It was time for a new mower

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Frankenmower had 1350 hours on it, needed a starter, solenoid, and bunch of other small stuff, and was too small for my new place. The local Grasshopper dealer is only 6 miles away so I stopped in and ordered a new machine. Put the old one on Craig's list for $800 and it was gone in 12 hours.
The new mower has a 26hp vertical shaft V-twin and a lot of nice ease of maintenance features. The deck has power height adjustment that tilts it up at about 90 degrees for storage and maintenance. Oil change is a snap - you don't even have to get under it.

Frankenmower has seen better days. The deck, fenders, and some other parts are off a mover I bought in 1995. I bought the rest of it in about 2008.

I like a front mounted deck. They are getting hard to find. The Deere dealer said Deere doesn't even make one anymore, and a lot of manufacturers are dropping them. They are LONG. They're great for trimming, but you have to be aware of where the back of the mower is. MrsWD has given lots of trees lawnmower disease over the year.

Nickshu · Nickshu's Garage

Nice one!

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

I owned the orange version of that several years ago (Woods Mow'n Machine).. Liked it but like my Hustler Super Z way more.
You went all out on that thing! Electronic lift on the deck? Looks like a linear actuator on the left side. You'll probably have the same love hate relationship with the dual wheels on the back that I had. I loved them for the ride, but hated that I'd smack stuff with them due to the wider stance.

HardDrive · 04-18-2019, 05:15 AM

I need to get a mower. Small battery powered unit. I have not started researching yet.

Sarc · 04-18-2019, 06:37 AM

I love how utilitarian that thing looks. Reminds of the finishes found on the all the equipment hauled around on our high school A/C cart back in the day.
Enjoy it!

Baz · Baz's Garage

That's a very good brand. If you are using a mulching deck, they do make Gator blades for it.

Congrats!

herr_oberst · 04-18-2019, 07:02 AM

You could probably get the neighbor kids to do your lawn for free now, if they get to use that fancy machine!
I decided your new grasshopper needed wings in the spirit of the Mobil Pegasus.

Zeke · 04-18-2019, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

You could probably get the neighbor kids to do your lawn for free now, if they get to use that fancy machine!
I decided your new grasshopper needed wings in the spirit of the Mobil Pegasus.

Needs an air cooled flat 6 stood up.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Now we're gonna have a "show me your zero turn mower" thread.

speeder · 04-18-2019, 09:38 AM

That's a serious looking machine!

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabmando

You went all out on that thing! Electronic lift on the deck? Looks like a linear actuator on the left side.

Yes, you pull the big loop up to lift the actuator stop and flip a switch the deck stands up almost 90 degrees. Great for storage.
Did you notice the cup holder?

JackDidley · JackDidley's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I need to get a mower. Small battery powered unit. I have not started researching yet.

This is the one Ive been looking at. $2500 at Lowes. I only have 1/3 acre.

fastfredracing · 04-18-2019, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

You could probably get the neighbor kids to do your lawn for free now, if they get to use that fancy machine!
I decided your new grasshopper needed wings in the spirit of the Mobil Pegasus.

Hell, Id come out a mow for free on that rig ! Im waaaay over due for a commercial zero turn. i just don't want to write the check .
I've been using the same beater old craftsman for the last 3 years now . I have to weld the deck up a couple of times every season .
I love mowing grass .

Jeff Higgins · 04-18-2019, 02:33 PM

I wound up having to get a new mower about 5-6 years ago. My old mower graduated high school and went off to college. My new mower is her younger brother, now also in college, but he stayed local. When he finally moves out, he still has two younger brothers and a younger sister, all eager to learn the trade. I should have new, well maintained, reliable mowers for at least another ten years.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Yes, you pull the big loop up to lift the actuator stop and flip a switch the deck stands up almost 90 degrees. Great for storage.
Did you notice the cup holder?

My mower goes so fast I don't have time for a cup holder! I get the job done fast so I can get down to the serious business of drinking beer!

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Nice mower! When I bought our last house, I was faced with 2 acres of lawn

I hate cutting lawn. But I figured if I bought a commercial 0-turn it shouldn't be bad. Got a Scag Tiger with 17,000 feet/min blade speed and 11MPH cutting speed (that's flying on a mower). The problem was that unless you're cutting the fairways at Augusta, there's no way you can go that fast with all the bumps in a typical lawn. It turned into 2+ hours of misery, not including trimming. Sold it the following year and hired a lawn service. Sometimes I would pull out a lawn chair, pour a bourbon and just watch them go back and forth, back and forth for the full 2 hours. It was awesome.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Nice mower! When I bought our last house, I was faced with 2 acres of lawn

I hate cutting lawn. But I figured if I bought a commercial 0-turn it shouldn't be bad. Got a Scag Tiger with 17,000 feet/min blade speed and 11MPH cutting speed (that's flying on a mower). The problem was that unless you're cutting the fairways at Augusta, there's no way you can go that fast with all the bumps in a typical lawn. It turned into 2+ hours of misery, not including trimming. Sold it the following year and hired a lawn service. Sometimes I would pull out a lawn chair, pour a bourbon and just watch them go back and forth, back and forth for the full 2 hours. It was awesome.

Try hanging on to 14 mph! Yeah... I roll my lawn.

Jims5543 · 04-18-2019, 05:15 PM

I purchased a Husqvarna self propelled walk behind and gave my BIL my Craftsman walk behind, I always wanted a Husqvarna and man I was disappointed. It was a POS. After 2 years and welding pieces breaking off I was so over it.

I went back to Sears and got another Craftsman.

I am abusive with it, I do not change the oil and now when it needs some I just add Lucas oil treatment to it. By my estimate it is running on pure Lucas.

I also put Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas and toss a good dose on the tank from time to time. Never need a crab cleaning, 10 years running.

I abuse the hell out of it, the only thing I have done to it is a spark plug and a new drive belt.

It will not die.

Steve Carlton · 04-18-2019, 05:32 PM

I'm reporting you to the SPCM.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Nice mower! When I bought our last house, I was faced with 2 acres of lawn

I hate cutting lawn. But I figured if I bought a commercial 0-turn it shouldn't be bad. Got a Scag Tiger with 17,000 feet/min blade speed and 11MPH cutting speed (that's flying on a mower). The problem was that unless you're cutting the fairways at Augusta, there's no way you can go that fast with all the bumps in a typical lawn. It turned into 2+ hours of misery, not including trimming.

I know what you mean about cutting lawn. It's like vacuuming the house - you just finish and it's time to start again.
I have a 6 foot finish mower that I drag behind my Kubota for the acre or so that doesn't have many plantings. The up close stuff is what I use the Grasshoper for.
I feel blessed to have this much space and the challenges of taking care of it,