small lawn tractor/mower recommendations?

wayner123 · 03-19-2010, 09:13 AM

I would try Craigslist. There are usually a good number of people who tried landscaping to make some extra cash and are now trying to get out of the business. I have seen some really good deals.

I have had great results with Toro, Craftsman, Dixie chopper and Snapper. I personally would try and pick up a 36" Toro or Snapper walk-behind with a velke or sulky on craigslist. Dixie Chopper's might be out of your price range and usually people who own them, don't get rid of them. Craftsman has always done me well.

A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs.

forgop · 03-19-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayner123

A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs.

One other thing-the John Deere tractors you see at Home Depot (and for the most part, even at JD dealerships) is that they don't make them like they used to. I grew up mowing with a JD 318 and loved it. It was a HEAVY garden tractor, which I think was somewhere around 900 lbs give or take. Try finding an actual garden tractor like that nowadays period, let alone in a low price point. What you'll most likely end up with is MTD/Cub Cadet type of stuff with green paint on it.

Zoomschwortz · 03-23-2010, 10:19 PM

I have a 1969 John Deere that has a small mower deck so I just use it for rototilling and I use and 8 year old Craftsman for my mowing.

Nice thing about the Deere is after 41 years it still runs great and you can still buy parts for it.

Ashcan Bill · 03-24-2010, 01:26 AM

This one's pretty spiffy.

03-19-2010, 09:13 AM	#1
wayner123 Country Gentleman Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 2,351 Trading: (159)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I would try Craigslist. There are usually a good number of people who tried landscaping to make some extra cash and are now trying to get out of the business. I have seen some really good deals. I have had great results with Toro, Craftsman, Dixie chopper and Snapper. I personally would try and pick up a 36" Toro or Snapper walk-behind with a velke or sulky on craigslist. Dixie Chopper's might be out of your price range and usually people who own them, don't get rid of them. Craftsman has always done me well. A note about John Deere, while great machines, they are usually more costly to repair. YMMV, but if you plan to do maintenance or repair yourself it can play into overall costs. __________________ 'It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.'

03-23-2010, 10:19 PM	#3
Zoomschwortz I'm back Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 470 Trading: (3)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? I have a 1969 John Deere that has a small mower deck so I just use it for rototilling and I use and 8 year old Craftsman for my mowing. Nice thing about the Deere is after 41 years it still runs great and you can still buy parts for it.

03-24-2010, 01:26 AM	#4
Ashcan Bill Ol' Dude Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bill Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,903 Trading: (6)	Re: small lawn tractor/mower recommendations? This one's pretty spiffy.