Need to buy a lawn tractor- need to know what to look for

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Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
I have 2/3 of an acre to mow, and I'm sick of it taking 3-4 hours with my 22" push mower :| Gonna plunk down the cash for a lawn tractor, but I have no idea what I'm looking for. Are there any features or accessories that are "must haves" when buying one of these things? Anything I should look out for?
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
They all seem to be in the 17-20 HP range. My dad gave me a "back in my day.." story where the good ones used to be 13 HP, so I think they're stong enough.

I was thinking around the lines of a 42" automatic. Just need to know if there's any design things I need to keep away from.
 

0

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2003
1,270
0
0
Originally posted by: Fritzo
I'm lowballing this. Around $1000-$1300.
Click to expand...

Forget the John Deere. I would recommend a Kubota, but at your price range, check out wally world.
 
C

conehead433

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2002
5,569
901
126
My brother had a Craftsman. Bought the extended warranty. Sears spent more on the maintenance than what the tractor cost. I think Cub Cadet has a decent reasonably priced tractor for light use. If you want the best X-Mark.
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: 0
Originally posted by: Fritzo
I'm lowballing this. Around $1000-$1300.
Click to expand...

Forget the John Deere. I would recommend a Kubota, but at your price range, check out wally world.
Click to expand...

Lowes and Home Depot both sell MTD and Toros in that price range.
 
A

AMDMaddness

Platinum Member
Sep 1, 2003
2,406
2
81
Look at the axles and deck you need a good strong deck and front axles that wont bend even on a lawn with no holes or major dips it will still make a huge diff in how long it will last. I have a Craftsman with the cast iron front axle and stronger deck its a gauge above normal dont remeber it off the top of my head but it for sure is out lasting my fathers Murray twin cyl lawn tractor. If you have the money to spend get the Honda engine or the nicer OHV briggs/tech with spin on oil filters.
 
SearchMaster

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
I have a 17hp Craftsman that I bought for about a grand 6 years ago. I hate that freaking thing - it seems it couldn't have been designed worse. When the rear bagger's on, it's very back heavy and does wheelies all over the place. It shoots grass everywhere, the bagger clogs constantly, the deck is uneven, the brake constantly needs adjustment, blah blah blah. It has a pretty good engine (B&S I/C), but otherwise I've had to work on just about everything on it.
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I have a 17hp Craftsman that I bought for about a grand 6 years ago. I hate that freaking thing - it seems it couldn't have been designed worse. When the rear bagger's on, it's very back heavy and does wheelies all over the place. It shoots grass everywhere, the bagger clogs constantly, the deck is uneven, the brake constantly needs adjustment, blah blah blah. It has a pretty good engine (B&S I/C), but otherwise I've had to work on just about everything on it.
Click to expand...

OK, that's the stuff I was looking for. I see they have new tire designs that prevent lawn damage, and wheel weights for the front to prevent tipping. Someone else suggested guide wheels on your blade guard to prevent chunks of your lawn from being cut up when you go over dips.
 
A

AMDMaddness

Platinum Member
Sep 1, 2003
2,406
2
81
A lawn tractor is bigger than a riding lawn mower. A lawn tractor has larger wheels and more power etc. a riding mower is one of those sissyfied lawn tractor mowers.
 
R

RapidSnail

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2006
4,257
0
0
Originally posted by: AMDMaddness
A lawn tractor is bigger than a riding lawn mower. A lawn tractor has larger wheels and more power etc. a riding mower is one of those sissyfied lawn tractor mowers.
Click to expand...
Well my father uses a $7,500 Toro and calls it a lawn mower :D.
 
M

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
I have a 18hp craftsman something 2000. I got the extended warranty on it but its doing well. I've had it for 2 years. Nice mower. Briggs&stratton engine gives me no problems. Manual tranny since switching gears is so easy on need to spring for automatic(step on pedal, pull lever to gear, let up on pedal). The only problem I've had with it is its got some arms on the front frame to the deck. The right front arm keeps falling off and twisting. II thionk its because I have to mow around a lot of raised mulch thattwists and throws it off. Covered repairs under the extended warranty though ans I've learned to drive it better so I dont do it anymore.

