Basically what the subject says. I have a 20 year old Lawn Chief that now is breaking down every time I mow. I have up to two thousand (but wouldn't mind spending less) to spend on a mower and a little less than an acre of grass. What brand of mower would be recommended in my situation? I was offered a "deal" on a Sabre (by John Deere), but my wife doesn't want to buy used. Any suggestions?
Thanks Shane
I'm very happy with my JD L130, which was $1800, from either a JD dealer or Lowes/Home Depot. The new model number is LA 130. I have about an acre to mow, but I use the Deere mostly for other purposes as a tractor, usually towing a cart with debris or a lawn sweeper for the gravel driveway.
The L 130 has twin blades, 42" cut, blades are easy to change and sharpen, and routine engine servicing is convenient (e.g., changiing oil.) It's got several upgrades from my earlier JD tractor, including a gas level sight gage, cup holder, and hourmeter / service reminder. I'd buy it again, and spend the couple of hundred dollars more for the John Deere rather than for Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna or some of the other homeowner level tractors.
My philosphy is - "every machine has a price". But all tractors lose at least 50% after the first 2 years.
on 5/21/2007 9:52 PM gorehound said the following:
Let's examine what a rider mower is. 4 wheels on a chassis holding a place to sit and an engine to drive the thing around. Other items are a steering wheel, brake, transmission, and 1, 2, or 3 blades that spin and cut grass and other things that are taller than the height of the blades. They come in various colors, Red, yellow, green, etc. They have a brand name on them somewhere. Note that the brand name does not necessarily mean that the mower was made by the owner of that brand name, or even in America. Someone said, don't get a Craftsman. Sears does NOT make anything!!. They don't make Craftsman tools and they don't make Kenmore appliances. They have them built by other manufacturers and put their own name on it. When you buy a Craftsman mower, you could be getting a Husqvarna or an MTD (which bought out Murray). MTD includes the brands; Bolens, TroyBuilt, Cub Cadet, and Yardman, among others. You could spend a thousand dollars more for a tractor that has a brand name that will make your neighbors jealous. But, like automobiles, brand names don't mean shit. You can get a lemon of a BMW, and get a very reliable car buying a Hyundae. I've had two Garden Tractors in the 20 years that I have lived here. I bought them both at Agway (a franchise farm equipment store). One had 'Southern States' written on the side and was Green. It was a manual transmission type, which was nice. You just set the throttle to the speed you wanted, put the thing in the gear you wanted, and then put your feet up on the hood and drive around your yard, only steering when you needed to. Of course, you may have had to change gears when going uphill. I had a plow attachment for it, but here in the northeast, when you can get 3 or 4 major snowfalls in the winter, I couldn't push the new snow past the previous snow fall banks, so my driveway kept getting narrower. After 10 years or so, I gave it away to a friend who lived in a rented house. It still ran, but the body was pretty banged up. Dents and scratches, rusty undercarriage, and a mower deck whose bottom edge was pretty well eroded off. He got the plow too. I bought another Agway mower, but this one was red and said Agway on the side. Didn't matter, I knew it was a Murray. I got a snow blower for this one and I am still using it.today. So, my point is, get one that you can afford, and don't worry what it says on the side, or the color. If you don't like the color, pick up a couple of cans of Rustoleum while you are there and repaint it to the color you like. You can save that few extra hundred for not buying a prestigious brand to buy that snowblower attachment (if you live where it snows, that is) :-)
I have a 42" 17HP Poulan Lawn tractor, and got it for $999.00. Been using it 4 seasons now with no problems at all. In fact, I just added a bagger to it for this season. I realize that the JD fans would say it's a piece of crap, but it does what I need it to do.
i've had one for about 10 years now. great value and service/
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