Riding Mowers

In the market for a new riding mower. Something in the 38-42 inch models. Prefer the bagger add on option too.

Saw the recent post over on WC. More confusing than anything. I guess I’d be ok with a manual 5-7 speed tranny to avoid problems with hills and hydrostatic. Also, can anyone comment on the topic of big box stores selling lower quality mowers of the same make and model sold a mom and pop dealers???

Just starting the search, but need to make a move here quickly. Old mower is on its last leg.

One model that is looking to fit the bill as I start shopping is the John Deere model D105 sold at Lowes for $1,499. Add on another $350 for the bagger and I’m out the door for under $2k.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_422558-573-BG20699_0__?k_clickID=8d94f21c-ba1c-4059-ad72-f85a2fb2df85&store_code=2313&productId=50119691&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4042a842a8%5D&storeNumber=2313&kpid=50119691&kpid=50119691&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-OutdoorPowerEquipment-_-RidingMowers-_-50119691%3AJohn_Deere&DM_PersistentCookieCreated=true&CAWELAID=&CAWELAID=320011480001703432#img

Note – some of the unfavorable reviews appears to be on models different than the D105.

Any help or opinions welcome.

-J.

I went through the same thing a few years ago, ended up with a John Deere D-130 with a bagger and have been very happy with it. I bought it from a local lawn and garden dealer as the service was better and the price was the same as Home Depot. One other thing I was glad I did was buy bagger blades they have more lift and really do a nice job with clearing up leaves and pine needles.

Two items…

First, regardless of what you buy, the dealer you buy from is most critical, IMO. You want a place that can service it and specializes in the lawn equipment space. I bought my mower from Doug’s Power in Blaine. They are terrific. You will struggle to find deep expertise at any big box store – regardless of what you are buying.

Second, the specific unit I bought was a Husqvarna YTH24v48. I spent 3 months shopping, comparing and contrasting. When it came down to it, I got more features for the money with Husqvarna, vs a Deere or Toro. Plus, I wanted a unit that my wife and kids would operate, so that eliminate the zero-turn units from Mfg’s like exmark.

I have 1/3 of an acre. It took my cut time from just over an hour, to about :15 mins. I have some elevation changes and it does fine climbing the hills, even in damp conditions (make sure your decrease the tire pressure when you get the unit home – as is stated in the owners manual.)

I have been very happy with the Husqvarna and would recommend it.

Jon Jordan wrote:

Saw the recent post over on WC. More confusing than anything. I guess I’d be ok with a manual 5-7 speed tranny to avoid problems with hills and hydrostatic. Also, can anyone comment on the topic of big box stores selling lower quality mowers of the same make and model sold a mom and pop dealers???

Claims that the big box stores get a lower-quality version have been circulating for 10+ years, but I’ve never seen anything that even remotely approaches proof that this ever actually occurs or has occurred.

I think much of the suspicion about this goes back to when Deere and other companies came up with special big box brands like Deere’s “Saber” mowers, which really were different mowers designed and built to hit a low price point.

Personally, I would go with whatever retailer had the best service and was the closest to me. Riding mowers now are a lot more complicated these days and sooner or later you’re going to need either parts or service or both. I can do a lot of stuff on equipment, but when my father’s Deere wouldn’t start, I was stumped. Turned out to be a bad safety switch, but we had to go through the hassle of hauling it in, so a dealer close by is a definite advantage.

Grouse

I know the guys who run our Deere dealership, saw him dropping off lawn tractors at Lowe’s. They are the same ones at both places. The Deere dealership also contracts to fix em up if something happens. Which reminds me charcoal is on sale at Lowe’s need to make a couple runs.

John give Tim Miller aka..millerman a call If you dont have his number I can give it to you

Like said, you can take a Deere from Home Depot or from anywhere, to any JD dealer for warranty repairs and maintenance. Riders are actually pretty simple these days. If you know how to install blades, plugs, belts, gas and oil, you shouldn’t need anyone. The last rider I bought was one of the SCOTTS with bagger, made by Deere (cheaper, lots of plastic) at the Home Depot. Bought it in 2002 & never had to take it anywhere for repairs/maintenance in 13 years. We got a new Craftsman 46″ up at the cabin, and it’s a nice unit also.

Big box stores are absolutely selling a lesser quality. Check the tranny specs. That’s where you typically see the difference.

I went thru this a few years ago and bought the Husqvarna. Its ok but has a couple items I don’t like, such as the piece of rubber that holds the tie rods together.

I mow about an acre and if I had a level lot it would have been a zero turn in a heart beat.

Also – a few name brand mowers out there are made by other manufacturers such as Craftsman = Husq in most cases. MTD probably makes the most private label mowers.

