Riding mower suggestions.

[jasonal]

Looking at new riding mowers and really want to stay in the 4k range or less. Want something that i dont have to work on much...just regular maintenance. Reliability is the key. Good cut and some speed would be great also. Zero turn, not out of the question.

Any suggestions???

 

[JTK]

In my opinion, anything new in that price range is going to be pretty much the same in terms of durability and reliability. These two factors are directly related to how you use and care for the rider. Dealer network for parts and service is nice.

About 6-8yrs ago, I would have recommended a Cub Cadet 2500 series rider. At the time a 2544 could be had new for $3K, was shaft driven, with an awesome serviceable hydrostatic drive. Today they are pretty much twice that price and have priced themselves out of the market IMO. For $6K, you'd be silly not to get a Deere.

I tend to have various spare equipment around, so downtime isn't an issue for me. I mail order most parts, so dealer network isn't a huge concern for me.

 

[zzyzzx]

I use, and recommend a push reel mower. They are really cheap to buy and maintain, as well as great exercise! Only dowside is if you have lots of sticks and pine cones in your yard or tell grass.

 

[DemoFly]

I love my Husqvarna LGT26K54

It's got about 300 hours on it now. I bought it for $1999 on sale. I don't see why anyone would want a more expensive mower. It hauls like a son of a.

 

[mrsilv04]

Start with models with Kawasaki engines. John Deere uses Kawasaki a lot.

 

[dave123]

Bad Boy Mowers might be decent in that price. Bad Boy ZT Elite

 

[Joe_Power]

Drop some coin, and go buy a Hustler. One with a Kawasaki engine. Trust me, you'll love yourself, and probably be able to get off some of your meds. You can thank me later.

 

[boraticus]

In that price range, I suggest Japanese powered anything. if it's got a Japanese engine in it, you're already on the right track. If the manufacturer supplies a superior engine, there's a good likelihood that the rest of the mower will be reasonably built with quality components.

I've got a couple cheap riders. A 2002 Husky with a Kawasaki twin and a 2005 Craftsman with a Honda GX twin. Both have seen a lot of hard work and have been stellar performers.

Change the oil, clean the air filter, grease the axles and keep the machine/engine free of grass clippings. It will give you long service.

Of importance, is to ensure the transaxle fan is kept free of debris. If the fan cannot cool the unit due to being clogged with clippings, it will fail long before the engine will.

 

[ram_man]

John deere nuff said

 

[Tdbo]

John Deere X series.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Tdbo
John Deere X series.


I just looked it up. I didn't realize the JD X300 started at $2999 with a 42" deck.

If you want to push the $4K mark with a ZTR, just make sure it has HydroGear ZT2800 drives at a minimum. At least those have filters and are serviceable.

 

[ShotGun429]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Start with models with Kawasaki engines. John Deere uses Kawasaki a lot.
+1

 

[spasm3]

How much area will you need to mow?

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
John Deere X series.


I just looked it up. I didn't realize the JD X300 started at $2999 with a 42" deck.



The real buy on the X300 was this winter when JD was putting a $500. rebate on the X300. That was a sweet deal. It is a nice tractor for that kind of money.
If I had 4K to spend on a tractor, I would go for the X310 for the upgrade to the K58 transmission instead of the K46.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I tend to be partial to John Deere equipment. Not the big box store stuff, but the dealership quality equipment. The dealerships have fantastic parts availability, even for very old John Deere equipment. I've never had a John Deere that I wasn't happy with. If you have a full service dealer nearby you may be able to find a preowned or factory demo unit at a substantial discount. That's how I purchased my 757 for just $3,000 with a 30 day warranty.

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I use, and recommend a push reel mower. They are really cheap to buy and maintain, as well as great exercise! Only dowside is if you have lots of sticks and pine cones in your yard or tell grass.


You're welcome to come out and mow my place with your little push reel mower. Would you like to just do the 3 acres around the house, or are you also willing to do the 5 acre field?

Sometime in August would work great-say the second or third week when the temperatures are in the 90's and the humidity is somewhere around 80 or 90 percent.

 

[jasonal]

I have been looking at the Toro 2000 series.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/professional-c....aspx?pid=74141

I got a price of $6000 OTD. But i hate to spend that much on a mower. Theyare nice and well built. I have a good exmark dealer about 5 miles away and a John Deere dealer about 7 miles away. I will only mow 1.5 acres but look to get a bigger place in the next couple of years.

 

[jasonal]

I also forgot to add. Toro dealer is an hour away from me but they sell alot of mowers.

 

[NH73]

Originally Posted By: jasonal
I have been looking at the Toro 2000 series.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/professional-c....aspx?pid=74141

I got a price of $6000 OTD. But i hate to spend that much on a mower. Theyare nice and well built. I have a good exmark dealer about 5 miles away and a John Deere dealer about 7 miles away. I will only mow 1.5 acres but look to get a bigger place in the next couple of years.


Not a bad idea to get if you plan on a bigger place sometime. But if you can't part with $6000 and want a zero turn, try to at least get ones with Hydro-Gear ZT-2800. I with JTK on that one and thats what I did when I bought mine. I bought a Gravely ZT XL

 

[Joe_Power]

Wait for the state fair, and you can test out about a dozen different brands. I suggest a Hustler. You can thank me later.

 

[traversed]

not so much anymore, commercial line up yes,but h.o. they went the b/s route.