High end lawn tractors vs. other brands

[Skippy722]

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

Yeah… my dad is mowing an acre with a JD S120 or S140. It’s perfectly adequate for what he’s doing.

That said, my Cub Cadet zero turn has been holding up great mowing and doing some occasional brush hogging on my 2 acres, just normal routine maintenance on it…. Still on the factory belts even!

 

[userfriendly]

So far no mention of Kubota lawn tractors.

 

[Ct66957]

I forgot about that brand. Checked the Kubota site - they must be good but priced out of reach for me.

 

[Cujet]

I've been torturing my JD GT235 with 18HP Kawasaki V-twin engine for the last 23 years on my rural FL property and TN property. This past year I finally had to replace (other than wear items and a couple of broken hoods from running through the jungle) 2 parts, a steering rod and a pulley.

An educated consumer makes a difference, regardless of brand. I chose the Kawasaki engine, the model with the full sized rear wheels, the better transmission, and so on. I knew what I needed. It will likely go another 25 years.

To say that machine is excellent is the understatement of the century. Although not a pic of mine, it is just like this:

 

[volk06]

I am a John Deere advocate. We have oneJD 325 from 1997 still doing work on the farm. I replaced two Craftsman (Husqvarna made) from 1999 with an X300 -48 in deck (2016 model) and an X350 - 42 in deck(2022 model). I had to do more repairs on the Craftsman than I have on all the John Deere's. Still can get parts for the 325, too. We mow 2 acres weekly and the 325 does 8-10 acres in small increments. Wife likes the power steering on the X350.

The X300 was used with 60 hours on it; X350 purchased new. The Craftsman both failed due to transaxle issues and were judged not worth repairing. All have Kawasaki engines and no trans issues so far.

The X350 doesn’t technically have power steering. Power steering is only available on the X310, X360, and X390, in the X3 line up.

 

[97prizm]

I've read some very informative related posts here. I do think I'm going to need to purchase a replacement, preferably with a 38" deck but they don't seem common these days, so probably 42". I've got 2 older tractors in my garage. I found out the 420cc Craftsman I've been using for the last several years has a Zongshen engine made overseas. Maybe ~180 hours on it. I do believe it has a bad head gasket. The 38" Bolens has a few issues, and is 18 years old. I'm thinking now is the time to spend more for a John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna or other high end (to me) tractor. I'm in my 60s and although I can work on mechanical projects to a point (replaced an engine in an Agway lawn tractor ~35 years ago) I'd like to get something that will more likely be more reliable than the common brands. At this point I'm not so sure I want to be routinely be working on them like I've been trying to do lately.

Reading reviews (for what they're worth) by owners, it seems the high end tractors don't fare much better than lower priced brands. Broken belts prematurely, dead batteries, or even bad engines (on the lower priced models). I know MTD makes lawn tractors for various brands, but I wonder, based on owner's experiences on this forum, has buying a more expensive model with a good reputation in the past resulted in better reliability and performance? It seems so many products have the 'They don't make them like they used to' label.

When searching on automotive questions I've been led to this site and have read some very good information.

Have you looked at the Bad Boy or Ventrac mowers? Not sure of your budget but both seem to be. Heavier duty and will definitely last.

 

[PWMDMD]

John Deere or Husqvarna.
Buy your John Deere from a dealer and not a big box store.
Husqvarna lawn tractors must be purchased from a dealer. Lowe’s and Home Depot are flooded with MTD mowers in some form or another.

I have a 9 year old Husqvarna purchased from Home Depot with just 150 hours on it and it’s basically dead. They used plastic CVT transmissions for a few years that were garbage. The CVT first died after 2 years and local Husq dealership said they refused to sell models with the plastic CVT because they were garbage. The replacement unit lasted another 7 years and it is dead again. I have a very slight hill in front and cut about ¾ of an acre once per week. Nothing crazy. The front steering is now wonky too and the B&S engine head gasket is blown. Meticulously maintained by me and the Husq dealer.

