Most exciting thread of the year? Let’s chat Ride On Lawn Mowers!

[MosportGreen66]

Hi Guys,

Looking to purchase a ride on lawn mower within the next couple weeks and was hoping to tap into your experience.

Brand?
Specs?
Must haves?
Anything to stay away from?

Thanks,
Dan

[mockingbird812]

Hey Dan.

Gravely (vintage 1975) or nuthin’!! :biggthumpup: LOL. Photo from the 2000 and still have her. 20 HP Kohler w/ twin cylinders and beaucoup accessories including a 50” belly motor and 3 PTOs forward/middle/rear. 2nd photo is this spring cleaning up our woods with the vintage Amerind MacKissic chipper shredder (still in business).

Good luck. Watch the cheap Chinese crap!

On a serious note, how big a lawn and what else do you want to do with it?

[67since67]

Watch the cheap Chinese crap!

On a serious note, how big a lawn and what else do you want to do with it?

I was about to ask the same thing Dan.

[Vern B]

Hi Guys,

Looking to purchase a ride on lawn mower within the next couple weeks and was hoping to tap into your experience.

Brand?
Specs?
Must haves?
Anything to stay away from?

Thanks,
Dan

I have a Toro Timecutter 60” zero turn. I switched from a JD 425 60” tractor to the zero turn. I mow about 2 1/2 acres, so you might not need that much deck width. If you’re buying a machine dedicated to mowing, buy a zero turn. If you need other attachments, buy a tractor.

Toro bought out Exmark a few years ago and my mower was built at a former Exmark plant in Beatrice, NE. Toro builds their own engines and I understand these days that they’re building engines in both the US and China.

The Timecutter 60” is a mid range mower, high end if the homeowner line and low end of the commercial. It has the hydraulic pumps and motors of the next two models above it.

Mine is about 4 years old and so far, it’s a great mower. The cut quality is far superior to any tractor mower.

I sold for Caterpillar for 30 years, so try to buy quality products. I buy from dealers and stay away from the junk the big box stores sell.

I looked at a Skag, one of the best, but sort of overkill for residential use. I have a friend that has a Husky and likes it, but I don’t think it’s Toro/Exmark quality.

[Crush]

I agree how much lawn we talking about?

You can’t beat the zero turn for quality of cut and efficiency. The downside they are pretty much one dimensional. I have a compact Kubota tractor that has a belly mower, bucket and forks. It comes in really handy.

[MosportGreen66]

Thanks Guys! I have an acre. About 20% is wooded. There is a hill with an incline on one side of the property. Flat back yard. There's a local dealer who will be getting my business - trying to shop small for this purchase - just need help on specs.

I would like a ride on tractor because over time I'm sure I'll get accessories like a bagger, plow, small trailer. The logic in me thinks high HP is better due to the small hill? Anything else I should be aware of? What size mower deck? Property isn't huge but I'd like this to be a one time purchase for many years of use...

Thanks

[RPOLS3]

I agree with Vern.

I have a Toro Timecutter zero turn with a 42" deck for a 3/4 acre lot. Had it 10 years now and still love it. Other than routine maintenance I have had zero issues with it.

[SMS]

Thanks Guys! I have an acre. About 20% is wooded. There is a hill with an incline on one side of the property. Flat back yard. There's a local dealer who will be getting my business - trying to shop small for this purchase - just need help on specs.

I would like a ride on tractor because over time I'm sure I'll get accessories like a bagger, plow, small trailer. The logic in me thinks high HP is better due to the small hill? Anything else I should be aware of? What size mower deck? Property isn't huge but I'd like this to be a one time purchase for many years of use...

Thanks

A compact utility tractor with 4wd, a real frame, rear three point hitch for things like a sprayer, 60" deck like a 25 hp John Deere 2210 would be perfect for that makeup. Stay away from the stamped sheet metal frame units with spindle mount wheels parked in front at the box stores. Get heavy duty enough to drag a log and still make short work of the yard.

