2013 LTX 1046 buy or not $1000?

[LiveOak77]

Hello, I want to buy a used 2013 Cub LTX 1046 on Craigslist, but I would like to get a recommendation from an owner. This mower has the newer design of 2 blades instead of the older 3 blade design, they seem wider and thicker than the older ones, hopefully last longer. The motor is a Kohler 20 HP 1-cylinder.
I currently have a 2007 Yardman 46" 3 blade, 22 HP 2 cyl Briggs. Mowing 2 acres about 10 times a year. In one season, I will replace the blades once and drive belt 3 times. The best part of this mower is the auto-drive and Briggs motor which burns almost no oil. Belts and blade replacement frequency is a pain, and only possible because I am a decent mechanic.
I am at a crossroad where I want a more reliable, durable mower, and if that means going to a high end zero turn, I will. So the question is whether to save money with a $1,000 mower or step up to a $8,000 Exmark?

 

[Lawnranger]

Once you go to levers you'll never go back to a steering wheel. Spending $8,000.00 or more on a lawn mower will provide you with a machine that could last you the rest of your life, with proper maintenance of course. Buying a commercial machine you'll only cry once, buying a $1000.00 machine you'll have to purchase it over and over and over every time the stamped steel deck wears out the transmission quits. In my experience the average consumer grade tractor style mower will give five years of service.

I can cut two acres of grass in about 30 minutes so consider the time savings into the mix as well. What is your time worth?

 

[LiveOak77]

Once you go to levers you'll never go back to a steering wheel. Spending $8,000.00 or more on a lawn mower will provide you with a machine that could last you the rest of your life, with proper maintenance of course. Buying a commercial machine you'll only cry once, buying a $1000.00 machine you'll have to purchase it over and over and over every time the stamped steel deck wears out the transmission quits. In my experience the average consumer grade tractor style mower will give five years of service.

I can cut two acres of grass in about 30 minutes so consider the time savings into the mix as well. What is your time worth?

Thanks Lawnranger, that's a quick cut, what would you consider to be a good Zero turn, Kubota, there are many cheap zero turns? I have a friend with a commercial Snapper, loves it, but I suspect think they don't sell many in the commercial business, because I do not see them. Is there a use for my good old 22HP 2 cyl Briggs, the mower deck is junk?

 

[Ric]

Hello, I want to buy a used 2013 Cub LTX 1046 on Craigslist, but I would like to get a recommendation from an owner. This mower has the newer design of 2 blades instead of the older 3 blade design, they seem wider and thicker than the older ones, hopefully last longer. The motor is a Kohler 20 HP 1-cylinder.
I currently have a 2007 Yardman 46" 3 blade, 22 HP 2 cyl Briggs. Mowing 2 acres about 10 times a year. In one season, I will replace the blades once and drive belt 3 times. The best part of this mower is the auto-drive and Briggs motor which burns almost no oil. Belts and blade replacement frequency is a pain, and only possible because I am a decent mechanic.
I am at a crossroad where I want a more reliable, durable mower, and if that means going to a high end zero turn, I will. So the question is whether to save money with a $1,000 mower or step up to a $8,000 Exmark?

I ran the older model Cub Cadet, mine was the LT 1045 and it had the Kohler 20hp single and it was a great little mower. The 1046 will cut your two acres without a doubt but if your looking for time savings then the ZTR is the way to go. If your looking at a $8000 Exmark Try looking at the Toro Z Master series because it's basically the same mower as the Exmark, There both made by Toro. You don't have to go to a high end ZTR to do your 2 acres, you could start with some of the entry class commercial stuff in the 5 to 6K price range and have more than enough mower to do what you want to do or mow.

