What's a good lawn tractor for $3-5K?

[Mark Henry]

The old 50" husky has died and I don't feel like throwing any more cash at it.

I have 2 acres of lawn minimum (10 acres max if I had the speed to do it) to cut and the old girl took me about 3+ hours just to do that.
I've been looking at the Home Debit/ Lowes 54" entry level John Deere at $3k but I'm afraid it won't be any faster than to old mower. I'm also worried that this is just a cheap chinese LT built for the BigBox stores.
John Deere - D170 26HP V-Twin-ELS Lawn Tractor, Hydrostatic Transmission, 54 Cutting Deck - D170 BG20604 - Home Depot Canada

I have no clue what to look for with the zero turn mowers, if I could I'd buy a commercial unit, but I don't have the budget for it.
I have an ATV to do my snowplowing and utility trailer duties, so it's mostly just grass cutting.
$5k is about my budget max, I don't want to finance. Doesn't have to be brand new, but I don't really know what to look for other than the basics.

What do you like, suggest and/or use for a good LT in my price range?

[Seahawk]

Have you thought about the mower decks that tow behind an ATV?

I know two guys that have them and love 'em.

[asphaltgambler]

MO - the main deciding factor is whether you are commited to mowing the 10 acres or not. If so, then is the land mostly flat? or very hilly? Are there a lot of obsticles to mow around?

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

MO - the main deciding factor is whether you are commited to mowing the 10 acres or not. If so, then is the land mostly flat? or very hilly? Are there a lot of obsticles to mow around?

Quite a few new small trees around the borders then mostly open field. We are on a hill, but it's not to steep, mostly up and down hills, not a lot of side tracking. I would like mow more than the 2 acres, but I don't want to be all day doing it.

Seahawk
Have you thought about the mower decks that tow behind an ATV?

I know two guys that have them and love 'em.

My neighbor had one and it only lasted 2-3 years. My lawn can be wet in the spring and fall and the ATV tends to rip up the lawn when you turn. I'd also still need a small LT just to do around the trees. Too many turns, trees and places that I have to back out of.

[MT930]

D170 26HP V-Twin-ELS Lawn Tractor, Hydrostatic Transmission, 54" Cutting Deck

Thats a decent mower we use one to mow 2.2 Acres of lawn at my moms house. It can handle the heavy stuff.


I have a Toro 48'' 18 HP that I cut about 1.75 acres of lawn. it's slow.

The zero turns are the best if you have alot of trees and fence lines. they are more money. It will be my next purchase Deere or Husqurvrna

We also use a 60'' woods finish mower on a 30 HP Kubota for the horse pastures.
It works great but is to hard on the lawn for regular use, no tight turns even in 2 wheel drive. Cuts an acre in 20 mins.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

The old 52' husky has died and I don't feel like throwing any more cash at it.

I have 2 acres of lawn minimum (10 acres max if I had the speed to do it) to cut and the old girl took me about 3+ hours just to do that.
I've been looking at the Home Debit/ Lowes 54" entry level John Deere at $3k but I'm afraid it won't be any faster than to old mower. I'm also worried that this is just a cheap chinese LT built for the BigBox stores.
John Deere - D170 26HP V-Twin-ELS Lawn Tractor, Hydrostatic Transmission, 54 Cutting Deck - D170 BG20604 - Home Depot Canada

I have no clue what to look for with the zero turn mowers, if I could I'd buy a commercial unit, but I don't have the budget for it.
I have an ATV to do my plowing and utility trailer duties, so it's mostly just grass cutting.
$5k is about my budget max, I don't want to finance. Doesn't have to be brand new, but I don't really know what to look for other than the basics.

What do you like, suggest and/or use for a good LT in my price range?

I have that same mower, badged as a Husquvarna. I've used it for the past 4 years on my 3 acres of grass and its worked well. No issues whatsoever.

[1990C4S]

You selling the old one?

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

You selling the old one?

yes.

[EarlyPorsche]

Any used diesel tractor will be nice for that use. Get yourself a used diesel Kubota easily for that much money.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Any used diesel tractor will be nice for that use. Get yourself a used diesel Kubota easily for that much money.

I've been looking for something along those lines, but so far I've seen nothing local.
Also in a couple of weeks I'll have a hayfield, so I have to pull the trigger soon.

[Rusty Heap]

I've got 17 years use through 2 Sears riding mower 42" decks. Sears is great because you can always get parts for them.

I'm now in the market like you, I have a couple acres to mow.

Sears has a new "pro" line in yellow paint you may want to look at.

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

That said, Home Depot has a good selection, and I'm looking at the Ariens/Husquvarna line like the 46" with 22 hp V-twin for $1500. Yes they have a 54" too.


Outdoors - Outdoor Power Equipment - Riding Mowers - Gas Riding Mowers at The Home Depot

[Mark Henry]

I got almost 20years out of my husky, I'd buy another but they all seem to have the small rear tires now.
I want a full size LT.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Any used diesel tractor will be nice for that use. Get yourself a used diesel Kubota easily for that much money.

3 cyl Yanmar diesel. Stump puller. Got it on ebay for $2200.00 with only 900 hrs on it. Bullet proof and I mow 2 acres in an hour maybe. 48" deck. It has dual hydros so I have a lift and angle for my 54" dozer blade. It's a beast.

[LakeCleElum]

Agree with Targ911s - Can't beat an older JD 300 series.....I have a316, has 54" deck, snowblower, hydro 4 angle blade and rototiller. Bought used for $1,900.....Step up to a 318 and you have power steering.......Gas engines are good, diesel better...

[porsche4life]

Find a used Ferris... Would be you best bet for a used ZTR, would also have the smoothest ride.

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Agree with Targ911s - Can't beat an older JD 300 series.....I have a316, has 54" deck, snowblower, hydro 4 angle blade and rototiller. Bought used for $1,900.....Step up to a 318 and you have power steering.......Gas engines are good, diesel better...

The 318 has ALL the toys. H3 hydros and a ton of add ons. It's gas but they rock.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by MT930

... on a 30 HP Kubota ...

That was my dream;



With all the attachment, but the wife said no and send me a link to this instead



Mark

Get a Kubota

[mgatepi]

I did the whole used tractor thing for the past 15 years, went thru 4 of them, 2 JD's and 2 Cubs. Got sick and tired of always fixing and repairing instead of mowing!! So I bit the bullet and bought a new Dixie Chopper Silver Eagle, with a 60" deck and snow plow. Now I cant understand why I hadnt done this earlier!! I mow a very rough 2+ acres, and with my conventional tractors it would take me about 1.75 to 2 hours. I now cut in less than an hour.

mg

[chuckw951]

I have a 2 acre lot and about 1 acre to mow. I bought a JD 304x (4 wheel steering) last spring and it's been great. I think it is the perfect size for my yard. I think you would need something bigger and faster.

If you are considering a JD, you might consider talking to the folks on this forum.

John Deere Forum - MyTractorForum.com - The Friendliest Tractor Forum and Best Place for Tractor Information

[vash]

my friend has this one. i dont know how it runs, because he wont let me near it. looks like a blast.

i think he spent near $5k. it is toro titan. very manueverable.