Lawnmowers

[AMAC2233]

Today as I was mowing the lawn out front, between the street and sidewalk, I hit a relatively small metal stub randomly placed in the middle of the grass. I learned later that it was the base of the former stop sign in front of the house which was replaced with a new one sometime last week. The problem with the incident is that the blade in the 2004 Craftsman I was using is now permanently insufficient, and a new lawnmower, likely the same model, will need to be purchased.
A newer version of my model:

Nevertheless, what lawnmower is everyone using these days?

 

[wa-loaf]

Can't you just replace the blade?

I use one of these:

 

[Marc]

I use an old JD ride on, not sure of the model. It's like a 40" deck. Kawasaki motor, runs pretty good. Those old Deere's are tough to kill.

 

[AMAC2233]

The older model of the right there .. probably the model your was using so why don't you just change the blade out? I just finished cutting foot tall grass with mine today. So can I have the old mower? Oh mine has the front wheel drive. Everything else looks the same well except my back wheels are the same size as the front. Yup pretty much the same model.

Well first off, I'm not making the decision, my father is since I'm only 14, although I do all of the mowing. Secondly, it is 4 years old and bought in 2003 as a 2004 model, and was beginning to get beat up before this incident. There are a few major "scratches," the engine rope has been replaced with standard rope, the cap to the gass tank has been lost, and one of the wheels is bent slightly which really becomes annoying after a few minutes. In short, this thing was destined to be replaced within the next few years. The purpose of this thread was to see what everyone else has, I was just commenting on my incident today.

 

[Marc]

He should make you cut the grass with a scythe, like my old man did.

With your ankles chained.





We were a very normal family. Completely normal.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Cub Cadet RZT50 50" 22HP V-Twin Zero turn mower, for my 1/4 acre. Mowing and trimming of the lawn in 10-15 mins. I love it.






















O, yea the real reason I have that is I also mow 17 other lawns each week.

 

[AMAC2233]

How does your dad make you cut the grass, do you do it willing just to help out or is there some kind of monetary compensation involved. If you do it willing just to help out I was thinking adoption here. ;-)

A long time ago I was asked to do it; since then I've always done it. I don't really mind; it's my way of giving back to him I guess. I look at it this way: If he doesn't have to mow the lawn, it puts less stress on his aging body, and saves more energy for him to ski with. More engergy=less time for me to wait for him at the bottom of the hill. :smile:

 

[Terry]

I mow with a 1970 international cub cadet tractor with a 4 foot mowing deck. That thing just keeps going and going. Its the toughest piece of equipment I have ever had.

 

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

Cub Cadet RZT50 50" 22HP V-Twin Zero turn mower, for my 1/4 acre. Mowing and trimming of the lawn in 10-15 mins. I love it.


O, yea the real reason I have that is I also mow 17 other lawns each week.

Ever consider permanently upgrading your "pimp ride" with this bad boy?

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

 

[SkiDog]

had to buy a mower when I got to SLC...have a ski buddy tha just happens to own a small engine shop. He had an older model snapper mower that he had literally just replaced the engine on (briggs&stratton 6.5). He removed the motorized front wheels, and the "dead man" switch handle...this is the mower I have been looking for for years...I hate that when I have to move a rock/stick/dog toy that I have to restart the mower....now I can just walk away from the sucker and it just keeps running...oh yeah and that 6.5 motor??? it just goes through anything........love it...

All for $150.00......essentially its a brand new mower because of the motor...good deal I thought..

M

 

[loafer89]

Right now I have 1 acre of mud, which with this heavy rain is probably migrating downhill to my neighbor. Hopefully later this week the landscaper will be finished grading and laying down topsoil and I have grass seed all ready for him. I plan to buy a John Deer tractor as soon as we have a lawn to cut.

I was seriously considering a Troy Built as I have a 10HP rototiller made by them which I really like and it's performed 100% trouble free. After reading about mowers online, I discovered that Troy Built was bought by MTD and the quality of their products slide downhill fast soon after the buyout, so we are staying away from them.

I have read that Toro has just partnered with MTD in 2007, so their high quality products may suffer in the future.

 

[hammer]

John Deere LT180 with 42" deck...needed something that could handle the steeper sections of my lawn.

Also bought the 10 cu in utility cart...great for hauling mulch, loam, stone etc. around the yard.

I've let my 14 YO son use it a few times...last time he almost went flying over the curb into the street. Makes me wonder whether I should delay his driver's license by a year or two...

 

[Greg]

Craftsman DLT 3000

It meets my needs nicely. I also have a 5 year old Craftman 22" mulching push mower that I use around tight spaces. For the money, I've found Craftman products to be pretty good.

 

[Hawkshot99]

It meets my needs nicely. I also have a 5 year old Craftman 22" mulching push mower that I use around tight spaces. For the money, I've found Craftman products to be pretty good.

Handtools I will agree. Before I had my Cub Cadet I had the Craftsman version. Took 30 hrs of use to blow both head gaskets in it. For 3g's I expect a bit more.....

 

[Greg]

Handtools I will agree. Before I had my Cub Cadet I had the Craftsman version. Took 30 hrs of use to blow both head gaskets in it. For 3g's I expect a bit more.....

Well, here are the Craftsman lawn tools I have and haven't had a single problem outside of maintenance, belts, shear bolts, etc. with any of them:

• Tractor
• Push Mower
• Snow Thrower
• Weedwacker
• Gas Edger
• Power Washer

The tractor is going on its second year. All the other items are at least 4 years old.

 

[JimG.]

Well, here are the Craftsman lawn tools I have and haven't had a single problem outside of maintenance, belts, shear bolts, etc. with any of them:

• Tractor
• Push Mower
• Snow Thrower
• Weedwacker
• Gas Edger
• Power Washer

The tractor is going on its second year. All the other items are at least 4 years old.

But you don't do burnouts and pop wheelies like Hawkshot does.

 

[Marc]

All depends on use.

Craftsman (or whomever makes their products for them) are not considered heavy duty, but work very well for the smaller size properties like Greg.

I use a Stihl string trimmer at my grandmother's farm for 2 - 3 hours a week in knee to waist high timothy, rye, clover, canary and orchard grasses, often times on the mature and stocky side, often times quite damp. I would choose a heavier duty tool like those made by Stihl or Husky, or Cub or JD on the lawn side of things, for that kind of heavy use.

 

[JimG.]

All depends on use.

Craftsman (or whomever makes their products for them) are not considered heavy duty, but work very well for the smaller size properties like Greg.

I use a Stihl string trimmer at my grandmother's farm for 2 - 3 hours a week in knee to waist high timothy, rye, clover, canary and orchard grasses, often times on the mature and stocky side, often times quite damp. I would choose a heavier duty tool like those made by Stihl or Husky, or Cub or JD on the lawn side of things, for that kind of heavy use.

Echo makes good stuff too.

 

[Paul]

John Deere LT180 with 42" deck...needed something that could handle the steeper sections of my lawn.

Also bought the 10 cu in utility cart...great for hauling mulch, loam, stone etc. around the yard.

I've let my 14 YO son use it a few times...last time he almost went flying over the curb into the street. Makes me wonder whether I should delay his driver's license by a year or two...

ditto, except I have the 48" deck, and still need the cart.

 

[Greg]

Craftsman (or whomever makes their products for them) are not considered heavy duty, but work very well for the smaller size properties like Greg.

I'll give you that. For a one acre residential property, the Craftsman products serve me just fine. And everything on that list was probably bought for under $2,500.