Lawn Tractor suggestions please

[Curious]

I got tired of nursing along my old rider and gave it away. I was sure I wanted a Kohler engine this time out but I see Briggs now has a fully pressurized lube model which seems popular and now I am not so sure. Zero turn is out of the picture. I can't bring myself to pay $1000 more ($2600) than I would pay for a decent tractor type ($1600), especially for my small lawn. The lawn is just large enough to demand a rider and takes about an hour to cut. The 42" deck I had was just about right so I want to stick with that. I mulch so power can be and issue (it takes a lot more power to mulch). I have looked around a bit and three machines have caught my eye. Of the MTD bunch, I like Cub Cadet LT1042. I also saw a nice Husqvarna and a John Deere. All are in the $1600-$1700 range. I would appreciate recommendations on engine type/brand/HP and especially comments on lawn tractor brands.

[Curious]

I got tired of nursing along my old rider and gave it away. I was sure I wanted a Kohler engine this time out but I see Briggs now has a fully pressurized lube model which seems popular and now I am not so sure. Zero turn is out of the picture. I can't bring myself to pay $1000 more ($2600) than I would pay for a decent tractor type ($1600), especially for my small lawn. The lawn is just large enough to demand a rider and takes about an hour to cut. The 42" deck I had was just about right so I want to stick with that. I mulch so power can be and issue (it takes a lot more power to mulch). I have looked around a bit and three machines have caught my eye. Of the MTD bunch, I like Cub Cadet LT1042. I also saw a nice Husqvarna and a John Deere. All are in the $1600-$1700 range. I would appreciate recommendations on engine type/brand/HP and especially comments on lawn tractor brands.

[Photon713]

Can't speak for the others, but, I purchased a John Deere, LT155,

15HP, 42" mulching mower. It use to take me 1 hour to cut my 1+ acre lawn and 1 hour to bag the clippings. My trash service would only pick up 9 bags of clippings, not to exceed 40 pounds each, each Thursday. I usually ended up with 15. By purchasing my JD, I now save myself the hour and dealing with the clippings. I've had it for four years and haven't had a single problem. I purchase a tune-up kit every spring. I love this tractor.

Good Luck...Bob

[Chuck B.]

I have had my John Deere for 3 years and no problems. I got the L110 model and had them put the high back seat on it. Makes a difference in the comfort column. I have over 1 acre and it takes me about 1 hour to cut/mulch. All my neighbors now have the John Deere. Seems very popular here in Florida. Good luck.... Chuck

[digitalmaster]

You might consider getting a robot to do it for you.

[C & E]

Don't see short the Craftsman line. No snob appeal but mine is starting its

22 year. OTOH, it's a garden tractor so it's bound to be built a lot heavier.

[Joseph Meehan]

You also save on fertilizer and you are adding mulch.

[JPB]

Consumer Reports recommends the John Deere over the Cub Cadet and Husqvarna. They rate the JD L111 best and the JD L108 right behind. The L111 has more power and a cruise control over the L108.

[emrlaw]

I have the JD LT155 also (38" cut). I love it. I put Gator blades on it and it has been working flawlessly for 5 years. Good luck!

[Bert Byfield]

Electric. $200. No more maintenance problems.

[Chuck B.]

I have had my John Deere for 3 years and no problems. I got the L110 model and had them put the high back seat on it. Makes a difference in the comfort column. I have over 1 acre and it takes me about 1 hour to cut/mulch. All my neighbors now have the John Deere. Seems very popular here in Florida. Good luck.... Chuck

[Bob G.]

================= I am ON my second Lawn Tractor...its now 12 years old..

My original tractor lasted 20+ years before the tires dry rotted, and the deck rusted out. cost to replace those items was almost the price of a new tractor... so I replaced it... even though it ran just fine...

Both :International Cub Cadet..both purchased from a "real" Farm supply company with on site mechanics... .

That said... John Deere, Simplicity, Gravley, etc should also last many many years....and NO I would not buy a Deere or a Cub from Home Depot...

.... Write a big check once and forget about it ...

Bob G.

[Curious]

Yeah, I hear you BUT there is no longer any such thing as an International Cub Cadet. MTD bought them years ago and it appears quality has suffered. I honestly like the Cub the best of all I have seen but Consumer Reports knocked them for repair frequency. The trouble with that is they never say exactly what the repairs were so you don't know if it was a thorn in a tire or a blown engine.