 

[Lawnranger]

A good zero turn? That's a good question but with as many people out there, you will get as many opinions. If you think about it for a minute or more you just may come to the conclusion I did. Look at the top four or five mower manufacturers and see what they have in common. Kohler, Briggs and Kawasaki engines offered on all. Parker or Hydro Gear pumps & wheel motors. What's left? The frame, deck, electrical system, wheel & tires and creature comforts. Perhaps a few items I didn't mention but minor stuff. Since the engine and transmission are all about the same I looked at the seat, warranty, replacement part prices (blades & belts) and actual construction. Some of the Snapper decks have depressions in them around the spindles and that is good for nothing but holding some water to prematurely rust the deck. I absolutely hate vinyl seats, Grasshopper uses cordura and about 4" of padding and an open area where the seat back meets the seat bottom for better circulation. I could list many features & benefits but you will have to go to the dealers and do your own research. I am overwhelmed by the quality of my Grasshopper and wouldn't even consider another brand. I have worked on Exmark, Gravely, Scag, Snapper, Toro, Ferris, MTD products and many others I can't remember right now and that has allowed me to take an up close and personal look at the differences. If Grasshopper didn't exist I would consider Exmark.

I do contract work for the largest lawn care company in the area and the owner was using Exmark mowers for years until he switched to Grasshopper mowers. He commented that he is having fewer problems and break downs with Grasshopper vs. Exmark. Don't get me wrong here, there have been some problems/issues/break downs/etc. with Grasshoppers but fewer comparatively. Doing some simple math, the average homeowner will put 40 - 50 hours a year on a mower. His crews put over 100 hours a month, 9 months a year. In other words, his four year old mower in reality is a 40 year old mower, hours wise. After seeing what his mowers go through and how well they held up, I purchased a Grasshopper 223 with a 52" deck. It's not the fastest mower out there (9.5 m.p.h.) but it sure does get after it. Personally I wouldn't want to go any faster because my multiple-acre property is a little rough and it gets a little bouncy sometimes. If you want fast get a Dixie Chopper or a Scag (up to 16 m.p.h. I'm told) but higher speeds are completely unusable around here except for going from point A to point B across the parking lot. Another major factor around here is Bahaia grass and Grasshopper decks are superior when it comes to cutting Bahaia on the first pass.

A huge factor to consider is dealer support and ranks near or at the top. If you can't get parts or service the best mower in the world will eventually become useless. And that brings it all back to the fact that you must go out and talk to all the dealers in your area and find one with a product you are satisfied with and the dealer supports. I know I didn't answer your question directly but if I did someone else would come along and tell you & me why I'm wrong. Again, lots of opinions out there but experience screams above all. Stay away from zero turn mowers priced $5,000.00 and under. The reason they're cheaper is because they're cheaper. JMHO.

Now, about your tractor style mower with no deck. I was given a John Deere L120 with a broken front axle. I fixed it for $50.00 and use it to pull a leaf sweeper and garden cart. I also loan it out when I work on mowers for other people. I have extra trimmers and blowers for the same reason. I like to provide a little extra service and when I take in a trimmer I hand them a loaner to use. The look on their face is priceless and the word-of-mouth advertising is even more valuable. Okay, I know this was long-winded but for some reason I just felt like saying a little more tonight. You can do whatever you want with your old mower. Some people advertise on craigslist to sell parts, some people take it to the scrap yard for cash.

Good luck and let me know what you decide.

 

[Ric]

A good zero turn? That's a good question but with as many people out there, you will get as many opinions. If you think about it for a minute or more you just may come to the conclusion I did. Look at the top four or five mower manufacturers and see what they have in common. Kohler, Briggs and Kawasaki engines offered on all. Parker or Hydro Gear pumps & wheel motors. What's left? The frame, deck, electrical system, wheel & tires and creature comforts. Perhaps a few items I didn't mention but minor stuff. Since the engine and transmission are all about the same I looked at the seat, warranty, replacement part prices (blades & belts) and actual construction. Some of the Snapper decks have depressions in them around the spindles and that is good for nothing but holding some water to prematurely rust the deck. I absolutely hate vinyl seats, Grasshopper uses cordura and about 4" of padding and an open area where the seat back meets the seat bottom for better circulation. I could list many features & benefits but you will have to go to the dealers and do your own research. I am overwhelmed by the quality of my Grasshopper and wouldn't even consider another brand. I have worked on Exmark, Gravely, Scag, Snapper, Toro, Ferris, MTD products and many others I can't remember right now and that has allowed me to take an up close and personal look at the differences. If Grasshopper didn't exist I would consider Exmark.

