Deere, Cub Cadet, Ahrens? other?

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Mike,

Are you inquiring about riders or walkers?

I bought a Cub Cadet LT1042 three years ago, no problems (that I didn't cause) but I was surprised to learn that MTD builds all the major names lower end models, including John Deere, Toro & Cub Cadet, as well as some store brands.

If I had it to do over, I would have bought the Toro w/ the manual PTO control instead of the complicated electric one on the Cub Cadet.For the difference in price, I could have gotten the bagger kit & some other stuff.

Tony

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Tony

Riders.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

The three things I like to talk about more than anything else are- guns, tractors, and chainsaws. I own lots of all three.

I am a die hard Deere man, and I've owned a bunch of them. Most were garden tractors, but I also owned until the recent economic downturn, a 4WD Compact utlity tractor. A 4500. I had lots of attatchment to go with it too.

The post above is right in that MTD makes lots of tractors. They have owned Cub Cadet for about 20 years, they own Toro now, White, Huskee, etc., etc. They DO NOT make tractors for John Deere though. That is an often repeated rumor, due to the fact that a lot of entry level tractors share almost identical features. Deere makes all of their own tractors. Sears doesn't make them for Deere either. You can call corporate for Deere, and ask them for yourself. They will tell you when they have something jobbed out to another company. It would be against both parties interest for MTD to make them for Deere though. I have called and asked by the way, and the person I talked to said they get asked about this quite a bit, so it must be a fairly common rumor. My local dealer, whom I knew pretty well before he sold out to a bigger dealer, has been to Deere's plant where they make the low end stuff like you see at Home Depot.

They use top flite engines, and transaxles in John Deere. The garden tractors and up especially so. You can't beat a Kawasaki engine and a Tuff Torq transaxle. I use mine more in one year, than most people do in a lifetime, and I have never been let down by them.

Simplicity is owned by Briggs and Stratton, but is allowed as per the buy-out agreement with Briggs, to run itself, like it did before the buy out. That is why you will see Kohler engines in a tractor that is really being financed by B&S.

I've had a John Deere L110 for 8 years. No hiccups. Rated very highly with Consumer Reports. It has the Kohler engine. I think they put the Briggs engines in them now. I much prefer the Kohlers.

I did landscaping for a few years in highschool and the best I have ever used was a tie between a x-mark and a cub cadet zero spin

I have owned 2 new Cub Cadet riding mowers and they both were JUNK. Their customer service was very very bad. I take care of my mowers too.

I finally bought a Kubota and I love it.

I would stay away from Cub Cadet as if were the swine flu.

Kid down the street.

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The earth laughs in flowers

I only use Snapper lawn mowers. Their rear engine rider is a great design.

I use a John Deere 445 with a 60" cut and a 22 hp water cooled twin engine and love it (power steering and cruise control even). I trim with a Lawn Boy and a Stihl line trimmer. I'm having to mow every 4 - 5 days with all the rain we've been having.

We have a Craftsman riding mower we bought about 12 years ago (wife's idea). After about ten years, it needed to have the carb rebuilt, but other than that, no problems. Even that was probably my fault for not draining the gas tank every year. We run it about an hour a week every week during the summer. The engine is Briggs and Straton 19.5 horsepower.

I quit doing business with Sears, so if I had to buy another one, I don't know where I would go. I'll probably just pay to keep this one running forever.

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You're shy a few manners.

Hi Mike!

I believe that you should start with a budget figure in mind. Residential riding mowers can easily range from $1500-12,000 or more!

When I am in the market for power equipment or tools, I usually go with what the pros use or recommend. You know . . . the guys who earn their living with equipment that gets hard and frequent use. Dependability and longevity is a key issue with me.

In our case, we are mowing close to 5 acres, so we chose a Toro Z-Master with a 27hp, water cooled Kawasaki engine. GREAT machine and after 500+ hours, absolutely no mechanical issues or repairs. List price was close to $11,000.

Would I buy another Toro Z-Master? Probably not. I would save $2000+ and buy an Exmark.

Zero turn design can't be beat! I have a Gravely 1740. Ariens, partner company, also makes one).

