Who has a ride on mower?

[MO]

My two bob's worth,get one that is at least 18hp,good size cutting deck and spin steer...that way no probs with turning circle.I've got an early model cox and apart from sometimes not wanting to to start first pull it's going well.

[Bayvu]

Got a $2000 green Victa 13hp from PowerQuip in Hallam. Great price, very average mower. Made in the states, same as many others, just different colour. Deck very flimsy, bends easily when hitting large rocks and the chassis is pressed tin, nothing like the 3mm plate of the aussie Cox.

I agree with all the guys, you get what you pay for. My wife's cheap, so we got the cheapest. Next door got a new John Deer, 18hp, quite large, he's a mechanic and run's 10.6 on the 1/4 mile in his 302 Escort, so I reckon he must be in know a little....

[T3man]

Like everything else you need to match the machine to the job. You haven't given much detail of what area and type of terrain.

Now, I have over 6 acres, some very steep and rough, and lots of gum trees so lots of sticks. For the last 20 years I've been using Stiga. I've tried them all = reps keep calling in and offering me a better mower and they will bring in a demo to show what it will do - NONE have ever come close to matching the Stiga. I have two Stigas at the moment - one with a modified Walker cutting deck on it as it does the really rough areas I have and the Stiga deck is a little light. The Walker deck is armoured car stuff! But the Walker hydraulic drive system on their mowers is absolutely hopeless on side slopes - you simply can't steer it except straight up or straight down any slope.

Here's a link for you ... http://www.allpower.com.au/pages/sti..._on_mowers.cfm

If your mower shop will allow you a test drive of various machines DO IT! All mowers have some failings so you have to find one that suits YOUR requirements. I've found most distributors will have sales reps that will bring a demo to you so get your mower place to push them for it.

[XP6]

Originally Posted by MotherNature

Philbie ,.... its like most things in life ....... 'It's what you pay for" ..........

We have had a few ..... John Deere have been know to break ......I know its hard to do but ask my landloard ......

I am lead to believe Husquvana(sp?) are really good but pricey ........

Yup my father swears by the Huski, he owns a 10acre block so it gets a fair work out, he uses it a tow vechile as well, tows a loaded 6x4 trailer easy... the huski's are worth a bit but as most things YGWYPF(haha new net jargon)his cost $8K. He had 2 before the huski, MTD and a JD. The MTD lasted about 2mths before being traded on the JD which was traded after 12mths of headaches and constant breakdowns... although the customer service was very good.
I found in my own experiance that JD small gear is over priced, take for instance the JD gators, its a ute version of a ride on mower they are charging around $12K for a base model, theres bugger all to them... even less than a ride on, its just 4 wheels a frame , motor, single gear with reverse and two seats few plastic parts. You could make one for less than $2k that would kick its ***.

YGWYPF=you get what you pay for!

[GlennBA]

I reckon kubota, john deere and cox are alright ones. DO NOT buy a murray ride on... we had one when we had an acre and a half at coffs harbour and it broke down almost every 2nd time you'd mow the lawn..

[Philbie]

T3 Man - details are 1/3 of an acre to be mowed, and it's all instant lawn.....no hills and no trees.

Easy going stuff.

Currently the main ones most ppl have said to stay away from both in and out of the trade are JD, and interestingly Huskies!

Although the huskys seem like a good machine, but the lawn mowers techs say that they cost for parts, and breakdown quite a bit.

JD are just that dear. and parts are not cheap either. One lawn mower mechanic told me unless you are an agent, even ppl in the trade don't get discounts on parts.

Cox are good - but overkill for my needs.

leaving me with MTD - the upper range of thier gear - viking, which is stihl rebadged or the husky.

I will checkout the Stiga, but can't find an agent in my local area as yet.

cheers.

[T3man]

Originally Posted by Philbie

T3 Man - details are 1/3 of an acre to be mowed, and it's all instant lawn.....no hills and no trees.

Easy going stuff.

Currently the main ones most ppl have said to stay away from both in and out of the trade are JD, and interestingly Huskies!

Although the huskys seem like a good machine, but the lawn mowers techs say that they cost for parts, and breakdown quite a bit.

JD are just that dear. and parts are not cheap either. One lawn mower mechanic told me unless you are an agent, even ppl in the trade don't get discounts on parts.

Cox are good - but overkill for my needs.

leaving me with MTD - the upper range of thier gear - viking, which is stihl rebadged or the husky.

I will checkout the Stiga, but can't find an agent in my local area as yet.

cheers.

OK mate - for 1/3 acre I wouldn't even buy a ride-on. Just get a large cut self propelled and you'll save yourself a coupla thou. Stiga have one of those as well but I reckon it's an overkill for your needs.

