Need a new lawn tractor

[archipirata]

Looks like our old lawn tractor may be officially dead and I can't justify putting any more money in it. So looking for a new one. We have about 1 acre of slightly rolling yard, nothing extreme. My max budget is $1500.
Based on my research, I am leaning toward the new 42in. Cub Cadet XT1.
The warranty is 3 year powertrain/5 year chassis and front axle with unlimited hours which seems better than anything I've seen from similar products.

http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/cubcad...1/features

I can get it from Home Depot for $1499 with free ship to home.

Am I missing something potentially better out there for that price?

(and please don't tell me that I can get a really awesome mower if I spend more money, I already know that, but the budget I have is all I'm going to spend) Thanks in advance for advice.

[MikeF]

Whatever you get, make sure it shows up here:

[Ombligo]

Lawn Tractors are way overpriced -- seriously check out the used market.

[pdq]

Just looked up Consumers Reports on riding mowers the other day, and they didn't like Cub Cadet's reliability.

On the other hand, when I look at the $1500 John Deere, (which CR didn't review), I see a lot of low ratings due to problems, too. I've read the 100-series John Deere mowers are "not real John Deere" - rebadged MTD mowers? - but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much on a 300-series JD.

[michaelb]

Are you going to do any of the routine maintenance? I am sure I will violate this myself, but I periodically vow that I am not going to buy a tractor again without really looking at and even trying to remove the mower deck, first. You will have to pull the deck off several times a year to clean it and change the blades, etc. And that can be a pain. My current Husky has this super heavy duty forged steel deck, which is great and all, but the thing weighs hundreds of pounds and so moving it out from the mower can be a challenge (I now use some wheels to help pull it).

Also, I am not a big fan of 3 blades, which I currently have too. That increases the cost and the potential for problems (clogs, dull blades) and leaves two seams between the blades when you cut instead of one. I am not very fussy at all, my yard is a mess, but on a small deck like 42" my guess is that two blades are better and simpler and may cut better too.

[cbelt3]

michaelb wrote:
Are you going to do any of the routine maintenance? I am sure I will violate this myself, but I periodically vow that I am not going to buy a tractor again without really looking at and even trying to remove the mower deck, first. .....

FWIW, I just use a car jack and jack stands, put the keys in my pocket, and crawl under it to do maintenance including cleaning and blade sharpening with a dremel tool (or removal and balancing if it's bad). Most of them are not really designed for deck removal at ALL. Just wear eye protection because gunk will fall on your face.

[OWC Jamie]

The John Deere 100 series riding mowers are made in Greenville, Tennessee.
The mowers in the big box stores can also be purchased at many Authorised John Deere dealer and many of the local dealers contract to deliver, prep and instruct the new owner of the riding mower purchased at a big box store.

[Rick-o]

cbelt3 wrote:
[quote=michaelb]
Are you going to do any of the routine maintenance? I am sure I will violate this myself, but I periodically vow that I am not going to buy a tractor again without really looking at and even trying to remove the mower deck, first. .....

FWIW, I just use a car jack and jack stands, put the keys in my pocket, and crawl under it to do maintenance including cleaning and blade sharpening with a dremel tool (or removal and balancing if it's bad). Most of them are not really designed for deck removal at ALL. Just wear eye protection because gunk will fall on your face.
Yeah, removing the deck has always been a big hassle for me, but I found a better way to get at the bottom for cleaning/maintenance/repairs. I just bought an inexpensive chain hoist that is permanently mounted in the barn. I have a heavy duty strap to hook up the tractor, then raise the tractor front to where it's almost standing straight up. I seen this done by friends working maintenance at a cemetery many years ago.

Oh, and I'm partial to Husqvarna equipment. My Pop bought one a few years ago and it's been top notch. When I replace my bulletproof 22 year old Yard Machine brand, I'll see what Husqvarna has available.

[pdq]

Rick-o wrote:
I just bought an inexpensive chain hoist that is permanently mounted in the barn. I have a heavy duty strap to hook up the tractor, then raise the tractor front to where it's almost standing straight up.

Oh, dear God - and then you get under it?

Rick-o wrote:
I seen this done by friends working maintenance at a cemetery many years ago.

Maybe he was trying to join the regular customers at his place of employment?

[Rick-o]

pdq wrote:
[quote=Rick-o]
I just bought an inexpensive chain hoist that is permanently mounted in the barn. I have a heavy duty strap to hook up the tractor, then raise the tractor front to where it's almost standing straight up.

Oh, dear God - and then you get under it?

Rick-o wrote:
I seen this done by friends working maintenance at a cemetery many years ago.

Maybe he was trying to join the regular customers at his place of employment?
Heh! I was waiting for this! I just KNEW someone would have a safety concern about this technique.

No, you don't get under the tractor with this method. Your standing/sitting next to it. Most of the weight is on the rear wheels, with a very small load on the hoist at that position.

The chain or strap isn't just going to snap with that load on it. If you're "skerred" you could always block it against falling, but to me, that's overkill.