that on hold.
S series uses Briggs single cylinder and twin cylinders with the S240 having the Kawasaki. Deere hasn’t used Kohler engines for a while now.
I wouldn’t put the S series above any MTD product but rather an equal. Those Briggs single cylinders have a high failure rate.
Now the X series is a clear upgrade.
Thanks for the specifics. A lot of research seems necessary these days as to what brand or model has what engine.
My uncle had the same one when I was a kid which I remember using it once to mow for him.
The 38” deck made it a little more maneuverable than the cub cadet but it was much less comfortable and slower to jump on and off around the yard. I was using it more than the cub cadet up until it finally died.
The blue and white one is abandoned at my parents property....a 1973 and I mowed with it when I was around 10 years old. My grandad bought it new at Eaton's shopping center and it got passed down to my dad.
6 months same as cash at Lowes....
Or JD Credit. Financed mine in 6 painful payments SAC.
I did the same last year. Pretty tight summer.
Are you able to check spark and valve clearance? Maybe you don't need to buy a new mower just yet?
I know everyone is telling you to "buy once, cry once", but I will dissent.. I have a Deere L110 with a Kohler single cylinder that has 720 hours on it with absolutely minimal issues. Belts, a pair of deck bearings, a couple of idler pulleys and more recently a couple of steering linkages. Some will point out that is more than their (insert x brand mower) has required, but the extra cost to buy their fancy mower will buy a fair bit of repair parts if they're needed. I suppose I should be forth coming... My hydro is definitely getting grumpy because I unknowingly abused it trying to tow stuff around and didn't maintain it. That is my fault.
Nice mowers are no doubt beneficial if you're mowing lots of ground (piling on the hours), rough or hilly ground or otherwise beating on them, but boy are they expensive!
Nice mowers are no doubt beneficial if you're mowing lots of ground (piling on the hours), rough or hilly ground or otherwise beating on them, but boy are they expensive!
Whether you get a new Riding Mower or fix up the Mower that is giving you problems, find a way to keep the Mice away from your Mower.
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