small lawn tractor/mower recommendations?

replicant_argent · 03-18-2010, 07:43 AM

My pusher died last fall at the end of the season, and quite frankly, even though I don't have a large lawn, it's time for a rider. What are the brands I should look for in the smaller tractors? I don't have a very difficult lot, mostly flattish, and less than an acre. Are the Briggs engines still something to stay away from with the valve problems after a few years? Considering most of the mowers I have seen in the lower end of the spectrum (price wise) seem to use B&S engines, is it a losing battle unless you want to spent 1500+?

colinb913 · 03-18-2010, 09:19 AM

I have this one and it serves me great for my 7/8 acre land.

wayner123 · 03-18-2010, 12:49 PM

What price range are you looking at?

Do you want zero turn capabilities?

Do you want a rider as in sit down, or will a velky work?

Will you maintenance them yourself or have a shop do it?

Subvet642 · 03-18-2010, 01:05 PM

You could try one of these.

replicant_argent · 03-18-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subvet642

You could try one of these.

Looks delicious.

forgop · 03-18-2010, 01:52 PM

Have you considered maybe a 48" walk behind? I picked up one locally with a velke for $1k used.

shilala · 03-18-2010, 02:00 PM

If I was buying new, I'd get a Deere at Lowe's. Plenty good enough for the little I need to do. My last Deere has lasted me about 15 years, and it was just a lawn tractor, too. It cut 5 acres of grass for lots of years.

captain53 · 03-18-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

If I was buying new, I'd get a Deere at Lowe's. Plenty good enough for the little I need to do. My last Deere has lasted me about 15 years, and it was just a lawn tractor, too. It cut 5 acres of grass for lots of years.

I have a 1978 model Deere still running and even better I can still get parts for it with not problem. Nothing Runs Like a Deere!

RGD. · 03-19-2010, 08:12 AM

I don't own a riding mower - but if I did it would have to be one of these. My boss owns the first one pictured and I have ridden it several times. It scoots along really good and is the zero turn radius.

This one isn't a zero turn - but it is a 4 inch turn. Has the steering wheel which may be easier for some verses the stick steering of the first one.

Ron

replicant_argent · 03-19-2010, 08:17 AM

I would love to spend 2-3K on a mower, but neither my lot or my wallet will justify a zero turn machine. The budget is about a grand, I think. The choices in that range are pretty slim, unfortunately. Lowes carries a Troy built Pony with a 17.5 hp motor that is about what I am looking for.
http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/g...8178&buyhide=1
Something of that nature probably won't have a perfect turning radius, or be the best for towing attachments and such, but more in the ballpark of where I need to be.

RGD. · 03-19-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

I would love to spend 2-3K on a mower, but neither my lot or my wallet will justify a zero turn machine. The budget is about a grand, I think. The choices in that range are pretty slim, unfortunately. Lowes carries a Troy built Pony with a 17.5 hp motor that is about what I am looking for.
http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/g...8178&buyhide=1
Something of that nature probably won't have a perfect turning radius, or be the best for towing attachments and such, but more in the ballpark of where I need to be.

True. Cost is one reason why I don't have one yet. We don't have a big lot but it is on a hill and the backyard is getting to be more of a pain as we get older. Have to get something in a few years though. It wears me out watching my wife cut the backyard with that push mower.

Ron

wayner123 · 03-19-2010, 09:13 AM

I would try Craigslist. There are usually a good number of people who tried landscaping to make some extra cash and are now trying to get out of the business. I have seen some really good deals.

I have had great results with Toro, Craftsman, Dixie chopper and Snapper. I personally would try and pick up a 36" Toro or Snapper walk-behind with a velke or sulky on craigslist. Dixie Chopper's might be out of your price range and usually people who own them, don't get rid of them. Craftsman has always done me well.

A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs.

forgop · 03-19-2010, 03:41 PM

Something else to try out is lawnsite.com. They have a marketplace forum of sorts. That's where I picked up the 48" walk behind that will be delivered on Monday for $1k w/ a velke.

forgop · 03-19-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs.

One other thing-the John Deere tractors you see at Home Depot (and for the most part, even at JD dealerships) is that they don't make them like they used to. I grew up mowing with a JD 318 and loved it. It was a HEAVY garden tractor, which I think was somewhere around 900 lbs give or take. Try finding an actual garden tractor like that nowadays period, let alone in a low price point. What you'll most likely end up with is MTD/Cub Cadet type of stuff with green paint on it.

Zoomschwortz · 03-23-2010, 10:19 PM

I have a 1969 John Deere that has a small mower deck so I just use it for rototilling and I use and 8 year old Craftsman for my mowing.

