Lawn Tractor
Well, I’ve reached that point in my life when it’s time to buy a lawn tractor. I’ve been reading up on them. I need one with at least a 42’ deck and a snow thrower attachment.
Obviously, a John Deere consistently ranks the best, but I’m not willing to drop that much cash on one. I’ve liked what I’ve read about the Craftsmans and am thinking about going that way (perhaps it’s the B&S engine).
Any suggestions?
Wheel weights and chains on the rear. Don’t let the salesman talk you into a maintenance agreement. Only suckers buy those…I’d know…used to sell them
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2220 hrs
Buy local. Spread the wealth, and get the Deere. It’s green, you’ll love it!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2222 hrs
When I bought my first tractor, I tried to save some money. A few years later, I bought a Deere.
Don’t buy from a big box store. Local, independent dealers offer the same price & much better service (e.g. free delivery & knowledgeable service people).
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2223 hrs
Stay away from the Craftmans, unless they have changed recently they are built cheap.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2224 hrs
Hey! “42’ deck! That’s a big deck. Maybe “42” deck” Cub Cadet deserves a look. Used them in a state correctional institution and they were fine.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2248 hrs
If you’ve got any hills at all on your lot, you’ll burn out a Craftsman tranny in nothing flat.
I recently bought a Cub Cadet GT2544, as that was the cheapest lawn tractor I could find with a user-serviceable tranny (can change fluid & filter on my own). No Deere had that, nor did $4K/$5K Simplicitys.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2259 hrs
First thing is how big an area and what is the terrain and size of the drive ? Then, how much time do yow want to spend riding the tractor ( summer and winter ). Finally, how much time do you want to be working on it or have it in the shop. That famous saying “you get what you pay for” is pretty relevant. I have a fifteen year old Simplicity eighteen horse fifty inch deck fortytwo inch blower. Purchased at Tennis. I take it in every two years for professional maintanance. I have replaced one belt and the bearings in the deck (due to my own foolishness. My neighbor has a Deere. We boyh think ours is the better machine.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2008 at 2339 hrs
Just make sure it’s fuel efficient so you don’t bankrupt yourself driving it to Waukesha to let me borrow it.
Posted by James Wigderson on November 17, 2008 at 2349 hrs
I’ve got a Yard Man tractor, 42 inch deck, 20HP, and it cost only $1000 at Fleet Farm. And talk about durability…how many tractors can have a garage fall on them, get buried in snow, and the only thing happen to them is they need a new steering wheel?
Not bad for a four year old tractor I’d say.
Posted by capper on November 17, 2008 at 2353 hrs
Make sure you don’t get one of those zero radius turn thingies, they require two hands on the wheel, you need a free hand for your beer! One beer per lap is the minimum too!
Posted by Marcus Aurelius on November 18, 2008 at 0058 hrs
B&S;Engines? What? Boots & Sabers now makes engines?
Posted by Marcus Aurelius on November 18, 2008 at 0113 hrs
Don’t mess around Owen, get the Deere-you won’t regret it. They last forever and you (and your children some day when you pass it on to them) will always be able to buy parts for it.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 0518 hrs
Unfortunately, I cannot speak about lawn mowers - my yard isn’t big enough to even turn a rider around… But I know snowblowers.
Nothing runs like a Deere. I am using my great grandfather’s snowblower and still do the tune-ups myself.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 0735 hrs
My Simplicity ran summer and winter for 18 years; only major work was replacing the (gear, not hydraulic) Tecumseh tranny about 5 years into it.
The switch-over from grass to snow (and back) took about 1 hour each way. A neighbor purchased a newer model Simplicity; his switch-outs took about 30 minutes.
Yes, get the chains and wheel-weights. A bit more trouble to winterize the tractor, but worth it. And make sure you spray the snowblower chute with PAM before the season starts.
Posted by dad29 on November 18, 2008 at 0759 hrs
I have two rugged, hilly acres & wouldn’t settle for less than what I have - a 445 series John Deere. My second choice would have been the Simplicity. I needed larger wheels & limited slip differential. I also have a sloping driveway.
However, it is more than just brand names - brands like John Deere, Cub, and Simplicity all have several tiers of quality. At one time all of their units were “heavy duty” and they had to introduce lower cost/quality models to compete with the cheap manufacturers. The type of John Deere you might find at a big box retailer is their entry level model.
A few things you need to take into account - the size of your yard, the terrain, and how much driveway you will be clearing.
