Toro. Pay a little extra and get a good one. ZTR, welded steel deck and most important, a Kawasaki engine. I've had mine 11 years. I've replaced one belt and two spindles (pulleys) in 11 years. What has been done to the Kawasaki engine? >>>> nothing.
Looking for advice re: purchasing a reliable lawn tractor
- Thread starter buddyd
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Earthquake Landscaping
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This is Rumour Control... These are the facts... 
Yup, for starters, there are so many accurate posts on this thread that I wouldn't know where to start to accurately quote them..
For me, my first experience with a John Deere, was buying one (D-160), from a Big Box Store, when a Landscaping Company was, literally, thrown in my lap. ( Another story for another day).
Having a rip roaring case of O.C.D., I actually read the manual from front to back. Wow!! The manual states that the warrantee, is 2 years, or 120 hours, whichever comes first. Are you 'effin kidding me? If you used it all day, five days a week, that equates to a three week Warrantee!! WTF??
It got more interesting when it came to the Hydro-static trans.. " The drive is sealed, and as such, requires no maintenance.". The drive is a "Tough - Torque" K46.. Now, there's a point to note.. The trans was built to the specs provided by John Deere, who probably saved about a buck, by specifying that there was to be no drain hole in the case. So, at 50 hours, I removed the trans from the tractor, popped off the vent plug, and upended it over a bucket for the night. I then refilled it with Amsoil premium synthetic. The improvement in performance was noticeable. In spite of my O.C.D. scheduled maintenance, it still ate parts on a regular basis. Spindles, despite regular lubrication, self destructed. Etc, Etc.
I got asked why I'd bought that "POS".. My only defence was that I'd relied on the John Deere reputation.. Just because it's green, doesn't mean it's a John Deere.. It's just another cheap POS, sold by your neighbourhood box store.
They're like chainsaws.. when you are at the lowest price point, you get the lowest quality / build that there is. They ( the manufacturers) , just use the name to sell crap products.
Yup, for starters, there are so many accurate posts on this thread that I wouldn't know where to start to accurately quote them..
For me, my first experience with a John Deere, was buying one (D-160), from a Big Box Store, when a Landscaping Company was, literally, thrown in my lap. ( Another story for another day).
Having a rip roaring case of O.C.D., I actually read the manual from front to back. Wow!! The manual states that the warrantee, is 2 years, or 120 hours, whichever comes first. Are you 'effin kidding me? If you used it all day, five days a week, that equates to a three week Warrantee!! WTF??
It got more interesting when it came to the Hydro-static trans.. " The drive is sealed, and as such, requires no maintenance.". The drive is a "Tough - Torque" K46.. Now, there's a point to note.. The trans was built to the specs provided by John Deere, who probably saved about a buck, by specifying that there was to be no drain hole in the case. So, at 50 hours, I removed the trans from the tractor, popped off the vent plug, and upended it over a bucket for the night. I then refilled it with Amsoil premium synthetic. The improvement in performance was noticeable. In spite of my O.C.D. scheduled maintenance, it still ate parts on a regular basis. Spindles, despite regular lubrication, self destructed. Etc, Etc.
I got asked why I'd bought that "POS".. My only defence was that I'd relied on the John Deere reputation.. Just because it's green, doesn't mean it's a John Deere.. It's just another cheap POS, sold by your neighbourhood box store.
They're like chainsaws.. when you are at the lowest price point, you get the lowest quality / build that there is. They ( the manufacturers) , just use the name to sell crap products.
Ive been mowing and landscaping 1.5 acres since 2016 with a 42 inch Husqvarna and a Kohler 18hp engine. Ive replaced 2 belts 2 spindles 1 starter motor and one fuel pump. Regularly serviced it myself and check oil before every start. Still doesnt use or burn oil. Happy with this model.
I ran a Kohler for about 11 years on a JD tractor. I don't recall the hp (maybe 17?), the engine was the best part, no issues at all. The Toro ZTR I now have had for 11 yrs has a Kawasaki. Also, a good engine. No issues in 11 yrs.
Maybe its time we levied the Chinese suppliers for the cost of landfill so they'd produce better qualityThis is Rumour Control... These are the facts...
Yup, for starters, there are so many accurate posts on this thread that I wouldn't know where to start to accurately quote them..
For me, my first experience with a John Deere, was buying one (D-160), from a Big Box Store, when a Landscaping Company was, literally, thrown in my lap. ( Another story for another day).
Having a rip roaring case of O.C.D., I actually read the manual from front to back. Wow!! The manual states that the warrantee, is 2 years, or 120 hours, whichever comes first. Are you 'effin kidding me? If you used it all day, five days a week, that equates to a three week Warrantee!! WTF??
It got more interesting when it came to the Hydro-static trans.. " The drive is sealed, and as such, requires no maintenance.". The drive is a "Tough - Torque" K46.. Now, there's a point to note.. The trans was built to the specs provided by John Deere, who probably saved about a buck, by specifying that there was to be no drain hole in the case. So, at 50 hours, I removed the trans from the tractor, popped off the vent plug, and upended it over a bucket for the night. I then refilled it with Amsoil premium synthetic. The improvement in performance was noticeable. In spite of my O.C.D. scheduled maintenance, it still ate parts on a regular basis. Spindles, despite regular lubrication, self destructed. Etc, Etc.
I got asked why I'd bought that "POS".. My only defence was that I'd relied on the John Deere reputation.. Just because it's green, doesn't mean it's a John Deere.. It's just another cheap POS, sold by your neighbourhood box store.
They're like chainsaws.. when you are at the lowest price point, you get the lowest quality / build that there is. They ( the manufacturers) , just use the name to sell crap products.
BubbaSam
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Hello BuddyD,
Well, I would say that EVERYONE has their preference. In my eyes I would recommend either a Honda or a Husqvarna WITH a Kawasaki V2. My Husky (1848XP) is 15+ years old and with little maintenance still starts every time. I've used it mowing 2+ acres over those years. And, of course, Honda is expensive but you get what you pay for. So I guess your budget will help you make the choice. Good luck!
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Hi Buddy,
I would stay away from the big box stores, I would go to a place that landscapers buy from and buy a quality product, buy once cry once
Tim
Do your self a favour and look at zero turns with a Kawasaki or Vanguard ( Briggs and Stratton Commercial) engine. I would recommend a Ferris but there are plenty of others (nearly) as good out there either sit on, stander or walk behind which will give you a better cut in a fraction of the time and are fun to operate. Grease weekly, regular oil changes, sharpen and balance the blades on a regular basis and the machine will do you well.