Need help buying my first riding mower

[Bruce17578]

I have a little less than an acre of grass. There is one large slope but other than that it is fairly flat. Very few obstacles. I am looking for something that cuts evenly and is durable. My biggest fear is that I purchase a mower for a thousand dollars or more and it is a lemon. I've looked at JD 110/120, snapper, and toro models. Does anyone have any guidance on a good dependable riding mower?

 

[rekees]

Consumer Reports rates the JD 110 as a best buy at around $1700.

 

[Oddball]

If you plan on bagging the clippings, one thing that concerns me about the new JD riders is the attachment points for the bagger. They're just holes in the plastic body with black plastic inserts to strengthen them. The new attachment system looks awfully flimsy to me. My 10 year old LT150 has substantial round tubing that fits into a bracket and is secured with big metal clip pins. Basically a weld would have to break somewhere for the bagger to fail. I have not actually seen a bagger attached to the new mowers, but I just don't see that strength in the new system. As far as getting 3 to 5 years out of a D110, I think that's a little pessemistic. The same was being said about my LT150 that was being sold by HD and its 10 years now and going strong. I decided to support my local servicing JD dealer over HD since the price was the same.

Sorry, I meant this as a response to another JD post, but I guess its just as relevent here.

 

[benski]

Are you looking for a new or used mower? Used Simplicitys, Non-box store JDs, Cub Cadets, Husqvarnas , and Kubotas are all worth a look in the used market, IMHO.:smile: Best of luck!:thumbsup:

 

[possum]

If you are worried about a lemon I would buy any one of the brands that had a good dealer service center as near as possible, and I would buy it from that dealer.

 

[reddragon]

i would start with something with 3 blades...like a used craftman gt5000

 

[crazyoldtractor]

If I were you I would get a self-propelled push mower not a lawn tractor.

 

[benski]

How much time do you want to spend to do an acre of grass? A typical walk behind self-propelled will be about 2 hrs.

 

[Axle-and-Hub]

A. I have a little less than an acre of grass.
B. There is one large slope but other than that it is fairly flat. Very few obstacles. I am looking for something that cuts evenly and is durable.
C. My biggest fear . . . purchase a mower for a thousand dollars or more and it is a lemon.

If it were my 1st mower ever, i'd get a pressurized system ( has a spin on oil filter) and if possible liquid cooled ( has radiator). This would mean used.
I bought a used Honda rider
(twin cylinder water cooled 13 hp 38 inch cut with bagging system)
For less than $800 to cut my 1+ acre with 2 steep slopes. Quiet, well built, more REAL power than many 17 or 18 horse engines.

You can find deals everywhere if you look. Then after a couple years of used use, you'll really know what you need and can sell the used unit for close to what you paid for it.

 

[benski]

If it were my 1st mower ever, i'd get a pressurized system ( has a spin on oil filter) and if possible liquid cooled ( has radiator). This would mean used.
I bought a used Honda rider
(twin cylinder water cooled 13 hp 38 inch cut with bagging system)
For less than $800 to cut my 1+ acre with 2 steep slopes. Quiet, well built, more REAL power than many 17 or 18 horse engines.

You can find deals everywhere if you look. Then after a couple years of used use, you'll really know what you need and can sell the used unit for close to what you paid for it.

I love and own an old Honda riding mower myself, but the only caveat that I have to this is parts are becoming scarce for these mowers, and if you can find them, they come very dearly.:frown: Just my personal experience, YMMV.