Just picked up a new riding mower a week ago. Started up my 15 year old Craftsman (Husqvarna) for the first time since winter and made just a couple passes before the B&S Twin started blowing out copious amounts of dense white smoke (& oil) and misfiring. Just a couple days earlier I spent 2 hours trying to break the beads and put a tube inside a rear tire and I was pretty pleased with no longer having to air it up daily. So much for that. Decided I just wanted a new one, so started looking around. Ended up finding that other than Deere and Husqvarna, MTD makes virtually every other brand. Murray, Troy Bilt, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, and a few others; all MTD, which is owned by Stanley.
I was looking at Cub Cadets and originally wanted another 42" deck to get through a gate, but all they sell in that size is single cylinders. I wanted a twin, so had to move up to a 46" deck. Only $200 more to go up to a 46" with a twin cylinder, so easy choice there.
I make a trip to Tractor Supply with a tape measure to ensure it would go through my gate and met the most knowledgeable employee imaginable. He told me he had been hired by TSC 40 years ago, has managed stores in several states, as well as training employees at other stores about lawn equipment. Could not have been more helpful and told me they would deliver it to me for free. Sold!
Last decision I had to make now was what engine to choose. The same mower was available with a 22 HP Kohler 7000 Twin or a 21.5 HP Kawasaki. I was leaning towards the Kawasaki, but he advised that they are both good, but a Kohler would be easier to service for a homeowner vs a commercial operator. OK. Took advantage of a Cub Cadet $150 off sale, and a special 0% interest 48 month finance promotion TSC had. It was delivered a couple days later, and they even hauled away my old one, along with a junk push mower I had. Being that I had no way to remove it myself, that made my day as I so much wanted it out of my yard.
I could not have been more pleased with the entire process. Love the Cub Cadet!
I was looking at Cub Cadets and originally wanted another 42" deck to get through a gate, but all they sell in that size is single cylinders. I wanted a twin, so had to move up to a 46" deck. Only $200 more to go up to a 46" with a twin cylinder, so easy choice there.
I make a trip to Tractor Supply with a tape measure to ensure it would go through my gate and met the most knowledgeable employee imaginable. He told me he had been hired by TSC 40 years ago, has managed stores in several states, as well as training employees at other stores about lawn equipment. Could not have been more helpful and told me they would deliver it to me for free. Sold!
Last decision I had to make now was what engine to choose. The same mower was available with a 22 HP Kohler 7000 Twin or a 21.5 HP Kawasaki. I was leaning towards the Kawasaki, but he advised that they are both good, but a Kohler would be easier to service for a homeowner vs a commercial operator. OK. Took advantage of a Cub Cadet $150 off sale, and a special 0% interest 48 month finance promotion TSC had. It was delivered a couple days later, and they even hauled away my old one, along with a junk push mower I had. Being that I had no way to remove it myself, that made my day as I so much wanted it out of my yard.
I could not have been more pleased with the entire process. Love the Cub Cadet!
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