Nice thing about the Deere is after 41 years it still runs great and you can still buy parts for it.

Ashcan Bill · 03-24-2010, 01:26 AM

This one's pretty spiffy.

smitdavi · 03-24-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

Something else to try out is lawnsite.com. They have a marketplace forum of sorts. That's where I picked up the 48" walk behind that will be delivered on Monday for $1k w/ a velke.

After being in the business for a long time I would recommend this option. IMO a walk behind will offer a superior cut and they are fun to ride. This is what I would do.

JaKaacH · 03-24-2010, 05:45 AM

A tough as nails mower.
Simple, inexpensive, did I mention tuff...My brother and I tried to shred one of these when growing up but never could kill it..

03-18-2010, 07:43 AM	#1
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? My pusher died last fall at the end of the season, and quite frankly, even though I don't have a large lawn, it's time for a rider. What are the brands I should look for in the smaller tractors? I don't have a very difficult lot, mostly flattish, and less than an acre. Are the Briggs engines still something to stay away from with the valve problems after a few years? Considering most of the mowers I have seen in the lower end of the spectrum (price wise) seem to use B&S engines, is it a losing battle unless you want to spent 1500+? __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

03-18-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
colinb913 Workin' at a Cigar Shop Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: Colin Location: Indiana Posts: 540 Trading: (1)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I have this one and it serves me great for my 7/8 acre land.

03-18-2010, 12:49 PM	#3
wayner123 Country Gentleman Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 2,351 Trading: (159)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? What price range are you looking at? Do you want zero turn capabilities? Do you want a rider as in sit down, or will a velky work? Will you maintenance them yourself or have a shop do it? __________________ 'It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.'

03-18-2010, 01:05 PM	#4
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? You could try one of these. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

03-18-2010, 01:52 PM	#6
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? Have you considered maybe a 48" walk behind? I picked up one locally with a velke for $1k used.

03-18-2010, 02:00 PM	#7
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? If I was buying new, I'd get a Deere at Lowe's. Plenty good enough for the little I need to do. My last Deere has lasted me about 15 years, and it was just a lawn tractor, too. It cut 5 acres of grass for lots of years. __________________

03-19-2010, 08:12 AM	#9
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I don't own a riding mower - but if I did it would have to be one of these. My boss owns the first one pictured and I have ridden it several times. It scoots along really good and is the zero turn radius. This one isn't a zero turn - but it is a 4 inch turn. Has the steering wheel which may be easier for some verses the stick steering of the first one. Ron

03-19-2010, 08:17 AM	#10
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I would love to spend 2-3K on a mower, but neither my lot or my wallet will justify a zero turn machine. The budget is about a grand, I think. The choices in that range are pretty slim, unfortunately. Lowes carries a Troy built Pony with a 17.5 hp motor that is about what I am looking for. http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/g...8178&buyhide=1 Something of that nature probably won't have a perfect turning radius, or be the best for towing attachments and such, but more in the ballpark of where I need to be. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

03-19-2010, 09:13 AM	#12
wayner123 Country Gentleman Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 2,351 Trading: (159)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I would try Craigslist. There are usually a good number of people who tried landscaping to make some extra cash and are now trying to get out of the business. I have seen some really good deals. I have had great results with Toro, Craftsman, Dixie chopper and Snapper. I personally would try and pick up a 36" Toro or Snapper walk-behind with a velke or sulky on craigslist. Dixie Chopper's might be out of your price range and usually people who own them, don't get rid of them. Craftsman has always done me well. A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs. __________________ 'It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.'

03-19-2010, 03:41 PM	#13
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? Something else to try out is lawnsite.com. They have a marketplace forum of sorts. That's where I picked up the 48" walk behind that will be delivered on Monday for $1k w/ a velke.

03-23-2010, 10:19 PM	#15
Zoomschwortz I'm back Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 470 Trading: (3)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I have a 1969 John Deere that has a small mower deck so I just use it for rototilling and I use and 8 year old Craftsman for my mowing. Nice thing about the Deere is after 41 years it still runs great and you can still buy parts for it.

03-24-2010, 01:26 AM	#16
Ashcan Bill Ol' Dude Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bill Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,890 Trading: (6)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? This one's pretty spiffy.

03-24-2010, 05:45 AM	#18
JaKaacH ROCK Chalk JAYHAWK K U Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Living in the golden age of ignorance in power. Posts: 1,363 Trading: (32)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? A tough as nails mower. Simple, inexpensive, did I mention tuff...My brother and I tried to shred one of these when growing up but never could kill it.. __________________ --Anger Management Graduate-- WHAT the F^#% you looking at??? Last edited by JaKaacH; 03-24-2010 at 05:53 AM.