I'm looking at new lawn tractors....

[JTK]

Tecumseh isn't my first choice in small engines, but the tecumseh 7hp OHV snowking on my thrower has been smooth, quiet and flawless for ~7 winters now *knock on wood*. Their sterling series of LT engines look pretty sweet: http://www.tecumsehpower.com/frameset.php?page=/Products/specs.php?std=32|opt=33

Joel

 

[pbm]

JTK: I also have a 7hp Tecumsah snowking on my Simplicity snowthrower that has performed well since I bought it new in 1988. Since I'm only about 60 miles north of NYC I don't get the amount of snow that you see in Buffalo. There have been a few winters that I didn't even use it and others where I used it plenty.

 

[thiggy]

I also used a Murray lawn tractor for many years (Briggs engine)which I had purchased new. It was 22 years old when it became inoperative due to carb problems. I didn't want to sink the money into it for a new carb, so I just replaced it with a Sears - Kohler engine. My dad had an old Murray several years younger than mine, but basically the same tractor. He had beat up the mowing deck using it in the orchard at our farm, but the Briggs engine still ran fine. I just swapped his 12 or 15 year old engine for mine and trailored my machine to our farm in Miss. It continues to serve well there. (Along with a Craftsman Lawn Tractor, DR string trimmer, DR Brush Cutter, A ProMow big wheel mower so old that about the only original parts are the frame and handle, and 1947 and 1949 Farmall Cubs.)

 

[gj]

I've noticed that Walmart has marked down their MTD'S,Lowes has some John Deere returns and some mark downs on new J.D's here in my area.End of season thing I guess.

 

[JTK]

Yes, end of season or left-over stock can be a deal at times. I've seen cheapy MTD's with a hydro and 42" deck for around $800 at wally world IIRC. Just stay clear of the transmatic in fender, floor or foot pedal forms. It's amazing how they try to market them like a hydrostatic transaxle.

Joel

 

[Turk]

JTK,

I have a 8+ year old MTD, 48" with a 17.5 HP B&S from WallyWorld.

I cut 3 Acres (for 3 Hours...) in pure sand with grass that tries to grow moderately - but a lot of clumps.

The mower gets bounces around A LOT (my body hurts from it...).

I've had Zero problems with the Hydrostatic !!

The only thing I have done to this tractor is:

- Change the Oil

- Change the belts once
- Replace a front axle - (from a fast curve down a hill...)

- Change the almost blades yearly (being "Sandblasted" away...)


Not a single thing else has been done - what a Champ !!!

Either I got lucky, or most should be fine.

 

[gj]

the mtd i just traded for,7 years old.i've yet to use it except for girlfriend's dad's .5 acre and an small piece of abandoned lot next to my 50x50 lot.i'll have 3.5 acres soon.i see how the front axle gets twisted and battered,front axle worries me more than the rear.i just replaced all the belts,tune up.even replaced fuel filter and fuel line.really like the way that 18hp briggs runs.

 

[JTK]

quote:

---

Originally posted by tpitcher:
JTK,

I have a 8+ year old MTD, 48" with a 17.5 HP B&S from WallyWorld.

I cut 3 Acres (for 3 Hours...) in pure sand with grass that tries to grow moderately - but a lot of clumps.

The mower gets bounces around A LOT (my body hurts from it..

---

You got your moneys worth out of that baby!

Joel

 

[GT Mike]

I'm a big Ariens fan, but they seem to be leaning more towards zero turn units. Husqvarna tractors have gotten my attention. They look very impressive.

BTW, did you ever consider a zero turn tractor? I have an Ariens Zoom 1740 that I absolutely love. Only thing it's terrible at is hills. Since your front wheels are simply swivel casters, and the rear wheels do the driving and steering, mowing across hills is nearly impossible.
Otherwise, for flat terrain, I can't say enough good about it. It actually makes mowing fun! You can zip around trees and other obstacles so quick, and rarely do you have to back up. You just spin around on your own axis and go back the same way you came.

This is the second zero turn Ariens I've had. The first had a 15 HP B&S Intek, that was a total piece of garbage. A great tractor with a POS engine on it. The new one with the 17 HP Kohler Courage is light years better.

 

[Rat407]

Why not buy some thing that will last and cut your mowing time in half.
In the home owners world it is simply bullit proof. Exmark

 

[JTK]

True, exmarks are pretty sweet ZTR's, but the original poster wants something in the $2K range, not $6K.

Joel