I need some opinions on a lawn tractor

Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!




If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
the description on the left says hydrostatic and the specs list on the right says 6-speed.

first thing I noticed too. The pic is a 6 speed. I, personally would rather have the gear driven 6 speed.
 
I like the mower tig bought.
thumbsup2.gif
 
I bought one similiar to his a couple years ago and it is the same. Briggs and Stratton gold series. 21HP. Thing runs like a champ. Lots of power and can handle just about anything. I have a thick lawn and not once has it bogged down and it starts first try everytime.
 
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
if it says MTD (mower) or Kohler Courage (engine), please do yourself a favor and turn around and RUN!!




If it`s the Kohler Courage single cylinder engine yes....RUN. If it`s the Courage V-twin, thats a good engine.

Maybe in the mind of a novice homeowner. But I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.
 
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape

...I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.


Neither of which you will even come close to in the price range of the original poster.

Dude's got a Cobalt budget and your specifying a Cadillac.

OTOH, don't kid yourself with Kawasaki these days. They're becoming mainstream on under $2K Cub Cadets (yeah I know.. MTD) to name a few. You're going to find Kawasaki not quite being what it used to be either.

Vanguards are great, but they're no better than Kohler Command.

Joel
 
Originally Posted By: D189379
What do you guys think is more important:

1. Having a pressurized lubricating system

2. Cast iron front axles



Neither.

IMO, the order of importance:

1) Transaxle quality

2) Cutting deck quality

3) Steering components/chassis/hardware (front axle included)

Everything else is down the list.

Like said, you're going to find everything in this price range to be about the same in terms of longevity.

If you want something that's going to be super smooth, a pleasure to operate, last decades and still be worth a bunch years down the road, you're going to have to triple your budget as a starter.

Jol
 
Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape

...I wouldnt give $1 for any modern day kohler. If the engine isnt a kawasaki or a briggs vanguard, im not buying.


Neither of which you will even come close to in the price range of the original poster.

Dude's got a Cobalt budget and your specifying a Cadillac.

OTOH, don't kid yourself with Kawasaki these days. They're becoming mainstream on under $2K Cub Cadets (yeah I know.. MTD) to name a few. You're going to find Kawasaki not quite being what it used to be either.

Vanguards are great, but they're no better than Kohler Command.

Joel

Kawi has gone mainstream as you stated, but they still have briggs & stratton (non vanguard) and kohler blown out of the water! And if I had a $1 for all of my kohler command buying buddies that are replacing heads lets just say id have alot of dough! But when someone is recommending any mtd product i have to bite my tounge. Mtd has completely junked out every product they have gotten their hands on. All MTD does is buys a name (ie Cub Cadet, troy bilt, etc) and try to pass that name off on the uneducated consumer. Yes cub still has a shaft drive series (still junk) but who really cares about a drive shaft in a lawn tractor anyways. The cub tank was decent a few years back, but the last few newer ones ive seen of that has been junked out too. Im not saying that AYP is that much better, but they are somewhat imo, and parts are easier to find, as well as easier in most cases to work on. Of course I realize im talking to people who may put one hr per week on a mower. So for that a $799 mower should do just fine. But to the original poster, id higly recommend that you get on a lawnsite and get some seasoned opinions.
 
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape

Kawi has gone mainstream as you stated, but they still have briggs & stratton (non vanguard) and kohler blown out of the water! And if I had a $1 for all of my kohler command buying buddies that are replacing heads lets just say id have alot of dough! But when someone is recommending any mtd product i have to bite my tounge. Mtd has completely junked out every product they have gotten their hands on. All MTD does is buys a name (ie Cub Cadet, troy bilt, etc) and try to pass that name off on the uneducated consumer. Yes cub still has a shaft drive series (still junk) but who really cares about a drive shaft in a lawn tractor anyways. The cub tank was decent a few years back, but the last few newer ones ive seen of that has been junked out too. Im not saying that AYP is that much better, but they are somewhat imo, and parts are easier to find, as well as easier in most cases to work on. Of course I realize im talking to people who may put one hr per week on a mower. So for that a $799 mower should do just fine. But to the original poster, id higly recommend that you get on a lawnsite and get some seasoned opinions.


I will agree that Kawasaki makes the best OPE engines, but not everyone needs the best.

If he goes to a lawn forum full of pros, they will probably be suggesting Exmarks and Kubotas for his half an acre. Putting 50 hours a week on a piece of equipment is vastly different from 50 hours a year (if that). For the average consumer, an MTD or Husqvarna/AYP machine will work fine. Frankly, buying a really nice mower would probably be a waste given the cost involved.

FWIW, I have a Kawasaki v-twin powered Great Dane, but I also have some cheap/free junkers too.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

If he goes to a lawn forum full of pros, they will probably be suggesting Exmarks and Kubotas for his half an acre.



That's exactly it.

It's almost entirely people who cut grass for a living, but having poked around that board for many years, very few know as much about OPE as some on this board.

