Lawn Tractor - help buying

[Sobriez]

Hi,

I have about 1/2 acre to mow with several obstacles, but mostly flat.

I am looking to purchase a lawn tractor.

I have looked at MTD, Craftsman, John Deere and Kubota - all of which I can get parts and service easily (no other brands in my area like Cub Cadet)

I've narrowed it down to three: John Deere L110 John Deere LT150 or LT160 Kubota T1570

There's about a $1000CDN difference between the L110 and the others. I've seen some negatives about the L series JD's, and some rave reviews.

Does anyone have any experience with any of my contenders?? Parts/service are important to me. Is the L series really that bad.

Thanks

Jack in Canada

[kent]

I purchased the John Deere L110 to replace my JD LX176 this spring. It has done a great job on the lawn plus I use it to push gravel on the drive way. I have not had it during the winter but if it is able to push gravel I can only have faith it will push snow. I have close to one acre with a few obstacles and it is able to get very close to all of them. I only have to edge if I let the grass get too tall. I have zero complaints and my local Deere service dept is very responsive to my needs.

Kent

[Other Brother Kevin]

Check Consumer Reports, A co-worker and I were talking about JD just this morning. He said that CU gave the John Deere sold at Home Depot their best rating. I'm not sure which ones they have.

Whatever one you get, get a trailer. I've done more work around the yard since I got mine.

Kev>Hi,

[jimbo]

I have the L120, so far its been great but only have 20 hours on it, I mow 2 acres. I got the grass catcher with it as an option and really like it. If you decide on the JD, the price is the same no matter where you get it, Home Depot or John Deere.

[William Plummer]

My advice: be sure you really want a lawn tractor. Although I have used my Sears for 16 years, it is not as maneuverable as one of the wide, zero-radius mowers made by Honda and Torro. The tracter would be OK for big fields but I waste a lot of time turning at the ends of runs and going around flower beds and trees.

[drgrafix]

FWIW, I went from a small ride-on tractor to a commercial Bob-Cat push mower years ago and I remember that it actually took me less time with the push mower than with the tractor! Like a dummy, I eventually ran out of time to mow and sold the Bob-Cat to a landscaper. Now I have the time and I'm seriously thinking about buying another mower... and I definitely don't want a tractor. One big reason is that the tractor's weight and wide tires can sometimes rip up the lawn. Plus they are clumkers to store. I have a half acre with a 3000 sq ft colonial and attached garage. The better half has used her green thumb to make the shrub beds look better and better each year, and her bed designs have helped reduce the amount of lawn to be cut, but the scalloping means lots of twists and turns.

I'm going to start searching for an old BobCat or Sensation mower, maybe one that's been reconditioned. They are light, have aluminum decks, rear mesh bags, and they can cut moist grass if necessary without clogging.

Mike