Klutz Needs Good, Cheap Garden Tractor

14 years ago

I need an LT and I don't want to spend more than $2K. The $2,000 Ariens is on sale for $1800 with free shipping. Here's the description:

54 In. Deck 25 HP Kohler Engine Hydrostatic Yard Tractor includes "Free Blades for Life" Model A25K54YT

Is that a good mower? Consumer Reports doesn't rate that one and they prefer the John Deere over most others. I'm also considering a JD-LA105 because it's the only tractor that's very highly rated for mulching. Yes. I much prefer mulching over bagging. But the LA105 is the low end for JD (less power, not a hydro, etc.)

I'll be mowing over 2 acres, mostly flat, with a few small hills and a couple of obstacles. There are plenty of downed branches to boot. If they can be mowed and ground up, that would be a big plus. Please let me know your opinion based on experience.

BTW, my maintenance skill is very limited!

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Comments (11)

rcbe
14 years ago
Blowin the dust off again...

Repost of Slammer's Rules...

1. Carefully evaluate the size mower you need and buy at least one size larger.

2. NEVER buy a mower from ANYPLACE that will not let you test drive it or at least a similar model. Ergonomics are just as important as performance and capability.
(Vitally important!)

3. DO NOT base your purchase on price or brand name alone! Do proper research and find all of the available models that fit your criteria and haggle, save, or trade to get the right equipment for the job. Do not compromise!

If you follow these three tips you will end up a happy camper with just the right unit for the job. If you disregard this advice your gonna end up with One or the other of the following problems:

A. Buyers remorse. Stuck with a piece of junk or simply a unit inadequate for the task at hand.

Or..

B. A teed off spouse when you start shopping for another tractor just 3 - 6 months down the road because you didn't buy the right unit in the first place.

Now go forth and shop and try and have fun!
colden
Original Author
14 years ago
I had already read Slammer's Rules, and they constitute good general advice. However, specific advice is needed because no test drive will tell me how a particular mower (listed in my first post) will hold up, nor how well (or poorly) it cuts or handles. Is the new Ariens any good? The specs look OK, but go to the Ariens site and they won't let a shopper like me download a lousy manual! John Deere has no problem with that. Consumer Reports says the lowest priced JD tractor is the only one that's rated as excellent on mulching and needs no blade change. What about the Ariens? I can't seem to find out.
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Here's my story: I've spent $700 bucks for 13 years of mowing. And I've been ridin' in the saddle. I mow about an acre, two or three times a month. I let the grass get a little too tall sometimes, but these mowers have had no problem cutting it down. My first was a Craftsman 14 or a 16 hp that I paid 100 bucks for. I only bought one battery in 5 years. It was probably from the 80s or 90s. The engine was still strong but the rest was shot. Time for a new one. So, I ended up calling a guy and he said "come on by, I have one for sale." He had a Murray he wanted 200 for. But I noticed a larger yard man sitting under a tree, it was a hydraulic 18 hp Yard Man that he said needed some TLC. I asked him what it needed. He said just a "little this and that." I've heard that before! Dig? I said, does it Run?" He said yes, and after some effort we got it cranked. I bought it. I just had a feeling about it. The quality stuck out. Hydraulics will last longer. I know a little something. But It was a little risky. I knew it needed a little help under the deck. I paid $225.00 for it. But 8 years later, it!'s still running. That Kohler engine is great. It's a 1996 model. It takes a little effort to get it cranked, I use a little ether and have a process, because I don't want to kill my battery with excess cranks.? I've spent $400 over the last 8 years on it. There's a pro mechanic who has put a belt on it. and some pulleys and such under the deck, batteries. I mow my lawn in 30 to 40 minutes. That saves me an hour versus the push type. Saves my back even more. My mechanic said the Kohler engine is as good as a Honda. This was a high time machine before I got it. I can just tell. But I've only put about 100 hours on it or so. I'm trying to stretch the life out by mowing only 2, maybe 3 times a month. If I mow every week, there's no need for the ether -- but I like for my grass to grow tall before cutting -- it keeps it thicker and better looking. My neighbors have a love- hate relationship with me.
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ckr74
14 years ago
Spend a little extra and get a JD. Go to a dealer and test drive one. Have fun shopping!
ghammer
14 years ago
Take a look at the new Dixon lawn tractors at homedepot.com

gary
colden
Original Author
14 years ago
Good specs, good price on the Dixons. So I went to the manufacturer's website to download a Manual. Well, their manual search function did not recognize the model number, so no manual for me.

I did note on a page of FAQs their recommendation:

"Clean with compressed air whenever possible. Wash with water only when absolutely necessary. Water cannot be completely removed from the mower and will cause rust and corrosion in concealed areas of the mower. Water can also get into the wire and plug-ins which may short out those electrical connections. If water is used, use compressed air or a leaf blower to dry the unit."

A lot of tractors have "wash-out ports" where a hose is attached to clean it, including the Dixon! I found this quite interesting.
ghammer
14 years ago
colden,the manuals are on the website,scroll down to bottom of page
gary
wheelhorse_of_course
14 years ago
Excellent advice with regards to water...
tomhoffman
14 years ago
Quality, Longevity, Cheap. Pick one, you can't get all three.

Sorry to be terse. You can't get quality or anything that will last much past the warranty for cheap.

So, if you are really cheap, spend your money and takes your chance. There is no amount of advice that will overcome and make cheap into quality.
colden
Original Author
14 years ago
Tomhoffman said "Quality, Longevity, Cheap. Pick one, you can't get all three." To a degree, this is true. But to a degree, it is not. By these standards, a 2-yr. warranty would equal a 2-yr. warranty and nevermind the brand...or the price.

Ghammer, no manual downloaded for me at the Dixon site. As I said, "manual search function" did not recognize the model number. Btw, Do you know who makes it?
ghammer
14 years ago
AYP makes the dixon tractors.The parts manual is virtualy the same as the manual for a craftsman 917.289283.

gary
gardenerchance
14 years ago
To get an operator's manual at the Dixon website, try entering 960460013 as the manufacturer's part number. It should return a .pdf file for the 54" garden tractor. In my opinion, three outstanding features of this machine (for the price) are the Kawasaki engine, the electric deck lift, and the standard sleeve hitch. Once you download the manual, you'll be able to see that the warranty is underwritten by the company that owns Dixon, Husqvarna.

Klutz Needs Good, Cheap Garden Tractor

Comments (11)

rcbe

colden
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ghammer

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Klutz Needs Good, Cheap Garden Tractor

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