Due to component shortage riding mowers have gone way up in the last month. I agree that is too much for that mower but it's current market. If you need one now well....
Thoughts on this riding mower ...
- Thread starter odie
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John Deere has stopped using CVT transmissions. Some auto manufacturers refuse to use them.
My 2¢
Husky said that they have stopped using them too. I believe there were high hopes for the GT800 but being all plastic and flexing, on top of having issues with debris piling up on top of them and causing failure have both of them going back to the T40 or k46 Hydros. JD lost my respect when they started calling the TT k46 a heavy duty transmission on their web site when all they did was change the pulley ratio.
Check the model. Numbers beginning with 247 are MTD and 917 are Husqvarna. Or they use to a few years ago when I worked there for hobby money. I am proud to say I do not think I ever sold a service contract.
MTD are good light duty machines home owner machines that will give good service if not abused like continuly mowing 10 ' grass etc. They are not cheap, as the word cheap defines but, a less expensive othion for the homeowner who doesn'e need braging one-up on their neighbors. Ed
I currently have a Cub Cadet XT1 that replaced my totally worn out JD. I let my neighbors borrow it and they both bought one for themselves... they can be had fairly cheap on sale and with the Home Depot coupon you get with the card. I think around fathers day or something they go on sale.. not sure.
With that being said if you ever plan on selling i would buy a JD. My last two used mowers had several owners.. easy to sell just because of the green paint.
With that being said if you ever plan on selling i would buy a JD. My last two used mowers had several owners.. easy to sell just because of the green paint.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Just curious which version of MTD's "CVT" is bullet proof?
I've fiddled with enough MTD "transmatic" equipped machines over the years that I've grown to hate them.
For those that don't know, this is the belt and variator pulley drive system where you have one lever for F-N-R and another lever or foot pedal for ground speed.
Mine has the MTD 618-0551a. I did not find any complaints about early failure or problems with heat or clogging up from dust or clippings. The only people I know that have had trouble were those that tried to use aftermarket belts. The replacement guides all say it takes a 5/8" belt but it does not and MTD warns you about this. The MTD belts are slightly smaller and on a CVT drive that makes a big difference. 1 guy in my last neighborhood complained he went through belts every year even though I kept telling him it was not made to pull 400 lbs of top soil up a grade. He kept insisting it was a tractor, its not its a riding lawn mower. Even with his constant abuse the only thing that wore out was the belt, the variable drive is nothing more that 2 pulleys on a shaft with a pedal or lever to tighten the drive belt. Use the wrong belt and it wont work, use the right belt and it wont Not work.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Your part# is just the single speed transaxle. For sure those are simple and reliable.
Totally agree on the proper belt size is a must. Many issues are caused by improperly fitting/sized aftermarkets.
From what I've experienced, the bigger issue is the bushing on the sliding sheave for the variator system that gives the transaxle infinite speeds. Regardless of how clean, dry and well maintained you keep the machine, these bushings will stick and seize over time, causing the center sheave to lock in place or greatly reducing it's range of motion. You wind up with one ground speed. Slow. The fix is replace the variator assembly unless you can get lucky and free up the bushing.
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