I need some opinions on a lawn tractor

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D189379

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Canada City, Canada
I have 0.6 acres to cut of pretty flat grass.

I've found one locally that seems okay, and a few that are in the US. I'm going to be in Montana soon so I've picked a few that I'd bring with me on my way back. (My only concern is if the mower is a piece of junk and I need to return it, but they are far cheaper in the US)

I'm looking at the following light duty lawn tractors.
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http://www.homedepot.ca/product/poulan-xt-175-hp-42-tractor/935056

This one is basic, cheap, simple, and I can buy it locally in Canada.

------------------------------------------------------
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...p;storeId=10051

This one is larger than I need but it's a decent price. It's a US model.
---------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...p;storeId=10051

Similar to the one above, but less powerful engine, smaller deck, and (go figure) MORE MONEY?!?!

-----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.lowes.com/pd_223011-63311-LTH18538_4294747190_4294937087_?productId=3335458&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Riding%2BMowers%2BTractors_4294747190_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0&facetInfo=

This seems like the best one for my needs, but again it costs the most.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?
 
100_1505.jpg


I just bought this Craftsman this spring. Very nice mower. 42" cut and 21HP Briggs.
 
Those are all Sears/Electrolux/Husqvarna based machines. That's a good thing in this price range IMO.

I don't like many of the MTD based machines in this price range due to the fact most of those use a belt and variator drive system that is absolute junk.

Atleast the machines you listed are true light duty gear drive or light duty hydrostatic- which in that case will probably be Tufftorq K46 drives. Been around forever.

Joel
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: tig1
100_1505.jpg


I just bought this Craftsman this spring. Very nice mower. 42" cut and 21HP Briggs.


Ain't she a beaut!
 
Originally Posted By: tig1


I just bought this Craftsman this spring. Very nice mower. 42" cut and 21HP Briggs.


Nice. I just checked, that's a $1700 machine up here. Even more if it's hydrostatic drive.
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: tig1


I just bought this Craftsman this spring. Very nice mower. 42" cut and 21HP Briggs.


Nice. I just checked, that's a $1700 machine up here. Even more if it's hydrostatic drive.


Mine is Hydrostatic and paid $1425 on sale. I also bought the mulch kit which was $56 more.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: D189379
I have 0.6 acres to cut of pretty flat grass.

I've found one locally that seems okay, and a few that are in the US. I'm going to be in Montana soon so I've picked a few that I'd bring with me on my way back. (My only concern is if the mower is a piece of junk and I need to return it, but they are far cheaper in the US)

I'm looking at the following light duty lawn tractors.
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/poulan-xt-175-hp-42-tractor/935056

This one is basic, cheap, simple, and I can buy it locally in Canada.

------------------------------------------------------
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...p;storeId=10051

This one is larger than I need but it's a decent price. It's a US model.
---------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoo...p;storeId=10051

Similar to the one above, but less powerful engine, smaller deck, and (go figure) MORE MONEY?!?!

-----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.lowes.com/pd_223011-63311-LTH18538_4294747190_4294937087_?productId=3335458&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Riding%2BMowers%2BTractors_4294747190_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C0&facetInfo=

This seems like the best one for my needs, but again it costs the most.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Does anyone have any thoughts on these?


All of those are made by various divisions of Husqvarna.

The Poulan is pretty junky, but so is anything else in the just under $1000 price range. They have no extra features and a jerky transmission.

The first Ariens is okay, but I'd actually prefer the second, more expensive one. The more expensive one is a smooth driving machine with very good steering feel for that price range.

The Husqvarna will probably be comparable to the nicer Ariens and may have some extras like greaseable spindles. According to the description the Husqvarna has a cast iron front axle which is much stronger than the stamped axles on the other three.
 
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Why do you need a riding mower for half an acre? It shouldn't take more than an hour to use a push mower.
 
I would get one with hydrostatic drive. You should always keep the engine at full throttle mowing and vary the speed with the hydrostatic drive. Pressure lubricated engine is best. Kohler engine is best. How about a self propelled walk behind.

Forget MTD.

I think Airens is a good mower at a decent price. Better than any MTD made junk.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

All of those are made by various divisions of Husqvarna.


Note that I shopped the 54 inch segment to death for a lawn mower, not a "tractor".

Husqvarna were NOT made by Husqvarna. They all had virtually the same components. I'm talking about Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc.

Ended up with a Sears 26 hp Briggs Platinum and it has the same monstrous Iron front end and tuff torque Hydro drive, etc.

Only 14 hours on it but it runs great and uses an amazingly small amount of fuel!

Under 2 grand and an excellent warranty as well.
 
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).



My new Craftsman has both. That's one reason I bought it.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8


Husqvarna were NOT made by Husqvarna. They all had virtually the same components. I'm talking about Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc.


They are made by Husqvarna, but by the AYP division of it, who makes most consumer grade machines that aren't MTDs. The Husqvarna is not a fine Swedish machine like a lot of buyers probably think...it rolls out of the same Orangeburg, SC plant as a Poulan (formerly an Electrolux plant).

A lot of the parts do interchange, though they are often priced differently for the same part depending on the brand name you buy it under. "AYP" parts are usually cheaper than "Husqvarna" parts even through the same distributor (such as Dixie Sales).
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).



Is your yard pretty rough? Any chance it will be hitting ditches, holes, etc? If the front end is going to see any kind of hard use, I'd go for cast iron.

Stamped axles are usually fine on smoother yards, but I have also seen people bend them so bad it has to be replaced for the mower to track anywhere close to straight.

Pressurized lubrication is nice too though, especially if you have a lot of hills.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).



My new Craftsman has both. That's one reason I bought it.



Likewise here as well.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).



Is your yard pretty rough? Any chance it will be hitting ditches, holes, etc? If the front end is going to see any kind of hard use, I'd go for cast iron.

Stamped axles are usually fine on smoother yards, but I have also seen people bend them so bad it has to be replaced for the mower to track anywhere close to straight.

Pressurized lubrication is nice too though, especially if you have a lot of hills.


I don't have any hills to worry about, but there are some bumps. Nothing huge, mostly just bumps from mice and voles (not moles). My push mowers smaller wheels does occasionally get caught in them.

I did just find this tractor at a local dealer. It seems to fit everything I need. I think it's made by Husqvarna?

http://www.mccullochpower.com/node7870.aspx?pid=244462
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles

I was strongly leaning towards the Husqvarna, but it's splash lube. The Ariens has pressure lube, but steel axles (as far as I can tell).



Is your yard pretty rough? Any chance it will be hitting ditches, holes, etc? If the front end is going to see any kind of hard use, I'd go for cast iron.

Stamped axles are usually fine on smoother yards, but I have also seen people bend them so bad it has to be replaced for the mower to track anywhere close to straight.

Pressurized lubrication is nice too though, especially if you have a lot of hills.


I don't have any hills to worry about, but there are some bumps. Nothing huge, mostly just bumps from mice and voles (not moles). My push mowers smaller wheels does occasionally get caught in them.

I did just find this tractor at a local dealer. It seems to fit everything I need. I think it's made by Husqvarna?

http://www.mccullochpower.com/node7870.aspx?pid=244462

Yep, McCulloch is one of their brands. That mower looks like a pretty good package if the price is good...B&S Intek v-twin engine, cast iron front axle, and deck wheels. There seems to be some confusion with the transmission in their link though...the description on the left says hydrostatic and the specs list on the right says 6-speed.

I think even with just small bumps, the cast iron axle is a better choice in the long run. It pretty much eliminates that part being a potential problem in the future.
 
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