Need advice on buying a riding lawn mower!

[smughal31]

Guys I am in the market to buy a new riding lawn mower. Nothing too big and can't drop a ton of cash. Just want something that is reliable and cuts good and not a hassle to use. Open foamy opinions brand, size and where to buy. Thanks in advance !

 

[drumking]

My foamy opinion is to buy a Troy-built Bronco with a Kohler engine. 42" cut. I love the one that I bought 3 years ago. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[Muskrat]

My Troy-Bilt "Pony" 42-inch cut has served me well for 10 years. I used it just yesterday and still runs like a "champ". emoGeezer

I forgot to mention I got mine at Lowe's and it's just about the same price today as it was 10 years ago. My favorite feature is the 7 speed Shift-on-the-Go transmission requires no clutching or stopping to switch gears.

 

[catjuggin]

Look at Cub Cadet. I use their commercial mowers and have gotten many seasons out of them. Parts are easily available. Try Sequoia Equipment

 

[dragfish]

My STRONG advise is don't buy a "John Deer" at Lowe's. They're not original JD's and the one I bought has dropped 3 different deck pieces in my yard while mowing.
I've been able to rig it to where I can mow with it, but for $1400 it wasn't what I expected.
Since you're in Jasper I'd HIGHLY recomend the little place on hwy 41, Not sure-is it Jasper small engine?
Support your small local business and get great service after the sale.

 

[calveryc]

Does riding mower mean non zero turn or either? My advice is not to buy residential cub cadets especially zero turns from cub. I had one and broke two spindles after two years with minimal use. They also come with cheap stamped decks that aren't very strong. I don't know if you want a regular riding mower or zero turn but I would advise, if you can afford it, to go zero turn. It makes life so much easier, as far as brands I really like the new entry level hustler raptor but it's around $2500.00. I have a scag tiger cub and love it but they are really expensive so I doubt you'd want to go that route for residential.

 

[smughal31]

dragfish - 3/19/2015 8:57 PM

My STRONG advise is don't buy a "John Deer" at Lowe's. They're not original JD's and the one I bought has dropped 3 different deck pieces in my yard while mowing.
I've been able to rig it to where I can mow with it, but for $1400 it wasn't what I expected.
Since you're in Jasper I'd HIGHLY recomend the little place on hwy 41, Not sure-is it Jasper small engine?
Support your small local business and get great service after the sale.

you're not the first person I have heard this from! Which makes me really upset cause that was the route I wanted to take was to get that 110 john Deere. That really sucks. But I think the place you are talking about is "Yorks small engine" and I've been meaning to stop by there and see what he's got I have ran into him on the lake before and he's a nice guy! And you're right on supporting local and good customer service thank you

 

[smughal31]

calveryc - 3/19/2015 9:12 PM

Does riding mower mean non zero turn or either? My advice is not to buy residential cub cadets especially zero turns from cub. I had one and broke two spindles after two years with minimal use. They also come with cheap stamped decks that aren't very strong. I don't know if you want a regular riding mower or zero turn but I would advise, if you can afford it, to go zero turn. It makes life so much easier, as far as brands I really like the new entry level hustler raptor but it's around $2500.00. I have a scag tiger cub and love it but they are really expensive so I doubt you'd want to go that route for residential.

I would love to go with a zero turn I just don't think I could swing that kind of cash.

 

[smughal31]

Muskrat - 3/19/2015 8:17 PM

My Troy-Bilt "Pony" 42-inch cut has served me well for 10 years. I used it just yesterday and still runs like a "champ". emoGeezer

I forgot to mention I got mine at Lowe's and it's just about the same price today as it was 10 years ago. My favorite feature is the 7 speed Shift-on-the-Go transmission requires no clutching or stopping to switch gears.

10 years??? Wow might have to check that out!

 

[derek81]

I had one of the Lowe's John deere mowers years ago and it was garbage. I have a Husqvarna now and couldn't be happier for the price.

 

[river rat]

I have had almost every brand there is over the years. Last year I bought a Husgavarna 24hp 48" cut and it is probably the best I have ever owned

 

[Hook1]

I bought a John Deer LA120 at Home Depot 10 yrs ago this summer. They had no interest for 24 months and this made it surprisingly affordable when I divided the price by 24. The mower has worked great every year and the hydrostatic transmission is really nice to use. I don't know whats up with the ones at Lowes but mine has been bullet proof. Also Homestead Lawn and garden came out to my house and picked it up for the first two years of service (That was also free with the purchase). All I have done since then is change the oil, air filter and check tranny fluid each year before the first use.

 

[screwball]

I think you should buy my husquvarna 54" cut lawn tractor. it was only used half a season and is still under warranty. first $1500.00 gets it. Has 26hp kohler engine.

 

[calveryc]

Sounds like a great deal.

 

[Gator]

I bought a John Deere STX 38 that has a 12.5 Kohler engine. It was a couple years old when I bought it in 1992 and it has been fantastic. It still runs like a Deere. I think it's a better quality mower than the one sold by Lowes these days.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Going on my 3rd year with my Husky and runs like a champ!