Riding mower recommendations

[Dwight Schrute]

We're set to close on our house in the next couple of weeks. My lot is about 1/3rd of an acre, but there's a back lot attached that's a little over an acre, giving me a total of about 1.5 acres to maintain. It's going to be too much to push mow, especially with a new baby on the way in August, so I'm going to need a riding mower.

My yard is fairly smooth but one corner does have a slope, and I'd prefer to keep the purchase under $1500-$1600 (I'd love to spend less, though). I'm primarily looking at Cub Cadet or Husqvarna, as the John Deere in this price range tend to be recommended for flat surfaces that don't really match my yard.

The ability for add ons later like a snow plow or trailer hitch would be nice as well. Any of you guys have a mower in this price range you like?

[George]

We're set to close on our house in the next couple of weeks. My lot is about 1/3rd of an acre, but there's a back lot attached that's a little over an acre, giving me a total of about 1.5 acres to maintain. It's going to be too much to push mow, especially with a new baby on the way in August, so I'm going to need a riding mower.

My yard is fairly smooth but one corner does have a slope, and I'd prefer to keep the purchase under $1500-$1600 (I'd love to spend less, though). I'm primarily looking at Cub Cadet or Husqvarna, as the John Deere in this price range tend to be recommended for flat surfaces that don't really match my yard.

The ability for add ons later like a snow plow or trailer hitch would be nice as well. Any of you guys have a mower in this price range you like?

I have a Cub Cadet and I hate it with every fiber of my being. Granted, it came with the house when we moved in a little over two years ago, so the mower was used, but in the time we've lived here it's been in the shop six times, and Dad and I have "fixed" it ourselves on four other occasions. The belt slips off all the time, the pulleys gunk up or lock all together, I've put three new batteries in it because some component in the engine drains them on a regular basis... the list goes on.

Could be that I just have a lemon, but in my experience a Cub Cadet is pure garbage.

[Dwight Schrute]

I have a Cub Cadet and I hate it with every fiber of my being. Granted, it came with the house when we moved in a little over two years ago, so the mower was used, but in the time we've lived here it's been in the shop six times, and Dad and I have "fixed" it ourselves on four other occasions. The belt slips off all the time, the pulleys gunk up or lock all together, I've put three new batteries in it because some component in the engine drains them on a regular basis... the list goes on.

Could be that I just have a lemon, but in my experience a Cub Cadet is pure garbage.

That sucks - is it under warranty, or do you know how old it is?

[George]

That sucks - is it under warranty, or do you know how old it is?

It's no longer under warranty, but I'm not sure of the exact age.

Depending on what happens for us in the next couple of months, we may upgrade to a larger Kubota lawn tractor later this year. We're on five acres in a rural area, so there's a lot to maintain in the warm months. Now, a lot of it is wooded, but we garden, we get snow, and we have a long gravel driveway, so it'd be really nice to have something with attachments for tilling, bush hogging, maintaining the driveway, and scooping large amounts of brush and compost (in addition to being able to mow wider paths).

[surveyor]

I have a Scott's riding mower, 42-inch cut, that I purchased new in 1998. It's a Kohler Command engine that by my estimate has about 1,300 hours on it. They discontinued making Scott's mowers in the mid-late 2000s, but they were made by John Deere. I've had great service out of mine. Original engine, deck, seat, etc. Stored indoors. Replaced one wheel. The deck has a place about 4" x 7" that rusted through last year. Repaired it with sheet aluminum and bolts. I'll be looking next year for a new mower myself.
Will likely buy a Deere or a Husgvarna.

[Dwight Schrute]

I have a Scott's riding mower, 42-inch cut, that I purchased new in 1998. It's a Kohler Command engine that by my estimate has about 1,300 hours on it. They discontinued making Scott's mowers in the mid-late 2000s, but they were made by John Deere. I've had great service out of mine. Original engine, deck, seat, etc. Stored indoors. Replaced one wheel. The deck has a place about 4" x 7" that rusted through last year. Repaired it with sheet aluminum and bolts. I'll be looking next year for a new mower myself.
Will likely buy a Deere or a Husgvarna.

I like the Deere tractors, but all of them in my price range are recommended for flat surfaces. Hence I'm leaning towards Husqvarna.

[surveyor]

I like the Deere tractors, but all of them in my price range are recommended for flat surfaces. Hence I'm leaning towards Husqvarna.

What recommendation are you seeing, the one listed in the store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) literature? What is the maximum grade you'll be traversing? 5% 10% Steeper?

I like the Husqvarna, too. I've got some slightly hills on my property, but it's only 3/4 of an acre.

[Dwight Schrute]

What recommendation are you seeing, the one listed in the store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) literature? What is the maximum grade you'll be traversing? 5% 10% Steeper?

I like the Husqvarna, too. I've got some slightly hills on my property, but it's only 3/4 of an acre.

Probably 5% mostly, but there's a slightly steeper step up to get to the back lot from my yard. The recommendations I've read are on the Lowes and Home Depot specifications web page.

[Matt Dillon]

I have a big Craftsman (24 HP) that I've had for about 10 years. I think the belts may have been replaced once, and it's on it's fourth battery. That's it except I service it every spring when mowing season rolls around.

[Dwight Schrute]

I have a big Craftsman (24 HP) that I've had for about 10 years. I think the belts may have been replaced once, and it's on it's fourth battery. That's it except I service it every spring when mowing season rolls around.

I've looked at the Craftsman mowers too. The only reservation I have with them is that Sears will may or may not be in business in 3-5 years during the warranty period.

[Matt Dillon]

I have a Cub Cadet and I hate it with every fiber of my being. Granted, it came with the house when we moved in a little over two years ago, so the mower was used, but in the time we've lived here it's been in the shop six times, and Dad and I have "fixed" it ourselves on four other occasions. The belt slips off all the time, the pulleys gunk up or lock all together, I've put three new batteries in it because some component in the engine drains them on a regular basis... the list goes on.

Could be that I just have a lemon, but in my experience a Cub Cadet is pure garbage.

Speaking of batteries, I purchased a battery maintainer at Wal-Mart for around $20.00, and every Fall, when the mowing season ends, I hook the maintainer up to the battery. Every Spring, when I get ready to mow, the battery is fully charged. There's no having to charge the battery before I use the mower. Also, these things increase the life of the battery.

[Matt Dillon]

I've looked at the Craftsman mowers too. The only reservation I have with them is that Sears will may or may not be in business in 3-5 years during the warranty period.

That's true. Even though I like the quality, I probably wouldn't buy one now, for that very reason.

[Dwight Schrute]

Speaking of batteries, I purchased a battery maintainer at Wal-Mart for around $20.00, and every Fall, when the mowing season ends, I hook the maintainer up to the battery. Every Spring, when I get ready to mow, the battery is fully charged. There's no having to charge the battery before I use the mower. Also, these things increase the life of the battery.

I've never heard of these things - can you buy them anywhere besides Wal-Mart?

[Matt Dillon]

I've never heard of these things - can you buy them anywhere besides Wal-Mart?

I would imagine any auto parts distributor carries them.

[George]

Speaking of batteries, I purchased a battery maintainer at Wal-Mart for around $20.00, and every Fall, when the mowing season ends, I hook the maintainer up to the battery. Every Spring, when I get ready to mow, the battery is fully charged. There's no having to charge the battery before I use the mower. Also, these things increase the life of the battery.

Good to know. Thanks, Matt.