Since moving out to the country I have decided this push mowing is for people who jog, and not for me.

So, any advice on brands to stay away from? My lot is about .8 acres. I don't want the zero turn because it requires two hands, and also costs too much. I want to spend less than $2k, and have about a 50" cut. 42" might be ok, I have yet to fully investigate the cost breaks.

so far, I'm liking the Cub Cadet LT1050.
Link here. (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100426313)
it's only $2k, but I get a $200 rebate at home depot.

It uses a Kohler motor, much like the Toro's do.
John Deer's are just too pricing. Besides, the Cub Cadet has a much better warranty than the rest.

ps. Anybody know how to get a 20% off coupon for Home Depot? A friend told me they sell them on e-bay, but I don't have an account and think that it's risky.

Most of the riding mowers are exempt from any of the Home Depot % discounts. READ THE FINE PRINT!

IMO check the local classifieds. Usually there are deals to be found. From what I have read stay away from Craftsmand/Sears. I have an early 70's JD 140. I can pratically mow trees :D If I can't mow it, I kill it with chemicals :)

Just opened my Consumer Reports from May 07 and they recommended the John Deere as well. Took the top 3 spots in their survey and had the fewest repairs in their long term repair history. The LA110 was rated a best pick at $1600. The other top 2 were X304 $3500 and X300 $2900. Craftsman 28724 was also rated a top pick at #4 spot $1600.
Hope the info helps...
Steve

FYI: Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, White, Bolens, Yard-Man are all made by MTD http://www.mtdproducts.com/corporate/index.jsp as are most of the mowers sold in Wal-Mart. I think the lower line Toro's are too.

I'd concentrate on the features you want, then go for the best bang for the buck! I prefer the hydrostatic transmission over the gears: on my bumpy backyard, some areas were too bumpy for 4th, 3 was too slow, hydro fixes that! I've now got a 46" Toro I got from Home Depot. Like it! Has cruise control, not that I can use it!

Just opened my Consumer Reports from May 07 and they recommended the John Deere as well. Took the top 3 spots in their survey and had the fewest repairs in their long term repair history. The LA110 was rated a best pick at $1600.
Did they differentiate between the John Deere machines purchased from John Deere dealers as compared with those purchased at the big-box stores?

We purchased our John Deere from the dealership. They told us John Deere built the lower quality mover such as the one`s you see at Lowe`s or Home Depot to compete with Wal Mart brands , Mtd , Cub , Craftsman & so on. Make you a trip to your local J/D dealership look at a mower , then go to Lowe`s or Home Depot you will see a world of difference . This all falls back to the pay for what you get deal. Our John Deere mows several acres every two weeks & will do a repeatly good job. You will not be disappointed. My family is die hard John Deere collectors from old to new products . If you got a acre or two yard a LA110 is fine . But if you live out in the country & have rougher than normal landscape I would not purchase one . The decks are cheap built along with chassis. They also have a lower quality engine. If it fits your budget buy one from the dealship you will be money ahead.All & all a LA110 is just a facy Craftsman with a John Deere name.

I know several people that have Cub Cadets, ALL have had a lot of trouble with them, good thing they have that warranty. Most of the cheaper mowers are about the same. If you buy a cheaper one just go for the size that you want. I had a MTD 38" for 10 years and didnt have any problems at all, I also have .9 acres and it did fine. I just replaced it because I got deal on a newer used one.
Ron

Vintagegmsalvage, I bought a john deere from a dealer 5 or 6 years ago, now I see the cheaper prices at the discount stores, what in particular is the difference, I never looked at them.

This jd is okay, but its blowing oil up the side of the motor, and the one I had before that was a yardman, never a problem for ten years, mower deck was getting worn, but never broke down or blew oil like this jd.

I could have bought almost two yardmans for the price of this jd, its a 15 horse power hydrostatic.

I think the jd might be like the maytags, used to be good:)

Would I buy another jd or maytag, no.

Rob

The local Deere dealer here sells the 100 series for the same price as Lowe's. A neighbor has a JD 110 that he mows over an acre with. No problems in over 2 years. I'd buy one from the dealer (same price) for possible warranty and service advantages. But like others said if you have any rough ground, lots of trees and roots, etc., I'd go one step up and get a little heavier built model.

I bought one of the cheapy John Deere mowers from Home Depot a few years back and ended up returning it. POS. Bought a new John Deere GT235 with a 54" mower deck and a 42" snowthrower to replace it. Much better quality.

I bought a JD L111 3 years ago from the local JD dealer.
even if it is the same as the Home Depot one I feel that the guys @ the dealer know how to assemble them better than some kid the was just pricing flower seeds.

BTW no probs in 3 years with the JD

i had an old craftsman that was wearing out after 12 years (3 acres) so i bought a 54" club cadet-i used it twice, if the grass was a little to high, or a little to wet, it would quit-then i dragged my old sears out and blow right thru it-i took it back, ($2700) and ordered a sears, $1900, 50" cut, works much better, but i think the design of the new decks (mulching style) adds to some of the clogging up-seems like every year they redesign mowers to work worse-lol

8 acres? You don't need a riding mower, you need a tractor. Go find an old Ford 9N and finish mower. Probably get it all for around 2K used.

