What mower to get

[n_mathews13]

Im sure this topic is on here somewhere. We are in the process of getting a new house. i want to get a new ridding mower. lots of work outside to do, might end up redoing sprinklers.
I dont want to spend a crazy amount, lots of things we would like to do to place off the get go.
Kid is not to far away from doing yard for me, so im thinking not a zero turn.
Is there really a big enough difference in box store mower?

Thoughts?

[Woodchuck]

I would suggest not buying a big brand name mower from a box store. Any warranty issues can be a mess.

[2MANY]

Get one with a cup holder.

[n_mathews13]

Get one with a cup holder.

top of the list

[b0bbyg]

If you are not mowing too much then many of the mowers will be fine, of you are mowing a large area and it is rough ground look over the underside to find one that looks like it can take a beating. or one that will have a good warranty which may not be big box.

When I was buying last I was on a tighter budget which took out some of the higher end nicer mowers, the toro in my case looked the most beefy and I have had it since 2007.   Granted I have replaced several small parts that have worn out, several tires and had to redo the head gasket a few times from leaking, but as I type my wife is mowing so it is still going strong.

I do get the itch to buy a newer mower with a bigger deck to shorten mowing times, but until this one gives up the ghost I will be hard pressed to pay the money.

[Fl0und3rz]

as I type my wife is mowing . . . .

This is the type of mower you should get.

[Buckmark]

Whats your budget?
If i was getting a dedicated mower only a zero turn would be it
If not then a higher end rider from a dealer not a box store
If on a tight budget (under 2k) then a box store rider like a husquvarna or cub cadet, or even look for a really good deal on a used one.
Quality though lasts longer so come out cheaper in the long run 
I just recently acquired my dads 30+ yr old john deere stx 38 that still runs like a top and works just fine, it was like 1700 back in the day which was alot but a cheapy would of never lasted this long.
Good luck
*
Cup holders are fine as long as its a closed container, hold that beer like man so you can wave at the neighbors with it 

[Woodchuck]

as I type my wife is mowing . . . .

This is the type of mower you should get.

But by far the most expensive. 

[b23]

If this will be a mower you plan to have for a long time, I'd pay up the extra $$$ for the model with either a Honda or Kawasaki motor.  Most of the big name riding mowers will have two models that are pretty much identical, except one will have a Briggs motor and the other will cost a couple hundred more and have a Kawasaki motor.  I've had mowers with all three motors and the Honda and Kawa motors are just better, definitely they're quieter.

[Alchase]

I would suggest not buying a big brand name mower from a box store. Any warranty issues can be a mess.

An example, the "E100" series John Deere sold at all the box stores are total crap.
Move up a level and get it from a dealer, they will last decades. That goes for most of the box store rider mowers.

After buying a zero turn, I would never go back to a rider.

[slavenoid]

If this will be a mower you plan to have for a long time, I'd pay up the extra $$$ for the model with either a Honda or Kawasaki motor.  Most of the big name riding mowers will have two models that are pretty much identical, except one will have a Briggs motor and the other will cost a couple hundred more and have a Kawasaki motor.  I've had mowers with all three motors and the Honda and Kawa motors are just better, definitely they're quieter.

 

Those better engines are found at the dealers and not Home Depot. Just got a new John Deere from a dealer because it came with the better motor. They also claim a more durable chassis, but motor was the biggest thing on my list.

[Alchase]

The Box store E100s etc....
Are notorious for front spindle breaking, and they are not covered under the John Deere warranty.

[Igor]

Get one with a cup holder.

You won't need a built-in cup holder if you go this route:

[b0bbyg]

as I type my wife is mowing . . . .

This is the type of mower you should get.

I am a lucky man!

[n_mathews13]

May just go with a Craigslist buy for now. when looking at a mower how can you tell the difference between a lowes and a dealer mower?

[Sandberm]

My Toro is so old and requires so much patience and tricks to keep it mowing that if I had my wife mow the lawn, Id come home to her having spent thousands of dollars on a new mower.

I hate spending money on utilitarian stuff like mowers, washer/dryers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators. I limp old stuff along as long as I can.

[n_mathews13]

May just go with a Craigslist buy for now. when looking at a mower how can you tell the difference between a lowes and a dealer mower?

Is the motor the only noticeable difference ?

[Alchase]

May just go with a Craigslist buy for now. when looking at a mower how can you tell the difference between a lowes and a dealer mower?

Is the motor the only noticeable difference ?

No, lots of quality differences,
Lowes and Home Depot John Deere are E100, E110, E120, ect...

[Buckmark]

May just go with a Craigslist buy for now. when looking at a mower how can you tell the difference between a lowes and a dealer mower?

Whats your budget and where are you at?

[hntrspud]

Box store John Deere also are D100 etc... Look for a Fab deck, not stamped. Stamped will have rounded corners. I wouldn't buy a Husqvarna if I were you. You won't find many Honda motors in riders, but you will Kawasaki. Avoid a Kohler and Briggs aswassaid before. Look for grease zerks on the mower. It may sound funny but that usually means they're more serviceable. At minimum with proper care they will last longer. Good luck in your search.

Good rule of thumb, pay now, or pay later. The latter tends to be more expensive.

[n_mathews13]

May just go with a Craigslist buy for now. when looking at a mower how can you tell the difference between a lowes and a dealer mower?

Whats your budget and where are you at?

Tri Citites
$2000 I think
Was willing to go more but new house and all, there is alot we would like to do to house.
Its only .55 acres so its not like its alot

[Buckmark]

hntrspud knows his stuff 

2k should get you a good used mower, heck you could hire a kid or juans lawn service for a few years and have more free time with 2k to spend 

[lokidog]

Get one with a cup holder.

top of the list

I love my zero turn, this is the only drawback... it has one but hard to use while moving....

[luckyman]

Well, A cheap mower gets the job done also. I have a D100 from lowes that's about 12 years old now with zero issues other then dead battery's.
You'll pay big money to get a quality built mower, 

[3cityhuntr]

I have a L111 John Deere that I bought new from home depot in 2004.  The transmission failed in under 100 hours, luckily John Deere dealer replaced under warranty ($900).  Dealers hate the cheaper box store mowers.  I replaced the blade spindles with new greaseable ones.  The mower now has over 500 hours and by no means have I treated it well and my 1/2 acre of grass and lots of trees and roots is hard on it.  At this point I think I’ve gotten my money out of it and will look to replace next season.  My whole neighborhood has mowers.  Mix of cub cadet and John Deere, they’re all box store versions and seem to hold up fine.

[usmc74]

There is a Honda/John Deere on craigslist right now.  Has greaseable fittings.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/grd/d/seattle-honda-john-deere-riding-mower/6958353399.html

[pup0025]

For under 2k you could get into a used 200 or 300 series Deere and be the last mower you ever have to buy

[dscubame]

11 years on x300 mowing 3/4 acre grass every 3 days during seaon.  Seat replacement $110.   Pully replacement due to lack of greasing zerk my bad $30.  Deck belt replacement $100.  Still running like new.

[kball4]

Find a good condition John Deere on craigslist.  I have a LT160 with the forward/reverse pedal no gears, now have 860 hrs on the motor.  I got my moneys worth out of it.

[n_mathews13]

Well, went to get septic pumped for selling house and its bad. So there goes mowers Money

[Mark Brenckle]

Get some road fabric and a couple loads of river rock and never have to mess with it again...