New riding mower on a budget; thoughts?

[gforce211]

Hi everyone,

Glad to be a part of this community and I hope to learn alot! I'm in the market for a new rider and am considering this unit:
Ariens 42 in. 21 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower-960460054 at The Home Depot

Any thoughts about this model (positive and negative) will be greatly appreciated.

I currently own a used 8 yr old Craftsman rider that I traded my Toro push mower for but am sick of it, I've had alot of issues with its (new belts slipping off of pulleys, main gear shaft frozen up, etc..). Plus I'm ready for something a little more powerful than a leaf blower.

Thanks everyone,

John

 

[possum]

Looks to be another Husqvarna Outdoor Products made unit. In other words. A generic lawn tractor that becomes a Craftsman, Poulan, Ariens etc. depending on a sticker, a stamping, and maybe a change in paint color or at least a bit different shade. Engines, seats, and batteries are sometimes different between the basic generic and the one with a cuter sticker. That one is a pretty basic light tractor with an average mowing deck for that type tractor. Most folks like them. Millions are in use by various makers and all are about the same price, same deal. They are a basic unit, not heavy duty by any means, and are far and away from the old time stuff that would plow a very large garden. Find out where your service centers are and read your warranty very well.

 

[Hustling]

Hi everyone,

Glad to be a part of this community and I hope to learn alot! I'm in the market for a new rider and am considering this unit:
Ariens 42 in. 21 HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower-960460054 at The Home Depot

Any thoughts about this model (positive and negative) will be greatly appreciated.

I currently own a used 8 yr old Craftsman rider that I traded my Toro push mower for but am sick of it, I've had alot of issues with its (new belts slipping off of pulleys, main gear shaft frozen up, etc..). Plus I'm ready for something a little more powerful than a leaf blower.

Thanks everyone,

John

Seems like it gets good reviews. I would say as long as you are mowing less than 2 acres and it is relatively smooth it should make you a good mower.

Though I would get the one with the Kohler for a little more money. Just my personal pref. for Kohler over Briggs.

 

[itguy08]

I've got the next model up - the 46in 22hp V-Twin. Had it since the end of September. It's a good machine and like the others have said, it's a Husqvarna under the hood. The maintenance stickers list Husqvarna parts. Quality of cut is good and I think it will last a while given good maintenance. Maintenance is key on these machines.

The one I have has an interesting transmission - it's a General Transmission Element V CVT. (Element V Automatic - By General Transmissions) The thing I like about it is that from what I've been reading on various forums is that low end mowers have no way to service the transmission. They design them to not be serviced and after a few years the transmissions end up needing to be rebuilt or replaced. You have to step up to big $$ to get one with the ability to filter the oil and change it. If all works out, this new type of transmission should be better in that regard.

The only thing I don't like about the model you linked to is the fender shift. Our yard has some obstacles and with a pedal shift it's easy to drive it like a car. With a fender shift you'll have to constantly be using that to adjust speed.

All in all I think the Ariens is a solid loe budget unit. Not the best but not the worst. I'd say solid middle of the road.

 

[Carscw]

Have you looked at the cub cadet ltx1040.
It is in the same price range.
Has 4 deck wheels and a hour meter
And a control panel that tells you when to change the oil. And tells you why it will not start if it is a safety switch.
I got one this past April have put over 700 hours on it with no problems.

I think for the money it is a lot more and better built tractor.

 

[mullins87]

A guy I work with recently bought a Cub Cadet 1042KW, at least I think that's the model number. He got it from a local dealer and paid $1,400 for it. I do know it has a 42" deck and the Kawasaki motor. If I were in your shoes, and could afford another $100, I'd find a Cub dealer and take a look at them and see if you could get a similar deal. Of the two John Deere mowers I have, one is an entry level model with a Briggs engine, the other is of much higher quality with a Kawasaki engine. There is no comparison between the two.

 

[itguy08]

I don't get the hangup on Briggs. I've had very good luck with their engine and the V-twin in mine is smooth as can be. It's new but seems to start up right away and with proper maintenance should last a long time. Kawasaki is probably fine but you can get Briggs parts everywhere should you need them and Kawasaki may be harder (and more expensive) to get. I know around here most of the mower dealers close at 5-6pm, have banker's hours on Sat, and nothing on Sunday. We have Ace and a few other local places that stock Briggs parts.

The LTX1040 looks like a good unit but if you're paying that you may also want to look at the Ariens with the V-twin ( Ariens 46 in. 22 V-Twin HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower-960460056 at The Home Depot )

The 1042KW is a $2k mower, well above his budget.

 

[Carscw]

I don't get the hangup on Briggs. I've had very good luck with their engine and the V-twin in mine is smooth as can be. It's new but seems to start up right away and with proper maintenance should last a long time. Kawasaki is probably fine but you can get Briggs parts everywhere should you need them and Kawasaki may be harder (and more expensive) to get. I know around here most of the mower dealers close at 5-6pm, have banker's hours on Sat, and nothing on Sunday. We have Ace and a few other local places that stock Briggs parts. The LTX1040 looks like a good unit but if you're paying that you may also want to look at the Ariens with the V-twin ( Ariens 46 in. 22 V-Twin HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower-960460056 at The Home Depot ) The 1042KW is a $2k mower, well above his budget.

I like briggs never have had any trouble with them.
The ariens 46 is a good mower I looked at it but got the cub only because I needed the 42 inch deck

 

[itguy08]

I like briggs never have had any trouble with them.
The ariens 46 is a good mower I looked at it but got the cub only because I needed the 42 inch deck

My comment was not directed at you. I see in a lot of forums and such people say stay away from the Briggs. I've always got good service from mine as long as you take care of it. Nothing against Kawasaki - they make a great engine too. Honda IMHO is vastly overrated.

I think any of the mowers would do well for the OP - Cub, Ariens, Husqvarna, Craftsman as long as he maintains it and lives within it's limitations.

 

[mullins87]

I don't get the hangup on Briggs. I've had very good luck with their engine and the V-twin in mine is smooth as can be. It's new but seems to start up right away and with proper maintenance should last a long time. Kawasaki is probably fine but you can get Briggs parts everywhere should you need them and Kawasaki may be harder (and more expensive) to get. I know around here most of the mower dealers close at 5-6pm, have banker's hours on Sat, and nothing on Sunday. We have Ace and a few other local places that stock Briggs parts.

The LTX1040 looks like a good unit but if you're paying that you may also want to look at the Ariens with the V-twin ( Ariens 46 in. 22 V-Twin HP Briggs & Stratton Automatic Gas Front-Engine Riding Mower-960460056 at The Home Depot )

The 1042KW is a $2k mower, well above his budget.

I don't have a hang up with Briggs engines. I owned them all my life and have had very good luck with them, and we're talking more than 10, not just 2 or 3. Briggs parts are more easily found, but with the internet, even Kawasaki parts are available everywhere. As far as the price of parts, I do know Kawasaki ignition system parts are higher. You said the 1042KW is a $2,000 mower......that may be the MSRP, but I can assure you that mower can be had for $1,400.