Suggestions for small (through a gate) riding mower

[PepperMoirraine]

Cub Cadet seems to have issues... so... what's affordable if that isn't really an option?

I have a normal gate, so the smaller the mower the better.

I am a disabled Veteran with a largish yard, go figure.

 

[Rand]

is this just for mowing? Your gate is 48"?

 

[tnt_motorsports]

can you have a wider gate put in? That might be more reliable than buying a smaller mower.

 

[walterjay]

I would choose John Deere or Husqvarna

 

[Tdbo]

I'd look for a lightly used JD X series in a configuration that meets your needs best.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get the cheapest electric riding mower

 

[joegreen]

Park a larger mower on the mowing side of the gate and leave it there. Lol. How big is your gate opening?

 

[blkwtr]

I bought a 30" Craftsman rear engine riding mower in 1979 and had it for 7 years. It was sort of a "Forrest Gump" mower. We loved that thing, but we sold it when we moved and needed a bigger mower. I see that Lowes still has that type of mower.

 

[4WD]

I bought a 30" Craftsman rear engine riding mower

View attachment 286906View attachment 286907

The first I bought was a jerky little wheelie popping manual thing that I turned around and sold - then got their 30” hydrostatic which was much nicer …
However - never cut as even as my 42” floating decks …

 

[4WD]

Cub Cadet seems to have issues... so... what's affordable if that isn't really an option?

I have a normal gate, so the smaller the mower the better.

I am a disabled Veteran with a largish yard, go figure.

My Cub Cadet LT42 is 3 years old - what issues are expected as it ages … ?

 

[wag123]

What you need is a 30" rear engine rider. In the past I would have recommended a Snapper but they are no-longer being manufactured. The only 2 choices you have in 2025 are Cub Cadet and Murray, neither one are all that good but either one should suit your needs. Between the two my choice would be Cub Cadet, but if it were me, I would search for a gently used Snapper.

 

[chexxers]

several brands are the SAME, the cub hydro is pretty decent. 3yrs so far!!

 

[Opelman]

Perhaps one of those stand on units?

 

[JTK]

Cub Cadet seems to have issues... so... what's affordable if that isn't really an option?

I have a normal gate, so the smaller the mower the better.

I am a disabled Veteran with a largish yard, go figure.

What width are you looking for?

It's tough to find a traditional front engine rider with a cutting deck smaller than a twin blade 42", which tend to be an excellent cutting deck. Worst case you lift up the spring loaded plastic discharge chute to get through the gate I'm thinking?

 

[odie]

The 1st riding mower I used was my grandparents SNAPPER like above . That was 1979 (?) . That mower went on for many years .

 

[odie]

The problem with some small riding mowers is the access to drain oil . Looks to be very messy from those I've seen at Walmart and other stores .

 

[4WD]

The problem with some small riding mowers is the access to drain oil . Looks to be very messy from those I've seen at Walmart and other stores .

Yeah, you need a stubby piece of hose to get past the frame …
Every time I can’t find one I know where the aluminum foil is

 

[odie]

JD 110 may be a good choice with the 42" deck . I prefer it w/o the EZ Change oil filter w/oil cartridge .

 

[jghall00]

I have a Troy-bilt Tb30r that I purchased used several years ago. My wife was adamantly against me widening the gate, so it was the largest that would fit. My yard is 1/3 acre with the majority in the rear. The mower has been great for the past several years. I change the oil once per year with Supertech synthetic. So far it's gone through two deck belts, but apart from that no other issues. It has an oil drain hose that makes the changes much cleaner.

 

[shurguywutt]

I have a 34" Toro Timecutter that works good. Reason I went with the 34" was because of the gate size. Looking back I probably should have made the gate bigger and got a 42". Oh well.