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Greetings to all members,

I'm in the market for a new ride-on mower but after having researched the reliability of different brands, it seems like they've all fallen off in that regard these days. In 2004, I purchased a Troy-Bilt Bronco model with the B&S Intek engine and used it with pretty much with no problems for about eleven years. The only problem I had was toward the end when I had to do a workaround to address the mower deck not engaging and it was simply a rubber strap that I attached at the lever. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with that mower but I don't think the Troy-Bilt Broncos that they sell today will be as reliable.

I see that now MTD has swallowed up almost every known mower brand and based on the reviews that I've read, they all have serious issues which includes, and most specifically, MTD's customer service or should I say lack there of. I'm really hesitant to purchase any brand under the MTD umbrella. I was surprised to hear that they even make John Deere's non-commercial mowers which kind of made sense after I since found out that those JD mowers have serious issues too.

So my question is: are there any reliable ride-on mower brands available for purchase in 2025? Toro seems to have issues and is not cheap. Murray made by B&S seems to be in line with MTD's products and rules them out. So who's left?

I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments on the current crop of ride-on mowers and what you'd recommend.

Thanks in advance.

Basically you will find that all the brands are basically made by 3 companies. SBD(Legacy MTD) Husqvarna, and Toro. And Briggs has never made Murray, They may own them but have always farmed out the manufacturing to either SBD or Husqvarna until recently, but are now licensed to the same company that is now making and marketing Snapper which is DAYE.

Thanks for correcting me but I'm looking for recommendations. Out of the three, is there any one brand that is better than the rest?

I like the Husqvarna YTH models

In today’s market you get what you pay for. Recommending anything less that $3500 is a crap shoot, as unless you have a flat and smooth lawn you are talking about a unit that will last maybe 10 years. That is why the experienced techs don’t like to recommend any of these brands. Quality of all brands priced under $5000 has fallen off drastically in the last 10 years, so even there you have to be careful what you buy.

Rivets said:

In today’s market you get what you pay for. Recommending anything less that $3500 is a crap shoot, as unless you have a flat and smooth lawn you are talking about a unit that will last maybe 10 years. That is why the experienced techs don’t like to recommend any of these brands. Quality of all brands priced under $5000 has fallen off drastically in the last 10 years, so even there you have to be careful what you buy.

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So that being the case, would you recommend a small tractor with a rotary cutter attachment like maybe a Kubota or something similar?

kikikopa said:

So that being the case, would you recommend a small tractor with a rotary cutter attachment like maybe a Kubota or something similar?

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how many acres you cutting?

The fewer bells and whistles the better. Engineers have gone off the deep end with all the fancy electronics and push buttons.

I still like the basic Husqvarna riders.

Like Scrubcadet10 asked, how many acres?

Regardless of what label it has, they all require proper maintenance and not putting off the little problems when they happen.

Scrubcadet10 said:

how many acres you cutting?

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Right now its probably about two acres. The property is large but most of it I let overgrow and only maintain certain parts of it otherwise I'd have to dedicate my entire life to landscape maintenance during the growing season. I'm seriously considering goats at this point. I kid you not!

Anyone here own any New Holland equipment? They're pricy but I'm curious as to whether that equates to a quality product. I really need something reliable and don't mind spending more if I have to provided the quality is there to match the price.

New Holland mowers? That is getting into the commercial level meant for larger acreage.

Having a servicing dealer along with parts is important for any equipment purchase you consider.

John Deere seems to have the best network of dealers

Auto Doc's said:

New Holland mowers? That is getting into the commercial level meant for larger acreage.

Having a servicing dealer along with parts is important for any equipment purchase you consider.

John Deere seems to have the best network of dealers

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John Deere you say? Read these reviews: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/deere.html?page=3#scroll_to_reviews=true
and then tell me if you think John Deere has "the best network of dealers."

Those are some very poor reviews. They seem to have gone downhill fast in recent years with their quality control and customer satisfaction policies.

I was a service manager for a local JD dealer back in '07-'11, but that was a different time.

Auto Doc's said:

Those are some very poor reviews. They seem to have gone downhill fast in recent years with their quality control and customer satisfaction policies.

