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I am new to the forum. I joined to get some input on my next mower purchase. Some background. We mow 2 acres. Some of it has some slope to it. My wife does most of the mowing. She prefers a steering wheeled mower. We just sold a LA 165 John Deere mower. We sold it because it didn't have a steering gear. We have to mow around over 60 smaller spruce trees (5-8 ft.) and had to repair the steering (bushing & metal plate with teeth) every year. It was manufactured to fail. The new 100 series models don't even have bearings in the front wheels. Long story short, I'm in the market to buy a new riding mower. It will be used for cutting grass and pulling a cart & 35 gallon sprayer only. I don't need it for snow, tilling, etc. I am not locked into a purchase price, but was hoping for something in the $3500-$5000 range if possible. I am currently looking a the John Deere x320 and the CubCadet GT2000. I want atlease a 48" deck. I sould prefer a 54" deck, but I'm not sure about a scalping problem with the slopes we have. I want to buy something that is going to last many many years. We put on about 100 hrs each year. I went and looked at consumer complaints on both manufacturers and am more confused than ever. I would greatly appreciate your expertice and opinions. I am not "locked into" just the John Deere or the CubCadet brands. Thanks, Mark.

First off, I like Deeres, but I also like dealerships; at this price point you're probably buying at a dealer, not a big box store. You know what you want, greasable steering bushings, a worm and gear steering box, etc. I have found the Deere V-twin engines manufactured by Kawasaki to be tough; my mom and dad couldn't kill one. Both makes have also had some bad engines if you search this site. I guess I'm saying if one has a better dealer reputation in your area, even with no problems you'll need a fair price and some service parts.

If you want something with a steering wheel that fits your price range try this
Steering Wheel Control Zero-Turn Riders

The Trees and two acres are no problem $4799

Grass ala Mowed said:

I have found the Deere V-twin engines manufactured by Kawasaki to be tough;

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reynoldston said:

Why you most have a reason, it would be the last engine I would chose. I have seen more problems with Kawasaki through the years then any other engine and parts are very expensive to repair them and they charge more for the Kawasaki option

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I run the 13hp Kawasaki on the walk behind and mow so pretty bad stuff with it and its never give me a problem, Its been my work horse. I've not seen near as many problems with those as the Briggs & Stratton motors and personally I'll take the Kohler motors over any.

My parents 17 horse Kawasaki/Deere seldom got oil changes, etc. and continued to run. My DR field and brush mower with the 15 horse Kawasaki V-twin was a real bear, cutting down 5-6 foot high overgrown brush just like the commercials. (Of course, since my ex-wife now owns both the Deere and the DR I hope you're right reynoldston :laughing

Based on my experience, I'd still buy a Deere with the Kawasaki engine if it had the other features I wanted.