Lawn Tractors - suggestions?

In reply to rebelgtp:

Sounds like you need to swap. I'd say they have it all mowed by the time the blades kick on.

rebelgtp wrote: The people across the street from me have one of those for a yard that is MAYBE 9 feet by twelve feet.

I want a tractor. Because... Because...

Because tractor.

But I don't have much more yard than the folks across the street from you (maybe four times as much), so it's completely ludicrous, and would just be a pain anyhow.

I've been pondering a pedal-powered, reel-mower-equipped, "tractor" thing. Though I suppose it wouldn't actually be much better suited to the tight spaces than an actual lawn tractor. Probably better to stick with the normal mower...

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to rebelgtp: Sounds like you need to swap. I'd say they have it all mowed by the time the blades kick on.

Yeah though you would be surprised at how well mowing that yard can help you drop some weight when you are using a push mower and it takes you a couple hours. Heck the last couple weeks it has been about the only exercise I have gotten and I have dropped 12 pounds.

I've got a Snapper for my .63 acre lot that looks like this:

Works pretty well but the turning circle is not as tight as you'd think.

Porsche + Diesel = because FTW

BTW, is that a little lime green Sunbeam in the background?

Man, I am too cheap to even buy a self propelled walk behind mower. I certainly don't want to spend '90s Miata money on a lawn mower.

Woody wrote: I've got a 30 year old Jacobsen that I love, but parts are getting hard to come by. After two rusty mower decks, it's limited to trailer moving, plowing and thatching. It's on it's second 14 hp Kohler. I love the hydrostatic drive, though.

Mustang go fast!

I was mowing the lawn at my church today with an old Noma tractor and the plastic hood started on fire and melted a bunch. It was a very eventful day to say the least.

In reply to RX Reven':

Looks like early Spitfire to me.

I am currently using a John Deere model 105 I bought new last year along with a Toro large rear wheel self-propelled walk behind mower for the tight areas. My yard is a wooded 1.2 acres. When I bought the house 12 years ago I bought a Murrray 14hp rider and a Murray walk behind mower. The Murray rider quit working after 11 years, I think a new carb will fix it. It will run as long as I spray fuel into the carb, carb not designed for gas with ethanol and this will eventually mess up small engines. Got tired of rebuilding the Ryobi weedeater and replaced it with a Toro weedeater that uses the same attachments the year before. And SWMBO gave the push mower to our daughter & SIL and gave me permission to buy what I wanted. The JD was only about $250 more than a MTD (Murray replacement) and the JD has a bigger engine, better warranty & reputation and just appeared more solid. Just couldn't bring myself to spend the extra grand for a zero turn although with the amount of trees and small garden plots it would be nice.

In reply to jstein77:

I like the water bottle.

I swore up and down I wouldnt need a riding mower. Our lot is 1.8 acres, but much of the back is wooded, and there are a number of steep areas that I wouldnt dare try with a riding mower. Its been taking me 2.5-3 hours to mow the lawn with a 22" push mower, and I am completely beat afterwards. Its to the point where I only mow a section at a time every few days now, even then the lawn is kind of getting out of control for my lil 4.5hp tecumseh powered push mower. I really like the little mower though, its not self propelled but is really really light in comparison to one of those 6.5hp self propelled monsters. much more manuverable.

in a few weeks I am picking up a used (but always garaged) running rust free craftsman lt1000 for $180, with a yard cart that tows behind it. 20hp briggs motor. I am ecstatic. For the areas of the yard flat enough, I figure I should be able to knock it all out in 45 minutes or so now.

I just pulled 2 cars around with my WH. I could use something with a stronger trans, because it whined like it was going to explode.

I'd have to check the transaxle for brand, but I know that it has a drain and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. I just ticked over 250 hours on the machine. Should I change the fluid? I'm used to residential machines with sealed transaxles. I don't think it could hurt, but is it something that is worth the time, effort, and money?

Zomby woof wrote: same discussion a few months ago After a pile of research, I bought a John Deere D170 at Lowes. I am very happy with it. The ones from the tractor dealers are better, but for what they cost, there was no way I could justify it. I did a lot of research, and even though it is from Lowes, it is still a Deere. I have also read that the Craftsman (Husqvarna) are very good as well. If my wife wasn't set on a JD, I might have bought one of those instead.

Both use the same transmission so very similar.

Pulling with a Zero Turn is doable the gears will do it, but good luck keeping the front wheels on the ground LOL

rebelgtp wrote: I Yeah though you would be surprised at how well mowing that yard can help you drop some weight when you are using a push mower and it takes you a couple hours. Heck the last couple weeks it has been about the only exercise I have gotten and I have dropped 12 pounds.

This is so true. I didn't start putting n weight until I got a riding mower

Datsun1500 wrote: What is the general recommendation on lawn tractors? Deere? Cub? Craftsman? Buy at a big box store or little guy?

stickers add horsepower? (You didn't say it had to be a useful recommendation.)

What did you get?

http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_14101_162768__-1_600002_43279

or http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/gallery_10051_14101_1210129_33804_600002_-1_image with the 52" its a great mower. bought one for my dad and he loves this thing.

In reply to Datsun1500:

Good choice, but do some research to see if that had the plastic cam gear. They usually went out well below 1000 hours and cost close to $1000 to fix.... I've heard.

Starting in about 1972, I put about 10 hours a week on one of these. I think its still hanging around somewhere.

racinginc215 wrote: what I mow with. Ferris 3 wheeler. about 20 miles per hour. mows 5 acres in no time.

Your left front tire is a little low...

Datsun1500 wrote:

FlightService wrote: What did you get?

I went to the local tractor/Deere dealer to spec one out. He had a mint condition used 345 on consignment from an estate for a huge savings. Done.

Congrats dude, great tractor.

Change all the fluids to Rotella T and enjoy (We actually use Rotella T as the bench mark for all our oil tests, we can't seem to beat it.)

I rebuilt a 1976 for my grand daddy. The only reason we still don't have it is he didn't want to pay for the parts to rebuild the deck.

Awesome tractor

In reply to racinginc215:

A Ferris Wheeler?

Apologies. I couldn't help it.