Thinking of buying a new mower. What do you think of these brands?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Thinking of buying a new mower. What do you think of these brands?

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:52:12 PM EDT

I know all about the options and engines that vary from maker to maker but what about the brands? The three I am really looking at are John Deere, Yardman (MTD), and Husquavarna (spelling?). I can get all three for about the same price with similar options and a 42 inch cut. My dad has had a John Deere and it has had to be repaired numerous times but the parts are very easy to get at a JD dealer even if they cost an arm and a leg. My neighbor had an MTD back when they were creme colored and not yellow with the "Yardman" stickers all over it and it never broke down. I don't know how easy it would be to find parts for it though. Last on the list is Husquavarna which makes a pretty good chainsaw but what about the availability of parts and mower quality? Then there is always the Murray brand which is ultra cheap but I can remember in 1990 when you just couldn't get parts for them. What would you guys buy? All these are from $1299-1499 with the Yardman being the lowest and the Husqavarna being the highest. A similar Murray is $999.

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:53:27 PM EDT

[#1]

Just remember, Snapper riding mowers are made in the USA here in McDonough GA. That and they hang in there for a good long time.

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:54:10 PM EDT

[#2]

Get the biggest one the wife can push.

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:55:42 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Get the biggest one the wife can push.

I would but I like cutting the grass and doing it my way. All these have a ~~cup~~ beer holder BTW.

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:57:45 PM EDT

[#4]

Anything but the fucking

Husquavarna.

Posted: 5/21/2005 4:58:26 PM EDT

[#5]

HONDA.

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:01:16 PM EDT

[#6]

My next-door neighbor's brother-in-law owns a lawn service...I get a very good rate...

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:13:27 PM EDT

[#7]

None. Get a Honda. Pricey...but the best on the market.

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:17:43 PM EDT

[#8]

Dixie Chopper

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:19:36 PM EDT

[#9]

We just got an MTD, and I really like it.

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:23:04 PM EDT

[#10]

Wheel Horse
Kubota

Posted: 5/21/2005 5:24:57 PM EDT

[#11]

Ferris...

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:18:57 PM EDT

[#12]

Dude,I dunno how much yard you got,but I've got a 1/2 acre of mole worked over backyard and I just can't justify dropping $1500(including tax and such) on a rider even though it would cut my mow time in half.

I have a 5.5 horse Craftsman self-propelled mower from Sears,cost me bout $300 including a 3 year warranty,and I'll tell ya,I have absolutly beat the ever-lovin shit outta that thing for six summers straight...we're talking killin the engine on mole hills,choppin up fallen tree branches,rocks and sparks flamin out the grass shute...that thing is bullet proof.

Overall the mower itself isn't as tight as it was,but the Briggs&Stratton still purrs like a kitten and it still does a fine job.

I'll never buy another brand,and I'll never pay for a "premium" mower.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:24:16 PM EDT

[#13]

Yeah, how much lawn do you have to mow? How fast do you want to mow it?

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:25:54 PM EDT

[#14]

I have the Husky 20-42, Its got the Kohler engine. I love it. Runs great. I didnt notice until after I got it ,that it is EXACTLY the same mower as Craftsman. My last Snapper was almost as old as me ,but slower than walking.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:25:58 PM EDT

[#15]

John Deer cause they last.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:26:30 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Dude,I dunno how much yard you got,but I've got a 1/2 acre of mole worked over backyard and I just can't justify dropping $1500(including tax and such) on a rider even though it would cut my mow time in half.

I have a 5.5 horse Craftsman self-propelled mower from Sears,cost me bout $300 including a 3 year warranty,and I'll tell ya,I have absolutly beat the ever-lovin shit outta that thing for six summers straight...we're talking killin the engine on mole hills,choppin up fallen tree branches,rocks and sparks flamin out the grass shute...that thing is bullet proof.

Overall the mower itself isn't as tight as it was,but the Briggs&Stratton still purrs like a kitten and it still does a fine job.

I'll never buy another brand,and I'll never pay for a "premium" mower.

We had a 20 year-old Lawn Boy that we used to clear brush in a similar manner. We called it "John Wayne".

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:32:43 PM EDT

[#17]

I've got a Snapper rear bagger push mower that's now going into its 17th season.

The B&S 3.5 HP engine is getting a little tired, but still always starts on the first pull.

I would imagine that their riders are similar in longevity.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:37:53 PM EDT

[#18]

bought a snapper 12hp rider last year. DAMN fine mower. cuts better than the 17hp murray i replaced.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:39:09 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Yeah, how much lawn do you have to mow? How fast do you want to mow it?