Now I pay the guy who does my fall cleanup $65 per week to cut the lawn.

 

[MParr]

I have a 9 year old Husqvarna purchased from Home Depot with just 150 hours on it and it’s basically dead. They used plastic CVT transmissions for a few years that were garbage. The CVT first died after 2 years and local Husq dealership said they refused to sell models with the plastic CVT because they were garbage. The replacement unit lasted another 7 years and it is dead again. I have a very slight hill in front and cut about ¾ of an acre once per week. Nothing crazy. The front steering is now wonky too and the B&S engine head gasket is blown. Meticulously maintained by me and the Husq dealer.

Some of the lower end John Deere riders had a similar transmission.

 

[John105]

Don't know how it was then, nor today, with ratings. My dad had a Kubota L185FP 17 HP diesel, and it was an 8 speed manual with farm tires, a PTO on the back, front end loader, 2WD. Today people will say here's my 18 HP riding mower, and physically, it's 1/2 the size of my dad's Kubota. Seems as if it's an area where people can't compare products easily. I googled it and it cost $6,400 new. One recently sold for $4050. Pretty light depreciation for a 40 yo tractor.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I picked this up at a farm auction for $350. I took the mower deck off but use it to pull a Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer around hauling brush and wood. I actually have a 70s Simplicity I got for $160 and another Wheelhorse I got for $300 in the garage too. All of the old stuff is built tough but for your use a new big box mower will probably last.

 

[gman2304]

My 1998 JD LX188 after 26 years still runs great. Kawasaki liquid cooled 501V, TuffTorq hydro trans and estimated 2,000 hours and is worked about 9 months a year. One drive belt, a plastic hydro fan, 2 sets of blades, 2 sets of front tires, is roughly all it’s needed as far as repairs. Rotella T5 in the engine and Mobil1 15w50 in the TT hydro every 5 years or so. It cost $5,000 in 1998 and has been worth every penny! Buy once cry once.

 

[DuckRyder]

I remember when i was researching for the prior thread at some point you get a twin and a better axle. I think i had settled on an s240 which i am pretty sure is a dealer only mower, but i think the s100 above say 150 gets the better engine...

 

[jeepman3071]

I've been torturing my JD GT235 with 18HP Kawasaki V-twin engine for the last 23 years on my rural FL property and TN property. This past year I finally had to replace (other than wear items and a couple of broken hoods from running through the jungle) 2 parts, a steering rod and a pulley.

An educated consumer makes a difference, regardless of brand. I chose the Kawasaki engine, the model with the full sized rear wheels, the better transmission, and so on. I knew what I needed. It will likely go another 25 years.

To say that machine is excellent is the understatement of the century. Although not a pic of mine, it is just like this:

Those are some of the best Deere tractors ever made.

 

[Tdbo]

I have a 9 year old Husqvarna purchased from Home Depot with just 150 hours on it and it’s basically dead. They used plastic CVT transmissions for a few years that were garbage. The CVT first died after 2 years and local Husq dealership said they refused to sell models with the plastic CVT because they were garbage. The replacement unit lasted another 7 years and it is dead again. I have a very slight hill in front and cut about ¾ of an acre once per week. Nothing crazy. The front steering is now wonky too and the B&S engine head gasket is blown. Meticulously maintained by me and the Husq dealer.

This is why many of us are saying take the money and put it toward a decent piece.
Averaged out over the years, it is actually cheaper than buying one of these throwaway tractors.
If one does not have the money for a better unit new, shop for a lightly used better quality tractor.
At the end of it, you will more than likely spent less in maintenance, had less down time, and will have something that when you get rid of it will probably have better resale.
Sure, some of the cheaper units will do the job, but for how long, or at what cost?

 

[userfriendly]

I remember when i was researching for the prior thread at some point you get a twin and a better axle. I think i had settled on an s240 which i am pretty sure is a dealer only mower, but i think the s100 above say 150 gets the better engine...

