|
Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 30, 2022 17:59:19 GMT
DSil said I should buy a new mower. He suggested a John Deere hydrostatic mower. I’m not mechanically minded whatsoever. Any suggestions as to what I should be looking for? Don’t want to spend a fortune, maybe between 2,000-3,000, and don’t know if I can even find one for that. I’ll have approx an acre to mow, minus house and garage. It’s currently all lawn and fairly flat.
|
|
|
Post by Cabin Fever on Apr 30, 2022 18:10:12 GMT
Are there any physical reasons why you cannot mow less than an acre of level ground with a walk-behind mower? It's great exercise. A walk-behind mower would also be much cheaper to purchase and more easily maintained than a rider.
|
|
|
Post by daw on Apr 30, 2022 19:02:17 GMT
Because it is exhausting for some people. And that much yard would have to be mowed everyday..... Been there done that
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on Apr 30, 2022 22:55:14 GMT
Are there any physical reasons why you cannot mow less than an acre of level ground with a walk-behind mower? It's great exercise. A walk-behind mower would also be much cheaper to purchase and more easily maintained than a rider. I am disabled, cannot use a push mower. Even getting on and off a ride on mower can be a challenge. * Now if DD would agree to let me have a couple of goats or mini horses, I could solve my lawn mowing and fertilizer problems at the same time…
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on May 1, 2022 1:15:38 GMT
Unless you have a lot of trees or such to mow around you can definitely save some money not buying a zero-turn. With our many obstacles a zero-turn is a necessity, but open ground would be a breeze with a regular rider.
I'd suggest buying from a dealer that services the machines rather than Lowe's or Home Depot. It might cost a little more, but they'll have the parts and expertise needed for maintenance and repairs.
|
|
|
Post by Jolly on May 1, 2022 3:54:00 GMT
You're not going to find a decent zero turn for $2000-3000. I think you can find a homeowner ZT for less than $4k. Ariens, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna. I do think you can find a decent lawn tractor type in the 2000-3000 range. Usual suspects, including John Deere.
Things sure have jumped in price. Last year I bought a Cub Cadet with a 50" fabricated deck from a dealer for $ 2000. That same mower is $2500 this year.
Do make sure you get a hydrostatic drive, should you go lawn tractor (the ZT will have one by default). I like fabricated decks vs. stamped, but I don't think JD makes anything but stamped. I also recommend buying from a dealer, even if it's a model sold by a big box store. Dealers generally do a better job of putting the mower together correctly and they correct some small problems on assembly that the box store may ignore.
Best of luck on your mower safari...
Maybe our resident Fixit fellow can steer you towards the best engines, etc...
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on May 1, 2022 5:02:56 GMT
Thanks for the advice. No trees to speak of on the property at this point, it’s all open ground except for the house so zero turn is probably not a necessity. I don’t mind having to use a push mower and/or weed whacker around a few obstacles, just can’t manage a larger area.
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on May 2, 2022 12:52:50 GMT
I think this is the one DSil brought home for me. It will certainly be a lot easier to get on/off than my current mower!
|
|
|
Post by Ozarks Tom on May 2, 2022 18:21:02 GMT
There's a bit of a learning curve to a zero-turn, but once you know the safeties/shut-offs they're great.
They won't start unless you're sitting on the seat, the brake is engaged, the steering handles are in the "out" position, and the PTO isn't engaged. If you're mowing and want to get off while the mower is running, shut down the PTO, engage the brake, put the handles out, and get off. Failing to do all these things will kill the motor. There's probably a switch to go from one gas tank to the other, or cut off the gas to both. I suggest when you're done mowing to put the switch lever to "off" I can't tell from the picture if yours will easily do like mine, but the first thing I did was take the exhaust chute off the deck, which allows me to mow withing about 1/4" of a vertical abutment like a planter or step, thus eliminating weed whacking those obstacles. If you're planning on fencing the yard, make sure the gate you have installed is wide enough to accommodate the mower. If it doesn't have one already, you could have someone make and install a small hitch for a garden trailer. It's surprising how heavy a load they'll pull.
|
|
|
Post by Jolly on May 2, 2022 21:22:03 GMT
Enjoy the new addition!
|
|
|
Post by fordy on May 3, 2022 14:43:29 GMT
I think this is the one DSil brought home for me. It will certainly be a lot easier to get on/off than my current mower! <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> .............OH dear , with that mower you'll be using both hands ! So , you'll want a vertical support about 2 feet above your head to hold an enema bag filled with coffee or your fav soda ! Let the juices flow , lol , hydro static pressure will keep you intibated whilst mowing ! ..............Be sure and wear your bonnet with images of Trump and Buckwheat on each side ! , fordy
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on May 3, 2022 15:33:11 GMT
I think this is the one DSil brought home for me. It will certainly be a lot easier to get on/off than my current mower! <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> .............OH dear , with that mower you'll be using both hands ! So , you'll want a vertical support about 2 feet above your head to hold an enema bag filled with coffee or your fav soda ! Let the juices flow , lol , hydro static pressure will keep you intibated whilst mowing ! ..............Be sure and wear your bonnet with images of Trump and Buckwheat on each side ! , fordy
LOL, that set up would make a great impression on my new neighbors. I never drink (anything 😁) while mowing, but always wear a Trump baseball cap. I suspect most of my neighbors wouldn’t think anything of it.
|
|
|
Post by wildhorseluvr on May 3, 2022 15:36:35 GMT
Ozarks Tom, thanks for the tips! Come to think of it, I don’t think my current mower will start if you’re not seated on it. Anything to eliminate weed whacking is a plus!
|
|
|
Post by Tim Horton on May 11, 2022 19:55:39 GMT
For a short time, I owned a used John Deere riding lawn tractor.. I was mowing 2 yards, for a total of about 4 acres.. It ran fine, it cut fine, but it rode bucking horse rough, even on what would be considered nice yards...
I got my old compact John Deere diesel tractor then. With loader and near the same size belly mower deck.. It road much nicer, had power steering, would mow the odd corners, nooks, and crannies just as nice and more easily.. And was faster than the lawn tractor... But it was more money..
I have used a zero turn.. They are fast, leave a nice finish, but they and lawn tractors are too much a "one trick pony" for my uses... Besides being more money at the time than the compact tractor was....
As much as I miss my old compact tractor.. The newer compact tractor we have now is a dream to use..
My 5 cents of experience..
|
|
|
Post by ceresone on Oct 11, 2022 23:02:11 GMT
my diesel cub cadet is my workhorse. and years ago when i bought it, it was over 8,000.
|
|