very frustrating

[steve20]

thought I had a Cub lawn tractor picked out---until I went on the consumeraffairs website. Many complaints-then I looked at JD, Craftsman, etc and they are flooded with complaints about every tractor made.
Common issue is with the hydro trans life of less than 300 hours.
Instead of paying the $2500 for a JD X 300(with the Tuff Torque K46 trans), I was thinking of going down to the cheapest JD 105 with manual trans for $1500. If it's only going to run 5 years, maybe the $999 Craftsman as well
I would of course, like it to last as long as my 29 yo Snapper Rider, but that looks doubtful.
I would like to use it mostly for Fall leaf cleanup on a total of 2 acres, so it has to bag well. Some hills involved. Total of about 80 hours/year
Any recommendations or other issues I have not thought of?
Steve

 

[deeter16317]

I'm in the same boat...just purchased a house with a big yard and I'd like to get a new(er) tractor for the wife to mow with. I currently have a 70's "garden" tractor that, while many of the parts are no longer supported, still mows good...

I just can't decide whether to spend $$$ on a high end "garden tractor" that may last a while, or buy a $1k "lawn mower" that I'll get 5 years out of and buy another. Going the second route would provide a nice new mower every couple years...just depends on the durability.

 

[bigmike]

Same here. I've considered just to stay with my self propelled until I get to the point that it's too much of a time killer. I don't mind the physical side of it.

I've considered a snapper rider, though. They seem to always be available on craigslist.

 

[JonnySaab]

Originally Posted By: deeter16317
tractor for the wife to mow with.


A man after my own heart!. I picked up the cheapest craftsman 42 in 27 hp Briggs, 4 years a go and still mowing good. So your thereoy of 1k mower for 5 years has worked for us.

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

The three most expensive items to replace would be the engine, deck and the hyrostatic transmission if the tractor has one. Proper maintenance for the motor is a key factor and I would say make sure you do not have a blade that is way out of balance should keep the deck in decent shape. I have known 2 Craftsman tracator owners who have had hyrostatic unit fail. Replacement a few years ago was around $700 and I believe that did not include labor.

I have a 2005 Yardman with "Pedal Drive" (belt driven). No issues with the belt drive and I use the tractor year around to mow, plow snow and do light hauling.

Not as smooth as the hydrostatic units but more durable.

 

[jhs914]

John Deere 105 basic model is my recommendation. I have had one for 5 years, using it from March to October to cut my 1/2 acre here in Florida. No problems. I am still on the original belts. I had to change the blades after my son ran over a chunk of concrete, other than that just oil changes and gas.

My step dad just bought a new one and it has a deck wash down attachment and more zerk fittings for lube which my older model does not have.

 

[Johnny]

Originally Posted By: steve20
thought I had a Cub lawn tractor picked out---until I went on the consumeraffairs website. Many complaints-then I looked at JD, Craftsman, etc and they are flooded with complaints about every tractor made.
Common issue is with the hydro trans life of less than 300 hours.
Instead of paying the $2500 for a JD X 300(with the Tuff Torque K46 trans), I was thinking of going down to the cheapest JD 105 with manual trans for $1500. If it's only going to run 5 years, maybe the $999 Craftsman as well
I would of course, like it to last as long as my 29 yo Snapper Rider, but that looks doubtful.
I would like to use it mostly for Fall leaf cleanup on a total of 2 acres, so it has to bag well. Some hills involved. Total of about 80 hours/year
Any recommendations or other issues I have not thought of?
Steve


Heck, just get a new Snapper Rider with the leaf bagging equipment and have fun.

 

[steve20]

the new Snapper rider would be my first choice but they want $2300 for it.
Will probably go with the 105 as it has a geared transmission. You do have to stop to change gears with it.

