Riding Mower recommendations

[Orion]

I've had lawn tractors all my life, but two years ago I bought a Deere zero turn model (residential Z235) and would never go back to a tractor. The amount of control these mowers give you is unbelievable. I can actually make the mower deck go completely 360 around a rock with control down to less than a half inch. And, they can back up without shutting down the mower deck. There are other brands for less money, but a ZT mower is much more fun than a tractor.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Orion

I've had lawn tractors all my life, but two years ago I bought a Deere zero turn model (residential Z235) and would never go back to a tractor. The amount of control these mowers give you is unbelievable. I can actually make the mower deck go completely 360 around a rock with control down to less than a half inch. And, they can back up without shutting down the mower deck. There are other brands for less money, but a ZT mower is much more fun than a tractor.

As an ex professional lawn mower guy, I agree wholeheartedly! The control with a zero turn is very precise...of course when you spend nearly $13K on a mower, it had better be good! Mine was an Exmark Lazer Z HP and it was a pleasure to mow with! I would buy another if I ever decide to forego my Kubota BX but for now the Kubota will make do.
I would add that the little Craftsman I bought my daughters does go in reverse with the blades running...just have to turn the ignition key to a designated position and away you go!

[BroadHopper]

Interesting read regarding the brand after Sears sold the name.

https://mowersboy.com/where-are-craf...n-mowers-made/

Before Sears sold the name, I was told Husqvarna made the mowers.

[tis]

I hope this isn't changing the subject too much but I heard Briggs and Stratton filed bankruptcy.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by tis

I hope this isn't changing the subject too much but I heard Briggs and Stratton filed bankruptcy.

https://www.equipmentworld.com/brigg...les-agreement/

I'm still sad Tecumseh engines are no more.

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

https://www.equipmentworld.com/brigg...les-agreement/

I'm still sad Tecumseh engines are no more.

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You can still find some of them on line CHEAP! I just bought a 10 HP Tecumseh as a backup for a log splitter I have for $100.00. It was brand new in crate. Came with everything except gas tank. Still plenty of parts available online as well!

Dan

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

You can still find some of them on line CHEAP! I just bought a 10 HP Tecumseh as a backup for a log splitter I have for $100.00. It was brand new in crate. Came with everything except gas tank. Still plenty of parts available online as well!

Dan

My two brothers and father all bought '07 Craftsman snowblowers that all used the Tecumseh engine and, besides being loud as all get-out, they just won't quit. Oil change at the end of the season, prime in fall, crank 'er up!

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[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

My two brothers and father all bought '07 Craftsman snowblowers that all used the Tecumseh engine and, besides being loud as all get-out, they just won't quit. Oil change at the end of the season, prime in fall, crank 'er up!

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I agree! Loud as hell but bulletproof!

Dan

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

My two brothers and father all bought '07 Craftsman snowblowers that all used the Tecumseh engine and, besides being loud as all get-out, they just won't quit. Oil change at the end of the season, prime in fall, crank 'er up!

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Yup, my last snowblower was a Craftsman 9 X 29 with the Tecumseh engine, and it was LOUD, but that engine never missed a beat. The muffler would glow cherry red but it always started on the second pull and never disappointed.

The chassis was a different story, like my Craftsman mower, always some small thing that stopped me dead, but never the engine.

Between the Craftsman snowthrower and the mower, I have spent countless hours replacing cables, pins, bearings, etc. Never any serious expense, just annoying constant little things failing.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Yup, my last snowblower was a Craftsman 9 X 29 with the Tecumseh engine, and it was LOUD, but that engine never missed a beat. The muffler would glow cherry red but it always started on the second pull and never disappointed.

The chassis was a different story, like my Craftsman mower, always some small thing that stopped me dead, but never the engine.

Between the Craftsman snowthrower and the mower, I have spent countless hours replacing cables, pins, bearings, etc. Never any serious expense, just annoying constant little things failing.

In 13 years with a Craftsman tractor and snowblower, I've replaced exactly ONE shear pin and two or three sets of mower blades. That's it. Synthetic oil change at the end of the season, gas with Sta-bil, a quick cleaning of the air filter, and a turn of the key/pull of the string.

In fact, it's probably bad that I've not changed a single plug, fuel filter, belt, etc. I've not even had to adjust the deck or glide thingies on the blower!

