Best lawnmowers?

[7.62foryou]

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

 

[oldfella]

Originally posted by 7.62foryou:
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!

 

[ingmansinc]

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

 

[USAF385]

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.

 

[oldfella]

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

 

[wjh2657]

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

 

[feralmerril]

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?

 

[Jerry N.]

Originally posted by Jack Flash:
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.

Even though it was a bottom of the line riding mower, it has done an adequate job for a decade and a half.

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.

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.

 

[Indiana George]

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.

 

[tyusclan]

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.

 

[indiandave]

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.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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

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

 

[riptrack44]

Rider = Deere
Walk behind = Honda

 

[Super38]

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.

 

[walnutred]

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.

 

[7.62foryou]

Originally posted by oldfella:

Originally posted by 7.62foryou:
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!

Old guys think alike.

 

[truckemup97]

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.

 

[walnutred]

Originally posted by truckemup97:
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.

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.