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.