Lawn Mowers

[KathyJB]

I hope this doesn't come under the "best to stay away from it" topics Anyway, I have or rather had a Bolens riding mower and it is pretty much dead. Since yards are a part of your home, I was hoping to get all the info I can on riding mowers. The Bolens started out as a good mower, but the deck didn't hold up and I soon had a lopsided lawn. Never could get it straightened up.

I'm looking at getting a Cub Cadet or a Poulan as of now. Any experience you could pass on would be greatly appreciated. :idea I had one friend say to get a Scag Those things are like buying a compact car.

[James]

I have a Troy Built. Bought in 2003. The first one was a dud. After their repair guy came twice and nothing improved I went back to Lowes to complain and they promptly brought me a new one. It has been good. I did I guess two or three years ago have to have a good deal of work done to it, the deck was re welded because it was about to go like your Bolens.
It gets a lot of use here. The next one will be zero turn radius if I can afford it. They run about what I paid for my then 10 year old pick up seven years ago(and I am still driving that). Both brands you mentioned should be good. I think a Deere would be best, but likely somewhat more.

[KathyJB]

John deere's are a little more than the cub I was looking at but that one is enough to make one call 911. Right now I have my eye on the 1046. It has a pretty tight turning radius. I'm not ready to pay 3 plus grand for a riding mower. Thank you for your input.

[wletson]

Um, I have a Sears brand rider that was likely built in the late 70's. I have to nurse it along every now and then, but other than that it has been a great running mower.
So, to heck with the Cub Cadet, find yourself a 30 year old Sears!

[CycloneOfRed]

It might be worth looking into used mowers on Craigslist or the like. They depreciate fast enough that you can get a pretty good deal if you spend some time looking, and its pretty easy to tell a mower that's been taken care of from one that hasn't.

[KathyJB]

So, to heck with the Cub Cadet, find yourself a 30 year old Sears!

W says to get myself something I won't have any trouble with. I would look on Craigslist, but the towns that post there are 60 miles away or better. People tend to be keeping their mowers and I would but I don't want to pour anymore money into it. I've bid on a few at estate sales but there always seems to be that one guy who is willing to pay way more than I would. (must be one of them folks that have gas wells on their land) The zero turn mowers I found out are only good for straight even lawns so even if I wanted to go into lawn mower debt it wouldn't pay off.
Husband also said nix on the Poulan. He had a Poulan chainsaw once and it was junk.

[jeepnstein]

Go to a real Cub dealer, not a big box store, and have a look at what they offere. There is a difference. My Cub is a 1997 model and is running great. I can also get parts easily for the wear and tear items on the deck. I can't say enough good about that Cub mower deck. It's built to last.

I always say you should visit the dealer before buying any model. When you spend that kind of money on a piece of equipment you must expect good service out of it. That means visiting the dealer, not a big box store. The dealer is more important than the brand name.

[pqtex]

Kubota diesel. Mine's been running strong since 1982.

[KathyJB]

Kubota diesel. Mine's been running strong since 1982.

the school had a grasshopper brand, diesel. It was a quiet mower. If I could get one for the price it sold for in '82 I would already have one in my garage. I'll give them a look too though. You never know if one will go on sale or maybe someone traded one in.

[Daniel Meyer]

Stay away from Craftsman mowers. I can't begin to explain how crappily mine is made.