My dad bought a john deere forget the model, but aside from the motor, it has been complete garbage.
He is constantly welding on plates to cover holes where the mower deck has worn throw. Seriously! This mower is maybe 6 years old. The tranny has been completely replaced once at under 200 hours. It is not built solid at all, in fact it has a plastic hood even. Cheap!
I have a simplicity that I bought 14 years ago. Still looks new. I don’t have any holes in my mower deck, I mow nearly an acre (compared to my old man’s 1/3 acre). I have a snowblower and bagger as well. The ONLY thing I gripe about on my Simplicity is the turbo blower belt setup. Since its a 44″ mower deck a blower is suggested or you may not get a real clean pickup, well that little belt that runs off the pulley isn’t the best design and you hit anything rough in the lawn and it likes to jump off and then the belt life is suspect.
That’s the only thing I can complain about. Its an $11 belt and I probably have replaced it 6 times since I owned this thing.
When I purchased mine I had it narrowed down to a cub cadet and simplicity. Purchased the simplicity due to electric PTO instead of cable actuated. Things have changed a ton since then, but I know the John Deeres at least the smaller ones are not built very well.
My dad has a spare mower deck for when he can no longer weld plates onto the one he has. Ridiculous.

I’ve had a Craftsman at the lake for the last 4 years. Mows 3/4 acre. It’s a YT3000. All I have done is put gas in it and change oil.

At home I have had a similar Craftsman 42″ hydrostatic mower for 15+ years. It also has been bulletproof.

The Deere 105 you are looking at is a fine mower. But, I think a few hundred of you purchase is based on it being a Deere.

Whatever you buy, IMO the #1 factor is to buy the right size and level of tractor to fit your needs.

All of the major makers have different lines of tractors to meet different mowing use demands. It’s not just about the width of the cut, it’s about the use level the mower is built for.

A lot of guys I hear complaining about this or that mower being junk have MASSIVELY under-bought for their needs. Buying a 100 series Deere and then trying to mow 3 acres of rough lawn with wet patches, coarse grass, and lots of gravel/sand pickup, and then using the thing to move their boat around the yard and drag junk out of the shelter belt weeds besides. Obviously, this tractor was never built for that kind of useage, but it always surprises them when it breaks.

The 105 Deere is built for a 100 X 200 foot suburban lawn with modest hills, smooth ground, and fine grass that never requires more than 1-2 inches cut off at any given time because it gets mowed weekly for the most part.

If this is NOT a usage pattern that matches your needs, you have to move up to the one that does or you’ll be inviting trouble. All the main makers have product selector pages that help you hone in on your given use and match a mower to it.

Grouse

I asked my old man which John Deere he bought and its the x300. It has a great motor, but like I said, the rest is grossly under engineered and built.

I needed a new mower this year and watched CL for a while for a used one. I found a 2001 Sabre 2148 with 100 hours on it. It had a 21 hp Kohler v-twin, mulching attachments, and a snowblower for around $1200. This was one of the top Sabre models, and is built on the JD GT275 garden tractor frame with a Tuff Torq K66C tranny. It’s a heavy duty tractor that can take attachments like a tiller, etc.

It’s a nice machine for the money and probably a lot nicer machine than new JD’s sold in the big box stores.

My dad has the same machine, only a Sabre 1848 from 1998 (again a machine built on the JD GT 275 tractor frame). That machine has been going strong for 17 years and mowes roughly an acre yard and snow blows a 140′ driveway every year since he bought it new. He has had to replace a few parts due to normal wear and tear, but nothing major. His has an 18hp briggs v-twin vanguard in it.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Shopping for a new mower this late in the season left few choices. Limited to in stock models only. Most stores only had one or two riders in stock. Plenty of snow blowers to to choose from – LOL !!

Ended up with a Troy Built TB46 from Fleet Farm. Same one shown here. Got the last one in a crate for $1,250.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_594846-270-13AL78KT066_0__?productId=50176297&cm_mmc=display_Criteo-_-OutdoorPowerEquipment-_-SosOpeMaintenance/Accessories-_-50176297:Troy-Bilt&kpid=50176297&CA_6C15C=320011480005665640

Just in time as the old rider is now at the scrap yard. Nice upgrade from a 14hp – 42 inch cut. The real nice thing is the tight 18 inch turning radius. Overall, this cut the mow time down by 1/3. So far happy with this mower. But as with anything, time will tell how well it holds up.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Whatever you buy, IMO the #1 factor is to buy the right size and level of tractor to fit your needs.

Got to agree with Grouse on this comment. The 14-42 may have been a little on the light side for the job.

-J.

Remind me how large your lot is, Jon.

We’ll be in the market for one and have about 1.25 acres.

One acre with about 2/3 grass right now. Need to get the pole barn up and cut that back a bit!

-J.