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Lost in Penn's Woods

If you've got an acre or more zero turn is the way to go. Dealer is about as important as the brand. Exmark, Ferris, Scag, Dixie Chopper, Toro, GrassHopper are all top quality. Deere is a player in zero turns now that they bought out Great Dane. JD used to be **** in zero turn. I prefer independent dealers to box stores and cash talks louder with an independent. There are deals to be made right now.

Indiana George brings up a good point. The more you set parameters, the easier it is to make recommendations.

For instance, if you plan on spending $11,000, forget anything I've said!
Mine cost about $1,200 twelve years ago.

Do you plan to run it about an hour a week or a whole lot more?
Do you have an odd-shaped yard with a ton of obstacles?
Do you plan to use it for other purposes (like snow removal in the winter)?

Just like when someone wants advice for what gun to buy, it helps to know what its intended use will be.

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You're shy a few manners.

Jack, about 3/4 acre of grass. Mostly level, numerous trees, odd-shaped flower beds, 50 foot stone wall.
Right now I have a 12 year old Simplicity. I should have bought a bagger attachment originally but did not. Of course, now there is no attachment available, without rigging it up somehow.
My neighbor has the Cyclone Rake, but it's too big and bulky for my property layout.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

That is incorrect. MTD owns and builds the Cub Cadet brand, as well as the White brand, and the MTD branded equipment. John Deere is it's own entity and produces and manufactures ALL of the John Deere lawn and garden tractors, from the lowest priced on up to the most expensive. John Deere is NOT affiliated with MTD in any way.

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NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

Pedro Gonzalez, 1/2 acre for $20 bucks every week, once a month off season. No maintenance. Insured. Works in the rain.

Mike,
For what you describe, I would think that $1500 or $2000 at the most will get something that will do the job reliably.

I know some folks have an "only the best" mentality, and it's hard to argue with them, except on price. My Dad bought a cheapie Yard Man (made by MTD I think) about 15 years ago. When he passed away, my brother took over lawn mowing duties (about 2 or 3 acres of lawn) for my Mom. The Yard Man was about 5 years old at that point.

Even though it was a bottom of the line riding mower, it has done an adequate job for a decade and a half. It had some cheesy ball and socket arrangement as part of the steering gear that my brother had to replace when the socket got wallowed out and couldn't contain the ball any more. I think the parts cost under $30.

It would be great to have one that can do zero turns, but when I priced them, they were all pretty expensive. In your shoes, I would just go with the "little tractor" type, hopefully with a brand name if you can find one for reasonable money.

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You're shy a few manners.

The most serious part of a rider is the transmission. If it is an aluminum, non-servicable part made by Peerless, stay away from it. I believe MTD uses these on everything they sell. Also, while MTD doesn't make every lower priced model, there isn't much difference between them. They have to be about equal to keep them in the same price range.

I use an old Wheel Horse 857, made around 1965-67. I bought it used over 25 years ago and it still runs great. My wife doesn't like it because it only has an 8hp engine and three speeds. It cuts the grass all summer and blows the snow all winter, it's all I need.

I buy mowers from flea markets. If it lasts great if not it was cheap anyway and I go buy another.

The best idea yet!

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NRA, GOA Lifer

I managed a 75 acre cemetery one summer. Lots of things to mow around, trees, shrubs, markers, etc. We used several of these and found them very reliable. http://www.yazookees.com/node1269.asp

I have a bit over 4 acres of lawn that I cut about twice a week in the summer. That's not including however much extra I mow for my shooting range and other things. My brother and I have a tad over 100 acres with a shooting range, trails, and a camp site that we tend to.

My mower is a ten(ish) year old MTD Yard Machine. I'm not even sure where we picked it up, but it has lasted this long... and we abuse it. I'm not one who ever got into mowers, but I greatly enjoy mowing the lawn. This year has been the first time I was able to mow in 2 years! I'm so happy I get to mow again.

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- The Federalist #46 -

I can no longer push a mower, where my mower can't reach I use grass killer. I've owned three JD, all served me well. This is my last one, which I sold a month ago:



Although I have a small lawn, I decided to go with an ZTR, and so far I'm happy with it:



Pete

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NRA, GOA Lifer

Guy named Glenn. For $45.00 he cuts and trims my 2 acre yard. I outgrew cutting grass a long time ago.