Craftsman is godo stuff usuallly. I got 1 gas blower/vac, 1 electric blower, 1 push mower, 1 lawn tractor, a bunch of tools and tool boxes that are craftsman and they work well and in the case of when tools invaribaly break(even impact sockets will break with a few hundred pounds of torque), i get them replaced no questions asked.

btw, i;'ve got 1.5 acres and it takes me about 45 minutes to maw the 2/3 of an acre or so covered by grass.
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: mwmorph
I have a 18hp craftsman something 2000. I got the extended warranty on it but its doing well. I've had it for 2 years. Nice mower. Briggs&stratton engine gives me no problems. Manual tranny since switching gears is so easy on need to spring for automatic(step on pedal, pull lever to gear, let up on pedal). The only problem I've had with it is its got some arms on the front frame to the deck. The right front arm keeps falling off and twisting. II thionk its because I have to mow around a lot of raised mulch thattwists and throws it off. Covered repairs under the extended warranty though ans I've learned to drive it better so I dont do it anymore.

Craftsman is godo stuff usuallly. I got 1 gas blower/vac, 1 electric blower, 1 push mower, 1 lawn tractor, a bunch of tools and tool boxes that are craftsman and they work well and in the case of when tools invaribaly break(even impact sockets will break with a few hundred pounds of torque), i get them replaced no questions asked.

btw, i;'ve got 1.5 acres and it takes me about 45 minutes to maw the 2/3 of an acre or so covered by grass.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
 
Squisher

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
I like the Toro's because they mulch well



Consumer's reports:



AUTOMATIC-DRIVE MODELS

John Deere X304 X300 $2800 $3500 84. 42 17
John Deere 125 CR Best Buy 115 $1700, 135 $2000 $1800 76. 42 20
Craftsman (Sears) 27690 CR Best Buy 27680 $2100, 27691 $2300,
Husqvarna YTH2454T $2000 $2000 74. 54 26
Cub Cadet LT1042 13AX11CG 13AL11CG $1600 $1600 72. 42 19
Simplicity Regent 16hp 44" $2800 71. 44 16
Toro Wheel Horse 16-38 HXL $2200 71. 38 16
Toro LX420 13AX60RH
Cub Cadet 13AX10CG $1500 $1300 69. 42 18
John Deere 155C 145 $2300 $2600 68. 48 25
Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 13AX60TG
White Outdoor 13AX605G $1400 $1300 68. 42 19
Yard-Man 13AX605G $1300 68. 42 19
Husqvarna YTH20F42T YHT2242T $1600 $1700 66. 42 20
Kubota T1670 40" $3000 66. 40 15
Cub Cadet LT1045 13AX11CH 13AP11CH $1900,
White Outdoor 13A4616H $1700 $1700 61. 46 20
Cub Cadet LT1050 13AP11CP 13AQ11BP $2400 $2000 60. 50 23
Craftsman (Sears) 27664 27662 $1900, 27668 $1900 $1400 59. 42 20
Husqvarna YTH1542XP $2000 59. 42 15
Craftsman (Sears) 27678 $1200 56. 42 20
Toro LX460 13AX60RG
MTD Pro 13AT605H $1500 $1500 55. 46 20

GEAR-DRIVE MODELS

John Deere 102 CR Best Buy $1400 67. 42 17
Craftsman (Sears) 27663 $1300 55. 42 20
Yard Machines 13AM762G 13BN771G $1000,
Huskee 13AD771G $960 $920 53. 42 15.5

ZERO-TURN-RADIUS MODELS

Toro TimeCutter ZX440 $4200 76. 44 Not stated
Snapper ZT18440KH
Simplicity ZT1844 $4200 $4000 71. 44 18
Lawn-Boy 81245
Toro Z420 $3000, 81240 $3000 $3400 63. 42 16
Cub Cadet RZT50 17AA5D7P
Troy-Bilt RZT50 $3000 $3000 61. 50 22
Craftsman (Sears) 27772 $2700 60. 44 20
Ariens 915065 1540 $3100 59. 40 15
Dixon 918 $3350 43. 42 16
 
D

drnickriviera

Platinum Member
Jan 30, 2001
2,443
250
136
I probably sound like a broken record, but see if you can find a used commercial mower like a exmark. I bought a hydrostatic walk behind on ebay for $1400. Just this past week I was cutting the grass at one of my rentals. I cut the back yard first and as I came to cut the front, I noticed the neighbor across the street had started cutting his with his riding mower. I didn't pay much attention to him until I loaded my mower in the trailer. I had cut my entire yard in the same time he had cut half.