I was a service manager for a local JD dealer back in '07-'11, but that was a different time.

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A different time indeed although it was relatively recent. I've found quality control and customer satisfaction deficiencies to be practically universal across many if not most industries. I have to think its related to the dichotomy of the population and the hyper-politicization of the nation as a whole. It's a complex subject but there is definitely a reason for it and the cause(s) are many.

I've had a Husqvarna for about 7 years now (YTH18542) and if I had to buy another rider I'd stick to the Husqvarna brand. Like any brand you buy, maintenance is key to longevity. I think the only weak point on the mower is the B&S engine.

A couple years ago I bought a YTH 48" Husqvarna with the twin cylinder Kohler engine for $25 that needed a hydro overhaul and some other repairs like steering wheel bushing, deck adjustment hardware and replaced the dash panel due to broken pieces. (I think something fell on the mower and damaged the hood and other pieces.) I found the replacement parts easy to access and reasonably priced (compared to JD). Rebuilding the hydro was pretty straight forward and everything worked well. Used it occasionally for a season to be sure it worked okay, then sold it as I didn't need two riders.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a well maintained, low hour used Husqvarna in the future.

DHook said:

I've had a Husqvarna for about 7 years now (YTH18542) and if I had to buy another rider I'd stick to the Husqvarna brand. Like any brand you buy, maintenance is key to longevity. I think the only weak point on the mower is the B&S engine.

A couple years ago I bought a YTH 48" Husqvarna with the twin cylinder Kohler engine for $25 that needed a hydro overhaul and some other repairs like steering wheel bushing, deck adjustment hardware and replaced the dash panel due to broken pieces. (I think something fell on the mower and damaged the hood and other pieces.) I found the replacement parts easy to access and reasonably priced (compared to JD). Rebuilding the hydro was pretty straight forward and everything worked well. Used it occasionally for a season to be sure it worked okay, then sold it as I didn't need two riders.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a well maintained, low hour used Husqvarna in the future.

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Thanks for your input. That Husqvarna model is a popular one and has 1868 reviews just on Lowes alone. 72% of them recommend it which today is a high number. Here is the refined product review summary: The mower has a mixed performance, with some users reporting it is powerful, maneuverable, and cuts grass effectively, especially on flat terrain. The hydrostatic transmission and reverse mowing are convenient features. However, many users have experienced issues like excessive vibration, problems with the seat and deck, electrical/starting problems, and premature failure of components. The overall quality and reliability of the product seem questionable based on the mixed feedback.

There are common problems in all these mowers that are obvious when you read enough of the reviews. If one is able to deal with these issues as they inevitably arise, and is able to do the work themselves, (which to me is absolutely necessary to avoid adding insult to injury dealing with repair shops) then you can have a machine that will serve your needs. As long as you enter into the relationship knowing this in advance, you should be OK because you'll know what to expect and how to handle it.

I have a couple of questions for you if you would be so kind. Was the Kohler engine the Courage model? Have you experienced any of the issues mentioned above in the product review summary?

Just my opinion, but I would look for a used AYP(craftsman, poulan pro, and others) and do a bit of refurbishment to make it usable and reliable. I also tend to want a Kohler CV single as the engine. I have a 6 speed geared, but would like a hyrdo sometime in the future. I know very little about the hyrdo models and specifics. Some are good, some are kind of weak.
I do not know of one consumer grade that has the quality and durability of those build roughly 20 years ago and prior.
Mine is a 1997 model. Stuff wears out, and needs work occasionally, but not obtrusively.
Unless you go to the commercial versions, or close to them in price, you likely will not like the product once you are familiar with it. Most make your current model look like a tank in comparison. Many flimsy parts are installed, and the just break.

kikikopa said:

Thanks for your input. That Husqvarna model is a popular one and has 1868 reviews just on Lowes alone. 72% of them recommend it which today is a high number. Here is the refined product review summary: The mower has a mixed performance, with some users reporting it is powerful, maneuverable, and cuts grass effectively, especially on flat terrain. The hydrostatic transmission and reverse mowing are convenient features. However, many users have experienced issues like excessive vibration, problems with the seat and deck, electrical/starting problems, and premature failure of components. The overall quality and reliability of the product seem questionable based on the mixed feedback.