Bottom line, at least go to some dealers (Tennies would be a good choice - you will most likely deal with one of the owners) and see what they recommend after “vetting” your situation. Then you can use their recommendation (of course, you know they will recommend what they sell) as the criteria to compare other brands against. I don’t see Sears or Home Depot as being able to do that.
The other thing to consider is how the thing will be serviced in the future - you mayl need to take it to one of the local dealers for service anyway (they service all brands) - you might want to ask them what brands they have issues with as far as servicing them. Think 5-7 years down the road, and how you will want to deal with breakdowns - even if you do the repairs yourself, getting parts, etc.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 0907 hrs
You’ll be better off with a used Deere or Simplicity than anything Craftsmans makes. I had a 74 simplicity that the ex is still running, and my “new” 94 cuts great. My craftsman had a hollow frame, that came upbolted, and bent….lasted 4 years before I had to junk it. (Maybe they build them better now, that was maybe 93-97.) The motor is about the least important piece. They all now have more power than you’ll ever need. It is the tranny, frame, and mower deck that you should be looking at. The good deeres and the simplicy are built like TANKS…the big box mowers are made really cheaply. Pay attention to how the front end and the frame are put together and the gauge of steel, and hardware used in the deck. (I also love the rollers on the back of my simplicy deck, versus a floating deck. Better cut, and if you want to take the time, you can mow some pretty cool patterns into your yard.
I’ve never bought a blower attachment….they cost more than a good snowblower would cost. And then I don’t have both eggs in one basket (Hate to junk a $1000 snowblower attachment, because the mower it attaches to died.) and I don’t have to spend an hour or two in the fall and spring changing out the deck for the blower.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1006 hrs
I’m with the Deere crowd. After fighting with several crappy ones, I picked up a used (but low hours) Deere 332 about 17 years ago. It’s not as shiny as it used to be, but it still runs like a top.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1009 hrs
Have to agree with Curt. I have an 18 hp Cub with a 42” deck. When I decided it was time to give my back a break and get the snowthrower attachment, I was shocked. It would have been about $2,500!! So I got a 10 hp Cub snowblower for about $900, and it works great.
Posted by Larry on November 18, 2008 at 1012 hrs
I’m also a huge John Deere fan,(blame my dad who was a stickler for quality) and to save money, you can go to Craig’s list Milw-farm/garden section, and view some pictures of some used equipment. I don’t have a large yard so don’t have need for one, otherwise, I’d be looking around for one.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1045 hrs
We had a Craftsman, and loved it. We used it on a 3 acre lot for one summer, and didn’t have any trouble with it. We were able to resell it for most of the original price. We would have kept it except we were moving and couldn’t take it. We had planned on eventually getting the snow attachments among other things.
Personally, I’m all for Craftsman. They’ve always been good to me.
Posted by MommaBlogger on November 18, 2008 at 1131 hrs
Also you mean lawn mower not lawn tractor. Unless you have 80 acres and a barn, it’s a mower. That tractor talk is for city folk trying to be all tough.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1157 hrs
I personally like Simplicity but you need to look at how easy it is to remove the mower deck and add the snowblower. Deere and Simplicity have this figured out compared to the others. It takes me 25 seconds to remove my mower deck… THAT’S HUGE!!
You’ll also want a hydrostatic transmission. Go to a dealer not the big box.Posted by silent E on November 18, 2008 at 1202 hrs
I’ve been going through the same process with my new house. No longer feasible to push mow it so I started looking at riders in September.
Trying to sort thru ALL the opinions and bullshit was hours and hours and hours. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to buy, but I have come to a few observations:
1. If your looking at John Deere’s, the entry level models at Home Depot and Lowes are the EXACT SAME as the entry level models you’d buy at a dealer and priced IDENTICALLY. It really doesn’t matter where you buy it if you go entry level.
A dealer will service your Deere no matter where you bought it. They’ll tell you their little “salesman” story on the front end about how you “get better service buying from a dealer” Bullshit… Dealers probably make as much or more money on service than sales. They’ll be just as happy to get your business servicing a tractor you bought at HD as at their dealership. (though they may not tell you as much)
2. The “real” john deere vs. the “cheap” john deere fanatics are all over the place, but I look at it this way.
At home depot you can get the “low end”
john deere LA105 with a 19.5 hp motor and 42 inch deck for HALF the price of the CHEAPEST “real” john deere, the X300 with a 42 inch deck and 17 hp motor. Which begs the question… Is a “real” john deere at double the price TWICE as good??? I mean you could buy 2 mowers for the price of the X-series (the real JD)
I’ve also found that EVERYONE has a story. Someone loved their Cub Cadet, someone got home and threw the belts off of their Cub Cadet the first time they used it. Its all a roll of the dice. Its like the chevy/ford debate… Their are people who will SWEAR by each and curse the other.
