Recommendation for good riding mower

[scotsman]

My 10year old craftsman 22hp 42”deck mower finally bit the dust for the last time....the hour meter died when 400+ hours were showing on it so deserves a decent burial. It was very reliable for the first 300 hours but now it has has at least three replacement heads, carburetors, blown head gaskets, sucked valve guides yada yada. 

I have about 2 1/2 acres to mow, mostly coarse grass, lumps, dips, hidden tree branches and a couple of steep hillsides. So, traction and reliability are important along with manuverability and hopefully price $2500 or less.  What has worked for you?

[KFhunter]

I'm in the same boat, but having transmission issues and I got more yard than mower really.


I found a Husky Sears Craftsman pro line for $3k on clearance sale,  50" deck with the high loft design deck (better than fabricated for cut quality and close to same durability) and the thing has a differential lock. 

With your bumps and hills and whatnot I'd look for a Garden Tractor with a differential lock, the right sale might get it close to your budget.


https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-pro-series-50-26-hp-v-twin-kohler-garden-tractor-with-smart-lawn-technology

[KFhunter]

The tufftorc transmission is a good one, used on john deere mowers too.  I like that you can drain and change the oil in it. 


I think this would be a dandy mower, if I can't get mine working for another year or two this is what I'm getting.

[Ridgeratt]

With 2 1/2 acres I would look for the largest deck you can get.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-TS354D-25-HP-V-twin-Hydrostatic-54-in-Riding-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000368443

The nice thing about this is a fabricated mower deck instead of the punched formed metal housing.

[hollymaster]

Almost sounds like you need a field mower on the back of a tractor.

[KFhunter]

I did some more research on the sears mower, man I hate sears 

I don't know if I ever did find the right bagger, it's a 3 bin cloth, and they won't ship the mulching plug and it's not available for pick up at the local sears...

If it weren't for sears cooperate I think it would be a good buy, but I hate sears.


the equivalent husqvarna has an electric diff lock that controls itself, I don't like that idea, I want to control it.  It'll be turning off going down hills when maybe I want it on, 2 wheels would slow my decent where one won't I have some hills like that.  My single wheel drive husky I have now will pick up speed and slide the one wheel.  I wonder if I can hijack the electronic diff lock control?  Hmmm

[Buckmark]

With 2.5ac to mow that is not golf course fairway sounds like a small tractor like a Kubota BX or John Deere 1 series would be the best and last forever, or even a good zero turn mower   
60 inch deck 

[KFhunter]

not for 2500 bux

[Mudman]

U need a Kubota tractor brush hog!!  Yikes.  Check with the golf courses to see what they run?  Maybe a tow behind atv system??

[b0bbyg]

Tagging,

Have been nursing my 42" Toro for several years now. Mow around 2 acres and expect that I will be looking soon.

[Ridgeratt]

Just add Tractor


For what its worth Lowes on Division in Spokane had several close out discounts outside today.. All within your price point.

https://kpr.craigslist.org/grd/d/pasture-or-orchard-mower/6541723087.html   


https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328407_200328407?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Farm%20%2B%20Acreage%20%3E%203-Point%20Category%201%20Implements%20%3E%20Category%201%20Mowers&utm_campaign=King%20Kutter&utm_content=256040&msclkid=b47c002cecb91bc317db5a916531fef5

[trophyhunt]

With 2 1/2 acres I would look for the largest deck you can get.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-TS354D-25-HP-V-twin-Hydrostatic-54-in-Riding-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000368443

The nice thing about this is a fabricated mower deck instead of the punched formed metal housing.

remember, there is a difference between Lowe’s quality and commercial quality! 

[Ridgeratt]

With 2 1/2 acres I would look for the largest deck you can get.


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-TS354D-25-HP-V-twin-Hydrostatic-54-in-Riding-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000368443

The nice thing about this is a fabricated mower deck instead of the punched formed metal housing.

remember, there is a difference between Lowe’s quality and commercial quality!

I'm not sure you can get commercial quality for 2500.00.

If you have deep pockets there are these.

https://www.exmark.com/

[Westside88]

I just replaced a John Deere L130 I ran for 13 years. I had to repair a few things, but the trans axle finally wore out and it's not worth putting $850 into it. I mow about an acre with fairly steep hill and some uneven areas. I went with a John Deere E160 this time, it was $2,500 delivered to my house. Purchased from Home Depot, but apparently they are supplied and delivered by the local john deere dealer. I think I should get every bit as much out of this one.

[KFhunter]

economy and mid grade mowers are all pretty much cookie cutters with manufactures producing for different lines, MTD makes most of them.


well here

https://todaysmower.com/2014-lawn-yard-garden-tractor-manufacturers/


bah, the article is wrong on a few counts.  For one I know that simplicity makes the Kubota lawn tractor and MTD makes tractors for JD for the low grade models.

[runamuk]

Personally I would go with a john deere diesel mower.  I use a ztrak all summer long, only thing I do not like is the deck/blade design which can be changed.

I also had a john seer gas rider for my personal farm which was a 2.5 acre hillside. It was nice but still closer to 4k new.

[Boss .300 winmag]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,174397.msg2306786.html#msg2306786

Depends on how steep your mowing, and layout, zero turns don’t like steep side hills if they can fall off them.

[KFhunter]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,174397.msg2306786.html#msg2306786

Depends on how steep your mowing, and layout, zero turns don’t like steep side hills if they can fall off them.

Now they have steerable zero turns that don't do this as the front caster wheels steer and they have a steering wheel instead of skid steering, but why bother?

[Ridgeratt]

Road Trip

https://spokane.craigslist.org/grq/d/2015-bad-boy-mowers-4200/6547067712.html

It's under 2500.00 barely

[scotsman]

Hmm, that Bad Biy looks good for $2500, but with a just 42” deck would take forever to cut a rougn 2 1/2 acres.

[Buckmark]

Hmm, that Bad Biy looks good for $2500, but with a just 42” deck would take forever to cut a rougn 2 1/2 acres.

You might be surpised how fast and good they cut compared to a riding lawn mower 
I had a 54 inch rider before and it took me almost twice as long with it as compared to my BX, even thought the BX has a 60 inch deck it is more the faster speed i can cut that makes it much quicker.

[KFhunter]

I think I've settled on a Husky

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/riding-lawn-mowers/ts-348xd/960430242/


24 hp kawasaki motor
electric diff lock
48 inch deck so I can get through my gates

should have a fast mowing speed with all that HP, and should climb hills good. 

I want to see if I can hijack the electric diff lock and put in a toggle or foot switch for more user control.
a 3 bin bagger will hold about twice what I have now so that will be nice. 
fabricated deck, reinforced clear cut, their nicest deck and most durable deck which is good because I like to mow rocks


Has a good transmission, a tuff torq commercial grade transmission which is good because I like to drag things and climb steep hills.

[LDennis24]

Commercial dual fuel...

[elkaholic123]

This is on Craigslist, almost free😉

[Skyvalhunter]

 

[b23]

I have a zero turn Husky with that same Kawasaki motor and it has been a great mower. 

[kball4]

Gotta be a Deere I have 700+ hours on my gas mower with just regular preventative maintenance.