Im on 3 acres of sand---the weeds need to be cut
John Deere L120, Has been pretty much trouble free for 4 or 5 yrs.
Even use it to drag an inoperable car around if necessary.
Killed my Craftsman right after I moved here

I ended up spending 6k on an Exmark zero turn. It will last 20 + years, cuts at 10 mph and I drive a $1000 truck to keep the balance. I try to buy good tools one time, I guess thats why I don't have much.

I have a JD rider that was bought new by a neighbor in 1967. I was a kid and thought it was the greatest mower ever and mowed their yard for free just to ride it! When he died in 1969 his wife moved to a trailer and I never knew what happened to it. I discovered it in his nephews garage two years ago buried under a pile of junk. He said his aunt stored it there in 1971 when she moved and if I wanted it I could have it if I hauled off all the junk in there. It is currently in storeage and is 100% complete including a box scraper and snow plow and even a belly blade! After the Elky is done I think I'll do a total restoration on it! Oh cleaned it out put gas and new oil in it a battery and it fired right up after 30 years sitting!:thumbsup:

I have the 1050 cub. I've had no problems with it for two years. My buddy bought one of the smaller cubs, I think it has a 42" deck? He had to return it because of something to do with the deck.They replaced the mower, and no more problems. I mow alittle more than a acre with mine, so it does get used. mine has a 26 or 27 hp kohler though. If i had to complain about something i'd say it's alittle loud, but it IS a big motor.

I have a 61" Scag mower that I bought used for 1500.00, about 7K new. IMO, try to get commercial stuff as its built much tuffer than anything you can get and box stores and other places. My neighbor already hurt his 4 yrs old 25HP Craftsman, just pulling a cart around. My Scag is probably about 10 yrs old probably has another 20 in it.

If you look, most movers today dont even have a frame - its all sheetmetal. Another problem is that the Hydro units may not be durabel either, and they are big $$$ to fix.

Buy a real JD not the Home Depot models. You get what you pay for. I've had mine for at least 10 years and the only thing I have replaced has been belts and batteries. Parts are available nationwide. Go try to get a part for a 2 year old Craftsman. MTD products are garbage IMHO.

I have a Cub Cadet 2146 that I bought from a dealer - $2600. I have been cutting 2 acres for over 6 years without issue. I maintain it well. I did a ton of research before deciding. The major manufacturers do have a lower quality lines built specifically for the big box stores that compete on price only. The Cub Cadets sold in Lowes and now Home Depot are very different than mine. Compare frames and transmissions. I think the engines are probably the same, but that is probably not the part that is going to break. I actually opted for the smaller deck (38" vs. 48") to minmize scalping. I also bought the snowthower attachment and used it to clear my 20 car driveway. Worked great once I added some chains. Every part on my tractor is replaceable and Cub Cadet has a great web site with schematics and part #'s to order anything you need. If price is an issue, I would go with a higher quality, used tractor rather than something new that will not last. I have a 14 hp engine and have never needed more. I think the big box stores focus on HP and deck width which I really don't think are that important.

4 years back I bought a john deere(120 i think). It was 18h 42". Took about 4.5 hours to cut my yard. I racked up some time on it for 2 years and even plowed with it(live in MICHIGAN). I sold it to a friend and it still runs great! I then bought a cub 52" ?hp. I cut once with it and took it back. I didn't like the foot control. Pretty cheap and my foot would get wedged in it. I then bought a commercial Gravely zero turn. Takes 1.75 hours to cut now.:thumbsup:

He's got .8 acre Jeff :D

He's got .8 acre Jeff :D

Thanks Steve. :thumbsup:

Point eight? Who the hell describes land like that? :noway: Just an FYI Mike - that's about an acre. Don't you have a girlfriend? Just buy two cheap mowers and $1800 worth of beer. Point eight... Geez Louise Nancy - push that thing. :D

www.ingersoll-inc.com Buy one of these you'll never need another.

Mike...my .02...my lot is a half acre and I mow using my 42" Sears rider with an 18.5 hp B&S w/cast sleeve. It's overkill, but I like it. I suggest you look at some pertinent features first...motor with at least 18-20 hp, at the bottom end get one with the sleeves if not a full on commercial engine, get a heavy gauge solid steel deck (compare the models when you look at them you'll soon see what I mean), get one with the anti-scalp feature (steel rolling bars). Also check out what extras the brand you're looking at offers (spreaders, dump wagons, brush bars, bagger attachments, etc.) and don't be sold on the fancy transmissions either...my six speed manual works just fine. Btw, I bought mine from the local Sears scratch & dent store for $500...looked like new (no scratches or dents) and less than 10 hours of run time...

...also my rider will pull the front wheels...my Chevelle won't.

I just purchased a Husquvarne. All these posts, and not one person talked about it. It is a very good company and the mower is outstanding. It is a 23 hp Briggs & Stratton and a 48" cut. It is very nice and easy to operate. I checked Husquvarne and there are no problems with them. Consider them. A little cheaper than JD and, if you ask me, better machine.

