I need a new lawn tractor...

[LS8]

Right now I have a Murry that I bought new in 1999 for $1000 at Home Depot. It has a 15HP, single cylinder, Briggs & Stratton engine. The cutting deck is 40" with two blades. The engine runs great and I have never had any problems with it. I don't do anything to it for winter and it starts up strong every spring and never complains.

The transmission is another story. The unit came with a 6-speed manual with reverse. Lately it pops out of gear a lot and doesn't want t go into gear or when you let off the clutch there is a huge thud. Also, like on most mowers the deck is height ajustable. The problem is by the time I am 1/4 through cutting my yard the deck has sagged down and is digging a trench in the dirt. So I stop and raise it - it doesn't matter how tight I turn the retainer bolts it will slide back down - a real PITA. That means the first few passes are completely even but gradually become uneven. Also, this thing has safety switches, like most mowers but they burn out a lot. There is a switch on the blade lever, a switch on the clutch and a switch on the seat. Basically the mower won't start unless all three are engaged (the blade switch is engaged when the blades are off). I've replaced all three of them so many times that I finally just took them all off so now you can start the mower anytime and you don't need to be pressing the clutch in or sitting on the seat. 🙂

Ok enough ranting. I want a new lawn tractor. Lets hear what you have and how you like it. I see there are models out with 30HP now - I can't imagine ever needing that. I don't want to spend over 2k either.

 

[vi edit]

How big of a yard and how tight of a turn radius do you need?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do you need to mow the lawn? 😀

 

[EagleKeeper]

When I was a kid, we had a 10HP John Deere to take care of 2 acres of grass and 1 acre of brush. Made clearing the 1/2 mile drive of snow a lot easier

Biggest problem was when a brother changed the oil - filled it up until it came out of the dipstick. Blew out the engine seals when he started it - Dad was pissed

 

[LS8]

That was odd, Max.

I have two acres to mow. The turning radius isn't a big deal, I hit all the problem areas (trees, flows beds, etc) with a walk-behind mower anyway so I don't have to slow down once I get on the lawn tractor.

 

[Vette73]

Just order new parts to do a fresh up on yours. Replace all deck support and rebuild the trans.


To many throw stuff away that could be kept with just a little work. Also use a Syn. 10w30 in the motor. Works better IMO and I did not have to add a drop last year in my craftsman 18.5hp motor.

 

[MikeMike]

John Deere...

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
John Deere...

His budget is less than half what you'd pay to get into a "real" Deere.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I would recommend a Simplicity. I have always had good experiences with their products. A Broadmoor or Regent model should suit your needs, though if you were willing to spend a little more the Legacy XL is a very nice product.

ZV

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Just order new parts to do a fresh up on yours. Replace all deck support and rebuild the trans.


To many throw stuff away that could be kept with just a little work. Also use a Syn. 10w30 in the motor. Works better IMO and I did not have to add a drop last year in my craftsman 18.5hp motor.

My engine runs fine and doesn't leak. I use the manufacturer's specified oil weight.

My "deck supports" consist of steel tabs welded to the frame of the tractor and corresponding steel tabs welded to the top of either side of the deck (four in all). Retaining bolts keep the deck attached, that's it. I guess I could replace the bolts...

As for "throwing away" this lawn tractor, I don't have any intention of doing that nor did I claim I was going to. I'm going to take the deck off, remove the blade assemblies and just use it as a tractor to pull my little garden cart with.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I would recommend a Simplicity. I have always had good experiences with their products. A Broadmoor or Regent model should suit your needs, though if you were willing to spend a little more the Legacy XL is a very nice product.

ZV

Thanks, I'll look into it. I really want an auto trans.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
John Deere...

His budget is less than half what you'd pay to get into a "real" Deere.

Yeah, from what I am reading all the John Deere products you see at Home Depot aren't "real" JD products, some other company just licenses the name... 🙁

 

[waggy]

i got a toro that i wish i had never purchased. but i also have my old craftsmen that i just keep hooked up to the trailer etc.


if i ahd 2k to spend again i would look at getting a zero turn.