I do contract work for the largest lawn care company in the area and the owner was using Exmark mowers for years until he switched to Grasshopper mowers. He commented that he is having fewer problems and break downs with Grasshopper vs. Exmark. Don't get me wrong here, there have been some problems/issues/break downs/etc. with Grasshoppers but fewer comparatively. Doing some simple math, the average homeowner will put 40 - 50 hours a year on a mower. His crews put over 100 hours a month, 9 months a year. In other words, his four year old mower in reality is a 40 year old mower, hours wise. After seeing what his mowers go through and how well they held up, I purchased a Grasshopper 223 with a 52" deck. It's not the fastest mower out there (9.5 m.p.h.) but it sure does get after it. Personally I wouldn't want to go any faster because my multiple-acre property is a little rough and it gets a little bouncy sometimes. If you want fast get a Dixie Chopper or a Scag (up to 16 m.p.h. I'm told) but higher speeds are completely unusable around here except for going from point A to point B across the parking lot. Another major factor around here is Bahaia grass and Grasshopper decks are superior when it comes to cutting Bahaia on the first pass.

A huge factor to consider is dealer support and ranks near or at the top. If you can't get parts or service the best mower in the world will eventually become useless. And that brings it all back to the fact that you must go out and talk to all the dealers in your area and find one with a product you are satisfied with and the dealer supports. I know I didn't answer your question directly but if I did someone else would come along and tell you & me why I'm wrong. Again, lots of opinions out there but experience screams above all. Stay away from zero turn mowers priced $5,000.00 and under. The reason they're cheaper is because they're cheaper. JMHO.

Now, about your tractor style mower with no deck. I was given a John Deere L120 with a broken front axle. I fixed it for $50.00 and use it to pull a leaf sweeper and garden cart. I also loan it out when I work on mowers for other people. I have extra trimmers and blowers for the same reason. I like to provide a little extra service and when I take in a trimmer I hand them a loaner to use. The look on their face is priceless and the word-of-mouth advertising is even more valuable. Okay, I know this was long-winded but for some reason I just felt like saying a little more tonight. You can do whatever you want with your old mower. Some people advertise on craigslist to sell parts, some people take it to the scrap yard for cash.

Good luck and let me know what you decide.

A good zero turn? That's a good question but with as many people out there, you will get as many opinions and you'd be right about that. The fact is the best mower you can buy is going to be the one that is predominately sold in your area. Your area may be Grasshopper, here it's Exmark, Toro and Hustler and then Scag.

I'll put around 500 hrs a year on my Toro's and never had an issue and I'm just a small business. I also know of a few Dixie choppers and Exmarks than run over a 1000hrs a year and never had issues. Same with Hustler and Scag, it doesn't make one anymore superior than the other. Your superior cut grasshopper would also have to debate that fact with the Toro and Scag and all the others because they all claim the same thing.

If you want to talk about buying a mower with the best Warranty I think you have to talk about Toro with there 5 year 1200 hour warranty.
You want to talk comfort in a mower, again you have to talk Toro with there My-Ride there three point platform Suspension, Nothing else comes close. Basically buying a mower comes down to How much money you want to spend for the job you want to do.

 

[Lawnranger]

A good zero turn? That's a good question but with as many people out there, you will get as many opinions and you'd be right about that. The fact is the best mower you can buy is going to be the one that is predominately sold in your area. Your area may be Grasshopper, here it's Exmark, Toro and Hustler and then Scag.

I'll put around 500 hrs a year on my Toro's and never had an issue and I'm just a small business. I also know of a few Dixie choppers and Exmarks than run over a 1000hrs a year and never had issues. Same with Hustler and Scag, it doesn't make one anymore superior than the other. Your superior cut grasshopper would also have to debate that fact with the Toro and Scag and all the others because they all claim the same thing.

If you want to talk about buying a mower with the best Warranty I think you have to talk about Toro with there 5 year 1200 hour warranty.
You want to talk comfort in a mower, again you have to talk Toro with there My-Ride there three point platform Suspension, Nothing else comes close. Basically buying a mower comes down to How much money you want to spend for the job you want to do.

See what I mean about opinions????? It's just a big can of worms. I can go on and on and on and on and even more about horror stories from all makes and I do mean ALL makes. Experience screams above all and if you have good experiences with a certain brand and it works for you then stick with it. The manufacturer wars will always be there competing for market-share. There is no substitute for going out and visiting all the dealers in your area to discover the latest offerings.

