Choosing First Riding Mower

From my experience JD doesn't really make a good small engine machine. Even their lawn tractors have become pretty cheap and they used to be the top of the line. They seem more invested in farm tractors and heavy machinery. Yet, they still expect you to pay for the name.
For farm machinery they are great here.

They’ll come to a field for maintenance en sech. But I’ve never bought anything for personal use.
 
Mainly a regular rider. Not zero turn. A dealer has a Husqvarna 48 inch cut with a Kawasaki engine for a little over $3000. Might be the route I go.
 
Mainly a regular rider. Not zero turn. A dealer has a Husqvarna 48 inch cut with a Kawasaki engine for a little over $3000. Might be the route I go.
Husqvarna is a solid machine especially with a Kawasaki.
 
I am reading some mixed reviews on this Husqvarna TS 148X. Talked to the guy at the dealer, and it seems like a good machine. Now, I know we can't trust all the reviews, good and bad. And it depends on how an individual has taken care of and treated the equipment. I do trust a local dealer standing behind their product. We shall see.
 
I am reading some mixed reviews on this Husqvarna TS 148X. Talked to the guy at the dealer, and it seems like a good machine. Now, I know we can't trust all the reviews, good and bad. And it depends on how an individual has taken care of and treated the equipment. I do trust a local dealer standing behind their product. We shall see.
Always a good idea to go with a local dealer. They have a reputation in the community so they are more likely to make things right if there are issues.

A golden rule that I learned from my Dad is if you take care of your mower it should last you a long time. Every fall I tear it down, clean the deck and winterize it. Then in the spring I change the oil, gas and fuel filters, grease and sharpen the blades
 
This is the rider I had, to mow over an acre when I was a kid.
Yeah, it would beat you to death, but was indistructable

View attachment 135971

If that's an old gravely, they lasted forever. The only reason people gave up on them is you couldn't get parts any longer.
 
From my experience JD doesn't really make a good small engine machine. Even their lawn tractors have become pretty cheap and they used to be the top of the line. They seem more invested in farm tractors and heavy machinery. Yet, they still expect you to pay for the name.

There are two types of John Deere lawn tractors. The ones sold in lowes and home depot and the ones sold at an authorized John Deere location. The JD's sold in home depot and lowes have engines made by Briggs and Stratton. Everything from the decks to the steering components and suspension are cheap. The models sold at John Deere locations have gas and diesel engines made by JD that are far superior. The decks are far heavier and they have an actual suspension. They are also 3 and 4 times more.

Still not my favorite mower.
 
Personally, I think that walk-behinds do the best job but at some point I am not going to be able to walk my yard so I am looking at something like this

lmao...that's an odd looking machine.
 
I've always kind of adopted the cheaper the better with mowers. Run the bitch into the ground over the next 20 years, and then go buy another. I gotta new troy bilt pony last year. Same as the one before, that hit the 20 year mark with minimal maintenance. It's got a B&S engine. Works fine.
 
if you're willing to pony up the cash, exmark is as good as it gets.
 
I've always kind of adopted the cheaper the better with mowers. Run the bitch into the ground over the next 20 years, and then go buy another. I gotta new troy bilt pony last year. Same as the one before, that hit the 20 year mark with minimal maintenance. It's got a B&S engine. Works fine.
I’ve got Troy Bill I can’t kill. Now it’s no frills without self propelled or anything fancy but it cranks first pull every time.

I keep it as backup or if there is some sketchy areas that need to be cut.

Troy Bilt doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
 
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