Buying Advice Lawn tractor for .54 acres?

[Bottlerocket]

Looking for some input on what tractor would be ideally suited for this task. Trying to stay under $1500. Currently I have a Honda self-propelled walk behind and I am thrilled with the quality, but it just seems to take forever to mow my yard. The property is flat as a board with no trees (yet), and one small garden out front about 20' diameter. Otherwise besides the fence around the backyard there are no obstacles.

I have been scouring craigslist for a used ride on mower but I am wary about buying a used one. I bought my Honda used but obviously there are far fewer parts and mechanisms involved in a walk behind mower. With a tractor and its transaxle, steering, PTO, etc it just seems that there are far more things that could be on the edge of failure on a used machine.

In the $1500 price range what would y'all suggest to get for a lawn tractor? I won't rule out buying used at all as long as I know what to look for. I've been eyeing such tractors (used) as the CC LT1045, JD LA115, Husky YTH21K46, CC Super LT 1554, and a 2005 JD GT235 that needs a tune up and a sharpened blade. Not sure if any of these are even worth considering used but they have caught my attention.

 

[reynoldston]

You should be able to buy most any of your top brand riding mowers for that money. Just check some near by dealers and see what they have. If you check out the big box stores don't forget Sears.

 

[silver1]

You should be able to buy most any of your top brand riding mowers for that money. Just check some near by dealers and see what they have. If you check out the big box stores don't forget Sears.

I agree. For $1500. you should be able to buy a new rider. Do you want a catcher setup or just side discharge? Maybe a trailer?
I would go to your nearest service/repair shop. See what they have. See if they will do the warranty work. JD and CC are both good
mowers. Look at Snapper also. Good luck.

 

[Bottlerocket]

You should be able to buy most any of your top brand riding mowers for that money. Just check some near by dealers and see what they have. If you check out the big box stores don't forget Sears.

Well when I think "Top Brand" I think Toro, JD, etc. Toros start at $1900 and go up, JD Select starts at $3000

I agree. For $1500. you should be able to buy a new rider. Do you want a catcher setup or just side discharge? Maybe a trailer?
I would go to your nearest service/repair shop. See what they have. See if they will do the warranty work. JD and CC are both good
mowers. Look at Snapper also. Good luck.

Side discharge is all I'd need. If I HAVE to bag I can stand using my walk behind once to take care of it. Trailer isn't necessary honestly.

 

[reynoldston]

Well when I think "Top Brand" I think Toro, JD, etc. Toros start at $1900 and go up, JD Select starts at $3000



Side discharge is all I'd need. If I HAVE to bag I can stand using my walk behind once to take care of it. Trailer isn't necessary honestly.

When I say top brand I am thinking more like the MTD models they sell with different names on them. It is basically the same mower with who ever name is on it. MTD sells the same rider only paints it a different color for different company's. For his 1/2 acre of land they would be fine. MTD is only one brand and I am sure their are others. Yes they do make the pricey models also but all he said was 1500 dollars.

 

[silver1]

Well when I think "Top Brand" I think Toro, JD, etc. Toros start at $1900 and go up, JD Select starts at $3000



Side discharge is all I'd need. If I HAVE to bag I can stand using my walk behind once to take care of it. Trailer isn't necessary honestly.

A John Deere D100 runs about $1500. new, A Craftsman 42" about $1350. A Snapper can be had for $1499. All new good units.
A John Deere can be a great used unit if you want to shop around.

 

[Carscw]

I do not consider JD as a top brand in the $1500 price range. Just about any mower for $1500 is in a higher class then the JD.

 

[reynoldston]

I do not consider JD as a top brand in the $1500 price range. Just about any mower for $1500 is in a higher class then the JD.

There must be a reason you are saying this? or don't you like green and yellow for some reason. There are sure a lot of 100 series John Deere's in this part of the country. Myself I don't think they are any worst or better when any lite duty 1500 dollar lawn tractor. The OP only has a 1/2 acre of land also.

 

[metz12]

As everybody on here that knows me, I like craftsman mowers. I also have an mtd yard machines that is a great little mower. I like the Briggs and Stratton engines too. If I were to get a new tractor I would either go with a husqvarna or a cub cadet.

 

[Carscw]

There must be a reason you are saying this? or don't you like green and yellow for some reason. There are sure a lot of 100 series John Deere's in this part of the country. Myself I don't think they are any worst or better when any lite duty 1500 dollar lawn tractor. The OP only has a 1/2 acre of land also.

There was a lot of ford pintos on the road did not mean it was a good car.

I have a few friends that have JDs all of them have spindles break and decks twist.
I put them on a cub Custer ltx1040. Was like night and day for them.
The JD gives a good cut but is no good in grass over 4 inches tall or wet. The pulley design on the decks is crap the belts slip and burn up. They made the blade tip speed fast thinking that's what will sell a mower.
Just look on here at all the problems people have with them. Now I know what your going to say. You see more MTDs and AYP mowers in the shop. Maybe could be that they make thousands more mowers a year then JD

As I have said before john Deere makes very good farm and construction equipment but their mowers are over priced for what you get.

Around here the only place that sells JD riding mowers is lowes the dealer does not carry them but will order you one.