I'm in the market sometime before next season for a new riding lawn mower. My yard has about 1 acre of grass to cut. I want the mower to last a long time and to keep the price reasonable.
I'll be wanting to get a bagger attachment to save clippings and leaves for compost. Right now I'm pushing it with a 22" cut and bagging it. I can continue to do this until I find the right one. I'm looking at the ones between 36-46" cut (probably 2-blade set up I'm thinking). I would be open to larger 3-blade setups, but they get more expensive.
I'm mechanically inclined so maintenance isn't an issue and I take care of my stuff. As long as the machine is built right at the factory, it will last me a very long time.
I've heard recently that MTD makes almost all the new riding mowers including non-commercial John Deeres'. I've always heard good things about John Deere, but I'm not sure about them being made by someone other than John Deere? How long has this been going on?
It seems that a lot of these different companies put the same brands of engines on their mowers, and increase the price as the engines get better. Guess I'll have to do more research on engines.
How do all the non-engine components of the mowers stack up brand for brand (frame, suspension, transmission, mowing deck along with belts and blades, electronics, user features like seats and controls, plastics, etc.)?
I'd love to hear what your experiences have been with any comparable riding mower in the $1k-2k price range new, not counting attachments.
Also, I'm thinking fall is a good time to catch them on sale, can anyone confirm this?
Thanks for any info on different brands and current offerings.
Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Yard Machines, Troy-Bilt.
Also, hydrostatic vs manual transmission, is either any better?
Thanks in advance!
I'll be wanting to get a bagger attachment to save clippings and leaves for compost. Right now I'm pushing it with a 22" cut and bagging it. I can continue to do this until I find the right one. I'm looking at the ones between 36-46" cut (probably 2-blade set up I'm thinking). I would be open to larger 3-blade setups, but they get more expensive.
I'm mechanically inclined so maintenance isn't an issue and I take care of my stuff. As long as the machine is built right at the factory, it will last me a very long time.
I've heard recently that MTD makes almost all the new riding mowers including non-commercial John Deeres'. I've always heard good things about John Deere, but I'm not sure about them being made by someone other than John Deere? How long has this been going on?
It seems that a lot of these different companies put the same brands of engines on their mowers, and increase the price as the engines get better. Guess I'll have to do more research on engines.
How do all the non-engine components of the mowers stack up brand for brand (frame, suspension, transmission, mowing deck along with belts and blades, electronics, user features like seats and controls, plastics, etc.)?
I'd love to hear what your experiences have been with any comparable riding mower in the $1k-2k price range new, not counting attachments.
Also, I'm thinking fall is a good time to catch them on sale, can anyone confirm this?
Thanks for any info on different brands and current offerings.
Husqvarna, Poulan Pro, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Yard Machines, Troy-Bilt.
Also, hydrostatic vs manual transmission, is either any better?
Thanks in advance!