Post by: scotsman on March 28, 2018, 09:38:06 PM
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?
Post by: KFhunter on March 28, 2018, 09:44:18 PM
I found a
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
Post by: KFhunter on March 28, 2018, 09:49:52 PM
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.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 28, 2018, 09:55:31 PM
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.
Post by: hollymaster on March 28, 2018, 10:23:22 PM
Post by: KFhunter on March 29, 2018, 04:02:27 PM
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
Post by: Buckmark on March 29, 2018, 04:25:56 PM
60 inch deck :tup:
Post by: KFhunter on March 29, 2018, 05:05:39 PM
Post by: Mudman on March 29, 2018, 05:40:28 PM
Post by: b0bbyg on March 29, 2018, 05:41:47 PM
Have been nursing my 42" Toro for several years now. Mow around 2 acres and expect that I will be looking soon.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 29, 2018, 05:47:06 PM
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 :chuckle:
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
Post by: trophyhunt on March 29, 2018, 05:52:52 PM
With 2 1/2 acres I would look for the largest deck you can get.remember, there is a difference between Lowe’s quality and commercial quality!
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.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 29, 2018, 05:55:49 PM
With 2 1/2 acres I would look for the largest deck you can get.remember, there is a difference between Lowe’s quality and commercial quality!
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.
I'm not sure you can get commercial quality for 2500.00.
If you have deep pockets there are these.
https://www.exmark.com/
Post by: Westside88 on March 29, 2018, 06:09:09 PM
Post by: KFhunter on March 29, 2018, 07:25:05 PM
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.
Post by: runamuk on March 29, 2018, 07:25:30 PM
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.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 29, 2018, 07:45:49 PM
Depends on how steep your mowing, and layout, zero turns don’t like steep side hills if they can fall off them.
Post by: KFhunter on March 29, 2018, 08:48:07 PM
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?
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 30, 2018, 08:47:08 AM
https://spokane.craigslist.org/grq/d/2015-bad-boy-mowers-4200/6547067712.html
It's under 2500.00 barely
Post by: scotsman on March 30, 2018, 05:18:46 PM
Post by: Buckmark on March 30, 2018, 05:24:55 PM
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 :twocents:
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.
Post by: KFhunter on April 07, 2018, 04:30:42 PM
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.
Post by: LDennis24 on April 07, 2018, 05:30:40 PM
Post by: elkaholic123 on April 07, 2018, 06:54:01 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 07, 2018, 07:23:05 PM
Post by: b23 on April 07, 2018, 07:30:22 PM
Post by: kball4 on April 10, 2018, 06:20:54 AM