I looked at the s240. It has the Kawasaki engine with a smaller transmission than the 300s. For a few hundred, or maybe a thousand more you can move up to a 300.
Same with other brands. The Kubota 2290-48 is more machine than the one with the 42 inch deck.
The beauty of buying toys with home equity is you only have to pay the interest.

 

[PWMDMD]

This is why many of us are saying take the money and put it toward a decent piece.
Averaged out over the years, it is actually cheaper than buying one of these throwaway tractors.
If one does not have the money for a better unit new, shop for a lightly used better quality tractor.
At the end of it, you will more than likely spent less in maintenance, had less down time, and will have something that when you get rid of it will probably have better resale.
Sure, some of the cheaper units will do the job, but for how long, or at what cost?

I don’t disagree. That purchase was a you don’t know what you don’t know purchase.

 

[Tdbo]

I don’t disagree. That purchase was a you don’t know what you don’t know purchase.

Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for it new when you bought it, and were you fortunate enough to have the first transmission covered under warranty?

 

[350Rocket]

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.

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.

I had an 81 MTD lawnflite I used regularly up until about 2 years ago....mouse next under the fan for years before it was given to me....replaced mouse eaten ignition coil and got a couple years before the head gasket blew... replaced that and then another year before a valve issue caused it go start popping and banging and all kinds of weird stuff. Overheating from the mouse next was the most likely cause. The 2007 cub cadet came with the house with 297 hours on it. Now at over 410. It's been good after replacing the starter, battery and having a valve adjustment, plus a steering bushing that let go.

 

[Ct66957]

Have you looked at the Bad Boy or Ventrac mowers? Not sure of your budget but both seem to be. Heavier duty and will definitely last.

As a matter of fact a co-worker showed me a picture of his Bad Boy zero turn. He likes it a lot. Have not heard of Ventrac, both are likely out of my budget but you've got me curious.

I have a 9 year old Husqvarna purchased from Home Depot with just 150 hours on it and it’s basically dead. They used plastic CVT transmissions for a few years that were garbage. The CVT first died after 2 years and local Husq dealership said they refused to sell models with the plastic CVT because they were garbage. The replacement unit lasted another 7 years and it is dead again. I have a very slight hill in front and cut about ¾ of an acre once per week. Nothing crazy. The front steering is now wonky too and the B&S engine head gasket is blown. Meticulously maintained by me and the Husq dealer.

Now I pay the guy who does my fall cleanup $65 per week to cut the lawn.

Sorry to hear about the Husqvarna. Speaking of plastic, that was the first impression of my Husqvarna chainsaw. Sounds like your B&S engine has the same situation as my Craftsman with the Zongshen engine. I know there are decent Husqvarna products out there, but I prefer my Poulan chainsaw. Husqvarna doesn't seem to have the market at reputation with lawn tractors that John Deere does.

Will read more replies later.

 

[Ct66957]

I picked this up at a farm auction for $350. I took the mower deck off but use it to pull a Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer around hauling brush and wood. I actually have a 70s Simplicity I got for $160 and another Wheelhorse I got for $300 in the garage too. All of the old stuff is built tough but for your use a new big box mower will probably last.

I forgot about Wheelhorse! Cool you've got a few old tractors. Makes me wonder what happened to both brands you have.

My 1998 JD LX188 after 26 years still runs great. Kawasaki liquid cooled 501V, TuffTorq hydro trans and estimated 2,000 hours and is worked about 9 months a year. One drive belt, a plastic hydro fan, 2 sets of blades, 2 sets of front tires, is roughly all it’s needed as far as repairs. Rotella T5 in the engine and Mobil1 15w50 in the TT hydro every 5 years or so. It cost $5,000 in 1998 and has been worth every penny! Buy once cry once.

Wow, a 26 year old John Deere still in service running great. That is fantastic. Great vacuuming it does too. I guess it can make sense buying more engine than you may need. The theory why trucks with V8s tend to be capable of reaching higher miles than typical cars.
You may pay more for fuel, but get better satisfaction in the long run.