Any recommendations for Lawn tractor?

[Analog]

I considered a Deere 8 years ago, but I opted for a Kubota. The Kubota had the same manufactured engine as the Deere, but had a better drive train, and heavier steel mower deck. For all this time, its run like a top. I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
I considered a Deere 8 years ago, but I opted for a Kubota. The Kubota had the same manufactured engine as the Deere, but had a better drive train, and heavier steel mower deck. For all this time, its run like a top. I would recommend it to anyone.

But, damn, those Kubota's are expensive. Nice, but expensive. I believe they are the only line that use an shock/spring system from the frame to the back axel. Most everyone else has springs from the seat to the frame.

 

[Farmall]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: crab453

Originally posted by: crab453

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: crab453
No less than 20hp

John Deere makes a 18 HP model with a Twin V Kawasaki engine that I'm seriously considering. 20HP v 18 HP, shouldn't be too much of a difference, should it?

We had some Lowes built tractor at an old house. Had a V2 18hb briggs (i think) motor... Lotsa power, sounded good, ran well, but on a POS tractor. Succomed to an electrical fire.

This engine

I think a lot of the Sears Craftsman tractors use a B&S engine. Maybe that is why you can get them for under 2K.

They have different options for engines, I have a Craftsman 16hp Kohler with a 42"deck, my yard is 2.5+ acres, it has been a great mower for me. I seen the new models now have a Honda engine which is probably better than the Kohler I have, I am not a big fan of B&S engines.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Kiyup
John Deere, that's all you need.

Or get a goat.

I wouldn't wish a Deere lawn tractor on my worst enemy. Deere's large equipment is great, but their smaller stuff is complete crap. Heck, even their "professional" line of small machinery (such as trimmers) is worthless. Worked in landscaping for the local parks service last year. We had two brand new $900 John Deere trimming mowers and one John Deere F935 for heavy mowing that wasn't more than three years old. We also had a pair of ancient Ariens pushmowers and an equally ancient Jacobsen for heavy mowing. Guess which three units were always broken. Here's a hint, it wasn't the Ariens or the Jacobsen.

Deere's small equipment isn't worth the plastic it's made out of. Had a friend who worked at a mower center and he said the Deeres were always coming back in with crap wrong with them.

There are only two companies that are worth considering in lawn/garden tractors: Simplicity and Cub Cadet. No-one else even uses steel hoods anymore. We have a 25 year old Simplicity garden tractor that we only traded in because my dad wanted somthing with more power than the old 14 horse Briggs single in that tractor had. Got a 2002 Simplicity Broadmoor (16 horse Briggs twin) to replace the old one.

Look at Simplicity and at Cub Cadet. Nothing else is even worth it, especially not Deere. The small Deere's are all farmed out to other companies anyway, Deere just gets by on its reputation for large machinery.

ZV

Agreed... If you want a good lawn MOWER, not a lawn TRACTOR, go with a Walker... I'd take an early 90's walker mower over any new lawn tractor... but thats just me... YMMV... www.walkermowers.com or look on flea-bay for used... i think there's a couple on there now...

 

[Sundog]

Cub Cadet or Kubota

 

[pyonir]

do NOT get a simplicity. My dad had a couple of those and they are CRAP.

 

[CPA]

So let's see:

Kubota - good, but expensive
Cub Cadet - Good (surprisingly)
John Deere - Good for some, bad for others.
Craftsman - Good
Simplicity - Good for some, bad for others.


Looks like a ride to Lowes (Cub Cadet) and Sears (Craftsman) is in order tonight.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Honda

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Honda

doesn't Honda generally just make the engine and supply it to most of these guys? Huskvagrna uses them, I think.

 

[Apathetic]

Find yourself a used John Deere. I used to work on JD, Wheelhorse, Cub Cadet, and a bunch of others. We had FAR fewer problems with Deere's than any other brand.

Dave

 

[squirrel dog]

Craftsman GARDEN tractor.20 to 25 hp.If you get the extended warrenty,they come out to you when trouble comes a callin.The garden tractor is a heavy duty lawn tractor,lasts longer.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Apathetic
Find yourself a used John Deere. I used to work on JD, Wheelhorse, Cub Cadet, and a bunch of others. We had FAR fewer problems with Deere's than any other brand. Dave

I agree, Most owners of John Deere Equipment take pride in their tractors so you should be able to find one with reasonably low hours at a good price if you cannot afford a new one.

Ausm

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: pyonir
do NOT get a simplicity. My dad had a couple of those and they are CRAP.

What models, what engines and what transmissions? We've had two (not counting the new Broadmoor) and never had any problems with either aside from the carb vibrating out of adjustment once or twice. Neighbors have had two (including their current) without incident also. Did you buy a model designed or build when Allis-Chalmers owned Simplicity? If so, it might not have been a Simplicity design, but rather a re-badged "Agco". I don't care to much for the Agco small equipment.

ZV

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Honda

doesn't Honda generally just make the engine and supply it to most of these guys? Huskvagrna uses them, I think.

Wow, didn't realize they quit making them, evidently appx 2 years ago



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