That tractor is so handy, but we mow 6 acres so instead of spending all weekend on it, we mow with a 45 hp Dixie Chopper with a 74" deck.

[67since67]

This was a nice mower for me, 2010, 48" deck, twin cylinder Kawasaki smooth and quiet. Deere mowers never die. If you are shopping new get the updated version or consider a 5 or 7 series with 54 or 60" deck.

Another possibility, new zero turn, and an older tractor for other tasks.

Bill W

[67since67]

After moving I needed more. The first year here I put 40 hours on this doing landscaping work with all sorts of 3 point equipment etc. Gets called in for heavy snow removal too and countless lifting tasks.
The three cylinder Yanmar diesel cut fuel consumption less than half.
Likely overkill for you but depends on what you need to accomplish.

Keep us posted Dan!

[Too Many Projects]

What brand does your local guy sell ?
I had a 2001 Toro 20 hp twin cylinder, air cooled, Briggs and Stratton with a 48" deck that cut 1 acre with for 18 years. I have a tow behind fertilizer spread and a sprayer cart with pump for weed control.


The Toro was getting tired with 970 hrs on it, so left it for the new owners when we sold 2 years ago. I bought the JD X540 from the owners of our new place. It had a 48" snow thrower that I sold the first winter, as I have a plow on my truck. A snow thrower is a much better removal tool than a plow.
It has the 54" mower deck. Our lot has a lot of slope to it too and the 22 hp, liquid cooled Kawasaki has plenty of power for anything I do. It's a 2010 that only 330 hours on it.



https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/q752/Stillwaterchevs/Moving%20to%20new%20home/.highres/DSC05056_zps2pagnxku.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

[MosportGreen66]

What brand does your local guy sell ?
I had a 2001 Toro 20 hp twin cylinder, air cooled, Briggs and Stratton with a 48" deck that cut 1 acre with for 18 years. I have a tow behind fertilizer spread and a sprayer cart with pump for weed control.


The Toro was getting tired with 970 hrs on it, so left it for the new owners when we sold 2 years ago. I bought the JD X540 from the owners of our new place. It had a 48" snow thrower that I sold the first winter, as I have a plow on my truck. A snow thrower is a much better removal tool than a plow.
It has the 54" mower deck. Our lot has a lot of slope to it too and the 22 hp, liquid cooled Kawasaki has plenty of power for anything I do. It's a 2010 that only 330 hours on it.



https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/q752/Stillwaterchevs/Moving%20to%20new%20home/.highres/DSC05056_zps2pagnxku.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

Very nice JD!

Local rep sells Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and others. There is a JD rep about an hour away. You gents with JD seem to love the equipment, maybe I need to make a trip...

[67since67]

There is a JD rep about an hour away. You gents with JD seem to love the equipment, maybe I need to make a trip...

Geez Dan, an hour?? Within an hour radius I have at least a dozen JD dealers, but this is IA not NY LOL!
Also some brand loyalty with five Deere mfg facilities in town.

There are other quality machines out there, pay attention to engine mfg and country of origin.

Deere is arguably considered the leader in most any market they are in, exceptions being zero turns and some construction equipment.

Bill W

[L16pilot]

I retired my 1978 Gravely in 2017 and bought a JD Zero-turn mower. I will "invest" in good quality equipment, maintain it well and keep it for decades. I only retired the Gravely because it was difficult getting parts. I looked at a dozen or so different zero-turn mfgrs and settled on JD for one main reason...parts availability for eons and their dealer network is extensive. I was originally looking at a 60" model, but settled on a 48" as I have some uneven ground and the dealer said the 48" might take a bit longer to mow, but would result in less gouging on uneven ground. My wife has horses, but we also have a 1983 Kubota with a bucket and bushog for taking care of heavier duty chores.

[dustinm]

I just struggle along with a 20 year old JD 425 garden tractor w/700 hours, that I have a tiller, blade, and snow thrower for. I was thinking the last time I mowed the lawn that I hope to never have to buy a replacement, because I would have to step up to a compact tractor to just maintain the same options and quality, plus the new riders are just unattractive looking. I should really get a zero turn and retire the 425 to tilling and snow blowing duties just to make it last longer.

