Brand of riding mower choice

Well while mowing yesterday the 2 yr old Troybuilt rider started acting up and then decided it didn't want to move. Motor runs good but won't move. It completely quit when I got it into the shed. Then the 18 yr old Yard Machine that hubby was using blew the motor. Down to no mower again. Really aggravated the Troybuilt mower quit. Not impressed. Will be taking it to shop and hoping not transmission. Probably not get other fixed. New motors start at $500. SO my question is what brand of mower has held up the best for you? Will be tackling this after get back from vacation.

My cub cadet went nuts on me last year so I ended up rebuilding transmission myself. Cost me around 200 in parts and just trying to make it through this season since I have had to do bunch of work on house and replace down stairs a/c unit. Did a bunch of research on them last year and this spring. If you are looking for a tractor model it seems from what I was able to find is the Huskvarna upper end mowers are probably Best Buy for the money. Since I have 2 deep ditches and a couple of steep banks I been looking at the bigger one that has a newer heavy duty transmission. It has a automatic differential lock so if one wheel comes off the ground it automatcly puts power to other wheel. Next up is the real johndeer mowers from dealers but they are about twice the price for equivalent mower. Almost every riding mower in tractor style today is built by Murray mowers. They have different body style and paint everything else is pretty much the same. Most have a hydrostatic transmission that is about half the size as what they really need.
In zero turns that's a different animal all together. Doing my research found most home owner models are not built or designed to cut much over a acre. Light transmissions and light stamped decks. Lower end commercial models with tougher transmissions and fabricated decks are much better in longevity for the average home owner. If I bought one today it would probably be a Bad Boy mower. Next would be a Toro. Bad boy I like the way they are designed for ease of maintaince and they seem to have a pretty good track record. Built pretty heavy duty in all the critical areas.
Hope this helps just a little.

Have a Cub Cadet 54 zero turn.If buying again Intemedator mowers Took the Best of Bad Boy,Make Right across the Street.Good Tough mowers!!
INTEMDATOR ZERO MOWER.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Attachment 308492

My first John Deere is still running good...i ran it 20 years mowing 3 acres....sold it to a friend and he has ran it 5 years I bought another John Deere a commercial model 60 inch zero turn 14 years ago....still going strong. I am gonna stay with John Deere.

All consumer "tractor style" mowers that you buy at big box stores, little box stores, hardware stores, etc... are made by MTD. I don't care if it says John Deere or Husqvarna on it, they were all made by the same company.

If a cheap "throw away" mower is all you need, then just buy another one.

If you want a long term mower, get a Kubota, Skag, Exmark, Hustler, Dixie Chopper or some other form of commercial mower.

My dad has a Kubota commercial grade zero turn that he's had for 12-15 years. He cuts 5-6 acres, every week with it. As far as I know, other than blades, he's only had to change the starter.

I had a commercial Toro zero turn for several years and mowed 3 acres without a minutes trouble. I gave it to the oldest son when he got married. I mow 7 acres now and bought a commercial Exmark zero turn. That thing is a beast!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Had a John Deer for 4-5 years Rough ride and electrical problems. Got a Skag Cheetah 15 years ago and just changed oil and blades until updateing to a new one this year. I mow 8 acres and these are commercial mowers that will mow grass, weeds, or jungle at up to 16 miles an hour if you're brave enough to do it. Smoothest ride on the market and will save your back. Heavy duty commercial mower with low maintenance


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I run a twin engine Dixie Chopper 72 in cut and it's a beast. Neighbor runs a Bad boy and has had good luck with it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

we run grasshopper not cheap but its a 20 year mower and once you run a front deck you'll never go back. we mow 4+ acers and can do it in about 2 hours.

I've got a 24 hp 54" Craftsman and absolutely love it. Made by Husqvarna I'm told. I mow about 3/4 acre every 5 days or so.

I'll stick with a real John Deere

My Cub 1640 garden tractor is a '94. I put a short block in it two years ago. Keeps on going. Has hydraulics, 3 point. Deck, snow blade, snow blower, box blade. I use it.
I bought a new Scag commercial zero turn 4 weeks ago because of all the trees I mow around on our 3 acre lot. Cut my mowing time in half and mows great.
You have to pull the engine dipstick before every use, change oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter when you are supposed to. Those things are the life of your mower... or any vehicle you own.

I bought a cub cadet 54in 15 years ago, It still works fine, Have a cub cadet twin stick zero turn, works fine, it is 8yr.old. and I gave it to my kid,and I bought me a new cub cadet twin stick zero turn,,, yep I like the yello/white

Beagle you just like the name Cadet. It's related to you. Space Cadet.[emoji15]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

commercial grades are more reliable and durable. The box store consumers are made to mow once a week for 26 weeks on 3 acres or less.

Brands like Craftsman are built by different companies based on their pricing, capacity, quality and delivery. MTD makes some, Husqvarna makes others.

