John Deere vs Toro vs Cub Cadet vs Craftsmen

[spaceman]

what brands should I avoid?

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd go with the John Deere just because I know people with them who love them and have no problems. Not saying the others are bad though. If they have more featuers or whatnot, I think any of those brands should be fine.

 

[Pikachu]

Proven over the decades. A twenty year old unit can still get replacement parts.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: Pikachu
Proven over the decades. A twenty year old unit can still get replacement parts.

I saw a guy getting replacement parts for a 25 year old Cub Cadet. His mower had over 900 hours on it.

I made the choice of getting a Cub Cadet over a John Deere because I could get more mower for less money and have a longer/better warranty as well.

I have to say this Cub has been great so far, the cut is so much better than my old mower and takes half the time to mow my yard. I went from a 38" 12.5 HP to a 50" 23 HP.

 

[Ferocious]

Given only those choices, get a Deere or Cadet.

I prefer the Deere.

 

[thebigdude]

Mowers are the same as cars. You hear good and bad stories about every brand/make/manufacturer. The ratio of good to bad stories just changes.

 

[tfinch2]

We've had a Craftsman with a Kohler engine. It's great.

 

[richardycc]

what is your budget? all the under $2000 units are pretty much the same, bolted together, will last you 5-15yrs, you have to get into the $3500+ price range to get something that you might be able to pass down to your kids.

 

[SearchMaster]

I have a 17hp Craftsman that I loathe. Its design is utter crap. The B&S I/C engine is solid; everything else is utter frustration.

 

[schmedy]

Most of the john Deere residental mowers aren't made the same as the larger ones, as of recently. I would suggest a Toro, Kubota, or Cub. BTW I have a John Deere rider which is ok at best, had a craftsman which was in the same class; I also have a Kubota Tractor, cheaper then a Deere and had 0 problem in 7 years.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I have a 17hp Craftsman that I loathe. Its design is utter crap. The B&S I/C engine is solid; everything else is utter frustration.

I agree, I hate the 17.5 HP craftsman that my parents own. But it's a lot more comfortable to ride than my parent's other tiny ass Cub Cadet, though that thing is a tank. Don't CC's tend to retain their value longer/better than other brands? I was told this, but wasn't sure if it was true or not.