 

[Evadman]

If everything on your current tractor is fine, why not just get a new transaxle? Is it too much cost, or you want a new toy? (both valid reasons 🙂)

Anyway, I replaced a $30 1968 4 HP Ariens tractor (something like the RM828) with a $300 16 HP MTD hydrostatic a few years ago. Both would do wheelies, though the Ariens would flip over, not just do a wheelie. It ran on 50/50 or 10/90 gasohol because I bumped the compression of the Tecumseh engine as far as physically possible before colliding valves. I used to start it by using an unlighted propane torch in the intake 😛 That was a great early teens mechanical project. The MTD works just fine, and has a 2000lb winch on the back for dragging around stuff. It came in handy lifting shingles to my roof last fall.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I would recommend a Simplicity. I have always had good experiences with their products. A Broadmoor or Regent model should suit your needs, though if you were willing to spend a little more the Legacy XL is a very nice product.

ZV

Thanks, I'll look into it. I really want an auto trans.

The Legacy XL was a bit of a joke, it's their top-of-the-line Garden Tractor and can run over $9,000

A Regent will run $2,000-$3,000 (can sometimes find them for $1,800 or so and 2-3 year old used models will still have good life in them). A Broadmoor is their higher-end Lawn Tractor and will start around $3,000 or so and can run up over $4,500. Still, they are quality tractors and they have always been very reliable for me. My father used to have a 1970's vintage Simplicity Garden Tractor that would probably have run forever if he hadn't let it run out of oil. He decided to get a new tractor because it was becoming difficult to source parts for the old one and after 30 years he figured that it wasn't a bad time to replace it. Had it not run out of oil, it would have probably kept running for another 30 years though.

They are not sold at stores like Lowes or Home Depot though, you'll need to find a dedicated dealer. Their website will have a dealer locator. http://www.simplicitymfg.com/

ZV

 

[LS8]

Gotcha. I looked at their website and thought "holy crap 8-12k??". 🙂

Evadman, I could probably replace the tranny but I think I'd rather have something new. Like I said the engine is still in top nick and with the tranny at half-strength it will be perfect for toting my garden trailer around (which isn't often).

 

[Fritzo]

I got a MTD with 20HP and a CVT transmission for that same price ($1000) from Home Depot. Had it for 3 years now, starts up first time every time. I got the extended warranty and they cover the battery on it every year.

 

[LS8]

What about Husqvarna? From what I am reading a lot of the professional yard guys use this brand (albeit much more expensive models than I am looking at).

The LTG2554 (full specs) comes with a 25HP, Kohler, V-Twin engine with ann automatic tranny and a triple blade, 54" deck - all for 2,299.95. That's just slightly over budget.

 

[boomhower]

If you decide to purchase a new one stay away from briggs and stratton. I have always had horrible luck with them. Kohler are always stoute, every now and again you will come across a kawasaki, also good. My Dad recently wanted to pick up a smaller mower for the wife to use to go behind to get the small stuff the big tractor couldn't get. He went to the Deere shop and found a 38" cut with a liquid cooled kawasaki for dirt cheap. If you can't fix just look around. There are always big deals coming up this time of year.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: boomhower
If you decide to purchase a new one stay away from briggs and stratton. I have always had horrible luck with them. Kohler are always stoute, every now and again you will come across a kawasaki, also good. My Dad recently wanted to pick up a smaller mower for the wife to use to go behind to get the small stuff the big tractor couldn't get. He went to the Deere shop and found a 38" cut with a liquid cooled kawasaki for dirt cheap. If you can't fix just look around. There are always big deals coming up this time of year.

I have a Craftsman yard tractor that I absolutely despise.