While the subject is up, maybe I can get some imput to help me. I have a old honda rideing mower, the one that looks like a kiddie ride at the carnavals. I dont use it as I bought it for a half acre rental that is now rented. I left it uncovered in the back yard in snow this winter. Yup, smart, but what is, is. Anyway was going to move it a couple days ago and the steering is locked up tight! Wont move one way or other one iota! Had the battery out and charged all winter in the garage. Thought it must be some sort of lock, but its not. Installed the battery and ran fine, have the manuel, and no lock shown. Havent really got into it yet, but whatcha think?

Jack makes some pretty good points. The one point he didn't include was time. As you step up in cost, you will likely find that you will start saving time. A zero turn does cost more, but you'll be done sooner.

When I built my house, I bought almost two acres. When I first mowed it, I had an adequate riding mower. I bought a better mower (cub cadet) but the main point is that I gained a much larger cutting deck and more horsepower. I cut my mowing time in half. I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars to save a few minutes, but I saved well over an hour. If I was in the market today, I think I would take a serious look at a 48" or larger zero turn mower.

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18-4, 15-4

What Jack Flash & Jerry N said!

3/4 of an acre allows for some very good options at affordable prices!

Another thing that I am noticing here in central Indiana is the increased availability of low-hour, high-quality equipment. Sadly this seems to be due to the present economy, but is a plus for those in a position to buy.

I also like the zero-turn mowers. My son has a lawn maintenance business and runs Grasshoppers. If you ever use a ZT you will NEVER want to go back to a regular riding mower.

If a homeowner can afford it and is willing to spend the money, you probably won't wear out a commercial ZT such as Grasshopper, Scag, or Exmark in a lifetime.

I couldn't swing that kind of money at the time, but I wanted a zero-turn mower. I settled for a 50" Troy-bilt from Lowe's. After using my son's Grasshoppers it is definitely NOT a commercial mower, but it does a good job, and if I take care of it it should last me several years with no major problems. I much prefer to buy from local dealers, and I'm hoping next time I need a mower I'll be able to get a Grasshopper from the local guy.

Go with a zero-turn, and buy the best you can afford. You won't regret it.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

I'm building a new home thats literaly in the woods. I had the builder cut down as few trees as possible. In the front I'll have mulch with a few small trees and shrubs planted maybe a stonewall. The back will be fenced in for my dogs just rocks and what ever is growing there.

No lawnmower for me just my trusty weedwacker.

Barry-don't know his last name but he works at the sugar mill. Only down side is that if he sees ya, he's gonna talk to ya and there goes at least 15 minutes But, like Pedro, he works cheep and in the rain

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Forum consigliere

Rider = Deere
Walk behind = Honda

When my Simplicity quit, I bought a Cub Cadet from a local dealer, not Home Depot, since these were supposed to be "real" Cub Cadets. After trying twice to get a decent cut, I took it back and bought a Hustler Fastrack. 4 year bumper to bumper warranty and lifetime on the deck. Mower Heaven!! But, I've yet to see anything that equals the quality of cut of that Simplicity Broadmor. I bought it used and it was cutting when I traded it for a Beretta Tomcat to my FFL guy 11 years later. The only reason I didn't buy another was my local dealer quit carrying them.

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Dum spiramus tuebimur

We use an old Murry we call The Frankinmower. It was made using parts from at least four dead mowers which I combined into one. Of course none were the same make, model or size, that would have been too easy.

Old guys think alike.

Whatever you buy, the care you give it makes all the difference in the world. I have neighbors who buy a new one (push) every three or so years, because that old, worn out one won't start. I gave them $10 for the last old worn out one. I cleaned the carb, washed it off, and sold it for $50.

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Insert short witty words here

The very first mower I ever owned had a similar background. My wife and I had purchased our first house and I mentioned to a friend I needed to find a cheap mower. He said give him a few weeks and he'd find one. He did appliance repair in a fairly wealthy neighborhood. Said many of those people had little common sense and he'd find a good one for me at a yard sale.

Few weeks later he show up with a older self propelled mower he bought for $10. The previous owner said it died last year and the felt it was not worth fixing. We checked for spark and it had good spark. Pulled the plug and it looked OK. Checked for gas and it had no gas. Put gas in and it fired up on the third pull. Did an oil change on it like I do every spring and used it for another 10 years.

Now in fact the mower was probably 15 years old when I got it and the guy claimed it died as an excuse to get a new one.