sedaliaterry
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- Joined
- May 29, 2011
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- 3
It was time to retire my 11yr old Craftsman from the pasture. I have 5 acres, 1.5 of which I mow (I do not bag). It is very uneven ground with lots of hills, ditches, trees, and fence line. The old Craftsman 42in has a 20hp B&S, with 5 speed hand shift transmission. Last year I changed the belts for the 1st time, had to put new front tires on, and replaced the front bushings. I went through a set of blades every season, sharpening them 3-4 times each season (I am anal about blades). I could never mow faster than 3rd, generally having to keep it in 1 or 2 especially when the grass got tall, and often had left overs which had to be re-mowed. It usually took me 4 hours and 1 tank (4.3 gal) to complete the circuit. I cannot complain much about the Craftsman, it got the job done (as slow going as it was), and I got my money out of it, especially working it as hard as I did.
For the new tractor, I wanted to spend around $2500 (but was willing to go more to get what I wanted). I wanted something with at least 22-25 horsepower, and nothing bigger than a 48in deck. Reading the forums it was clear that hydrostatic transmission with foot pedals was the preference. I noted the concerns over the transmission models vs mowing conditions, and resulting longevity. After looking at various tractors at the box stores, I had my own concerns over some of the pedal implementations for reverse. I sometimes find myself in unbalanced situations and need reverse fast, and felt some of the pedal implementations would make this difficult (in particular, the ones with pedals coming up through the foot rest requiring a heel or the flat of your foot to depress). I was looking hard at the JD D140, but it has this (IMO) poor pedal configuration. I decided to go to a dealer and try one (something you cannot do at a box store generally). Ends up as expected, I did not like the reverse pedal implementation.
Now I was aware of the JD X series tractors from the forums and online research I had done, but they are obviously more expensive. While at the dealer, I tried an x300. The pedals are totally different (real pedals), and the entire overall feel is heavy duty. The Kawasaki engine is only 17hp though, so that was a concern, but from what I had read, it has the torque and power efficiency over larger engines to get the job done. The sales guy did not have to up-sale me, I did it myself based on what I saw. I went with the x300 42in deck costing right at $3k (came with the free little dump cart although that was not a factor). I was hoping I could over time justify the extra $500.
First mow was yesterday. The grass was tall because of all the rain. Started it up and quickly noticed how quiet the Kawasaki is. I also quickly noticed how fast I could mow with it, and how much I liked the hydrostatic and pedal controls vs the old hand shift/clutching. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THERE IS NO COMPARISON TO THE OLD CRAFTSMAN. It was so fast, I got the entire job (which use to take 4+ hours) done in about 2.5 hours. I only had to mow once (no leftovers). Also, it burned less than half of the 3.5gal tank. I figure these days at about $15/tank (sounds obscene for a lawn mower), that this will be a pretty good savings over time (something that is sometimes lost in mower considerations and discussions). There are some things I do not like. The seat safety switch is so touchy, I could not hardly move without it shutting things down. I need to use some body english on the sides of some of the hills and ditches, so this makes it hard. Also, a locking rear axle would have been nice (got stuck backing up a hill and found the x300 to heavy to push unlike the old Craftsman).
I still have some things to get use to, but dang, I can say for a fact that already, I have no regrets paying the extra $500 to get this level of tractor. The time and gas $ it will save me (not to mention how much fun I had :smile
will more than make up for that. Did I say how much I like the hydrostatic and pedals (most of you have long been aware of that though). I do not mean for this to sound like I am preaching brand here, just want to suggest you get a good one whatever it is, and to point out that there may be some factors not considered in the purchase sometimes that may make up some $$. Sorry for the long post...
For the new tractor, I wanted to spend around $2500 (but was willing to go more to get what I wanted). I wanted something with at least 22-25 horsepower, and nothing bigger than a 48in deck. Reading the forums it was clear that hydrostatic transmission with foot pedals was the preference. I noted the concerns over the transmission models vs mowing conditions, and resulting longevity. After looking at various tractors at the box stores, I had my own concerns over some of the pedal implementations for reverse. I sometimes find myself in unbalanced situations and need reverse fast, and felt some of the pedal implementations would make this difficult (in particular, the ones with pedals coming up through the foot rest requiring a heel or the flat of your foot to depress). I was looking hard at the JD D140, but it has this (IMO) poor pedal configuration. I decided to go to a dealer and try one (something you cannot do at a box store generally). Ends up as expected, I did not like the reverse pedal implementation.
Now I was aware of the JD X series tractors from the forums and online research I had done, but they are obviously more expensive. While at the dealer, I tried an x300. The pedals are totally different (real pedals), and the entire overall feel is heavy duty. The Kawasaki engine is only 17hp though, so that was a concern, but from what I had read, it has the torque and power efficiency over larger engines to get the job done. The sales guy did not have to up-sale me, I did it myself based on what I saw. I went with the x300 42in deck costing right at $3k (came with the free little dump cart although that was not a factor). I was hoping I could over time justify the extra $500.
First mow was yesterday. The grass was tall because of all the rain. Started it up and quickly noticed how quiet the Kawasaki is. I also quickly noticed how fast I could mow with it, and how much I liked the hydrostatic and pedal controls vs the old hand shift/clutching. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THERE IS NO COMPARISON TO THE OLD CRAFTSMAN. It was so fast, I got the entire job (which use to take 4+ hours) done in about 2.5 hours. I only had to mow once (no leftovers). Also, it burned less than half of the 3.5gal tank. I figure these days at about $15/tank (sounds obscene for a lawn mower), that this will be a pretty good savings over time (something that is sometimes lost in mower considerations and discussions). There are some things I do not like. The seat safety switch is so touchy, I could not hardly move without it shutting things down. I need to use some body english on the sides of some of the hills and ditches, so this makes it hard. Also, a locking rear axle would have been nice (got stuck backing up a hill and found the x300 to heavy to push unlike the old Craftsman).
I still have some things to get use to, but dang, I can say for a fact that already, I have no regrets paying the extra $500 to get this level of tractor. The time and gas $ it will save me (not to mention how much fun I had :smile
will more than make up for that. Did I say how much I like the hydrostatic and pedals (most of you have long been aware of that though). I do not mean for this to sound like I am preaching brand here, just want to suggest you get a good one whatever it is, and to point out that there may be some factors not considered in the purchase sometimes that may make up some $$. Sorry for the long post...