Replacing a 20 year old Craftsman riding mower. Looking at riders with at least 46 inch deck. 4 anti-scalp wheels on the deck is a must have (corners of deck). So far the possibilities are: Cub Cadet XT1, John Deere S140, and Craftsman T2400K. Any opinions and experiences are appreciated. Mowing Bermuda (I despise Bermuda).
New Rider - Thoughts
- Thread starter PontiacHO
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I’d recommend anything you can get with a fabricated deck. Husqavarna makes a pretty good quality rider.
If you want a ZTR, I’d go used at a local dealer or marketplace. Find something that has a fabricated deck and is commercial grade.
For ZTR, look for Hustler, Scag, Toro, Gravely, and Bad Boy.
Once you find one you like, change the oil and filter early and often. Replace the air filter yearly. Always, always, blow off the deck and mower after mowing.
If you want a ZTR, I’d go used at a local dealer or marketplace. Find something that has a fabricated deck and is commercial grade.
For ZTR, look for Hustler, Scag, Toro, Gravely, and Bad Boy.
Once you find one you like, change the oil and filter early and often. Replace the air filter yearly. Always, always, blow off the deck and mower after mowing.
You didn't mention them as an option, but recently I got the chance to try out a bunch of SCAG mowers and other equipment. Their zero-turn mowers really work well, and can do so quickly.
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It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing your price limit. Based on the ones you mentioned, it puts anything commercial grade out of the question.
Too old to learn zero turn. Budget is $2600.00 to $3000.00. This unfortunately holds me to the big box store mowers. Our neighbor has a Husqavarna. Nice looking piece of equipment but he has had multiple problems. Also it has the plastic transaxle housing.
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Zero turns are nice but if you have any wet spots in your yard they like to get stuck.
I had to keep the old rider around for springtime mowing.
I had to keep the old rider around for springtime mowing.
I can only speak to the S140 as I have owned the nearly identical prior model D140 for eleven seasons. It has 322 hours on it now and has averaged 30 hours per season. The original battery went four seasons. The replacement $29 Wal*Mart battery went six seasons. The belts and blades are original.
The major difference between my D140 and the current S140 is what they call the "thirty second oil change." This is basically a snap-on cartride consisting of an oil filter and some fresh oil. Note that it only exchanges one third of the oil and will set you back over fifty bucks. I change the oil once a season on my machine using a quality synthetic and a Fram TG3614 filter. That comes to about $18 at current prices. John Deere sells a kit to convert the engine back to a traditional spin on oil filter. I suggest that you purchase directly from a John Deere dealer and try to negotiate that conversion into the purchase price. Mention that you were looking at the machine at the big box store of your choice - wink wink - nudge nudge.
As a matter of full disclosure I sold OPE part time at a big box store for a few years while easing into retirement. The other brand you should consider is Husqvarna who offer a 22 HP tractor with a 46-inch deck. I don't recall if it had four anti-scalp wheels. IIRC the warranty was three years vs. only two for the Deere. [Later I realized that you mentioned Husqvarna in a follow up post. Go with your instincts.] That being said John Deere has an extensive dealer network which could come in handy.
Best of luck with your new mower and be sure to post pictures once she comes home.
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My current mower is a Toro Timecutter 42 inch zero turn. I have one acre yard. They sell at Lowe’s for $3000-$3500 or so. I got mine used with 40 hours for about $1600. Stole it. They are fun to use. Easy to learn. I don’t think an old guy would have any issues learning how to drive it. It will mow circles around an old style rider that you are considering. Cuts mowing time by probably 30-50% depending on your yard and obstacles.
Well over 600 hours on the B&S 22 H.P. Twin- Cylinder of the J.D.130 w/ 42" deck . Plenty of steep grades and 3+1/3 acres of mowing . Just replaced the drive belt which isn't a fun task . Helps to be flexible and patient when putting the new belt on .
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If I were going to buy a new mower, I would get the John Deere w/Briggs & Stratton motor. Cub Cadet and MTD make a decent mower but they're now using some kind of Chinese motor that I would stay away from.
At a much higher price.
It's a toss up as they are all very similiar. I would go for the Cub or Craftsman over the JD mainly because of the warranty. 3 years versus 2 for the JD.
I'd probably take a different approach. I'd look for a low hour version of something like this:
https://www.machinerypete.com/details/lawn-mowers/2009/john-deere/x300/21829762
Frame more robust, Kawasaki is a really nice engine.
Trans is a K46. Not really an issue as long as it is used within its parameters.
Weakest parts of this tractor is the seat and the plastic hood.
I've owned one for 18 years. More solid than what you are going to find in the Big Box fare.
https://www.machinerypete.com/details/lawn-mowers/2009/john-deere/x300/21829762
Frame more robust, Kawasaki is a really nice engine.
Trans is a K46. Not really an issue as long as it is used within its parameters.
Weakest parts of this tractor is the seat and the plastic hood.
I've owned one for 18 years. More solid than what you are going to find in the Big Box fare.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
This … can be twice what an LT is … and if you don’t like discharging opposite direction each pass (I don’t) they have lost a key advantage …
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I would check - when I got my CC the LT42 was Kohler then went to a Chonda - but the LT46 had not migrated the last time I checked so TSC might have some with US motors … (like 22 HP Kohler) … CC website still shows Kohler …
Mine is 2-1/2 years old and really like the O&M …
IMO, buy an older JD mower like an LT series or 300 series. You can still get service parts.
After craving a JD for years and then actually owning one for a decade...I concluded they are like a BMW.
High performance
Poor reliability
Parts priced like they are gold plated.
As the dealer told me....every young kid gets a green toy tractor....all the marketing is done early...we don't need much more than that to sell them.
High performance
Poor reliability
Parts priced like they are gold plated.
As the dealer told me....every young kid gets a green toy tractor....all the marketing is done early...we don't need much more than that to sell them.
I think it depends on what you buy.
I have an LT150 that I bought used in 2019. It is a 2002 that had been abused by the previous owner before I got it. I replaced the deck spindles, fixed some oil leaks, the head gasket and serviced the transmission. Now it runs like a dream and all I do is add fuel and change the oil. It mows my yard, pulls the yard cart, aerators 4-5 yards spring and fall and blows snow in the winter.
Yes service parts are expensive. You can find them online in many instances as well.