The lawn is in good shape however we live on the side of a hill with a good slope to the front and back yard. I want the more robust engine and hydrostatic transmission for durability.
Used Riding Lawnmower - Which Brand and Model
- Thread starter 2002 Maxima SE
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We have two Troybilt Pony’s one with the 17.5 other 15.5, have another for parts. The 17.5 will cut anything but thirsty. Parts are cheap and repairs are easy so riding these as long as I can. Used ones can be picked up cheap. Might not fit what you’re looking for though.
You can be picky when buying used???
The x350/300s are NOT commercial grade mowers. They are not even close to being a commercial grade mower. A commercial grade mower is a totally different beast and costs $15,000 or more new today. I own a lower end commercial grade mower that I bought used, and let me tell you it’s a tank that is built to last. The deck on mine is made from 3/8 inch steel plate (higher end commercial mowers have 1/2 inch thick decks) not the flimsy paper thin 10 or even thinner 12 gauge sheet metal used on a X350 or similar residential grade POS mower that will bend every time you hit even the slightest thing or get into brush, rust though in a few years at most, and get holes blown through it every time you hit something solid like rocks. Everything that can wear has greasable bearings or bushings that can be easily replaced. Commercial grade mowers use heavier duty engines that last much longer. They are a totally different animal.Totally get it on price. In the past, when I lived at < 1/4 of an acre, we owned 2 push mowers over 20 years that were < $200.
My neighbor, similar sized lawn and slope, uses a John Deere S140 (seems to be the top of the line retail model). New at Lowe's the S140 retails for $2999. If I search for used S140 near me they are $1650 to $3000.
The X350/X300 is a commercial grade with better engine, transmission and frame. Price wise, it seems like the better deal given it's underpinnings. We live on a pretty good slope, so the more robust transmission is one of my main drivers (pardon the pun).
As I already recommended to the OP he would be much better off buying a used commercial grade mower then a new residential grade rider or zero turn for about the same price.
My father has had a landscaping business for 50 years. Your advice is not wrong, but it is overstated with respect to the need to have a commercial machine. If you can find a used one with low hours great but the prices on that equipment are analogous to buying a used 4runner - there isn’t much savings to justify the risk with used equipment/. And the commercial grade equipment at a more attractive price point will likely be worn out - that is why it was traded. Businesses know the lifecycle and cost curves of these machines from experience. So unless you are extremely handy or inclined to overhaul it yourself, once you start paying a shop to make the machine reliable the bill could get quite large. Commercial mowers often run 6-8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week for about 6 months of the year where we are. That level of build is grossly in excess of what a homeowner needs - at most 52 mowings a year for a few hours - maybe 100 to 200 hours a year? Point is a good homeowner grade machine is fine for a homeowner, and you shouldn’t be riding over rocks or big branches if you want to keep your machines in good repair either. That is abuse for either machine. Again commercial grade is better quality but for most homeowners it is gross overkill unless money is no object or you are fortunate to find a good deal.
Thanks for all the advice! Yesterday we pulled the trigger on a used 2021 JD X350 (48") with 200 hours. JD dealer knocked $195 off the price and offered $100 delivery (we're 45 miles away) as part of the deal.
I checked out the machine and found it to be in good condition, engine started right up, cold, without choke, and the transmission shifted forward and reverse with no slipping. No leaks or smoking from the engine, it purred with confidence. The mower blades started right up and all the manual controls (parking brake lock, deck lock, deck height, etc) worked well. Delivery is Thursday. I plan to go over it this fall/ winter to perform all the end of year maintenance: oil change, transmission fluid change, air filter, gas filter, grease points and spark plugs.
I checked out the machine and found it to be in good condition, engine started right up, cold, without choke, and the transmission shifted forward and reverse with no slipping. No leaks or smoking from the engine, it purred with confidence. The mower blades started right up and all the manual controls (parking brake lock, deck lock, deck height, etc) worked well. Delivery is Thursday. I plan to go over it this fall/ winter to perform all the end of year maintenance: oil change, transmission fluid change, air filter, gas filter, grease points and spark plugs.
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Nice choice, keep up with the maintenance and it will serve you well.
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