Riding mower

[Jeff]

I need to go buy a riding lawn mover for my new house, I have a little under a 1/2 acre to mow. Whats some good ones. Lowes now carries the John Deere ones are they any good or am I just paying for the name. I figure to spend between $1000-$2000

What should I be looking for in a residential mower. Is one type of mower faster than others

Thanks

Jeff

[squirtgun]

The John Deere mowers at HD(decent for the money,but expect to replace in 5 to 7 yrs) are not the same quality as the ones from a Deere dealer.
If you are set on a Deere spend the money now and get one from a Deere dealer not the box store.I have neighbors that have owned the same Deere(dealer purchased)since the early 80's.All factory original due to excellent maintenance.

[Deck Guy]

All the Deere (and Toro, and others) small mowers are now not built to the same standards as they once were. Many similar brand name mowers are now built by the same company that builds Murray, etc. That may be all you need anyway, but I believe Simplicity is still built right.

[Adrian]

Husquvarnas and Jacobsons run forever.
Believe it or not my jac has been running since 1968. replace a belt once in a while and oil changes.

[anthony szabo]

You guys are right about the JD mowers at the box stores. They are made cheeper because JD mower sales were starting to lose sales to the Yard Mans, Murry, Sears, Toro etc, so JD started to make a model like them.
The JD mowers that are built for a life time are at the dealerships only.

As I was told this by my local JD dealer.
We have a 2004 JD445 all wheel steer with a snow blade that has no problem pushing 9" of snow. I'm proud of my Deere!

[squirtgun]

Nothing runs like a Deere.A real dealer Deere!

[clean kentucky]

Hey Jeff,

Just buy an Exmark with a 60" cut and you'll have more time to pressure wash LOL

[Adrian]

Jeff, not suggesting this particular route for you. Just proof that these Jac's last next to forever. Jac only makes big turf and golf couse riders anymore but they do hold up well. This might be a little aged with no bells and whistles that a king should employ but it has served me well. $40.oo to purchase used, a new fuel line and seat cover, and a new plug. 10 hp Briggs, 26 in.
Built in 1968. 2nd owner.




PEACE THROUGH SONIC DISTORTION

[chilibob]

Hey Jeff,

My primary business is in landscaping with pressure washing as a supplement to my commercial clients. We have always used Exmark. You should look on eBay. You generally can pick one up for a reasonable cost.

Barry

[Jim Carroll]

Hire a professional, don't be a diy landscaper.

[dpaull]

Get a Deere 757 or a Toro Z Master ...

I want to find one or two large grass-cutting accounts just so I can justify buying one. $10k roughly.

--

But no seriously, my Craftsman just broke down about 4 weeks ago. I tried to fix the carb but there were other problems. I went to HDepot and shopped around, they have some really nice riders there, I wouldn't hesitate to get any of them. 2 years parts and labor is 2 years parts and labor...

I don't have a large yard so I ended up getting a Toro 22" self-propelled walk behind mower. It blows my old craftsman away.

[Don Phelps]

A 72" Exmark Lazer Z XS ZTR liquid cooled with diesel will get ya back in the house before breakfast.

[Tmrrptr]

Yazoo... It will sail rocks the size of baseballs!
r

[Jeff]

I ended up getting a Toro Zero degree turn 48". Got a very good deal on it. My buddy is a landscaper and got several hundred off retail and the thing is sweat. Man I can cut my lawn quick. Hell theres an empty house next door that I cut that lawn too, quickkkkkk.