High end lawn tractors vs. other brands

[SHOZ]

That was me 25 years ago after going through several MTD quality mowers. They would last 5 years or so. Got my John Deere F510 for almost $4k back in '99. Best mower I ever had and still use it though not much for mowing. I got a new John Deere Z320m last year. No way are they built to last like the old stuff.

Probably got to go up to the pro-level now to get that kind of quality.

 

[jdmfish]

Whatever dealer/service/parts is closer is what I would go with.

I’m in mid Michigan and there’s 5 JD dealerships to 1 “insert any other brand” and I’m sure as hell not driving an hour or more for parts or repair services (if you go new).

 

[Lawnman23]

Sorry, not to derail the main topic too much, but for those that know, what is the main differences between these engines:

- 22 hp* Cyclonic engine (X330)
- 21.5 hp* iTorque™ Power System (X350)

Was looking at the current X300 line online and saw these, vaguely remember talk in the past that one is made overseas and other isn't?

 

[DuckRyder]

You may find this of interest.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-with-durable-hydrostatic-drive.344344/page-3

The YTH24K48 has been trouble free.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Like others have said, you can hardly go wrong with a John Deere lawn tractor purchased at a lawn equipment dealer, not Lowes or Home Depot. I did not have a JD dealer in my area, so I had a choice of Toro or Snapper from my local dealer. My Snapper LT24660 has been excellent for 12 years and 305 running hours. Now Snapper is owned by Briggs and Stratton, and my B&S motor has been flawless with just routine maintenance and same with the tractor and deck themselves. If my closest Simplicity dealer wasn't 55 miles away, I likely would have bought one of their units. Good luck with your research,

 

[Ct66957]

Mowing season here is May - September + or -. In November I use the tractor to blow leaves toward the side of the road for pickup.
About an hour to mow with the tractor, the rest with a self propelled push mower, which thankfully I got last September, replaced a Craftsman self propelled I think I bought in 1999. I do have a slight hill. Doing the math I came up with about half, ~24 hours a year.

My price range beginning at $2600 was based on those I saw at Lowes, but as mentioned no X models. So, I realize I'd have to raise the bar quite a bit for new, or focus on used. @Tdbo I wish I could find something like that 2014 mower in Ohio, Not much on Craigslist around here, but will check Facebook Marketplace again later, that seems to have more. Of course I'd ask why they're selling.

Thanks again for the replies - this site is the best one yet. @DuckRyder I'll check out that link. @NormanBuntz I've heard good things about Snapper.

Yesterday I had to put the Craftsman back in the garage while it could under it's own power. After 5-7 minutes, it runs weak, looses rpms with any kind of load. Replaced the easy stuff - fuel filter, spark plug, ignition coil. I'm tired of dealing with that and will no longer
'throw parts' at it - although the symptoms did suggest those parts based on research.

I think there is a John Deere dealer about 40 minutes from here, will need to confirm.

 

[Ct66957]

Sorry, not to derail the main topic too much, but for those that know, what is the main differences between these engines:

- 22 hp* Cyclonic engine (X330)
- 21.5 hp* iTorque™ Power System (X350)

Was looking at the current X300 line online and saw these, vaguely remember talk in the past that one is made overseas and other isn't?

No worries! It's all good. I see conflicting information these days about where Briggs & Stratton engines are made, but I think the quality is still decent either way.

I do know my Craftsman has a 420c Powermore engine (Zongshen), made in China. Less than 200 hours and I think it's shot.

Side note, cool you have '98 Chevy! I have an '02 Silverado with the 5.3L, 8' bed. Owned Subarus previously with the 2.5 EJ25 and older engines.

 

[vwmaniaman]

We have a 42" deck on our Husquvarna that we have had for 20 years that has the hydrostatic drive. It has had only oil and filters replaced each fall and new blades once. At our other home where it is hilly we have a Poulan from Home Depot that also has a 42" deck with a 5 speed transmission, A sticker under the hood says that it is a Husquvarna. The first one has a 20 HP single Briggs and the Poulan has a 19.5 HP Briggs. Both have been very reliable. The Husquvarna was bought at a farm equipment store. The tires on the Poulan are very thin though.

 

[Brian123]

No worries! It's all good. I see conflicting information these days about where Briggs & Stratton engines are made, but I think the quality is still decent either way.

I do know my Craftsman has a 420c Powermore engine (Zongshen), made in China. Less than 200 hours and I think it's shot.

Side note, cool you have '98 Chevy! I have an '02 Silverado with the 5.3L, 8' bed. Owned Subarus previously with the 2.5 EJ25 and older engines.

https://yardexpertise.com/common-powermore-420cc-engine-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/

Have you thought about calling someone to look at your Mower? In my area we have someone who will come to your house and fix your lawnmower equipment.

 

[Tdbo]

Sorry, not to derail the main topic too much, but for those that know, what is the main differences between these engines:

- 22 hp* Cyclonic engine (X330)
- 21.5 hp* iTorque™ Power System (X350)

Was looking at the current X300 line online and saw these, vaguely remember talk in the past that one is made overseas and other isn't?

Unless there was some recent change, the X330 is a Briggs, the 350 is the Kawasaki.
IMO, the Kawasaki is the far superior of those two.

 

[Tdbo]

Mowing season here is May - September + or -. In November I use the tractor to blow leaves toward the side of the road for pickup.
About an hour to mow with the tractor, the rest with a self propelled push mower, which thankfully I got last September, replaced a Craftsman self propelled I think I bought in 1999. I do have a slight hill. Doing the math I came up with about half, ~24 hours a year.

