I have a 2016ish Simplicity Regent 42" with fabricated deck. 253 hours currently, I have had it for almost two years and bought it used with about 220 hours. It replaced a 42" Toro zero turn that I liked but the cut was awful (clumps everywhere). I was short sighted and should have just bought the bagger for the machine I already had.
Anyway, the Simplicity bagger gets clogged constantly and if the grass is even slightly wet I need to unclog it every ten minutes. Takes over an hour to do what the zero turn used to do in 15 minutes. I bought the Simplicity for $1200 and could probably sell it for $1700 to $2000 and have only put about $250 into it (battery, blades, plugs, oil change, and a new part of the bagger chute). I have a 10% off Lowes coupon good for another week, so I might be interested in going to a zero turn again. My lawn needs a bagger or else it grows way too fast.
Two options, both are 42" cut:
John Deere: https://www.lowes.com/pd/John-Deere-Z315E-ZTrak-42-in-20-HP-V-twin-Zero-turn-Lawn-Mower/5013960257
Craftsman: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Craftsman-42-in-with-Kohler-ZTR/5000207467
20 HP engines. I think the Deere is a Briggs Intek (though it is labeled a Deere branded engine). The Craftsman is Kohler 7000 series (which is what my old Toro was).
Craftsman is best price, $100 cheaper than the Deere. It also is $529 for the bagger vs $850 for the Deere.
Craftsman is 48" wide, Deere 50". I prefer narrower because it fits into my shed easier.
Deere can be serviced at any JD dealer. I'm unsure where I would get service for the Craftsman (a Cub Cadet/MTD dealer?).
The Craftsman bagger looks MUCH easier to install, does not require special lift blades like the Deere (though the Deere may bag without clogs better because of this), and doesn't require weights on the front (which takes up more space in the shed since I can't pull the mower in as far). Though the Deere is 9" shorter in length than the Craftsman to begin with so this might not be a big deal. Craftsman bagger isn't rated great, though. But the Craftsman comes with a rubber vibration pad which is nice (it was $50 extra on my Toro).
Craftsman has a hitch if I'd want to pull my cart around the yard, but I didn't use this on the Toro and I can just pull the cart by hand if needed.
Thoughts on the machines in general and specifically the engines?
Anyway, the Simplicity bagger gets clogged constantly and if the grass is even slightly wet I need to unclog it every ten minutes. Takes over an hour to do what the zero turn used to do in 15 minutes. I bought the Simplicity for $1200 and could probably sell it for $1700 to $2000 and have only put about $250 into it (battery, blades, plugs, oil change, and a new part of the bagger chute). I have a 10% off Lowes coupon good for another week, so I might be interested in going to a zero turn again. My lawn needs a bagger or else it grows way too fast.
Two options, both are 42" cut:
John Deere: https://www.lowes.com/pd/John-Deere-Z315E-ZTrak-42-in-20-HP-V-twin-Zero-turn-Lawn-Mower/5013960257
Craftsman: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Craftsman-42-in-with-Kohler-ZTR/5000207467
20 HP engines. I think the Deere is a Briggs Intek (though it is labeled a Deere branded engine). The Craftsman is Kohler 7000 series (which is what my old Toro was).
Craftsman is best price, $100 cheaper than the Deere. It also is $529 for the bagger vs $850 for the Deere.
Craftsman is 48" wide, Deere 50". I prefer narrower because it fits into my shed easier.
Deere can be serviced at any JD dealer. I'm unsure where I would get service for the Craftsman (a Cub Cadet/MTD dealer?).
The Craftsman bagger looks MUCH easier to install, does not require special lift blades like the Deere (though the Deere may bag without clogs better because of this), and doesn't require weights on the front (which takes up more space in the shed since I can't pull the mower in as far). Though the Deere is 9" shorter in length than the Craftsman to begin with so this might not be a big deal. Craftsman bagger isn't rated great, though. But the Craftsman comes with a rubber vibration pad which is nice (it was $50 extra on my Toro).
Craftsman has a hitch if I'd want to pull my cart around the yard, but I didn't use this on the Toro and I can just pull the cart by hand if needed.
Thoughts on the machines in general and specifically the engines?
right here. Buy from a servicing dealer. If you have warranty issues, you will have to take it to Lowe’s authorized service center. And, you will not get the attention as someone who bought a mower from their shop.
