Help buying a riding lawn mower

[QueHuong]

We just bought a new house and the backyard is pretty large, so my parents decided to plunk down about $1000 or less for a riding lawn mower. We've never owned one before, so it's all new and $1000 is a lot to spend. So what should we look for in one? And any recommendations?

 

[Pepsi90919]

make sure it cuts grass and has a seat.

 

1000 for a rider? Not for a decent one, so I guess you can forget about John Deere (Which is the best IMHO)

 

[jurzdevil]

i personally dont like the new ones...my dad and i collect old sears tractors from the late 60s early 70s.

but if i had to get one i would get a cub cadet. they seem to be the best built out of all of the new ones. second would be john deere.

 

[CPA]

For a thousand or less, start with your local Sears hardware.

 

[QueHuong]

We don't need a fancy mower - our backyard is almost flat with barely any obstacles. I'm just hoping to find a cheap one with only basic features but pretty good quality. Is that still possible for $1000 or under?

 

[jurzdevil]

link

this looks like a good one for your price and needs

 

[PCMarine]

A few years ago my dad bought a $6000-7000 John Deere 325 lawn tractor for our 1+ acre lot. The thing is pretty cool... power steering, hydraulic gas/brake, even cruise control. We haven't had any major problems at all with it since we bought it.

When you buy the cheap $1000 lawn mowers, you'll end up wasting countless hours in the garage trying to fix the damn thing just to mow the lawn.

 

[NeoV]

I just bought one....a Sears model with a Honda engine...go to Sears, they have some in your price range.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: PCMarine
A few years ago my dad bought a $6000-7000 John Deere 325 lawn tractor for our 1+ acre lot. The thing is pretty cool... power steering, hydraulic gas/brake, even cruise control. We haven't had any major problems at all with it since we bought it.

When you buy the cheap $1000 lawn mowers, you'll end up wasting countless hours in the garage trying to fix the damn thing just to mow the lawn.

I'll disagree. My Dad's $4,000 Deere riding mower had more problems than any of the 'el cheapo craftsman mowers that we, as well as several of our family members owned.

 

[Analog]

for $1K, get a used one.

 

[QueHuong]

^

 

[Vic]

How big is the lot? I have 1/2 acre and just use an old Snapper push mower with a 3.5hp Briggs & Stratton. Good exercise.

 

[AnMig]

$1000 you might just have to get a ranch king pro or something,

If you have a lot of trees try to get a zero turn mower it make a lot of difference and will save you time trying to get the hard to reach places.


I cant imagine paying $4000 for a Lawn mower.

I have a pretty huge lawn it takes me about 1 1/2 hours to do the whole lawn on a 42 in Ranch king pro, then I have to sweep.
It gets pretty old and tiring thank god I only have to do it 6 months a year (Minnesota)

 

[QueHuong]

We found a Bolens 20HP mower for $1038, similar in features to this:

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=217440-270-13AN683G163

And have a 10% off coupon (we also have a 10% coupon for Home Depot too). So how's the quality of the brand? The salesman said Bolens is a rebadged MTB Yard Machine or something like that.

 

[QueHuong]

Bump for reviews for Bolens. And my yard is 1/2 acre...does that sound like it's not big enough to warrant buying a riding lawn mower, since I've read somewhere a riding lawn mower is for a yard over an acre.

 

[jurzdevil]

Originally posted by: MindStorm
Bump for reviews for Bolens. And my yard is 1/2 acre...does that sound like it's not big enough to warrant buying a riding lawn mower, since I've read somewhere a riding lawn mower is for a yard over an acre.

never used a bolen but the briggs engine in it shouldnt give any trouble.

As for 1/2 acre yard being too small for a riding.
we have a 3/4 acre yard and three tractors to mow it with. the other 2 mowers arent on the tractors. being repainted.

 

[Ornery]

You can get a Snapper 281022BE Rear Engine Rider for about $1,000.00 at Walmart. If you want bigger than 28" deck, or rear bagging, it's available... for a price. Snapper is a great company to go with. They've been in business forever, and stock parts just as long. Hell, if you're going to buy used, buy the Snapper rider. Like I said, parts are always available to keep it rolling. If your used Snapper dies, you can get a new 12.5HP replacement engine for $335.00 shipped!

You only live once. Spring for a nice one with all the bells and whistles. You'll own it for a LONG time. I've had my similar beast since 1986.

If I had to replace mine, I'd be looking at the 331520KVE

• 15-Hp Kohler engine
  Electric start
  Disc-driven transmission
  33" Hi-Vac cutting deck
  6 cutting positions w/cutting height up to 4.25"
  Front tires 11 x 4.00 turf, rear tires 16 x 7.50-8 turf
  Turning radius of 21"
  Reverse lock out mechanism feature
  48 fl. oz & 64oz (15 Hp) oil capacity
  7 quart fuel capacity
  12 volt battery
  Pivoting frame
  Stand-on-end capability
  On-the-go shifting for forward speeds up to 4.6 MPH
  Reverse speed up to 1.9 MPH
  Weighs 518 lbs.
  Residential use machine/engine warranty 3 yrs/2 yrs
  Commercial use machine/engine warranty 90 days/2 yrs

MSRP: $2,499.99, or knock off a couple hundred by going with a Briggs & stratton instead.

 

[Fatdog]

Check the wants ads. For 1000 clams you can get a decent deal if you're patient. A lot of people buy too much lawn tractor and dump them a couple years later for cheap.

I scored a 18 hp 48" deck Craftsman tractor, with a 42" snowthrower att, cart and yard sweeper for $1100. The guy bought it to cut his 3/4 acre yard and didn't have the room for it in his garage and wanted something smaller.

Patience pays off in the long run.

 

[dmcowen674]

You can get a Murray at Home Depot for that price range. Get a pedal drive Murray, it is great to not have to mess with levers to drive. I've had mine for 3 years now and it's the best machine I've had.

 

[QueHuong]

Ok, we've settled on the Bolens (Bolens is a Lowe's exclusive, made by MTD Yard Machines) for $1034; and we have a 10% coupon, plus possibly another 10% if we sign up for their credit card.

Here are the specs:

Model #: 13AG68H163
Engine: Briggs and Stratton 20 HP V-Twin I/C with oil filter
Transmission: 8-speed "shift-on-the-go"
Cutting width: 42"
Cutting System: 3-in-1 Capable Cutting Deck with anti-scalp wheels
Mulch/Bag System: optional mulch and bagging system
Hour meter; no
ammeter: no
Front Axle: Pivoting steel axle with adjustable tie rods
Grease fittings: yes
Seal: medium back seat
steering wheel: heavy duty 3 spoke
Accessories: accepts all snow attachments
warranty: 2-year consumer


So those are the specs. does that sound good for roughly $900 plus another possible savings of $90?

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
1000 for a rider? Not for a decent one, so I guess you can forget about John Deere (Which is the best IMHO)

My John Deere cost around 7500

Ausm