[southernfriedcj]

I've got a Ferris ISX3300 with 37 HP and a 72" cut.

The suspension makes cutting grass a pleasure.

I've also got a 50hp 4x4 tractor and a 72" flail mower but the Ferris is faster. I use the flail mower for light brush. I have a 72" Diamond forestry mulcher for the big stuff. It's a beast.


https://sleequipment.com/ferris-isx3300-zero-turn-mower-72-deck-37hp-vanguard.html?fee=34&fep=3093112&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=husqvarna%20zero%20turn%20mowers%202&utm_term=4584138865644609&utm_content=Ad%20group%20#1

[SMS]

I've got a Ferris ISX3300 with 37 HP and a 72" cut.

The suspension makes cutting grass a pleasure.

I've also got a 50hp 4x4 tractor and a 72" flail mower but the Ferris is faster. I use the flail mower for light brush. I have a 72" Diamond forestry mulcher for the big stuff. It's a beast.


https://sleequipment.com/ferris-isx3300-zero-turn-mower-72-deck-37hp-vanguard.html?fee=34&fep=3093112&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=husqvarna%20zero%20turn%20mowers%202&utm_term=4584138865644609&utm_content=Ad%20group%20#1

I’d love to have a forestry mulcher.

[southernfriedcj]

I’d love to have a forestry mulcher.

They're a lot of fun.

I have a Kubota SVL90-2 and a long day in in hurts my knees and back.

[Mr. Chevy]

I'm looking at buying an Xmark Quest "S" zero turn with a 54 inch deck. Trying to find one is the hard part now. I currently have a 2010 model 42 inch Cub Cadet i1042 original zero turn mower with a steering wheel. It's been an "ok" mower but I'm reaching 600 hours and things are starting to break. I have had stupid issues with it since new.. Not sure I would buy another Cub Cadet. I hear Xmark is the "bomb" right now. They are built like tanks...

Rich

[Enoch]

Kubota zero-turn ZD 26. 26 horsepower diesel 60 inch deck have had it for almost 15 years have about eight hundred hours on it and it runs like new.

[Mr. Chevy]

I'm also looking at a Scag Cheetah.... LOL Mow the yard in record time... Scags are pretty bad A$$ also

Rich

[MosportGreen66]

Hi Guys, I had a local Husqvarna YTH22V46 fall into my lap yesterday and I decided for a first time machine owner, keeping the purchase below budget was important.

It's got a 22 HP Briggs and Straton motor (assembled in the USA) with a 46 inch deck. 1 owner machine and serviced well. About 190 total hours. The seller included a trailer, jack, aerator attachment, fertilizer attachment, bagging system and wheel barrow in the deal. I did well for a first machine. I used it yesterday with good results. I'm going to change oil, filter, spark plug, front tires (maybe rear tires too). Its got fairly new blades and new belt.

Thanks to all who participated! Time to watch more Youtubes on how to get the lawn to look like Yankee Stadium.

Dan

[67since67]

I've been in suspense wondering what you would buy Dan LOL!!!

Well done!!

[Xplantdad]

Hi Dan-Congrats on the house purchase, too!!:headbang:

[Too Many Projects]

Dang, SCORE !!! You got a LOT of equipment in that deal.
I can't imagine why it would need new tires at 190 hours. The 20 year old tires on my TORO were still like new at 950 hours.
Getting the lawn to look like Yankee Stadium will require a gang of reel mowers.


https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. 4zLy-AMLjpuxOL-DDwowTAHaEz%26pid%3DApi&f=1

[x77-69z28]

Dan, not sure if you purchased yet or not, but I just picked up a John Deere S130. It is awesome! 42” cut, cruise control quiet. Really happy with it.
Buddy

[x77-69z28]

Never mind! Didn’t read the thread all the way through! Excellent purchase.
Buddy

[MosportGreen66]

Hi Guys, thanks for the kind words. I'll be sure to post progress. Time to make a new thread about fertilizers, seed, weed prevention and techniques lol.

