Ok, so I'm shopping riding mowers.  I'm not in the $2500+ single-turn type territory.  I'm looking and big box stuff that is hopefully decent.  I only have a half acre to mow, but after being heat sick most of the afternoon after push mowing it, we're looking a basic riders.

I know there is a difference between the big box store mowers and some of the more commercial oriented units.  However, I can't put that kind of money in one.  The $2700 Deeres and Cub Cadets are not realistic for my budget, and probably overkill for my pretty small and simple yard.

What I've found so far and am looking for experience with:
Craftsman - 19hp Briggs Gold, 46" deck, lowest percentage of 1-star reviews to 5 star reviews.  $1300
Troy-Bilt Bronco - 17hp Kohler, 42" deck, very mixed reviews, lots of 5s, but a lot of 1s about engine failure.  $1200
Troy-Bilt XP - 20hp Kohler, 46" deck, very mixed reviews, lots of 5s, but a lot of 1s about engine failure.  $1400

Any input?

JM

Swing-back blades.

Quote from: ungeheuer on June 20, 2015, 01:50:53 AM
Swing-back blades.

You mean the ones that keep you from bending spindles or bending standard blades if you hit something hard or hit a high sport of dirt?  Those would be handy!

JM

Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 20, 2015, 05:46:05 AM
You mean the ones that keep you from bending spindles or bending standard blades if you hit something hard or hit a high sport of dirt?  Those would be handy!

JM

Good luck finding a box store mower with that feature.

I found some conversion kits for them.  Luckily, what I have to mow they won't really be needed I don't think.

JM

Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 20, 2015, 05:46:05 AM
You mean the ones that keep you from bending spindles or bending standard blades if you hit something hard or hit a high sport of dirt?  Those would be handy!

JM

Yup.

Quote from: ducpainter on June 20, 2015, 06:17:47 AM
Good luck finding a box store mower with that feature.

I just don't get it.

Every mower I've ever seen or owned has swing-back blades.  Its not like they're expensive.  Or complicated.

Here in the states, the big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot have brands like John Deere and Husky, but don't get the same stuff as the dedicated dealers it seems.  They get a cheaper version with the same brand name.  Typically they're lacking the nicer features like the better blades and such.

JM

Quote from: ungeheuer on June 20, 2015, 06:22:36 AM
Yup.
I just don't get it.

Every mower I've ever seen or owned has swing-back blades.  Its not like they're expensive.  Or complicated.

Quote from: Satellite smithy on June 19, 2015, 10:02:51 AM



"It's cheaper-make the beast with two backs you"


Or, if they don't feel like consulting a bean counter, "make the beast with two backs you".


Please let me now if you have any other questions re: modern day manufacturing/corporate America.  

How are they gonna sell new mowers?

Quote from: ducpainter on June 20, 2015, 06:27:42 AM
How are they gonna sell new mowers?

Good point.  My Aussie-made Greenfields mower is .... I dunno... 25 years old.   I still have not quite killed it.  Stupid make the beast with two backsers 

Quote from: ungeheuer on June 20, 2015, 07:13:17 AM
Good point.  My Aussie-made Greenfields mower is .... I dunno... 25 years old.   I still have not quite killed it.  Stupid make the beast with two backsers 

I'm running an old MTD made mower from the late 80's I think.

I paid $100 for it and probably have twice that in replacement blades and spindles.

Almost all of them are made by American Yard Products, from the same parts bins. Poulan, Weedeater, Craftsman, Husqvarna, John Deere, Murray, MTD, Ariens, Cub Cadet, etc--all the same, except for specifications. Each supposed "manufacturer" comes to them with a list of requirement and a price point. There is basically no free lunch. AYP starts with a frame and tons of parts options and builds them to a price. This is why you'll see nearly identical features, between 2-3 brands and models. Yeah, the outside sheetmetal and plastic is different. Flip open the hood and look underneath: they're all the same parts.

With that said, you also get what you pay for. On the cheaper end of the line, you have the 38-42" mowers. Since they also share the chassis with the 48" deck models, they have to do something to keep them less expensive. They do that by substituting things like plastic idler pulleys instead of steel ones, pressed front axles instead of cast iron, and less expensive, splash lubricated engines, instead of the pressure-fed, v-twins. The low-end 42" mowers will all likely have the same features and identical engines. The good news is that as all those parts fail, you can go on Ebay and buy the upgraded parts as you go.

In the 48" models, you'll pretty much get the higher price but, you'll also find the better engines, the cast front axle, etc.

When you get into the 54" models, you step up a whole chassis family. These bigger units are actually classed as garden tractors, not just lawn tractors. They get into slightly up-market things like slip hitches in the back, wheel weights, things you can drag around behind them, and even power take off on the higher end of those machines.


No clue how uch land you need to cut. If it were me I'd look for a nice older Deere, model 425, 445 (Kawasaki v-twin liquid cooled) or the 455 (Yanmar 3cyl diesel), they come with 54" or 60" decks. you will not be sorry!

Agree with what is said above ...I have found that the older stuff is so much better that the Home Depot type junk ..they are through away units

I use at home a '67 Snapper RER for 1/2 acre ( 32" cut )



and for work I use a 1999 John Deere 170 38" cut this for 2 acres



Both are work horse's that just won't die

Picked up a Deere D105.  Basic big box Deere.  Overall looked better built than the Troy-Bilt.  It had a cast axle instead of stamped steel and has a zerk fitting for the spindles.  Briggs motor, which should be fine.  Dad's 10% discount at Lowe's brought it to cheaper than the similar Craftsman like what he has.  He said it's now a competition to see if the Deere or Craftsman will outlast himhim.  That was his own words.

JM

eXmark, that is all.

If you live in a rust prone area, like near the coast, then focus on getting one with a reliable engine that starts and runs. The deck will be rusted through in  about 5 years and it will be time to sell it and get something else.