Simplicity dealer in town. Going to go look.

16 years ago

Even thought the season is pretty much over here in Roanoke I'm looking for my first LT/GT. The yard needs to be cut. 1.25 acre, mostly flat several trees, a small incline to the front.

I've looked at the Lowe's, HD, Sears and a Cub dealer. Next is the Simplicity dealer I discovered through their website. I'm trying to keep the price under $2,300 total so that would put me in the Regent line.

All I know about them is what I've read here and on their webiste this week. The big box stores marketing departments have me on the v-twin, 48" to 54" deck camp but I think 44" would be fine. Seems I'd get a better cut with a smaller deck as the lawn isn't table top smooth.

What's the real scoop on the current Kohlers in the Regent line and what can you tell me about their decks, the rollers and striping? I don't really care about striping but why or how is it something Simplicity's decks can do?

FYI, thought I was down to deciding between two Sears tractors, the MTS5500 and the DYS6500, both with B&S V-twin engines. Is Kohler more reliable in single and twins?

Thanks,

Hydrogoat

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Comments (6)

sadixon49
16 years ago
I don't think there is much difference between Kohler and Briggs at this price point. The Kolher Courage and the Briggs Intek are very competetive, i.e. about the same. If you have a Kohler Command that is a dfferent story, but I think you have to get into a Broadmoor to get a Kolher Command engine.

BTW, I am surprised that you can get a Kohler engine in a Regent. Briggs and Stratton has owned Simplicity since mid 2004, and it was bought to provide an outlet for their engines.
fatjack
16 years ago
I can only address the striping issue, but it is a feature that evolved from Simplicity's patented deck mounting system... the "free floating" mower deck. It has the deck attached only to the front of the tractor and "floating" at the rear, riding on the rollers. It's been on Simplicities since the 50's and has been able to make stripes since then. Only in the last few years has
Simplicity been pointing this out as lawn striping became more popular led by the professional lawn care guys and of course, baseball parks.

Striping is simply the result of a roller pushing the grass down in one direction as it's cut; a pass next to it in the opposite direction will lay the grass in the other direction and the difference will appear as a stripe. Stripes going away from you will appear lighter,stripes toward you will appear darker. You could actually stripe your lawn with just a lawn roller, it has nothing to do with the lawn being cut.

Although the floating deck was developed to deliver a smooth lawn appearance, when striping began to gain popularity, this unintented feature started to appear in Simplicity's marketing efforts. Some people like it and show off their striped lawns, others don't particularly care about it and cut their lawns without regard to a striping pattern.

Most folks usually cut their laws in a circle, going around the outside and moving toward the center with each pass. I guess if you looked at the lawn when they're done, one side of the lawn may look darker than the other with the most noticible difference where one pass is next to another in the opposite direction.

The Regent used to have a "hybrid" mower mount in the rear that didn't put the full weight of the deck on the rollers, but it still striped pretty well. That may have changed by now.

Don't rule out Simplicity just because you don't intend to stripe your lawn.

FJ
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hydrostatic_goat
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for that. lol. No, I wouldn't base a decision on striping. I was curious about how it happened, that's all.
As far as Kohlers in Simplicity products, I found that by looking under the specs at their website.

I'm a big guy, 6'1" at 270lb so I'm leaning toward as stout a drivetrain as will fall in my price range. The most I might do with it beyond mowing is pulling a spreader, the kid's wagon or maybe push a snow blade for my short driveway.

Thanks,

Hydrogoat
lkbum_gw
16 years ago
Hydro,
You might want to check the review in the attached link on the Broadmoor. May help some as you look.

Here is a link that might be useful: Simplicity Broadmoor review
simpleman
16 years ago
Hydrogoat, I'm your size and I don't think you'll be happy with any of the tractors you have been looking at. It's as much a comfort issue as well as tranny issue. You might be better off to hire the mowing done now, save some additional money, and go for a Broadmoor (my choice) or X300 or comporable unit. Of course, there is always used. Just my 2 cents worth.
hydrostatic_goat
Original Author
16 years ago
Simpleman,

I've been considering just what you suggest.

Thanks,
Hydrogoat

Simplicity dealer in town. Going to go look.

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sadixon49

fatjack

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Simplicity dealer in town. Going to go look.

Comments (6)

sadixon49

fatjack

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