Lawn garden tractors - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

flyinglow57 · 01-01-2014, 10:02 PM

Just bought 1.5 acres and maybe buying another .5 next to it

What garden tractors you people have,recommend,want. How reliable also. Was looking at the $1500 ones. But see they may not last. Now looking towards john deere 300 series.

I need a plow since ill have 300+ feet of driveway.

shank0668 · 01-01-2014, 10:16 PM

If you don't mind wrenching get something older and used. An older Deere (400 series) or an older IH/Cub Cadets are great.
As far as new stuff... I honestly don't think they'll last near as long as the old stuff.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-01-2014, 10:46 PM

Find yourself an old Cub Cadet, if it says "International Harvester Company" on the serial number plate, it'll probably last forever.

We had an MTD-built Cub Cadet Model 1810 that lasted well over 20 years as well.

Most of the stuff you see at Home Depot these days are absolute garbage.

snymat68 · 01-01-2014, 10:52 PM

+1 for gravely

Muddflap · 01-01-2014, 10:55 PM

Personally I won't buy anything with a B&S engine. I have had nothing but good luck with a Kohler engine. As far as brand of tractor, to me it doesn't really matter as long as it has a Kolher on it.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-01-2014, 11:00 PM

+1 Kohler engines FTW.

camaro2lt · 01-01-2014, 11:03 PM

I have a cub cadet with the kawaski engine and have 196hours on it and it runs flawless....i cut grass in the summer for extra money and the mower does a great job

mikeyg36 · 01-01-2014, 11:08 PM

If you're going to buy new, go to an actual JD dealer instead of Home Depot or Lowes. Anything there will be garbage. Had a JD 1500 with a Kohler engine that lasted forever.

FenwickHockey65 · 01-01-2014, 11:30 PM

Also, word of advice from someone who mowed 2.2 acres from age 8 to 21...

Tractors are great to have with that much land, especially if you do minor agricultural projects like my parents do.

With that being said, a zero-turn radius mower cuts your mowing time down dramatically. With the 1810, it would take me a good 5 hours to mow the entire property. The ZTR mower my dad bought last year takes at most 2 hours.

RubyCamaro · 01-01-2014, 11:31 PM

If you take care of it a John Deer will last forever. Used ones are great too if you find one that was well cared for. And yeah, get one from a John Deer Dealer.

flyinglow57 · 01-03-2014, 09:12 AM

Leaning towards a husqvarna yt46Ls.

11BEE · 01-03-2014, 11:28 AM

Husqvarna is great. I have one now. I also have other lawn equipment made by them, and even a few of their shotguns. Great products.

Now, I do have an affinity for things Swedish as I am married to a native Swede.

JimiBlaze · 01-03-2014, 11:47 AM

i bought 1.5 acres a few years ago and was also looking to spend $1,500. I found a 1988 Kubota G6200 with a 3-liter diesel, 48-inch deck and 48-inch snowblower attachment. Got it from an older guy on Craigslist that had bought it new, he paid over $7500 new. It has about 900 hours on it, which is nothing for a diesel, and will probably last forever. I dig the retro styling also, so I'd recommend something like that. Kubota's are exceptional machines, mine was built in Japan, but now they are all built in Canada, if that kind of thing matters to ya

JasonK · 01-03-2014, 12:21 PM

I work a pt job at a local big box store. I wouldn't exactly say that their mowers are all junk. Granted they are probably not the same exact model as you would find at your local John Deere store. But you can buy extended warranties from the box store, which I've seen people receive new unit's as replacements.

Unless your land is Flat, I'd stay away from a zero turn. They are dangerous and not recommended for nothing but flat surfaces.

I have a 54" cut Craftsman I bought 5 years ago. It's pretty nice and has held up well so far. I have a huge concrete pad and around an 80' drive. I recently sold my snow blade. Bought a used single stage snow thrower that is PTO driven. I works great but took a few seasons to perfect it. (had to "make" it fit my mower). However given the chance I'd go back to a snow blade. I'm sure you get much more snow than me.

I also wound up with an old Wheel Horse. It's old and an incredible unit. Fire it up and it sounds just like a tractor. You can still find attachments for it. I hope to get a tilller for it next year.

Good luck with your purchase.

01-01-2014, 10:02 PM	#1
flyinglow57 Drives: rumble bee,2SS 6sp Join Date: May 2009 Location: pittsburgh, PA Posts: 539	Lawn garden tractors Just bought 1.5 acres and maybe buying another .5 next to it What garden tractors you people have,recommend,want. How reliable also. Was looking at the $1500 ones. But see they may not last. Now looking towards john deere 300 series. I need a plow since ill have 300+ feet of driveway. __________________ blk 2ss 6spd with sunroof. intake,tsp cam,full exhaust,pcmforless tune,trailing arms,toe rods. hopeing for 11.9 because my g/f said she will take the cam and the suspension back if not.