I just bought a tractor about a month ago.
I looked at the the different makes and I went with a JD. The models I looked @ (Did not look into a Husquvarne) I thought the JD were better built plus they had 0% down, 0% financing and no payment for 12 months.
I was a little more but went with a liquid cooled and 54 inch deck. It been working fine with no issues but it's only clocked 30 hours so far on the kawasaki engine.

All good replies. Accept for Jeff making fun of my .8 acres. :D Sadly, I don't even push mow, it's a walk behind jobber. It's hot down here damn it! :yes:

I''ll go by the respective dealers and do some "deck" kicking and see what all I like. I"m no cheap skate, but money saved on the mower is money invested in the upcoming frame off. I have asperations... BIG asperations. :cool:

Don't forget Snapper!

Any of those MTD made machines (that includes JD from Home Depot) are a 10 year investment. A real JD or a Snapper is a 20 year investment.

You do get what you pay for. The others don't last.

I bought a rider from Home Depot. 14 HP, 42 inch...........I only mow 2 or 3 times a year, but live on almost 5 acres. The sand, after 3 years, blew a hole in the deck. I patched it, but that only lasted one mowing. I tried to order a replacement deck..........not available any more........bought the "replacement", three blades, not two. didn't mount the same, different size belt, just a major hassle. I'm gonna buy a JD from the local dealer, not the Lowes store. I'm getting it from the people that have to service what they sell, not give you an 800 number.

I can't believe no one has said anything about the simplicities. I have a regent with a hydrostatic trans and its a lot better then my dads john deere. He got his for around $1800 with the auto. Mine turns sharper, has better controls and the frame is better and just feels better.

Don't forget Snapper!

Any of those MTD made machines (that includes JD from Home Depot) are a 10 year investment. A real JD or a Snapper is a 20 year investment.

You do get what you pay for. The others don't last.Thats probably true, but you can buy 3 of the 10 year ones for what you pay for a JD. What ever gets the job done.
Ron

Am I the only one who noticed this?

I don't want the zero turn because it requires two hands

I guess Mikey will be cutting figure 8's into his yard:beers::beers:

Yup, need one for the beer. I'll get a cup holder for when I slolum the 18 crepe merdle trees along the property line.

I bought a Troy Bilt last year. I use it to cut weeds, grass and throw rocks around the yard. For $900 I am happy, 42" cut, 7 speed transmission and it has a built in cup holder :beers:

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/Troybilt.jpg

Sometimes those inexpensive ones are hard to kill. In 1981 I bought a Murray 36" cut with 11 hp Briggs engine for $799. I had no troubles with it other than normal wear items and gave it to my bro-in-law in '96. It finally shucked the 3 speed trans in '05. No replacement parts could be found.

I've got a 17.5 hp Craftsman here with hydro-static drive. So far so good. I've had it going on 4 years now. I'll never push a mower again. I mowed enough lawns in high school to last me a lifetime.

I second Snapper. I have an '02 i bought off of Ebay from a guy who lived across town I did local searches on Ebay for mowers until i found a nice one and won it. He paid over 2k for it new and i got it in '05 for $800 delivered! Its 18 HP Briggs with 48" inch deck. I do like the Husquvarnas though. One thing is a nice wide deck is nice if your lawn is FLAT. If its got some dips and bumps you may be better off with a more narrow deck.Also look into attachments if you need them. I bought my Snapper when i lived in Louisiana.Now i moved to Pa i would love to have a snow blower attatchment but they don't make one for my model. So consider what attachments you may want in the future.

I bought a John Deere from a JD dealer back in 1998. This is a much heavier model than those at HD, Lowes, etc. It is a 345 model and has a 20 (22Hp?) Kawasaki water cooled engine and has a 52 inch cut. It cost about $6-7k back then. I have over 500 hours on it and it is going strong. I maintain it well changing the oil about every 25 hours and keeping all grease fittings well greased. I think this lawn tractor and deck will still be going strong at 2000 hours. I don't think those light weigth models will ever make it that far. This is just my opinion. However, I bought my mother in law a JD from HD and I can verify that the life of this light weight machine is limited. I can tell you that I still have a Cub Cadet from back in 1975. This was a heavy built lawn tractor sold by International dealers (the rear end looks like something out of an automobile). It is still running well (although it is on it's 3rd air cooled Kohler motor.) That mower cost about $1000 back then. I replaced it with the faster, wider, hydrostatic JD. I am keeping the IH hoping it will be worth something on the antique market (I am not holding my breath.)

I have an acre of hilly lawn. Bought a Cub Cadet 11 years ago and it was one of the best things I've ever bought. :thumbsup:I put on a snow blade & chains and use it all winter too. 13 HP Kohler engine starts every time. My neighbor is on his 3rd Sears tractor in the same 11 years. FWIW, I've looked at the Cubs in HD and they are inferior to mine...IMO. Mower decks are not nearly as heavy gauge as mine. Many of the other pieces...like suspension...are not as beefy either. I also have my father-in-laws 1973 John Deere Garden tractor. The mower deck on that thing weighs as much as my whole Cub!!:eek::thumbsup:

Whatever you get, make sure you do the maintenence. :yes: