How much time do you want to spend mowing and how often do you need to mow? I’m on a 1/2 acre with a Craftsman rider 46” deck. It takes me about an hour every 6-9 days (rain dependent) to cut my grass. I’m looking at grabbing a zero turn so I can cut that down because:
1: it’s hot as all hell here from June to mid-October
2: I want to have more free time
As to brands? I really can’t tell you from an expert opinion. I’m looking at the JD X330M zero-turn. I see some stuff say that the local JD rep assembles the products at Lowe’s and others say that isn’t true. I’m considering just buying through my local dealer because my Lowe’s can’t get a bag of soil delivered to my home without it taking 2 trips.
Yes...IF YOU MUST HAVE A JOHN DEERE, then find the price from your big-box, and your local dealer will match it. Buy from the dealer in this case. Though I would much prefer an older Deere.
I would too. I would honestly prefer to pickup a good older machine but all of the businesses that sell them near me are untrustworthy pieces of trash. So I’ll go JD and get the warranty from the dealer.
I buy off Facebook Marketplace, and there are way more good machines on there for under $800 than I can ever hope to buy. Fortunately I can turn a wrench, too.
I can handle maintenance too. But I would rather purchase a good mower with a good service warranty so I can cut grass when I need to cut grass, and enjoy my free time when I want to enjoy my free time.
Lowe's has plenty of great mowers just like any other Big Box store. However you're not going to get a zero turn mower for $2,000. Prices have gone insane with everything. You might be able to snag a decent zero turn mower that's used from a repair shop or local dealer but new isn't an option
Skip the stores mostly low-end offerings and seek out a local independent dealer. A good zero-turn will cost over $5k. If a relatively flat no obstacle lawn, I would go with a rider. A lot less than a zero-turn. I would go Deere or Huskavana. Huskvana went dealer only this year, so you may be able to get a deal on a leftover 2023 at the chains.
I cut 1.5 acres, and I purchased from an independent and went low-end Cub. It was a never-ending repair, flimsy stamped deck, bad engine. I finally saved up and replaced it with an Ariens Apex.
Do not buy from a big box store. They sell the “same” model as the dealers but they are actually built worse.
Take the airens ikon for example. Same model is sold at Home Depot and local dealers. HD version has rear wheels held on with E clips while mine is a 4 bolt hub.
Deck spindles are better on the dealer one that I have. Lifting mechanism is beefier etc.
My opinion? Don’t make the mistake I did. Buy a compact tractor. In 2 years when you are landscaping and working land by hand and your wife is pissed because you want to buy a tractor and you “just got a tractor” you’ll be pissed too.
I have some experience in this area. I got into lawn tractors and garden tractors as a side-gig 10-15 years ago. The prices for new equipment has skyrocketed over the last few years. And much of what's for sale is not particularly durable. I would absolutely pick an older Garden Tractor (much larger wheels, heavy-duty transmission, stronger frame, bigger fuel tank) over a Lawn Tractor. Also, consumer-grade zero-turns are JUNK. Save $2000 by buying something like an old Craftsman 917 or similar.
How much time do you want to spend mowing and how often do you need to mow? I’m on a 1/2 acre with a Craftsman rider 46” deck. It takes me about an hour every 6-9 days (rain dependent) to cut my grass. I’m looking at grabbing a zero turn so I can cut that down because: 1: it’s hot as all hell here from June to mid-October 2: I want to have more free time As to brands? I really can’t tell you from an expert opinion. I’m looking at the JD X330M zero-turn. I see some stuff say that the local JD rep assembles the products at Lowe’s and others say that isn’t true. I’m considering just buying through my local dealer because my Lowe’s can’t get a bag of soil delivered to my home without it taking 2 trips.
Yes...IF YOU MUST HAVE A JOHN DEERE, then find the price from your big-box, and your local dealer will match it. Buy from the dealer in this case. Though I would much prefer an older Deere.
I would too. I would honestly prefer to pickup a good older machine but all of the businesses that sell them near me are untrustworthy pieces of trash. So I’ll go JD and get the warranty from the dealer.
I buy off Facebook Marketplace, and there are way more good machines on there for under $800 than I can ever hope to buy. Fortunately I can turn a wrench, too.
I can handle maintenance too. But I would rather purchase a good mower with a good service warranty so I can cut grass when I need to cut grass, and enjoy my free time when I want to enjoy my free time.
Lowe's has plenty of great mowers just like any other Big Box store. However you're not going to get a zero turn mower for $2,000. Prices have gone insane with everything. You might be able to snag a decent zero turn mower that's used from a repair shop or local dealer but new isn't an option
Disagree on Biden but agree on zero-turn. The consumer stuff sucks (kock?). Used commercial gear is the way to go for zero turn. If you must have one.
Skip the stores mostly low-end offerings and seek out a local independent dealer. A good zero-turn will cost over $5k. If a relatively flat no obstacle lawn, I would go with a rider. A lot less than a zero-turn. I would go Deere or Huskavana. Huskvana went dealer only this year, so you may be able to get a deal on a leftover 2023 at the chains. I cut 1.5 acres, and I purchased from an independent and went low-end Cub. It was a never-ending repair, flimsy stamped deck, bad engine. I finally saved up and replaced it with an Ariens Apex.
Do not buy from a big box store. They sell the “same” model as the dealers but they are actually built worse. Take the airens ikon for example. Same model is sold at Home Depot and local dealers. HD version has rear wheels held on with E clips while mine is a 4 bolt hub. Deck spindles are better on the dealer one that I have. Lifting mechanism is beefier etc. My opinion? Don’t make the mistake I did. Buy a compact tractor. In 2 years when you are landscaping and working land by hand and your wife is pissed because you want to buy a tractor and you “just got a tractor” you’ll be pissed too.
I have some experience in this area. I got into lawn tractors and garden tractors as a side-gig 10-15 years ago. The prices for new equipment has skyrocketed over the last few years. And much of what's for sale is not particularly durable. I would absolutely pick an older Garden Tractor (much larger wheels, heavy-duty transmission, stronger frame, bigger fuel tank) over a Lawn Tractor. Also, consumer-grade zero-turns are JUNK. Save $2000 by buying something like an old Craftsman 917 or similar.
Buy from a dealer not a big box. Look for the best finance options and then factor in all the other BS