Right now I don't have very much but I am in a high density area that at $10-15 dollars a pop I could pay for it easy by mowing others yards. I am buying a house soon and it will have a bigger yard...1-2 acre minimum. The reason I am looking at the John Deere is because it is only $100 higher than the Yardman at Walmart and it is better equipped (more HP and Briggs & Stratton). Plus in the area I live right now I could cut two or three neighbors yards in an hour and earn $30-45 to get a jump on paying for it. There's nothing wrong with buying a little much if you are going to need it eventually. It would also be nice to have it paid for before that first house payment.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:40:30 PM EDT

[#20]

i did a LOT of research before buying mine. i found that MTD makes about 90% of all the low end and midrange mowers. including troybuilt, cub cadet, john deer, craftsman, murry, and a slew of others. EVERY shop i talked to told me they were junk. expect 4-5 years TOPS before they fall apart. Thin decks that rust out and poor transmissions seem to be a common issue wth them. replacement transmissions cost as much as a new mower.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:46:39 PM EDT

[#21]

I've looked at the John Deere mowers and thought they were way over priced

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:52:39 PM EDT

[#22]

If you are getting a riding then go with the John Deere. Now if you want to get a walking one then get a Honda.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:53:28 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Yeah, how much lawn do you have to mow? How fast do you want to mow it?

Right now I don't have very much but I am in a high density area that at $10-15 dollars a pop I could pay for it easy by mowing others yards. I am buying a house soon and it will have a bigger yard...1-2 acre minimum. The reason I am looking at the John Deere is because it is only $100 higher than the Yardman at Walmart and it is better equipped (more HP and Briggs & Stratton). Plus in the area I live right now I could cut two or three neighbors yards in an hour and earn $30-45 to get a jump on paying for it. There's nothing wrong with buying a little much if you are going to need it eventually. It would also be nice to have it paid for before that first house payment.

in that range the john deer is pretty much the same mower with different cosmetics. most likely both built by MTD. buy the cheaper one. buy the extended warranty. you WILL need it in about 2 years.

Posted: 5/21/2005 6:57:37 PM EDT

[#24]

Had a Yardman. It sucked, then it died. Sears all the way for me now.

Posted: 5/21/2005 7:18:42 PM EDT

[#25]

Stay away from Murray......They are really teetering on bankruptcy right now and who knows if they will be in business a couple of years from now. Other than that,

Nothing runs like a Deere.

Posted: 5/21/2005 7:20:41 PM EDT

[#26]

Toro, Exmark or Walker.

Posted: 5/21/2005 7:23:00 PM EDT

[#27]

I like my Cub Cadet push mower. I got in on clearance at the oLowes. Been a good mower, served me well for 3.5 years now.

I like it, has kawasaki engine on it. Good efficiency and cuts well.

I also like the Toro mowers. Well built and I like the way it is setup.

I had a honda one time and it was the biggest piece of crap ever. Terrible. Before I get flamed this was my own experience, and since then Honda has *supposedly* come up in quality.

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:09:35 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
HONDA.

BUY AMERICAN

f-ck those foreign scum

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:11:57 PM EDT

[#29]

I had a Yardman, and it was a GREAT mower....and less expensive than the others.

Might give it a try.

HH

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:30:01 PM EDT

[#30]

The inexpensive John Deere mowers that you see today aren't even related to the old John Deere mowers that you used to see. These are cheaply made products capitolizing on the name.

I bought a Murray 5 1/2 years ago and it still runs fine. Change the oil two to three times per season and wash the grass off of the deck. Some mower companies recomend that you don't wash the deck but hey, they sell mowers. What do you think they would say? One thing you need to do no matter which brand that you go with. Buy a set of Gator blades for your new mower or to replace the blades on any older mower too. These things are 50% thicker than factory blades and last like a bad haircut. Mine are on their third year and I've only had to sharpen them once. We mow about 3 acres.

Good luck.

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:34:05 PM EDT

[#31]

Anything with a Briggs and Stratton engine will work good for one season, suck the next season, and not work at all in the third season.

Get a honda. I'm on my third season and it still runs great.

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:38:49 PM EDT

[#32]

hey you MORONS , Honda makes the best walk behind mower

BUT he's shopping for a riding mower !

Posted: 5/21/2005 8:42:09 PM EDT

[#33]

My next one will the cheapest Honda mower they have: steel deck, no bag, no self propelled. My current one is a Murray purchased 1989 from Lowes for $99 with a Tecumseh engine. Runs fairly strong but I think it's lost some of its power. I change the oil every year or so and yes, you can make even a Murray last 16 years if you tried

Posted: 5/21/2005 9:15:13 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Ferris...

[ Way in back] If you mow your grass and find a car, you might be a redneck. [ /Way in back ] j/k

Posted: 5/21/2005 9:34:58 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Quoted:
HONDA.

BUY AMERICAN

f-ck those foreign scum

The ignorance will never cease.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Thinking of buying a new mower. What do you think of these brands?

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