There are common problems in all these mowers that are obvious when you read enough of the reviews. If one is able to deal with these issues as they inevitably arise, and is able to do the work themselves, (which to me is absolutely necessary to avoid adding insult to injury dealing with repair shops) then you can have a machine that will serve your needs. As long as you enter into the relationship knowing this in advance, you should be OK because you'll know what to expect and how to handle it.

I have a couple of questions for you if you would be so kind. Was the Kohler engine the Courage model? Have you experienced any of the issues mentioned above in the product review summary?

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I can't tell if the vibration is excessive or not because the YTH18542 is the only rider I've owned or used but I will say the YTH4624 that I bought for $25 was a smoother running mower. I think it's because the twin cylinder Kohler engine has less vibration than the single cylinder B&S. Other than the engines, there's not much difference between the two mower besides the size of the deck. If there's noticeable vibration, it seems to start when the mowing deck is engaged on both mowers. And yes, the engine was the Kohler Courage, IIRC. I haven't experienced any of the other problems you mentioned in the review summary.

Haven't had any problems with the seat but the mower is covered anytime it's not in use. Purchased a Husqvarna brand cover when I got the mower and it's much better than the generic covers you see on Amazon and still available on their website.

I've seen comments/complaints about the electric clutch controlling the blade(s) engagement but mine is manual so I don't know anything about that. But I know, from what I've read, I'd prefer the manual over the electric engagement system, just to eliminate that as a potential problem. YMMV. I've had to replace the battery last season after the original lasted the first 5 years so I figure that's pretty good. I was having starting problems before replacing the battery but none since. I've had no other electrical problems. It didn't come with an hour meter but I bought one off Amazon and it was an easy install.

All the mowers I have used did not vibrate excessively. If the vibration is happening once the deck is engaged, I would suggest removing the blades and checking their balance. You can balance on a screwdriver through the hub, and the blade should stay pretty level when allowed to move. Remove metal using a flap disk or file or grinding wheel on the end that droops. You can make big improvements in balance by just doing this. I bought a balance gizmo for a few dolleros from an online source. It is of course China made, looking to be pot metal, but it works. It will indicate front to rear balance along with side to side. It actually works pretty well as far as I am concerned. It is bare metal with a cone shape that sits on a pivot allowing motion in all directions.
Any vibration that remains may be traced back to failing bearings allowing shaft wobble, which the belt motion might amplify. When balanced they really do run pretty smoothly, low budget or high end, they all should run smoothly.
When you apply tension to the deck belt you can generally feel the deck start to shake as the blades spin up if they are out of balance. Once balanced, you will no longer feel the desk start to move on its own.
The vibration from the engine would be felt from startup, likely staying steady as rpms increase from start. Most times you will not feel it...
tom

kikikopa said:

Thanks for your input. That Husqvarna model is a popular one and has 1868 reviews just on Lowes alone. 72% of them recommend it which today is a high number. Here is the refined product review summary: The mower has a mixed performance, with some users reporting it is powerful, maneuverable, and cuts grass effectively, especially on flat terrain. The hydrostatic transmission and reverse mowing are convenient features. However, many users have experienced issues like excessive vibration, problems with the seat and deck, electrical/starting problems, and premature failure of components. The overall quality and reliability of the product seem questionable based on the mixed feedback.

There are common problems in all these mowers that are obvious when you read enough of the reviews. If one is able to deal with these issues as they inevitably arise, and is able to do the work themselves, (which to me is absolutely necessary to avoid adding insult to injury dealing with repair shops) then you can have a machine that will serve your needs. As long as you enter into the relationship knowing this in advance, you should be OK because you'll know what to expect and how to handle it.

I have a couple of questions for you if you would be so kind. Was the Kohler engine the Courage model? Have you experienced any of the issues mentioned above in the product review summary?