01-01-2014, 10:46 PM	#3
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	Find yourself an old Cub Cadet, if it says "International Harvester Company" on the serial number plate, it'll probably last forever. We had an MTD-built Cub Cadet Model 1810 that lasted well over 20 years as well. Most of the stuff you see at Home Depot these days are absolute garbage. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

01-01-2014, 10:52 PM	#4
snymat68 Drives: 2013 Blue Ray 1LS M6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,227 View My Garage	+1 for gravely __________________ Performance Mods Elite Catch Can \| CAI Intake with Scoop & Washer Bottle Relocation \| MRT v2 Axle-Back Exhaust \| MagnaFlow Resonated X-Pipe \| Resonator Delete \| Vmax Ported Throttle Body \| GM Strut Tower Brace \| JDP Tow Hook \| Vitesse Throttle Controller Aesthetic Mods Chrome Peek-A-Boo Door Handles \| Interior Accessories Kit \| OEM RS HIDs w/ 6000k Bulbs & 5000k LED Fogs \| Tail Light, Marker Light, & Turn Signal Tint \| Tru-Sequence Sequential Turn Signals & Brake Lights \| Silver Fade Gill Stripes \| Carbon Fiber Bowties \| Various Chrome/Painted/Carbon Fiber Items

01-01-2014, 10:55 PM	#5
Muddflap Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Longview, Tx Posts: 797	Personally I won't buy anything with a B&S engine. I have had nothing but good luck with a Kohler engine. As far as brand of tractor, to me it doesn't really matter as long as it has a Kolher on it. __________________ TSP 1 7/8 LT, ADM Race Cold Air w/ Race Scoop, GPI SS3 LS3 Cam, Powerbond UD, 3.91 Gears, GPI Posi Mod. 498RWHP/451RWTQ

01-01-2014, 11:00 PM	#6
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	+1 Kohler engines FTW. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

01-01-2014, 10:16 PM	#2
shank0668 Drives: '14 LML/'06 LJ/'76 Trans Am Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,438 View My Garage	If you don't mind wrenching get something older and used. An older Deere (400 series) or an older IH/Cub Cadets are great. As far as new stuff... I honestly don't think they'll last near as long as the old stuff.

01-01-2014, 11:03 PM	#7
camaro2lt Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT VR/RS CGM Rally's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palmyra, PA Posts: 5,675 View My Garage	I have a cub cadet with the kawaski engine and have 196hours on it and it runs flawless....i cut grass in the summer for extra money and the mower does a great job

01-01-2014, 11:08 PM	#8
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,731	If you're going to buy new, go to an actual JD dealer instead of Home Depot or Lowes. Anything there will be garbage. Had a JD 1500 with a Kohler engine that lasted forever.

01-01-2014, 11:30 PM	#9
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	Also, word of advice from someone who mowed 2.2 acres from age 8 to 21... Tractors are great to have with that much land, especially if you do minor agricultural projects like my parents do. With that being said, a zero-turn radius mower cuts your mowing time down dramatically. With the 1810, it would take me a good 5 hours to mow the entire property. The ZTR mower my dad bought last year takes at most 2 hours. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

01-01-2014, 11:31 PM	#10
RubyCamaro Jan Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Red Jewel tintcoat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springfield, TN Posts: 16,225 View My Garage	If you take care of it a John Deer will last forever. Used ones are great too if you find one that was well cared for. And yeah, get one from a John Deer Dealer. __________________

01-03-2014, 09:12 AM	#11
flyinglow57 Drives: rumble bee,2SS 6sp Join Date: May 2009 Location: pittsburgh, PA Posts: 539	Leaning towards a husqvarna yt46Ls. __________________ blk 2ss 6spd with sunroof. intake,tsp cam,full exhaust,pcmforless tune,trailing arms,toe rods. hopeing for 11.9 because my g/f said she will take the cam and the suspension back if not.

01-03-2014, 11:28 AM	#12
11BEE 11 BEE Drives: 2011 LS2 RS & 2012 2SS RS 45th Vert Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kingwood, TX Posts: 733	Husqvarna is great. I have one now. I also have other lawn equipment made by them, and even a few of their shotguns. Great products. Now, I do have an affinity for things Swedish as I am married to a native Swede. __________________ 11Bee and I♥My45th

01-03-2014, 11:47 AM	#13
JimiBlaze Drives: 2013 BRM LS M6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 98	i bought 1.5 acres a few years ago and was also looking to spend $1,500. I found a 1988 Kubota G6200 with a 3-liter diesel, 48-inch deck and 48-inch snowblower attachment. Got it from an older guy on Craigslist that had bought it new, he paid over $7500 new. It has about 900 hours on it, which is nothing for a diesel, and will probably last forever. I dig the retro styling also, so I'd recommend something like that. Kubota's are exceptional machines, mine was built in Japan, but now they are all built in Canada, if that kind of thing matters to ya

01-03-2014, 12:21 PM	#14
JasonK Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 713 View My Garage	I work a pt job at a local big box store. I wouldn't exactly say that their mowers are all junk. Granted they are probably not the same exact model as you would find at your local John Deere store. But you can buy extended warranties from the box store, which I've seen people receive new unit's as replacements. Unless your land is Flat, I'd stay away from a zero turn. They are dangerous and not recommended for nothing but flat surfaces. I have a 54" cut Craftsman I bought 5 years ago. It's pretty nice and has held up well so far. I have a huge concrete pad and around an 80' drive. I recently sold my snow blade. Bought a used single stage snow thrower that is PTO driven. I works great but took a few seasons to perfect it. (had to "make" it fit my mower). However given the chance I'd go back to a snow blade. I'm sure you get much more snow than me. I also wound up with an old Wheel Horse. It's old and an incredible unit. Fire it up and it sounds just like a tractor. You can still find attachments for it. I hope to get a tilller for it next year. Good luck with your purchase.