Dan

[Crush]

Hi Guys, thanks for the kind words. I'll be sure to post progress. Time to make a new thread about fertilizers, seed, weed prevention and techniques lol.

Dan

And moles and ground hogs!!

[SMS]

Hey you kids, get off my lawn!!!!!

[Lee Stewart]

https://i.postimg.cc/bvC1MnLT/0e.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[WILMASBOYL78]

Dan...good choice on the Husky. We've had ours for about 15 years...runs great and Karen does all the mowing. Of course she did get the Super Sport package when we bought it :cool2:

[MosportGreen66]

It has been a productive month with the mower... Upon maiden voyage, I noticed the rear was slipping on the side yard incline. After research, I purchased Marastar Turf Traction tires for the rear. These tires have superb traction (aggressive tread) over the stock Carlisle tires but do not cut up the lawn. They have great reviews too. I replaced the front tires with stock Carlisles. Huge improvement over stock and slipping is nearly indictable.

Rear Tires:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MKW95N1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Weakest link identified - I broke the RH tie rod I'm sure because of the new tires. I'm process of replacing both RH and LH tie rods, and the main steering gear due to wear on the teeth. Lots of good tutorial videos on Youtube! I also installed a new headlight harness, head lamps, headlight lenses and changed the air filter, spark plugs, oil/oil filter, oil drain hose, and misc hardware. Lastly I scraped the deck clean and installed new blades.

The mower should be good to go for many seasons of issue free cutting!

Dan

[njsteve]

My 1989 John Deere 185 that I bought as a dealer Demo from Creasy Tractor in Lakeland Florida back in 1990. I've been running it ever since.

Just a week or so ago, one of my buddies gave me his old 1989 John Deere 160 that he wanted to get rid of. He was going to scrap it since he had no use for it any more. It runs fine once I added the new starter relay kit. The main difference between the two is that the 160 has a slightly smaller 12-1/2 hp, Kawasaki FB460V engine and a manual transmission (versus mine which has a 17 hp, FC540V Kawasaki and a hydrostatic drive).

They both have the same 38" mower deck which I will be swapping to mine since the 160's deck is in much nicer shape with no holes in it from decades of rocky soil mowing.

Once I swap the decks I may just put the 160 up for sale locally next spring. Mabe another crazy person wants a vintage Jon Deere to play with.

Here's the olf oil analysis I had done on mine a few years ago just for giggles:

[67since67]

As I stated early in this thread, Deere mowers never die.
I ran a 185 for 20 years, my only gripe was it steered hard. My BIL is still using it.

Bill W

[njsteve]

Yeah, they steer hard. That 160 is an full upper body/arm workout - I guess that's why he added that official John Deere suicide knob on the 160's steering wheel.

On my 185, I had disassembled both front spindles and the steering column several years ago and greased the hell out of them. It's a night and day difference now. You can drive the 185, one-handed now. Unfortunately they don't have a grease fitting for the steering column or gear so that is the major part of the problem once dirt and rust get in.

Update: I just spent a couple hours tinkering and pulled the 38" deck off the 160. It is in really nice shape. Like a B+ condition versus the D+ my 185 deck is in.

Before and after cleaning:

[Too Many Projects]

As I stated early in this thread, Deere mowers never die.
I ran a 185 for 20 years, my only gripe was it steered hard. My BIL is still using it.

Bill W


Huh, my X540 has hydraulic power assist. My, new to me, Honda CR-V steers harder than the Deere.

[TMagda]

This belongs to a friend:

[Too Many Projects]

Looks like something Tim, The Tool Man, would have wrecked.
He must need ear plugs and shooting muffs, with the pipes bellering right in his ears.
I don't see a bar for weights on the front. Does he run it in the unlimited class of pulling tractors ?

[mssl72]

Where's the blade??