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Husqvarna is a great brand, best new mower brand if you ask me, but If you have 2 acres, don't bother even thinking about getting a base model Husqvarna like the YTH18542. It won't have enough power for your property and was made with the bare minimum features, like a weak transmission and a single cylinder engine. If any mower you look at has a Kohler courage, AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE. What size of deck do you want? What's your budget? For a property like that, I would absolutely get one of the Husqvarna garden tractors like the TS348XD or the TS354XD. Both have a Kawasaki V-Twin, which are highly regarded and definitely the best engine you could get in a riding mower. Both have a Tuff Torq K66 with a electronic locking differential, so you won't get stuck! Both have heavy duty fabricated decks, so the deck rusting out won't even come to mind. And these GTs are just straight up powerhouses. Heck, you could even put a sleeve hitch, front loader, or anything you could want on it.

Craftsman Garage said:

Husqvarna is a great brand, best new mower brand if you ask me, but If you have 2 acres, don't bother even thinking about getting a base model Husqvarna like the YTH18542. It won't have enough power for your property and was made with the bare minimum features, like a weak transmission and a single cylinder engine. If any mower you look at has a Kohler courage, AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE. What size of deck do you want? What's your budget? For a property like that, I would absolutely get one of the Husqvarna garden tractors like the TS348XD or the TS354XD. Both have a Kawasaki V-Twin, which are highly regarded and definitely the best engine you could get in a riding mower. Both have a Tuff Torq K66 with a electronic locking differential, so you won't get stuck! Both have heavy duty fabricated decks, so the deck rusting out won't even come to mind. And these GTs are just straight up powerhouses. Heck, you could even put a sleeve hitch, front loader, or anything you could want on it.

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Thanks for your recommendations but those models are not available here in Uruguay. The TS254G is the largest ride-on that Husqvarna sells here. I'm now leaning towards a zero turn. John Deere, Hustler Raptor, Husqvarna, and Toro are the brands they sell here and they all sell for about double what it costs in the states so I have to work up the courage to pull the trigger on a new one. I'm not 100% positive I can reach that point however.

What say you all about those four manufacturers of zero turn mowers? Anybody own any of them?

kikikopa said:

Thanks for your recommendations but those models are not available here in Uruguay. The TS254G is the largest ride-on that Husqvarna sells here. I'm now leaning towards a zero turn. John Deere, Hustler Raptor, Husqvarna, and Toro are the brands they sell here and they all sell for about double what it costs in the states so I have to work up the courage to pull the trigger on a new one. I'm not 100% positive I can reach that point however.

What say you all about those four manufacturers of zero turn mowers? Anybody own any of them?

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I would still say Husqvarna.

Hustler or Toro are a tied for 1st IMO

kikikopa said:

Greetings to all members,

I'm in the market for a new ride-on mower but after having researched the reliability of different brands, it seems like they've all fallen off in that regard these days. In 2004, I purchased a Troy-Bilt Bronco model with the B&S Intek engine and used it with pretty much with no problems for about eleven years. The only problem I had was toward the end when I had to do a workaround to address the mower deck not engaging and it was simply a rubber strap that I attached at the lever. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with that mower but I don't think the Troy-Bilt Broncos that they sell today will be as reliable.

I see that now MTD has swallowed up almost every known mower brand and based on the reviews that I've read, they all have serious issues which includes, and most specifically, MTD's customer service or should I say lack there of. I'm really hesitant to purchase any brand under the MTD umbrella. I was surprised to hear that they even make John Deere's non-commercial mowers which kind of made sense after I since found out that those JD mowers have serious issues too.

So my question is: are there any reliable ride-on mower brands available for purchase in 2025? Toro seems to have issues and is not cheap. Murray made by B&S seems to be in line with MTD's products and rules them out. So who's left?

I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments on the current crop of ride-on mowers and what you'd recommend.

Thanks in advance.

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I would like to be able to give you some good advice about riding mowers. Can tell you for sure whatever you buy maybe a crap shoot. Last year I bought a Cub Cadet, 87 hours and think transmission is gone. Has no power or speed in reverse. Thankfully bought from a dealer, they did come pick it up and will repair at no cost and will deliver it back to me. The small difference in price from a dealer to a big box store is well worth paying if service is needed.