Pedal Drive" (belt driven).
Thanks appreciate your input

Steve

 

[fabman]

Hello guys I'm new here but I felt a need to comment
My mower is a Cub Cadet RZT50, I've had it for 5 years now and would buy another if it died today.
The first 2 years I did comerical cutting of about 6 acres per week, while also cutting my personal lawn of 2 1/2 acres per week. For the last three years it has been used for my personal home use,but that is still a lot of grass.
The problems I've had were all fixed in my work shop which consist of replacing bearings in one idiler and two blade spindles,plus a couple of drive belts and several sets of blades.
As for the hydrolic drive motors there hasn't been any problem.

 

[ddrumman2004]

If he means pedal driven in the sense of the Troy Bilt we have...then stay away. Bad design on Troy Bilt's part. We bought it used two years ago from a neighbor who reworks mowers(it's an 06 model Super Bronco) and I have put on several belts, both deck and drive, as well as had to replace the bearings on the vari-pulley.
I can use it but something usually happens to keep me from finishing the mowing so I wind up pulling out the Craftsman.

I have a 6 year old Craftsman DLT 3000 mower that is still running strong and I mow 2 acres from March to October as well. It's a manual transmission.

I have replaced the spindles, one idler pulley and the deck belt in the last 6 years, as well as a new battery last year.

 

[yeehaw1960]

I went ahead and bought a Craftsman (18HP-42") a couple years ago and it still runs great. The deck is poorly made, but I'm keeping up with beating it back into shape a couple times a year. Go to Sears and shop on the sidewalk. Make an unreasonable offer on one of the tractors/mowers out there. You may be surprised when they except.

Mine was a little over a thousand new. I got it for $800 cash and carry.

 

[Oldwolf]

Do you have an OCI of any kind on the hydrostatic drive fluid?

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Oldwolf
Do you have an OCI of any kind on the hydrostatic drive fluid?


Tufftorq's typically spec 10w30, but I would use 15w40 on a change out. Hydrogear specs 20w50. As far as an OCI? It depends on it's usage and how it's stored.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: fabman
Hello guys I'm new here but I felt a need to comment
My mower is a Cub Cadet RZT50, I've had it for 5 years now and would buy another if it died today.


Fabman, good to know! I believe yours has the Hydrogear IZT series integrated hydrostats. Those seem to do well. The ones made w/in the last 3-4yrs have the EZT series and I've read of lots of failures of those around the 200hr mark. Many were do to water contamination, but many were not. EZT's are ~$900 a pc from Cub and the machine has 2!!! I've got the Hydrogear ZT-2800's on my new Z-Force and love'em so far.

Getting back to the original topic, every machine in the under $3K crowd has 'light duty' transaxles, regardless of which manufacturer (tufftorq or hydrogear for hydo, usualy peerless for gear drive). The light ones will last a loooooong time if you use the machine sensibly, blow the grass/dirt of the hydro and keep the machine in clean/dry storage when not in use.

Joel

 

[Turk]

Steve,

Just get a MTD yard machine from Wal-mart.

3 Acres mowed every week, rough soil and only replaced belts & blades! Bash that, people!

I bought it **14 years ago with NO ISSUES** and STILL mows great!! Save your money & get the MTD.

 

[steve20]

the problem is what was good 14 years ago quality wise, may not be available today-
spent yesterday looking at 2 potentials on Craigs.
2001 JD GX 235 with snowblower and dump cart, used 2 seasons for $2500. Advertised as like new--not-- looks like it was riden hard and put away wet-then powerwashed the [censored] out of it. Looked under the deck, and there were no blades! Dude said, Oh, I can get them for you if you want--yes, that's what I want the thing for to mow! no thank you-wasted time
199X Snapper ride on 11 hp for $500. This one was 40 miles away-
form 40 feet wawy you could see if was not the original engine. Another load of cr ap with messed up throttle and drive linkages.
I think I may jsut bite the bullet and buy the least expensive Craxsman with 7 speed shift on the go for 1K and dispose of it in 5 years