Everything on it has been absolute crap....except for the Briggs and Stratton engine 😉

I've literally had to work on just about every subsystem I can think of. Tires constantly going flat until I put tubes in them (I hate tubeless), starter died, deck is uneven and I can't get it right, steering has been a nightmare in many ways, constantly clogs when I use the bagger (which I always do), etc., etc.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: boomhower
If you decide to purchase a new one stay away from briggs and stratton. I have always had horrible luck with them. Kohler are always stoute, every now and again you will come across a kawasaki, also good. My Dad recently wanted to pick up a smaller mower for the wife to use to go behind to get the small stuff the big tractor couldn't get. He went to the Deere shop and found a 38" cut with a liquid cooled kawasaki for dirt cheap. If you can't fix just look around. There are always big deals coming up this time of year.

Briggs & Stratton has several different lines of engines.

Their I/C line (Industrial and Commercial) is damn near unbreakable and their Vanguard line is excellent as well. It looks as though they have replaced the Vanguard line with the new "Extended Life Series" engines, which should be excellent performers.

The "Intek" line from Briggs is a middle-of-the-road entry, but still a solid performer.

You do want to stay away from the "Powerbuilt" line, but any manufacturer who used an engine from Briggs' Powerbuilt line isn't a good choice to begin with, since they are clearly looking to cut corners. The "Powerbuilt" line from Briggs is a low-end line that is frankly competing in an area that Briggs would be better to ignore in the same way that Kohler, Kawasaki, and Onan refuse to enter that segment of the market. Still, as I said, the Intek like is decent and the I/C, Vanguard, and Extended Life lines are downright excellent.

A decent lawn tractor manufacturer will offer something like a Briggs Intek or Kohler Courage line engine in their Riding Mowers (below a lawn tractor, not designed to pull a cart, has the engine under the driver, not in front) and will not offer anything less than a Vanguard/Extended Life (if they use Briggs engines) in their Lawn Tractors or above.

ZV

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
John Deere...

His budget is less than half what you'd pay to get into a "real" Deere.

Yeah, from what I am reading all the John Deere products you see at Home Depot aren't "real" JD products, some other company just licenses the name... 🙁

I have two "identical" John Deere riding lawn mowers. Lost the keys to the first one (actually, I know right where they are - inside a wall that I wall-boarded.) Couldn't wait for a replacement key, so I just punched the ignition with a screwdriver & hammer so I could turn it on. Problem was, you had to manually turn it back to "on" from "start" - kids mowed about 3/4 of an acre with the starter engaged, burned up the starter motor. When I went to purchase a replacement starter, they dealer had just gotten in a John Deere trade; wanted only $400 for it, came with a rear bagger, spare blades, mulching blades, service manual, and service record for every oil change, etc. I jumped on the deal. The next day, my son destroyed the transmission on it by accidentally putting it in reverse while coasting down a hill at about 20+mph. So, we decided to swap out transmissions. Whoa... they're not the same! The old one was bigger & a lot sturdier; the new one was tiny in comparison. Had to swap out quite a few parts to make the swap work. Then, I bumped a little stump sticking out of the ground - snapped the steering column housing. wtf? Plastic??! Swapped parts again, the old one was steel. At a John Deere dealer, I mentioned this, he explained that to be competitive at box stores where more and more are sold, the manufacturers had to cut as many corners as possible to keep their price as cheap as possible in those box stores.

Of course, he had a lot of reason to convince me not to purchase a riding mower from a box store, and from a dealer instead, but he made a pretty good argument. And, my experience with two of the same model - one that originated at a box store, and one that didn't - showed me just how much more robust the non-box store sub-model was.

 

[eldorado99]

Get one with an LS8 under the hood. 🙂

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
John Deere...

His budget is less than half what you'd pay to get into a "real" Deere.

Yeah, from what I am reading all the John Deere products you see at Home Depot aren't "real" JD products, some other company just licenses the name... 🙁

I hope they aren't. My parents made the mistake of buying a HD special after selling their still running 20 year old one.

That thing is a huge pile of shit and has been falling apart since day one.

 

[keird]

I had a 1984 8-HP Simplicity that I destroyed last year. After replacing tires and a starter, I thought I was all set for maintenance, just until there was a loud metalic bang and oil was spewing from the engine. A rod or piston blew a hole through the engine casing.

I need to buy a new riding mower and need advice, too. I'm looking at $1,600 for a Deere.