I'm new here, just registered. I work on riding mowers as a hobby. I buy used Poulan-pro or Craftsman and just go through them replacing wear items. I try to find units with the uprated B&S "I/C" engines. They usually have a red top cover, but not always. The older AYP chassis are fairly robust. I particularly like the Poulan-Pro foot pedal drive with 14-19HP. However if money is not an issue, I would get an Ariens medium ZTR. As long as there are no serious hills.

I have a 60" Ikon by Ariens. I maintain a 50x3100' runway and both sides. Maybe 6Ac all. On 6" I do the verges, and then on 2" I do the runway from April to mid-Oct. The only thing bigger would be a PTO driven 72" finish mower and brush hog. Very happy with the Ariens. Mine does not have the spring suspension and some places can get a bit bumpy on the sides, but overall it's been perfect for 3 years. Blades, one batt, oil, gas, and filters.

kikikopa said:

Thanks for your recommendations but those models are not available here in Uruguay. The TS254G is the largest ride-on that Husqvarna sells here. I'm now leaning towards a zero turn. John Deere, Hustler Raptor, Husqvarna, and Toro are the brands they sell here and they all sell for about double what it costs in the states so I have to work up the courage to pull the trigger on a new one. I'm not 100% positive I can reach that point however.

What say you all about those four manufacturers of zero turn mowers? Anybody own any of them?

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Buy a zero turn versus a riding mower for sure for two acres. Doesn’t matter what brand zero turn you buy at the low end, they are all pretty crappy. Lean towards Toro, Troy Bilt Mustang, or Hustler. You are looking at $3500 and up on price.

Dixie Chopper Z2 is really nice mower you may pay a little more up front but well worth the money. Comes in regular Z2 and Z2 HP

kikikopa said:

Right now its probably about two acres. The property is large but most of it I let overgrow and only maintain certain parts of it otherwise I'd have to dedicate my entire life to landscape maintenance during the growing season. I'm seriously considering goats at this point. I kid you not!

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Nice pun!

Tiger Small Engine said:

Buy a zero turn versus a riding mower for sure for two acres. Doesn’t matter what brand zero turn you buy at the low end, they are all pretty crappy. Lean towards Toro, Troy Bilt Mustang, or Hustler. You are looking at $3500 and up on price.

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I've been a tight wad pretty much all my life and for a long time bought whatever was the cheapest. After a few years I realized that was not the best route. I bought MTDs, or any of the other cheaper mowers and just replaced them after a couple years use. I had an old Bolens that I bought from a guy that had already wore it out and fixed it up and cut my weeds for several years before it finally gave up.
I got tired of buying something then have to work on it every time I needed to use it, so I decided to bite the bullet and go out looking for something that would last me a while.
I sold off a few old tractors i had, made a bunch of trips to the scrap yard and did a lot of sweet talking to my bride at the time and finally went back to a place that sold Wheel Horse and bought a slightly used 520 H that only had 5 hours on it. The old guy that had it really wanted a Zero turn, but his wife didn't want to spend any more that what he was paying for this Wheel Horse. The Zero turn he wanted was a little over $1000 more but she held firm and he ended up getting this one. Well shortly after the devoice he took it back and traded it for the mower he really wanted. I paid $5000 for that Wheel Horse with a 48" deck and a couple more pieces of stuff that I could use in my garden space.
Well, I almost ended up divorced, my friends thought I was crazy and my dog had a funny look in his eye every time he peed on the back tire. Everything calmed after a few weeks when my wife noticed me cutting grass and not having to listen to the two-hour cussing spree leading up to me getting on the tractor. I cut grass with that mower for 35 years also used it for a whole host of other things over the years and it would be still cutting grass today if it was not for the fire that burned down my shop along with just about everything else, I ever owned.
Now I have me a Gravely ZTR 52 and although it's not my old Wheel Horse I do love it. It's faster, cuts grass better and in the two years I've had it I've never done anything to it but change the oil, put a new set of blades on it and did one hydro oil and filter change. The only bad thing I don't get to ride on it as long as I did with the Wheel Horse because I would break up my cutting time from cutting three days for about 2.5 hours each day to getting it all done in just 2 hours at a pop. Hell, now I have to go cut my neighbors yards to get seat time. LOL