[cs123]

One other thing I'll add Philbie, is that I went from a Rover Rancher to a MTD. While the MTD has been good (and it is used on a 5 acre horse property) I did notice a difference in the quality of the cut on lawns. The rancher used a disc with blades while the mtd uses two bars. The rancher was much better.

Small detail but may be of interest if you're buying essentially a big lawn mower.

[Philbie]

given I like mowing the lawn as much as driving a holden, I'll give the self propelled idea a miss (but thanks anyway) CS123 - Good to hear your thoughts. As always, any information from the end user is a blessing to the new buyer.

[Philbie]

ok it's down to three.

John Deere LT110 17.5 hp with 42" deck RRP $3990

MTD Yarman 18hp with 42" deck RRP $3550

MTD Cub Cadet 18.5hp with 42" deck RRP unknown but my buy price $3300

Opinions wanted!!!

[MO]

I'd go with the MTD Cub Cadet,more hp,same size deck as others but a better price.
If its got cutting bars rather than disc and blade I think you can change it to disc without to much hassle.

[DanXR6T]

Mate if its only lawn then then I wouldn't stress too much about about having to have armour plated cutting decks, etc.

I used a 16hp 38" deck JD for two years on paddocks and lawns, and the only issue was that the deck did come loose once, but then again it hit all sorts of rocks and sticks. Check the engine, most are Briggs and Strattons or similar and so are all pretty much the same.

I mowed 8 acres once on a Cos Stockman and found it to be the worst riding ever. After a few hours I was stuffed and my back was ready to snap in half from the harshness.

Most important is sitting in one - if your gonna have to sit in it for an hour or two then make sure its comfy. And also the pedal system is different from brand to brand. JD has/used to a two pedal system for forward/reverse which I like, others have the forward/back rocker pedal which I hate.

Unless your gonna be cutting the grass at the MCG or going contracting rock smashing, get something that you like and feel comfortable driving.

Oh and councils use JD because they get pretty heavy discounts because in JD fashion, they want everything seen to be green.

Dan..

[T3man]

Originally Posted by Axeman82

Most important is sitting in one - if your gonna have to sit in it for an hour or two then make sure its comfy Dan..

He has 1/3 acre - I reckon about a 15 min job

I wouldn't even bother starting my ride-on for that!

[Pilch]

Originally Posted by Philbie

ok it's down to three.

John Deere LT110 17.5 hp with 42" deck RRP $3990

MTD Yarman 18hp with 42" deck RRP $3550

MTD Cub Cadet 18.5hp with 42" deck RRP unknown but my buy price $3300

Opinions wanted!!!

besides the fact that ride-ons are overkill for 1/3 acre........i'd go the MTD cub cadet. Its cheaper, same deck size, more power, they are very structurally sound and solid. The only problem we ever had with Cub Cadet was a customer service issue. The idiots : kept selling us the wrong belt and the mower shredded it within 2 mows.

IMO Cub Cadet

[DanXR6T]

Originally Posted by T3man

He has 1/3 acre - I reckon about a 15 min job

I wouldn't even bother starting my ride-on for that!

Yeah but ride-ons can be fun!

Noones saying that you only have to drive over the area once - set up some traffic cones (shrubs), ripple stips (garden edging) and drag christmas tree (flashing xmas lights) and spend an hour - its only 5 buck in fuel!!!

LOL...

[Philbie]

The MTD Club Cadet wins the race.

After my TEST ride on saturday, I'll be bringing one home.

and no - I won't be bringing it to geelong...on sunday

[MO]

Originally Posted by Philbie

The MTD Club Cadet wins the race.

After my TEST ride on saturday, I'll be bringing one home.

and no - I won't be bringing it to geelong...on sunday

Next time after you've souped that baby up a little......gooooooo toolman!!!!

[The Mighty Red]

Originally Posted by T3man

OK mate - for 1/3 acre I wouldn't even buy a ride-on. Just get a large cut self propelled and you'll save yourself a coupla thou.

: you obviously dont live in queensland....................even a third of an acre in queensland north of brisbane in summer time can be a real handful without a ride on.....i have a 30in cut murray with a 10.5 briggs......the mower itself is very reliable , the cut compared to my neighbours Rover rancher is not nearly as low....

I wouldnt recommend any foreign mower although atm US imports are nearly half price compared to similar Aussie brands..........I was quoted $2600 for a 40 inch 18hp US made Rover this afternoon , when you consider the 42 inch Cox 17hp is $7000 and the similar Greenfield is high $6800 the american brands are currently offering great value

[Matty4]

Digging up a 3.5 yr old thread. That has to be some type of record!!!
FWIW, Cub cadet all the way, mines brilliant!!

[The Mighty Red]

I didnt have to dig to deep considering it was somehow in "new posts".......... :