Joel
 
01 i agree to most of what youre saying, and my point was to avoid MTD at all costs, i myself would buy an ayp as a homeowner, but you couldnt give me an mtd product sold under any label. i dont have time to work on stuff all the time. Granted my crew puts more hours on one machiene in 2 weeks than most homeowners do in a yr. And speaking from experience, ALL modern day kohlers have been junked out (command included). As for the kohler courage, it took some serious courage to put their name on it. Id rather see this guy buy $999 briggs powered craftsman, than a kohler (engine) or any MTD (machiene). Earlier this spring a buddy of mine bought a Cub Cadet "commercial" ride on fertilzer spreader/sprayer because it was a few $100 bucks cheaper than my permagreen. I tried to talk him out of it til I was blue in the face, but he insisted the cub was good lol. Its been in the shop 4 times already, and just back a 5th time to replace the electric ($400) motor that spreads the fertilizer. Thank GOD for warranty I guess. but my permagreen is over 7 yrs old and all ive ever done is changed the oil 2x per yr. Time is money to me, and i dont have time 4 junk
 
Originally Posted By: JTK


It's almost entirely people who cut grass for a living, but having poked around that board for many years, very few know as much about OPE as some on this board.

Joel

Not to be rude, but you seem to think you know alot about ope, so please remind me how many hours you put on a mower in a week or year? im curious
 
I've been around awhile clark, gaining knowledge from many great forum members and helping people out when I can.

Not to be rude, but are you sure your not our famous OPE expert from IN who has to start off with a new screen name every so often due to being banned?
 
what? i generally dont post on here due to nonsense, i was told this is an educated site. but it appears, well ill say no more. my point is to help ppl as well, like i tried to help my buddy as stated above. as with nearly all levels of life, you get what you pay for. I guess if walmart starts selling yugos, someone will buy them, but it wont be me.
 
the spreader comment was actually to a buddy whom is also a lawn competior. I stated mtd is not a good choice in my opinion, as well as the opinion of many other people. i realize this is a homeowner, and im not recommending scag turf tiger like i own. i was trying to help. i have in my life put more hours on a mower in a year than alot of homeowners have in a lifetime. i started out dirt poor using rear engine snappers years ago, and ive gotten to the point where i can afford excellent equipment and have others do 95% of my mowing, as i honestly have gotten so burnt out on mowing that ive been able to evolve myself into other areas, ie irrigation and ferltilizing/spraying. what i dont understand is how a homeowner using a mower 1 hr per week can be an expert. i can keep my equipment maintained/ repaired as needed but that certainly doesnt make me an expert technician. when i have a major problem, i seek expert advice, as im not an expert on any level.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: clarklawnscape
.... what i dont understand is how a homeowner using a mower 1 hr per week can be an expert.


If you're referring to me you're way off base.

I am so far from an expert, I'm not even on the same page.

I do repairs for family, friends and neighbors and occasionally buy/acquire, fix up and sell OPE. Pretty much all lowly residential grade stuff. Commercial is a whole 'nother animal. I've owned several John Deere, Case/Ingersol and Cub/MTD lawn/garden riding mowers, etc..

I'm happy to say anymore, all I have to mow about half of my 1 acre.

Joel
 
sorry if i ruffled any feathers, i rarely post as it seems i get walked on sometimes, i agree with most all you say on here, except when you reccomend mtd products, ive had many bad experiences with mtd i wouldnt wish one on my worse enemy. I have had some very old cub cadets that were excellent machienes, but they were pre 1980 (ih) cubs. some of the higher dollar troybilt tillers still seem to be good, but most everything else ive seen of them (mtd) is junk in my opinion. i too have had quality jd products, but even a name such as that have cheapened some of their products so they can cheaply be sold in lowes etc. i still have an old jd 318 with 3 pt that i use for many things except mowing, as i have machienes dedicated to strictly mowing. one of the reasons i advise alot of homeowners/friends to think hard prior to buying a z, becuase in my opion a z is strictly for mowing (yes they make hitches) but in my opinion they are virtually worthless. Husqvarna now has a tractor style mower with a fabricated (welded) deck, and im considering buying one for my dad, but my only drawback is, i dont think the tractor itself is that high quality. so if i dont get him that, i will probably search for a used jd 345. used is still an option if price is a problem, alot of scags i buy, i buy used to save. my bottom line is, i dont like sacrificing quality. take a trimmer for example, if it takes more than 2 pulls to start, i attempt a repair, if that doesnt work, one of my employees will be getting a name brand trimmer for free.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

daves87rs
  • Locked
Need a mower to grow on....
2
Replies
21
Views
11K
Silverado12
K
  • Locked
Subaru EA175 Power Lawn Mowers and Others
Replies
14
Views
25K
Hokiefyd
E
  • Locked
Need help with selecting a good portable generator
3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
64K
webfors
E
  • Locked
Snow Blower advice please
2 3
Replies
54
Views
43K
Jeepster_nut
S
  • Locked
press washers... Craftsman, Husky or Northerntool
Replies
10
Views
4K
mez
Back
Top Bottom