Best Bang for the Buck Riding Mower for 1.4 acres?

[davbell22602]

Of coarse. I am a maintenance freak, I take care of things extremely well. I don't have a problem putting money into regular maintenance. I just don't want to have to buy a transmission that costs as much as the tractor is worth in 2-5 years, especially since I take care of these things so well that the rest should last for a very long time.

Those Hydrogear tranys are expensive to replace. I seen them retail as much as $2500-3000 new. The stop n go transaxles I seen retail anywhere from $600-800 new.

 

[Ric]

I've read the reviews that were posted and like Carscw said you can take them with a grain of salt. The two things I did notice however reading them was what was missing and that was what size property and type of grass being cut. One review an individual did state, (All I can say is this mower is not built for anything other than your cookie cutter elegant lawn.)talking about the LT2500.

You say the main thing I am interested in is reliability and longevity and you don't want to waste $1500 on a mower that I have to trash in a few years. Then will a regular hydostatic tranny last 10 years mowing 1.4 acres in FL every other week during the summer. Your answer Imo would be no, not for the amount of property your going to be cutting and the way you're going to be using it.

Keep in mind you're asking these questions about a mower that the manufacturer themselves only give a general two year warranty, after that your on your own to maintain the mower and it will become a money pit.

 

[wmblalock]

I've read the reviews that were posted and like Carscw said you can take them with a grain of salt. The two things I did notice however reading them was what was missing and that was what size property and type of grass being cut. One review an individual did state, (All I can say is this mower is not built for anything other than your cookie cutter elegant lawn.)talking about the LT2500.

You say the main thing I am interested in is reliability and longevity and you don't want to waste $1500 on a mower that I have to trash in a few years. Then will a regular hydostatic tranny last 10 years mowing 1.4 acres in FL every other week during the summer. Your answer Imo would be no, not for the amount of property your going to be cutting and the way you're going to be using it.

Keep in mind you're asking these questions about a mower that the manufacturer themselves only give a general two year warranty, after that your on your own to maintain the mower and it will become a money pit.

On the other side of it, there was a review or two of people cutting 5-10 acres with the LT2500.
I think that is just plain stupid as the manufacturer recommends this for a 1-2 acres.
Do you have any recommendations for something in this price range that would hold up?
I see some smaller 42" Deers and stuff with smaller engines, but figure they would probably last even less because I would have to run them longer and harder with the smaller deck and motor.

 

[My_guy99]

I love my craftsman yts 4000, hydro Trans an all never a problem an as long as you do all the preventative i see no reason any piece of equipment going south quickly! I've had mines 6 yrs now love it!

 

[My_guy99]

Reading through the list of comments made here has made me just roll on the floor laughing my *** off! I literally just finished servicing my supposedly non-several-able transmission in my YTS 4000! Simple to do with regular handtools takes about two hours! The only downside is you have to remove the wheels drop the transaxle from the mower, but easily done if you like help I can always help!

 

[Ric]

On the other side of it, there was a review or two of people cutting 5-10 acres with the LT2500.
I think that is just plain stupid as the manufacturer recommends this for a 1-2 acres.
Do you have any recommendations for something in this price range that would hold up?
I see some smaller 42" Deers and stuff with smaller engines, but figure they would probably last even less because I would have to run them longer and harder with the smaller deck and motor.

The problem is that anything in that price range isn't meant for anything other than your cookie cutter elegant lawn like the guy that did the review said and when you start pushing the thing to an acre and a half your pushing it beyond its limits so its life span is going to be decrease to next to nothing. If you want the most bang for your dollar I'd recommend start looking on Craigslist for something like this for $1650 for what your doing this would be or is a forever mower. It will handle what you have and five times more without breaking a sweat.

dixie chopper mower 60 inch deck - $1650 (bartow)

 

[wmblalock]

Reading through the list of comments made here has made me just roll on the floor laughing my *** off! I literally just finished servicing my supposedly non-several-able transmission in my YTS 4000! Simple to do with regular handtools takes about two hours! The only downside is you have to remove the wheels drop the transaxle from the mower, but easily done if you like help I can always help!

Yeah, I was just reading up on it, seems the Hydro trannies are pretty reliable if I change the fluid from time to time, keep it clean, and don't overload it.
I don't plan on towing with it, and just have one steep hill, so it shouldn't be abused much.
After I account for the house and some trees on the lot, my actual mow area is probably closer to 1-1.2 acre and they are rated for 1-2 acres per Craftsman.
Anyone have an opinion of getting a regular pulley type Automatic CVT Transmission like in the Arien instead?
They seem more simple, so maybe more durable?

Thanks Ric, I will keep an eye out for something more commercial and used, but I haven't found much in my area yet (Saint Augustine / Jacksonville FL).
Do you have any opinion on the Automatic CVT Transmissions vs Hydrostatic (in regards to these lawn tractors?)

 

[Ric]

Yeah, I was just reading up on it, seems the Hydro trannies are pretty reliable if I change the fluid from time to time, keep it clean, and don't overload it.
I don't plan on towing with it, and just have one steep hill, so it shouldn't be abused much.
After I account for the house and some trees on the lot, my actual mow area is probably closer to 1-1.2 acre and they are rated for 1-2 acres per Craftsman.
Anyone have an opinion of getting a regular pulley type Automatic CVT Transmission like in the Arien instead?
They seem more simple, so maybe more durable?

Thanks Ric, I will keep an eye out for something more commercial and used, but I haven't found much in my area yet (Saint Augustine / Jacksonville FL).
Do you have any opinion on the Automatic CVT Transmissions vs Hydrostatic (in regards to these lawn tractors?)

Hydro-Gear makes good drives, they put them in about every mower out there. I've run the 2800s commercially in my two ZTRs and have all kinda of hours on them and have never had any problems. The only way you can improve your drives is to go with pumps and wheel motors, there's such a difference between the two.
I still think you would be better off with a used commercial of some type. Right now most guys that are wanting to upgrade for next year will be looking to selling equipment now to get ready for next season so you should be able to come up with a good deal on a good ztr.

 

[My_guy99]

Yeah, I was just reading up on it, seems the Hydro trannies are pretty reliable if I change the fluid from time to time, keep it clean, and don't overload it. I don't plan on towing with it, and just have one steep hill, so it shouldn't be abused much. After I account for the house and some trees on the lot, my actual mow area is probably closer to 1-1.2 acre and they are rated for 1-2 acres per Craftsman. Anyone have an opinion of getting a regular pulley type Automatic CVT Transmission like in the Arien instead? They seem more simple, so maybe more durable? Thanks Ric, I will keep an eye out for something more commercial and used, but I haven't found much in my area yet (Saint Augustine / Jacksonville FL). Do you have any opinion on the Automatic CVT Transmissions vs Hydrostatic (in regards to these lawn tractors?)

I will only answer to what I know an not go off of hear-say or someone who has not the slightest clue where the drain plug to the mower is....

A friend of mines has a different mower same Trans much bigger yard I believe 2 acres compared to my 3/4, he drivers his mower like he stole it every week! We both service tractors the same and have the same results!

I personally believe if you take care of your stuff your stuff will take care of you! Multiple oil changes, Air filter cleaner changes all the small things, grease fittings can go a long way!

 

[wmblalock]

For those of you with more experience with these things than me, between fender control and pedal control, which do you prefer?