Riding Mower recommendations

[winos5]

My Cub Cadet lawn tractor will mow no longer. Didn't particularly like it very much after I bought it, wasn't particularly durable and the mowing deck was overly complicated making belt changing somewhat of a chore.



I have @ 3 acres to mow. Living in South Texas I am mowing 9 - 10 months of the year depending on how mild the cold snap the rest of the country calls winter is so I need something durable and reliable. Contemplating a zero-turn mower even though they are significantly more expensive. Mower must be able to mulch and also handle fairly tall grass and light brush.



Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[jakobeast]

Dixie Chopper.



Or a Mexican.

 

[winos5]

Dixie Chopper.



Or a Mexican.

There is an ample supply locally. I'm a cheap bastard though, and won't pay someone else to do my yard work.



Dixie Choppers are a bit pricey for my budget or I'd be there.

 

[bri]

John Deere are very popular around here, but I think they can be super expensive. Of course I live in John Deere country. The corporate headquarters is about 50 miles away. They serve a dual purpose for many in this area because in the winter they put snow blades on them which ,of course, is something you don't have to worry about.

 

[winos5]

Also contemplating a commercial grade walk behind. Anybody have experience with those?

 

[R K]

Deere. No substitute. And not the Home Depot model either!

 

[bri]

I think Howcho does something with John Deere up in Canada. He might be able to give you some information.

 

[winos5]

I can probably afford a low end - mid range Deere riding mower. For the same amount of money could probably get a bigger mower with more whistles or a low end zero turn. I've been told Deere's can be a pain in the ass to work on and I do tend to do my own maintenance regarding filters, oil changes, mower deck ect.... Don't know how true that is though.

 

[howcho]

Deere's are not a problem to work on, I don't understand where that would come from. Deere takes a lot of time on R & D to make sure things are well engineered. They do cost more, but last longer and have THE highest ratings in Consumer Reports in most cases.



The difference in a Home Depot model and the Dealership model is not much. It is the same quality machine it is just that the HD models are entry level only. They are all PDI'd and assembled by your local dealer. The dealer however, will be infinitely more knowledgeable of the product and the best fit for you.



Now I have been away from the actual models for a long time as I just do computer work here now. I do not know if Deere has reintroduced a commercial walk behind. They discontinued them at some point and we then brought in Hondas to cover that slot. You do not want to be mowing three acres with a walk behind however.



Give your Deere dealer a chance. If you don't like what they say or the price, you can walk. If the salesman knows the product, he can match you up very well once he understands your needs. Parts availability is another concern. You will not be disappointed with the Deere parts department.



Another thing that your dealer should offer you for a minimal fee is a pre-warranty-expiration inspection.



We do this all the time ( maybe for free ) by calling the customers 30 days or so before their warranty expires. We will fix every thing imaginable that we can get warranted.



You won't get that follow up from Home Depot. They basically sell it to you and move on.

 

[winos5]

Deere's are not a problem to work on, I don't understand where that would come from. Deere takes a lot of time on R & D to make sure things are well engineered. They do cost more, but last longer and have THE highest ratings in Consumer Reports in most cases.



The difference in a Home Depot model and the Dealership model is not much. It is the same quality machine it is just that the HD models are entry level only. They are all PDI'd and assembled by your local dealer. The dealer however, will be infinitely more knowledgeable of the product and the best fit for you.



Now I have been away from the actual models for a long time as I just do computer work here now. I do not know if Deere has reintroduced a commercial walk behind. They discontinued them at some point and we then brought in Hondas to cover that slot. You do not want to be mowing three acres with a walk behind however.



Give your Deere dealer a chance. If you don't like what they say or the price, you can walk. If the salesman knows the product, he can match you up very well once he understands your needs. Parts availability is another concern. You will not be disappointed with the Deere parts department.



Another thing that your dealer should offer you for a minimal fee is a pre-warranty-expiration inspection.



We do this all the time ( maybe for free ) by calling the customers 30 days or so before their warranty expires. We will fix every thing imaginable that we can get warranted.



You won't get that follow up from Home Depot. They basically sell it to you and move on.

Thanks for the help.



Now I just have to convince my accountant.

 

[MassHavoc]

I've always loved John Deere since my days living in Valpo when I was young. My mom worked for them a bit at one of the sales facilities, I would go climb on around on all of them. They had everything from push mowers to the big farm equipment combines and stuff out front. I would get all the little promotional cast die cut tractors and shit... That would be what I bought, even if they sucked. Their branding got in my head young.

 

[phranchk]

Not to mention that there's tons of awesome attachments for the John Deere tractors and mowers.

 

[Tater]

Thanks for the help.



Now I just have to convince my accountant.

You mean the wife?

 

[TSD]

Also contemplating a commercial grade walk behind. Anybody have experience with those?

I do. I worked for a landscaping company for a summer between my 2 weeks for the guard and college(they had the white people do the mowing because it was a one or two man job and needed someone who hablas englais well, probably killed them they had to pay me minimum wage). They are actually pretty easy to handle, they can handle tall grass, dont know specifically what you mean by brush, but those blades could probably handle twigs and stuff just fine.

 

[winos5]

You mean the wife?

Of course.

 

[winos5]

I do. I worked for a landscaping company for a summer between my 2 weeks for the guard and college(they had the white people do the mowing because it was a one or two man job and needed someone who hablas englais well, probably killed them they had to pay me minimum wage). They are actually pretty easy to handle, they can handle tall grass, dont know specifically what you mean by brush, but those blades could probably handle twigs and stuff just fine.

By brush I means just taller, tuffer weeds and johnson grass. If you had an @ acre size yard, and then 2 more fairly open acres to mow would you choose a a commercial grade walk behind? Another thing to consider is my yard has many obstacles to hit (roots mostly) and is very uneven in some areas.

 

[jakobeast]

This should do the trick.



http://www.amazon.com/Scotts-2000-20-20-Inch-Classic-Mower/dp/B00004RA3E

 

[R K]

I love my Deere. Other than my 65' plasma the best thing I've bought for the house. It never fails me. Mows nice and always starts. Oil changing has not been a problem. I should probably send it in and have a tune up and the blades sharpened but the Dealer comes to pick it up and drops it off when they are done.



I bought the model below the Hydrolic but several steps above the HD model. My Dad has three. Mine, the hydrolic a step above mine and then one two steps above that one, that came with the House in Montana. He loves them all. Not sure how he rides all three, but some how, my dad, I know he does.



I have a little under an Acre and he has about two acres. Everyone else, or most in my neighborhood pays the landscapers. I refuse to do so. When you can't mow your own yard, **** off.

 

[klemmer]

We do this all the time ( maybe for free ) by calling the customers 30 days or so before their warranty expires. We will fix every thing imaginable that we can get warranted.

NICE!

 

[winos5]

To be honest I knew when I started this most everyone would say get a Deere. Was looking for a dissenting opinion in my price range.