At this point I’m kinda leaning towards the cheaper LA series John Deere mower from HD (or might buy from a deal just cause I’d rather do business with a local guy) (not because I’m worried about finding someone to service it later) Then again Home Depot is 2 blocks, the closest dealer is Oak Creek. I might just save the gas.
But I can buy the LA series john deere for half the price of the x300. If it doesn’t last ‘forever’ like the real deere, you can sure do a lot of maintenance and repair with the extra $1,500. OR do no maintenance and repair and just buy another tractor in 7 years. You’re still spending the same as you would have with the X series.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1222 hrs
Oh, and I’ll add one more thing. If you decide to buy a Deere from a dealer and if you can leverage a “two-for” price from them I’ll come pick one up from the same place if it nets us a noteable discount. I’m planning to pick one up sometime between now and spring.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1231 hrs
Most local dealers also carry used mowers. I paid under $1,000 for my simplicity maybe 5 years ago. I’m guessing you can get a beefy used deere or simplicity for the same price as a new craftsman. xxpilot does make a good point, that buying a cheap mower every 7 years vs a new deere every 20, may actually save you money.
Buying used like I do, same as buying a used car….you can get stuck with someone’s lemon. Buy it from a good local shop and they should have inspected it and maintained it. And your local deere or simplicity dealer will most likely gladly work on your Craftsman or club cadet. (you might not be the first mower out the door in the spring….but they will work on them.)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1544 hrs
Also you mean lawn mower not lawn tractor. Unless you have 80 acres and a barn, it’s a mower. That tractor talk is for city folk trying to be all tough.
Actually Benjamin, there is a difference and Owen does want a Lawn Tractor vs. Mower. Lawn Tractors have the front PTO for the snow blower and will have an engine of at least 18hp. Riding lawn mowers will NOT have the PTO for the blower and will have a 15-20hp engine.
Get the Deere (my sister and uncle works for them in IL) get a nice mid level model. Then add your own cup holder - 3” PVC pipe end cap will fit a can of beer in a cozie perfectly…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1610 hrs
Amazing how much enthusiasum over garden tractors. How little over government.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1726 hrs
Then add your own cup holder - 3” PVC pipe end cap will fit a can of beer in a cozie perfectly…
Sounds like words spoken from experience to me!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1728 hrs
What is amazing is that Wendy hasn’t shut down this post yet - whenever company has stopped to eye up my John Deere in the garage, their spouses kind of run to the car with a “let’s get going right now or else you are toast” glare.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 1745 hrs
Buy something with a Kohler engine. More reliable. If your buying big, go all the way.
Posted by Steve on November 18, 2008 at 1916 hrs
Had a Craftsman and it sucked. Get the Deere or the Cub Cadet.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 2105 hrs
Clint, if you want to call it a tractor, be my guest.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 2159 hrs
I guess I always called a push mower a “lawn mower” and our lawn tractor a tractor. I grew up on 120 acres and had a few big huge tractors and what you are calling a lawn mower. We used it for more than mowing, it towed stuff and had a snow blower.
And the manufacturers call them lawn tractors. Is it really that important to you? Sheesh.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2008 at 2256 hrs
Sorry Benjamin - I do data taxonomy for the big box stores and earlier this year had a big brew hah hah with them and the manufacturers of the mowers/tractors and that is the standard that they use.
Me I could care less what you call them… I know what you are talking about. But if you go into a Deere dealership and tell them that you want a riding lawn mower, you will get a tool that will only mow the lawn. Conversely if you tell them that you want a riding lawn tractor - you will/should get a tool that will mow the lawn, and have a PTO for attachments and the capacity to handle said attachments.
Owen - since you are evil rich republican…. why not get a nice Kawasaki 750 Brute Force and throw a small plow on it. Then you can also use it for killing innocent animals in the north woods, and every republicans goal - contribute to global warming some more…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 19, 2008 at 0853 hrs
Might want to look at one of these.
http://www.kubota.com/f/products/bx.cfm
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 19, 2008 at 2211 hrs
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