Which lawn tractor would you choose and why

[Ohiobucks]

I am having a hard time choosing between lawn tractors. The models I have chosen are all in the same price range (around $2000) and 48in decks. Which would you choose and why

1. John Deere La 145

2. Husqvarna

3. Cub Cadet 1050

Sorry Tom. Seems I'm ruffling your feathers a lot lately. I'm just trying to add that I've been down the Huskee, Cub Cadet, Briggs and Stratton, Kohler path 4 times and none of them lasted, and yes I took care of them. I will say that I mow probably 1.5 acres, so that's more than most.

Yes a Kubota will run you $8,000 but if you take care of the liquid cooled 3 cylinder diesel, it's just going to last a lot longer than the air cooled gas engines. Like the Fram oil filter commercial, "pay me now, or pay me later."

No sir buddy, not ruffling my feathers at all. If I could spend $8K on a mower like yours I would. So many more options on yours, more power and definitely higher quality.

All I saw was the original question mentioning around $2K. I was in the same boat 3 years ago, didn't want to spend more than $2K, and ended up with the Husqvarna. It is a fine machine.

Just like anything else though, you get what you pay for. Some people can't / don't want to buy a Cadillac when a Chevy will do.

[007hunter]

Have you considered a zero turn? Much faster and a better looking cut in my opinion.

[Tominator]

No sir buddy, not ruffling my feathers at all. If I could spend $8K on a mower like yours I would. So many more options on yours, more power and definitely higher quality.

All I saw was the original question mentioning around $2K. I was in the same boat 3 years ago, didn't want to spend more than $2K, and ended up with the Husqvarna. It is a fine machine.

Just like anything else though, you get what you pay for. Some people can't / don't want to buy a Cadillac when a Chevy will do.

Heck, I couldn't afford it either, but I just got tired of dumping $2K every 3 years. If you search around, and can wait, watch for Kubota or New Holland to put out 0% financing, that's what I lucked into, and I know they did that last year when William bought his Kubota. That way you can spread out the 8K over a few years.

I guess another point I'm trying to make is what William is saying, Deere, Cub, and a lot of the other mowers out there aren't built by Deere, Cub and the like anymore, they all have Kohler, Briggs, Tecumseh and Yamaha engines and Yard Machines owns most of those companies now.

Anyway, I'm done hijacking the thread. You're right, I shouldn't have posted Kubota when the original thread asked for 3 other choices.

I have to go cut my lawn.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

I own two cadet 102s that are very old and still work. I also own a cub 2084 54 inch cut that does very well too although it has seen the repair shop. I mow close to 4 acres and really like the 54 inch cut. For me either a cub or some goats. Although I also have an old jacobson gt 10 that does a fair job on the grass too. I look at the garden tractor pulls and see a vast majority of the competitors using cadet 102s. Man they don't make them like that any more.

[okiedog]

Have you considered a zero turn? Much faster and a better looking cut in my opinion.

Your right there! I just bought a 60" cut ZTR, and I can tell you this thing is awesome. I had a 50" Craftsman garden tractor and it would take me about 12-13 hours to mow everything I had. It only took me 4.3 hours with the ZTR! The blades are always in the grass cutting.

[wtnhunt]

Actually to be honest if all you plan to do is mow, you may consider a zero turn mower. If you look to do other things as well with it, would suggest doing as much research as you can.

No sir buddy, not ruffling my feathers at all. If I could spend $8K on a mower like yours I would. So many more options on yours, more power and definitely higher quality.

Tom, comparing a kubota bx series lawn tractor to any of those mowers mentioned is comparing apples to oranges. The lawn tractor Chris has will likely last him a lifetime and can do so much more than the $2000 john deere or sable or mtd or ah whatever.:rolleyes:

We did not really want to drop what we did on our kubota either, but when they kept tempting me with zero apr for 36 months, I fell into temptation and bought one the summer before last after passing on previous years when they had the same type promo. Kind of makes it easy with payments over 36 months on a machine that you know is built to last. Best deals to be had are at the end of the summer if you can wait at all, dealers will be ready to move the new older model tractors to make room for new inventory.

The wheel horse suggestion is a good one too. My step father used to do a lot of fixing up and selling of used lawn mowers, he made a living with that for a little while prior to becoming disabled. Some of the best ones he found were wheel horse mowers.

[rhine16]

Have you considered a zero turn? Much faster and a better looking cut in my opinion.

I switched to a zero turn last year(I have a lawn business). It cut every one of my cutting times exactly in half. If you could possibly afford one, do it. I know you can get a Residential Kubota, Husqavarna, John Deere, and New Holland. All of those run around 3500 I believe.

I have a Bush Hawg commercial one.

[Ohiobucks]

Tom, comparing a kubota bx series lawn tractor to any of those mowers mentioned is comparing apples to oranges. The lawn tractor Chris has will likely last him a lifetime and can do so much more than the $2000 john deere or sable or mtd or ah whatever.:rolleyes:

Yep, agreed. But the original question was still asking about a comparison between three different $2,000.00 lawn mowers, not $2,000.00 lawn mowers to $8,000.00 lawn mowers, even if you can finance them for 0% for 36 months, which still equals about $225.00 per month.....:rolleyes:

[terry264]

From what I've heard, most of the mowers under 2G are all built at the same plant and just come out with different emblems and colors on them. You may just want to pick out the best deal you can find on one and get it, as it should be about the same thing you would get regardless of brand name.

[Widowmaker]

We farm with John Deere and I am the corporate parts manager for Indy Tractor here in Indiana. As for those other two can you say MTD! Nothin' runs like a Deere!

[beagleboy]

Thanks for all your input. I actually purchased the John Deere La145 today with the bagging system. The sales associate quoted me a price for $2375 out the door and wrote it on the back of his card. I go today to purchase it and he comes out with $2625. I told him about the quote he gave me yesterday and told me if he couldn't meet the price he quoted me I was going to Home Depot and purchasing it there. Home Depot was offering 10% off your 1st purchase on their credit card, which would have saved me $250. Another sales associate actually made the deal after I decided I was walking. With the money I saved I bought my daughter the John Deere child's quad. Will post pics when I get the machine on Monday.

[HuntnMa]

my avatar says it all...... you're a smart one for going with the deere

[Maine Hntr]

On 4/29/2008 at 9:42 PM, wtnhunt said:

Yep. Think in your price range though, my best advice would be to find a mower that has a kohler engine, and one with a good quality heavy deck. The jd lawn tractors sold at lowes and elsewhere are not manufactured by john deere, think they are made by sable.

I agree with William, I have a Deere X320 lawn tractor bought from a local Deere dealer, if you buy from a big box store you're not getting the same product. On your list, I would recommend the Deere.

[ODH]

On 4/29/2008 at 9:42 PM, wtnhunt said:

Yep. Think in your price range though, my best advice would be to find a mower that has a kohler engine, and one with a good quality heavy deck. The jd lawn tractors sold at lowes and elsewhere are not manufactured by john deere, think they are made by sable.

Yes the ones at Lowe’s or Home Depot are cheaper made not like the ones from the dealership. Decks are lighter too

[ODH]

And I just realized this post is 11 yrs old lol

[Maine Hntr]

6 hours ago, ODH said:

And I just realized this post is 11 yrs old lol

ditto! I usually check the date out and somehow missed it on this one! still stand by my decision though ?

[wtnhunt]

Digging up bones.......  Seems to be a few newb's doing this, not so sure the motives of the one in this thread.   

But gonna guess it will turn out to be another spammer.