Time for a change?

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Wide_cut

Forum Newbie
Hi folks,

As my username alludes to, I'm the owner of a Garden Way Troy-Bilt Wide Cut mulching mower that I bought new in 1992. It's been a workhorse and remains very serviceable aside from a bit of oil burning at startup. But it's 22 years old, and I'm thinking of candidates for replacement.

I'm a rural homeowner with a 3-acre yard, a good portion of which is on a steep grade. Placement of buildings and fences also limits my deck width, probably to 40 inches or so.

I like the Ariens WAW34 wide-cut mower but I'm also considering a rider to speed my mowing up. I want a quality machine but something that's small and agile. At the same time, I should note that I weigh 225 lbs and I need enough power to climb a pretty good slope. And ideas out there?

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Wide_cut said:
Hi folks,

As my username alludes to, I'm the owner of a Garden Way Troy-Bilt Wide Cut mulching mower that I bought new in 1992. It's been a workhorse and remains very serviceable aside from a bit of oil burning at startup. But it's 22 years old, and I'm thinking of candidates for replacement.

I'm a rural homeowner with a 3-acre yard, a good portion of which is on a steep grade. Placement of buildings and fences also limits my deck width, probably to 40 inches or so.

I like the Ariens WAW34 wide-cut mower but I'm also considering a rider to speed my mowing up. I want a quality machine but something that's small and agile. At the same time, I should note that I weigh 225 lbs and I need enough power to climb a pretty good slope. And ideas out there?

Thanks for any suggestions.
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For 3 acres with some slope I would consider a John Deere X300. Standard deck is 42", but you can get one with a 38" deck.
 
Waw34 is discontinued currently you can probably still find it some places but ariens is not making them right now. Look at the cub 33" less expensive and looks like a good machine
 
Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into the X300 -- some neighbors with a truck garden (so they should know their equipment) use an X300 on their hilly lawn.

Sorry to hear Ariens discontinued the WAW34. I saw a Gravely version at a dealer a few years back, and it looked indestructible. I'll look at the Cub, but I fear the MTD-built versions of the Wide Cut mower have lower build quality than the original version. I think I'd rather keep fixing what I have. The handles cracked from metal fatigue most recently, but the deck looks solid.

Maybe I'll shop Craigslist for some smaller commercial machines too, if I can find some that aren't beaten to death.
 
Wide_cut said:
Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into the X300 -- some neighbors with a truck garden (so they should know their equipment) use an X300 on their hilly lawn.

Sorry to hear Ariens discontinued the WAW34. I saw a Gravely version at a dealer a few years back, and it looked indestructible. I'll look at the Cub, but I fear the MTD-built versions of the Wide Cut mower have lower build quality than the original version. I think I'd rather keep fixing what I have. The handles cracked from metal fatigue most recently, but the deck looks solid.

Maybe I'll shop Craigslist for some smaller commercial machines too, if I can find some that aren't beaten to death.
Click to expand...

Have you considered a ZTR(3 acres is a lot to mow)....or are your "steep grades" too steep(> 15 degrees) for most ZTR's???
 
djdicetn said:
Have you considered a ZTR(3 acres is a lot to mow)....or are your "steep grades" too steep(> 15 degrees) for most ZTR's???
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ZTR is definitely an option. In fact, I took a test drive today on a Gravely ZT34. The size is right, but I'm wondering about the quality of the B&S Intek engine. The ZT42 has a 21-horse Kawasaki, if I can navigate the tight spots with the bigger deck, I'd like the extra power. Can you suggest any comparables? The smaller Gravely is $2300, the 42 is $2700.
 
Dixie Chopper has that 34" model they advertise on TV. Don't know about their quality these days though. Just a thought.
 
Wide_cut said:
ZTR is definitely an option. In fact, I took a test drive today on a Gravely ZT34. The size is right, but I'm wondering about the quality of the B&S Intek engine. The ZT42 has a 21-horse Kawasaki, if I can navigate the tight spots with the bigger deck, I'd like the extra power. Can you suggest any comparables? The smaller Gravely is $2300, the 42 is $2700.
Click to expand...

I would be leery of the Briggs Intek(not the best reputation and I had lots of problems with one myself). If your budget max is around $3k you have several choices. The Gravely 42 would be a good choice, that Dixie Chopper Zee 1 or a Hustler Raptor. It depends on whether you have those dealers nearby. Let us know what you are willing to spend and we will try to recommend some more specific ZTR's that will be good choices.
 
Wide_cut said:
ZTR is definitely an option. In fact, I took a test drive today on a Gravely ZT34. The size is right, but I'm wondering about the quality of the B&S Intek engine. The ZT42 has a 21-horse Kawasaki, if I can navigate the tight spots with the bigger deck, I'd like the extra power. Can you suggest any comparables? The smaller Gravely is $2300, the 42 is $2700.
Click to expand...

I have a Craftsman with a 2 cyl. 24 hp B&S Intek that after 5 1/2 years, is running well, with only oil changes (Mobil 1), air filter changes, I fuel filter and 1 spark plug change, while the mower, of the Husqv model type made for Sears; front end, deck and deck supports), is falling apart around it. Not only the mower's fault, really, because I hit roots, cypress root stumps and small depressions (holes, removed tree areas, etc.) often. My back yard is a valley, with uneven erosion caused by heavy running water through an old deer path when it rains hard. Of late, I try to only use ethanol free gas in it and maybe that helps.

I can't imagine doing your yard on anything but a rider. Have you looked at the Husqvarna R 322 T? it is pricey, at $5200 list, but is maneuverable, can do hills, has 4wd, has a Front Deck (real good around buildings) and can attach implements. I'm, however, a bit worried about what it would be like hitting things.
 
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