As far as deck and cut quality goes, I'll put a Grasshopper up against ANY make out there. Cut some Bahaia and see what happens. How many times do you have to go back are re-cut the stick-ups that were missed? That was a rhetorical question, no need to answer because I've already seen the difference first hand and I purchased what worked best for me. Go out and purchase what works best for you and enjoy what you have. There is no best mower except the one that works best for you and your conditions.

 

[Ric]

See what I mean about opinions????? It's just a big can of worms. I can go on and on and on and on and even more about horror stories from all makes and I do mean ALL makes. Experience screams above all and if you have good experiences with a certain brand and it works for you then stick with it. The manufacturer wars will always be there competing for market-share. There is no substitute for going out and visiting all the dealers in your area to discover the latest offerings.

As far as deck and cut quality goes, I'll put a Grasshopper up against ANY make out there. Cut some Bahaia and see what happens. How many times do you have to go back are re-cut the stick-ups that were missed? That was a rhetorical question, no need to answer because I've already seen the difference first hand and I purchased what worked best for me. Go out and purchase what works best for you and enjoy what you have. There is no best mower except the one that works best for you and your conditions.

Yeah your right Experience screams above all. I cut daily during season and I cut a lot of Bahia grass everyday I can claim the same as you about the Turbo Force deck and Scag says the same about there velocity deck and the list goes on and on. Reality is 18 to 19000 bts is just that and it doesn't really much matter what it comes out of, the mower that's maintained with a clean deck and with good sharp blades is going to cut as well as anything out there.

As far as the best mower out there, that argument is the same as Best Truck .... Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge you can argue that forever. The point is He doesn't have to spend 8K to mow 2 acres. Imo that's insane.

 

[Lawnranger]

Yeah your right Experience screams above all. I cut daily during season and I cut a lot of Bahia grass everyday I can claim the same as you about the Turbo Force deck and Scag says the same about there velocity deck and the list goes on and on. Reality is 18 to 19000 bts is just that and it doesn't really much matter what it comes out of, the mower that's maintained with a clean deck and with good sharp blades is going to cut as well as anything out there.

As far as the best mower out there, that argument is the same as Best Truck .... Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge you can argue that forever. The point is He doesn't have to spend 8K to mow 2 acres. Imo that's insane.

You're making an assumption about his personal finances and it's not insane at all spending $8,000.00 to mow two acres - it's a matter of opinion and choice. Chevy vs Dodge vs Ford, remember? Many people spend way over $8,000.00 to cut their personal property. Last time I was at the dealer doing some contact work, a customer bought a 725D front mount with a grass collection system and paid over $16,000.00. So what? If you want the best and can afford the best then go for it. If not, the make sacrifices and get something cheaper that will cut two acres but not as fast or comfortable or with the same cut quality. But don't you dare discourage him from spending whatever he wants on a mower, it's his decision.

 

[Ric]

You're making an assumption about his personal finances and it's not insane at all spending $8,000.00 to mow two acres - it's a matter of opinion and choice. Chevy vs Dodge vs Ford, remember? Many people spend way over $8,000.00 to cut their personal property. Last time I was at the dealer doing some contact work, a customer bought a 725D front mount with a grass collection system and paid over $16,000.00. So what? If you want the best and can afford the best then go for it. If not, the make sacrifices and get something cheaper that will cut two acres but not as fast or comfortable or with the same cut quality. But don't you dare discourage him from spending whatever he wants on a mower, it's his decision.

The point is He doesn't have to spend 8K to mow 2 acres. I mean really 16K to mow two acres?? They would have to have more money than good sense or a lot more acreage than two acres. I mean is the guy buying a mower or buying prestige and trying to impress his neighbors. The professional don't spend that much on mowers they use daily.

You can buy a Hustler Fastrak 48" mower with a 23hp Kawasaki, 3100 commercial drives and has a 4yr/400 hr warranty and with what they advertise as the Toughest frame, Front forks and deck in the industry and will mow 3.10 acres per hr with a blade tip speed over 18000 bts for under 6K and have plenty of mower for anything else.