My price range beginning at $2600 was based on those I saw at Lowes, but as mentioned no X models. So, I realize I'd have to raise the bar quite a bit for new, or focus on used. @Tdbo I wish I could find something like that 2014 mower in Ohio, Not much on Craigslist around here, but will check Facebook Marketplace again later, that seems to have more. Of course I'd ask why they're selling.

Thanks again for the replies - this site is the best one yet. @DuckRyder I'll check out that link. @NormanBuntz I've heard good things about Snapper.

Yesterday I had to put the Craftsman back in the garage while it could under it's own power. After 5-7 minutes, it runs weak, looses rpms with any kind of load. Replaced the easy stuff - fuel filter, spark plug, ignition coil. I'm tired of dealing with that and will no longer
'throw parts' at it - although the symptoms did suggest those parts based on research.

I think there is a John Deere dealer about 40 minutes from here, will need to confirm.

Ct: Google Used Deere X350 in __________________ (whatever your area is.)
That's what I did to find the sample one that I put up.
The one I put up had like 540 hours on it, I think.
I've been told by several sources that the Kawasaki is easily a 16-1800 hour engine.

 

[Ct66957]

https://yardexpertise.com/common-powermore-420cc-engine-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/

Have you thought about calling someone to look at your Mower? In my area we have someone who will come to your house and fix your lawnmower equipment.

I did - that's still not out of the question. I've adjusted valves on small engines. even replaced one on a lawn tractor but never a head gasket which I think the situation is. Thanks for the Powermore (in my case 'Powerless') information. I fact when I started working on it I found a huge mouse nest under the cover! Maybe that caused it to heat and did the head gasket in. There's a good shop a few miles from me, I could bring it to them with my truck. Maybe it's the lure of seeing 2 of my neighbors mowing with their John Deeres! The engine sounds so relaxed and refined compared to mine.

 

[Ct66957]

Ct: Google Used Deere X350 in __________________ (whatever your area is.)
That's what I did to find the sample one that I put up.
The one I put up had like 540 hours on it, I think.
I've been told by several sources that the Kawasaki is easily a 16-1800 hour engine.

Ok, I was going specifically to Craigslist.
Yes I've heard really good things about that Kawaski engine, so based on how much I'd use it
and the longevity of the engine, one with ~540 hours would likely be fine for years.

Thanks for the information - and everyone else.

 

[MParr]

Not necessarily. Many farm stores sell them, For Instance:

https://www.familyfarmandhome.com/media/wysiwyg/pdf/24AUT3_web.pdf

Probably old stock. The CEO said a couple of years back that they were going to discontinue the lower priced lines. Too much competition with MTD.

 

[Opelman]

Do you need a tractor or would a zero turn do the job? For zero turns I like the Gravely. Available with Kohler or Kawasaki power, definitely go Kawi if you can.

 

[brandon9715]

+1 for John Deere. I just bought a used 757 zero turn to replace my 1999 725. The 725 worked great up until last year. It has 1200 hours on it. Don’t want to throw money at it with the plastic cam gear in those engines, and I just bought a house where I have to mow 2 acres. Biggest reason I like John Deere is parts availability and dealership access.

 

[Ct66957]

Do you need a tractor or would a zero turn do the job? For zero turns I like the Gravely. Available with Kohler or Kawasaki power, definitely go Kawi if you can.

For me a tractor is fine, zero turn wouldn't be in the budget. Not sure a brand new John Deere X series is either! Nice the Gravely can be had with the Kawasaki engine.

+1 for John Deere. I just bought a used 757 zero turn to replace my 1999 725. The 725 worked great up until last year. It has 1200 hours on it. Don’t want to throw money at it with the plastic cam gear in those engines, and I just bought a house where I have to mow 2 acres. Biggest reason I like John Deere is parts availability and dealership access.

Wow - another from the late 90s just recently retired. Yes parts availability and service if needed by the dealers are big advantages. One of my sons had a wicked old John Deere, came with the house they bought. I think a 1985? Had to put some parts in it, but used it up until a few years ago since 2012.

 

[DuckRyder]

Ill probably take some heat here but i really don't think you need an x series for this type of use.

 

[Ct66957]

I was thinking the same - many are mowing an acre or more, I only have .69 acres with a 2 car garage and a deck between the two. Also an area where a pool used to be with not much grass. I'd think an S series would still rank above other brands.

We have a 42" deck on our Husquvarna that we have had for 20 years that has the hydrostatic drive. It has had only oil and filters replaced each fall and new blades once. At our other home where it is hilly we have a Poulan from Home Depot that also has a 42" deck with a 5 speed transmission, A sticker under the hood says that it is a Husquvarna. The first one has a 20 HP single Briggs and the Poulan has a 19.5 HP Briggs. Both have been very reliable. The Husquvarna was bought at a farm equipment store. The tires on the Poulan are very thin though.

I've also heard Husqvarna actually manufactures products for other brands. Another good brand, I have their 18" chainsaw but I have a Poulan chainsaw my son gave me that I like just as much. 20 years old with routine maintenance, says a lot for Husqvarna too.

 

[meep]

At this budget you’ve got a lot of options. I’ve got a smaller ariens ZTR which I paid 2600 for, and it has been reliable. This was a “zoom” model at 34”, two-blade deck, single 14.5 hp engine. Sips fuel and starts quickly. The only weakness is it’s a stamped deck, and I’ve mowed a lot of rough lawns and in its earlier years hit a lot of roots in foreign yards and mangled a few decks. Not the mower’s fault, but I still think they could have reinforced it a bit more. I think for around 3’ you can get a 42” with a fabricated deck, v-twin Kawasaki. The ariens quality has been great.