The box store tractors are made by different companies at different locations based on pricing, quality and delivery.
MTD / Yardman / Troy bilt: Various mfg. locations. They bought Cub Cadet to use the name as Cub was associated with very good quality at one time.
Husqvarna is out of Orangeville SC
Deere is out of Fuquay-Varina NC for most of their consumer tractors
Briggs / Snapper: Wisconsin & NY
Toro / Exmark: Wisconsin & Minnesota

Commercial Mowers:
Toro / Exmark Wisconsin & Minnesota
Briggs: Ferris out of NY
Jacobsen: Dixie Chopper AR
Excel / Big Dog / Hustler: Hesston KS
Bad Boy: Batesville AR
Kubota: Gainsville GA
Schiller: Wisconsin
Moridge / Grasshopper: Kansas
Metalcraft of Mayville (Scag); Wisconsin

I would most likely get a consumer Deere if I was in the market.

I have a John Deere zero turn.. about 8 years old. Has 1200 hours on it. Been a great mower. Changed oil, belts once and had a Bearing on a pulley on the deck burn out this year. (One of 2 that don’t have a grease zerk)
With that said if I was buying a mower tomorrow it’d be an ex mark. We have them at work and they’ve been abused like you wouldn’t believe.. they’ve convinced me they’re the best made.
Under the ownership of someone that hallway does routine maintenance on their stuff... they’ll last a lifetime


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I really like my Dixie chopper. Have had it for 8 years. Would not have any other best mower I ever been on. I was told it would start using oil around 4000 engine hours. It has 293 on it right now. Should last a long time.

I went with x-mark when our 17 year old Scags was given to a family member. They are good mowers as well . Most brands offer several motor choices so beware .All x-mark, Scags ect are not the same . Most offer the Kawasaki motors and at least one other like Briggs and Str.ect. I coached at six schools and mowed an ocean of grass with most every brand mentioned along with kabota and a Ronson bobcat. Most make a good one or will be out of the business soon . A Ronson Bobcat with a 20 plus kholer , would be my first choice if "SOMEONE " else was buying . A gang reel mower is the best on a flat surface for looks and a good mid size tractor with turf tires . :biggrin

I have a Husqvarna TS 354D lawn tractor with a 54" fabricated deck,25hp Kohler engine with a K66 transmission.Happy with it so far,powerful engine going through tall grass.

love my scag

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Riverc

I have a Husqvarna TS 354D lawn tractor with a 54" fabricated deck,25hp Kohler engine with a K66 transmission.Happy with it so far,powerful engine going through tall grass.

---

Is that K66 the one with diff loc on it?

11 year old 48” husqvarna has done fine with seasonal oil changes and filters. Mow as well as mulch leaves. Keep getting told that I didn’t choose wisely “it’s not a real mower”. Ok, suits me, never was much into name dropping. It’s kind of a Ford and Chevrolet argument, most are too proud of their own purchase to look at it objectively. Good luck.

I run a John Deere LX176 ran it for 20 yrs just spidles and blade then the transaxle went but Im 390# and mowing some good size hills it got where it wont pull me up a hill but will on flat so I found another 176 to mow with and I got a JD 445 WITH HYDRAULICS I do other thingS with so I will stay with JD

Scag Tiger Cat 61 in. 27 hp, excellent cut wet/dry grass as long as you keep blades sharp.
I mow grass at work with a 61 Scag Cheetah 35 hp and mow 52 acres in 22 hrs or less every week by myself.

I've put almost 800 hrs on the Cheetah in 2.5 yrs and other then Kohler having to replace long block due to a ring seating issue under warranty no other problems, fuel injected and get a lot of mowing done on one tank of gas.

That’s not 100% accurate, if it says John Deere on it, it is made by John Deere. The ones sold at the box stores are the same machine sold at a John Deere dealership. They are the lowest price series John Deere produces. If you want one that will last 20 years or more you must move up to the premium models, They are only sold by dealers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cray

Is that K66 the one with diff loc on it?

---

Yes,like it when mowing ditch and hill good traction.Later will get the sleeve hitch with box blade for light yard work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elkhunter

I've got a 24 hp 54" Craftsman and absolutely love it. Made by Husqvarna I'm told. I mow about 3/4 acre every 5 days or so.

---

My dad is a sucker for Craftsman mowers. I'm 48 years old and he's had two or three of them in the barn for as long as I can remember......all in working order with sharp blades. He'll run one and mow with it, then next week it's another one's turn. There have been times when Dad, my son, and I have all been mowing at the same time. If one starts smoking and using oil, it goes away in the next yard sale and it's not long until another shows up. My uncle is a part-time auctioneer and he calls every time he gets a good Craftsman. I'll bet Dad has owned 10 of them. I don't think he's ever bought one brand new.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Riverc

Yes,like it when mowing ditch and hill good traction.Later will get the sleeve hitch with box blade for light yard work.

---

Thanks, that's what I need.2 steep ditches and 5 steep banks to mow. Thought when I read about it that it would be nice to have.

I had a 54" Husky, gave it to the ex-wife in the divorce, she seems to like it. :)

Thanks for the info. Got new mower. Snapper 46" cut 20 hsp. Cuts good. The big zero turn are way out of our price range. Took the Troybilt to get fixed. Drive belt won't stay on.