Most exciting thread of the year? Let’s chat Ride On Lawn Mowers!

[67since67]

This was a nice mower for me, 2010, 48" deck, twin cylinder Kawasaki smooth and quiet. Deere mowers never die. If you are shopping new get the updated version or consider a 5 or 7 series with 54 or 60" deck.

Another possibility, new zero turn, and an older tractor for other tasks.

Bill W

[67since67]

After moving I needed more. The first year here I put 40 hours on this doing landscaping work with all sorts of 3 point equipment etc. Gets called in for heavy snow removal too and countless lifting tasks.
The three cylinder Yanmar diesel cut fuel consumption less than half.
Likely overkill for you but depends on what you need to accomplish.

Keep us posted Dan!

[Too Many Projects]

What brand does your local guy sell ?
I had a 2001 Toro 20 hp twin cylinder, air cooled, Briggs and Stratton with a 48" deck that cut 1 acre with for 18 years. I have a tow behind fertilizer spread and a sprayer cart with pump for weed control.


The Toro was getting tired with 970 hrs on it, so left it for the new owners when we sold 2 years ago. I bought the JD X540 from the owners of our new place. It had a 48" snow thrower that I sold the first winter, as I have a plow on my truck. A snow thrower is a much better removal tool than a plow.
It has the 54" mower deck. Our lot has a lot of slope to it too and the 22 hp, liquid cooled Kawasaki has plenty of power for anything I do. It's a 2010 that only 330 hours on it.

[MosportGreen66]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

What brand does your local guy sell ?
I had a 2001 Toro 20 hp twin cylinder, air cooled, Briggs and Stratton with a 48" deck that cut 1 acre with for 18 years. I have a tow behind fertilizer spread and a sprayer cart with pump for weed control.


The Toro was getting tired with 970 hrs on it, so left it for the new owners when we sold 2 years ago. I bought the JD X540 from the owners of our new place. It had a 48" snow thrower that I sold the first winter, as I have a plow on my truck. A snow thrower is a much better removal tool than a plow.
It has the 54" mower deck. Our lot has a lot of slope to it too and the 22 hp, liquid cooled Kawasaki has plenty of power for anything I do. It's a 2010 that only 330 hours on it.

Very nice JD!

Local rep sells Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and others. There is a JD rep about an hour away. You gents with JD seem to love the equipment, maybe I need to make a trip...

[67since67]

Originally Posted by MosportGreen66

There is a JD rep about an hour away. You gents with JD seem to love the equipment, maybe I need to make a trip...

Geez Dan, an hour?? Within an hour radius I have at least a dozen JD dealers, but this is IA not NY LOL!
Also some brand loyalty with five Deere mfg facilities in town.

There are other quality machines out there, pay attention to engine mfg and country of origin.

Deere is arguably considered the leader in most any market they are in, exceptions being zero turns and some construction equipment.

Bill W

[L16pilot]

I retired my 1978 Gravely in 2017 and bought a JD Zero-turn mower. I will "invest" in good quality equipment, maintain it well and keep it for decades. I only retired the Gravely because it was difficult getting parts. I looked at a dozen or so different zero-turn mfgrs and settled on JD for one main reason...parts availability for eons and their dealer network is extensive. I was originally looking at a 60" model, but settled on a 48" as I have some uneven ground and the dealer said the 48" might take a bit longer to mow, but would result in less gouging on uneven ground. My wife has horses, but we also have a 1983 Kubota with a bucket and bushog for taking care of heavier duty chores.