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[XCR-700]

WOW, thats impressive. I must have gotten the problem models,,,

On my Craftsman 1000 series mower, I've replace the blade engagement cable 5 times and then pin on the blade engagement level broke once requiring replacement of that whole control. I've replace the spindle bearings once AND the whole spindle assemblies once. Rebuild the brakes once, and replaced the carb once. And while it generally mows throw anything I need it to, it never leaves an nice even finish without straggler blades of grass or strips of grass (failure to cut all the grass between the blades) regardless of the blades I buy. I've replaced the front tires twice and rears once. ETC, Etc, etc,,,

But it starts every time and except for the occasional cable failure, usually get the job done.

The snow thrower was a different story, the motor was flawless but for one carb replacement. And it generally gave better service than the mower, but it was not without its occasional drive failures. Replaced the friction wheel several times, broke the chain once, belts gave really poor service. But it was a brute for throwing snow, that motor would just kick in and blast the heaviest snow we got.

I replaced the snowthrower with a Honda 928, and honestly have no idea why I spent that much money. Could have bought 2+ Craftsman units for that price, and yet it is so well built is will probably outlast me! Not so much as a hiccup out of the Honda so far, its clearly best in class!

Not quite willing to go that route again (buying the most expensive model available) but I am willing to buy better than my Craftsman 1000 mower hoping it will hold up a bit better.

And in truth my biggest concern about another Craftsman is that its no longer owned by Sears, and while I had problems with my Craftsman equipment, I could always count on Sears to get me replacement parts that fit right and worked. And at the moment I dont have a good sense of that level of service to the Craftsman brand going forward.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

WOW, thats impressive. I must have gotten the problem models,,,

On my Craftsman 1000 series mower, I've replace the blade engagement cable 5 times and then pin on the blade engagement level broke once requiring replacement of that whole control. I've replace the spindle bearings once AND the whole spindle assemblies once. Rebuild the brakes once, and replaced the carb once. And while it generally mows throw anything I need it to, it never leaves an nice even finish without straggler blades of grass or strips of grass (failure to cut all the grass between the blades) regardless of the blades I buy. I've replaced the front tires twice and rears once. ETC, Etc, etc,,,

But it starts every time and except for the occasional cable failure, usually get the job done.

The snow thrower was a different story, the motor was flawless but for one carb replacement. And it generally gave better service than the mower, but it was not without its occasional drive failures. Replaced the friction wheel several times, broke the chain once, belts gave really poor service. But it was a brute for throwing snow, that motor would just kick in and blast the heaviest snow we got.

I replaced the snowthrower with a Honda 928, and honestly have no idea why I spent that much money. Could have bought 2+ Craftsman units for that price, and yet it is so well built is will probably outlast me! Not so much as a hiccup out of the Honda so far, its clearly best in class!

Not quite willing to go that route again (buying the most expensive model available) but I am willing to buy better than my Craftsman 1000 mower hoping it will hold up a bit better.

And in truth my biggest concern about another Craftsman is that its no longer owned by Sears, and while I had problems with my Craftsman equipment, I could always count on Sears to get me replacement parts that fit right and worked. And at the moment I dont have a good sense of that level of service to the Craftsman brand going forward.

It’s one of those things... upfront cost on your Honda is high but should give you piece of mind when you go hit the start button!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

My two brothers and father all bought '07 Craftsman snowblowers that all used the Tecumseh engine and, besides being loud as all get-out, they just won't quit. Oil change at the end of the season, prime in fall, crank 'er up!

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The Tecumsah old snow king... no air cleaner still?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

The Tecumsah old snow king... no air cleaner still?

This is gonna sound horrible, but...is there an air cleaner on my machine?!

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[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

This is gonna sound horrible, but...is there an air cleaner on my machine?!

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For year Tecumseh didn’t use them on the snowblowers, just put a vented metal cover over the carb. Solid logic given the lack of dirt dust that time of year.

There is one on your mower though- you should clean it at least yearly. I can help if needed.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

For year Tecumseh didn’t use them on the snowblowers, just put a vented metal cover over the carb. Solid logic given the lack of dirt dust that time of year.

There is one on your mower though- you should clean it at least yearly. I can help if needed.

I've cleaned the one in my tractor at least once a year (I sometimes have a dusty yard), but I don't think my snowblower has one...!!!

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