Riding Lawn Mowers

[motorhead]

Well it looks like my 5 year old WalMart special 22" self propelled B&S "Brute" is about to give up the ghost - so I have about a week to find a replacement to mow our flat 3/4 acre lot.
 
We have decided that a riding mower would be the best investment for the sake of time and money vs. replacing what we have with more of the same.
 
From what I have read I don't need a zero-turn unit.
 
What I believe I need is:
a) 42" cut
b) +/-20hp (I like the idea of a V-twin engine)
c) Robust design (which is adapable to a mulcher)
d) A good warranty (more than 1yr is preferred)
e) Ability to pull lawn accessories (ie. a rolling drum); and
f) Maybe the ability to run a snowblower attachment (because my driveway is 150' long).
 
I'd rather not spend more than $2000 (taxes in).

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Shimy87]

Get a couple year old John Deere, they are built like tanks, fits all your requirements except the warranty ( you wont need it) and with regular maintainence wont give you any trouble for YEARS. I had an 1985 185, just upgraded to a zero turn 445 and gave the 185 to my father in law. He had a 2 year old Huskvarna and says the 28 year old JD does a better job, is quieter, turns easier. I'm sure this 445 will be the last mower I'll need to buy as I'm 47 now. My father and uncle have also had the same experience with JD.
  Forgot to mention my lawn is about 3.5 acres so it got used ALOT
Just my 2 cents

[Pyro6]

Well it looks like my 5 year old WalMart special 22" self propelled B&S "Brute" is about to give up the ghost - so I have about a week to find a replacement to mow our flat 3/4 acre lot.
 
We have decided that a riding mower would be the best investment for the sake of time and money vs. replacing what we have with more of the same.
 
From what I have read I don't need a zero-turn unit.
 
What I believe I need is:
a) 42" cut
b) +/-20hp (I like the idea of a V-twin engine)
c) Robust design (which is adapable to a mulcher)
d) A good warranty (more than 1yr is preferred)
e) Ability to pull lawn accessories (ie. a rolling drum); and
f) Maybe the ability to run a snowblower attachment (because my driveway is 150' long).
 
I'd rather not spend more than $2000 (taxes in).

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I wished you lived close to me. One of my friends is trading in his Cub Cadet because he is anal retentive. Sounds like it would work for you.

[stevemon]

I put in Tif 419 grass here and bought a Cub Cadet RTZS 42" Zero Turn. Could not recommend it more for the way it cuts. If a pretty lawn is important to you, check others in your area and ask those with the better looking yards what mower they use.

[tb3]

the most important thing to me in a riding  mower is how fast it is. 
I sometimes use it to run to the parts store when the gn is broke   

[earlbrown]

the most important thing to me in a riding  mower is how fast it is. 
I sometimes use it to run to the parts store when the gn is broke   

Good thing they don't have odometers!! 

[tb3]

my crazyest story on a lawn mower. 
 
I was mowing on the john deere down by the pond and you know how sometimes you hit patches with mostly dirt and no grass, maybes some pine combs, sticks and what-not,...and the blades just kick crap up everywhere, especially when its windy.... 
So I'm cruising along cuttin and jammin some tom petty or bruce springsten or the like through my head phones,... and I'm noticing a ton of debris all around me and the tractor, a couple seconds later it occured to me theres no wind, or anything I should be kicking up being I'm mowing thick grass. 
then, one of the "debris" lands right on the top of my right hand.  It was one of those huge yellow and black bumble-bees   
I was in a swarm of hundreds if not thousands of these giant bumble-bees!
I jumped off that tractor screaming like a girl and I bet I ran a half-mile doing karate-chops and ninja-kicks.
its a good thing the kill switch in the seat was working casue I sure as heck wasn't going back to shut it off!
I came back the next day armed with spray and a rain coat.
didn't see a single bee
 

[motorhead]

Good story... I got attacked by a nest of yellow jackets TWICE last year. Pain and inflammation like you wouldn't believe - burning my flesh off hurts less.

We are getting a John Deere D140 (3 blades and a 48" cut backed by a 22hp v-twin) and upgrading to mulching blades.  It can carry a snowblower attachment too.

http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/products/equipment/riding_mowers/lawn_tractors/100_series/d140/d140.page

Getting it for $2200 before taxes, but financed at 0% for 12 months.  Can't beat that.

[Just a Six?]

Looks good but I say we take it to the track & see what kinda 60ft times it pulls?? 

[daveismissing]

Mikey always has extra turbos laying around....

[motorhead]

I may think about boosting it after it is out of the warranty period.

[motorhead]

Look what arrived yesterday afternoon; I can't believe I didn't get one sooner... it is like go karting!

22hp in a sub-500lb chassis is fun!

[daveismissing]

Dude,... needs rims...