Hi everyone,
I'm looking to replace a great John Deere 30" rear engine mower that's about 20 years old. It's doing alright, but I know pretty soon it's gonna go.
I've got 40+ acres but the area I'd be using the mower is the fenced yard area and a front lawn, probably an acre or so. The rest of what I mow (non-lawn) is done with a bush hog. The JD has been great because the small size can get in to some of the areas between small trees in the lawn, but some of the tight areas like that I've been mowing I'm going to mulch so that I have less of an obstacle course.
The repair shop I use sells Snappers and they've got a 28" rear engine (I think it's the RE100) for $1599. It's very similar to the JD in size and features.
I've also looked at a 46" Huskvarna at Lowe's. I believe the model is YTH22V46. It's the same price, $1599, as the Snapper. I like that hydrostatic transmission and it's a nice machine. The size is obviously bigger than what I have now, but I could make quicker work of the job with a larger cut. Could also do some additional mowing with it in areas that I'm using the bush hog now and take care of things with the mower instead.
I've heard good things about Huskvarna, but reading the reviews on the Lowe's site is making me a little hesitant. When I read numerous reviews that say that it worked well for a short period of time and then started falling apart, or about large repair bills even with an extended warranty, I worry.
I was considering a Cub Cadet, but my Kubota dealer talked me out of it since they're being made by MTD and says that they quit carrying them after selling them for decades because of all the problems with them. He naturally wants to sell me a Kubota mower, and I'm sure they're great as I love my Kubota tractor I've had for 10+ years, but I really don't want to spend that much on a lawn mower.
Only other models I might consider would be the Ariens or the Simplicity that another local tractor shop carries.
I'm not trying to invest in something that will last 20 years, but I don't want to buy junk either.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
I'm looking to replace a great John Deere 30" rear engine mower that's about 20 years old. It's doing alright, but I know pretty soon it's gonna go.
I've got 40+ acres but the area I'd be using the mower is the fenced yard area and a front lawn, probably an acre or so. The rest of what I mow (non-lawn) is done with a bush hog. The JD has been great because the small size can get in to some of the areas between small trees in the lawn, but some of the tight areas like that I've been mowing I'm going to mulch so that I have less of an obstacle course.
The repair shop I use sells Snappers and they've got a 28" rear engine (I think it's the RE100) for $1599. It's very similar to the JD in size and features.
I've also looked at a 46" Huskvarna at Lowe's. I believe the model is YTH22V46. It's the same price, $1599, as the Snapper. I like that hydrostatic transmission and it's a nice machine. The size is obviously bigger than what I have now, but I could make quicker work of the job with a larger cut. Could also do some additional mowing with it in areas that I'm using the bush hog now and take care of things with the mower instead.
I've heard good things about Huskvarna, but reading the reviews on the Lowe's site is making me a little hesitant. When I read numerous reviews that say that it worked well for a short period of time and then started falling apart, or about large repair bills even with an extended warranty, I worry.
I was considering a Cub Cadet, but my Kubota dealer talked me out of it since they're being made by MTD and says that they quit carrying them after selling them for decades because of all the problems with them. He naturally wants to sell me a Kubota mower, and I'm sure they're great as I love my Kubota tractor I've had for 10+ years, but I really don't want to spend that much on a lawn mower.
Only other models I might consider would be the Ariens or the Simplicity that another local tractor shop carries.
I'm not trying to invest in something that will last 20 years, but I don't want to buy junk either.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