Riding mowers are tanks, they just can't compete with a zero turn. Plus they have all the stupid safety junk on it. (can't get out of seat with engine running, can't go in reverse with blade on without pulling a silly lever, etc)
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Plus they have all the stupid safety junk on it. (can't get out of seat with engine running, can't go in reverse with blade on without pulling a silly lever, etc)
Click to expand...

Yeah...we should be able to run over kids and tip the thing over from not paying attention if we want to! :)
 
Fritzo

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Originally posted by: Squisher
I like the Toro's because they mulch well



Consumer's reports:



AUTOMATIC-DRIVE MODELS

John Deere X304 X300 $2800 $3500 84. 42 17
John Deere 125 CR Best Buy 115 $1700, 135 $2000 $1800 76. 42 20
Craftsman (Sears) 27690 CR Best Buy 27680 $2100, 27691 $2300,
Husqvarna YTH2454T $2000 $2000 74. 54 26
Cub Cadet LT1042 13AX11CG 13AL11CG $1600 $1600 72. 42 19
Simplicity Regent 16hp 44" $2800 71. 44 16
Toro Wheel Horse 16-38 HXL $2200 71. 38 16
Toro LX420 13AX60RH
Cub Cadet 13AX10CG $1500 $1300 69. 42 18
John Deere 155C 145 $2300 $2600 68. 48 25
Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 13AX60TG
White Outdoor 13AX605G $1400 $1300 68. 42 19
Yard-Man 13AX605G $1300 68. 42 19
Husqvarna YTH20F42T YHT2242T $1600 $1700 66. 42 20
Kubota T1670 40" $3000 66. 40 15
Cub Cadet LT1045 13AX11CH 13AP11CH $1900,
White Outdoor 13A4616H $1700 $1700 61. 46 20
Cub Cadet LT1050 13AP11CP 13AQ11BP $2400 $2000 60. 50 23
Craftsman (Sears) 27664 27662 $1900, 27668 $1900 $1400 59. 42 20
Husqvarna YTH1542XP $2000 59. 42 15
Craftsman (Sears) 27678 $1200 56. 42 20
Toro LX460 13AX60RG
MTD Pro 13AT605H $1500 $1500 55. 46 20

GEAR-DRIVE MODELS

John Deere 102 CR Best Buy $1400 67. 42 17
Craftsman (Sears) 27663 $1300 55. 42 20
Yard Machines 13AM762G 13BN771G $1000,
Huskee 13AD771G $960 $920 53. 42 15.5

ZERO-TURN-RADIUS MODELS

Toro TimeCutter ZX440 $4200 76. 44 Not stated
Snapper ZT18440KH
Simplicity ZT1844 $4200 $4000 71. 44 18
Lawn-Boy 81245
Toro Z420 $3000, 81240 $3000 $3400 63. 42 16
Cub Cadet RZT50 17AA5D7P
Troy-Bilt RZT50 $3000 $3000 61. 50 22
Craftsman (Sears) 27772 $2700 60. 44 20
Ariens 915065 1540 $3100 59. 40 15
Dixon 918 $3350 43. 42 16
Click to expand...

I got this one for $999 at Home Depot: MTD Pro 13AT605H $1500 $1500 55. 46 20

This thing rocks. Even has a cup holder :D Cruise control. auto transmission---I might start driving to it work!
 
V

VWhed

Senior member
Jan 23, 2004
816
0
71
John Deere 318, one of the best lawn tractors ever, if you can spring it.($1750-$2000)

-Hydrostatic is an absolute must if you have "obstacles"
-pressurized oil system if you have hilly terrain
-consider used, especially this late in the season, prices are down
 
DrPizza

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I probably sound like a broken record, but see if you can find a used commercial mower like a exmark. I bought a hydrostatic walk behind on ebay for $1400. Just this past week I was cutting the grass at one of my rentals. I cut the back yard first and as I came to cut the front, I noticed the neighbor across the street had started cutting his with his riding mower. I didn't pay much attention to him until I loaded my mower in the trailer. I had cut my entire yard in the same time he had cut half.

Riding mowers are tanks, they just can't compete with a zero turn. Plus they have all the stupid safety junk on it. (can't get out of seat with engine running, can't go in reverse with blade on without pulling a silly lever, etc)
Click to expand...

I'll add to the broken record: You can often get great deals used; my brother got a really nice commercial mower at a city equipment auction (He paid $400, said they were several thousand new, and that he could resell it if he wanted to for about $1500).

In my experience, more horsepower means you're going to be able to drive faster without bogging down the blade. In other words, take less time.
 
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