Riding Mowers-42"

[indy_500]

Hey guys, need your help

My 30" JD isn't doing it anymore. It is a manual, IMO as far as i know they last longer? It seems everybodys going to automatic but I know of a few neighbors who after 10 years their automatic hydrostatic transmission goes out. I use this for my mowing business and it will get lots of use. I have a JD dealer within minutes of my house to get parts.

I'm stuck between the Ariens 22 hp 42" (if i can get one due to availabliity) or 46" and the John Deere D100, 110, or 120. They both have 2 years warranties

The pros to the ariens is the 22 hp B&S V-twin motor, 4 deck wheels, electric blade engagement, a nice big seat. The cons are only 6 cutting heights, no ariens dealer nearby, and a steel front end. Both ariens I have in mind are hydrostatic.

The 3 JD's I have in mind have a few differences between them.

The 100 has a 17.5 hp 5 spd manual transmission. The pros are cast-iron front end, and 12 cutting heights. The cons are 2 deck wheels, manual blade engagement 17.5 hp single cyl. motor, and a small low seat.

The 110 has a 19.5 hp hydrostatic transmission. The pros are the cast iron front end, and 12 cutting heights. The cons are the small low seat, manual blade engagement and the 2 deck wheels. Compared to the ariens the 19.5 hp single cyl. motor would be a con.

The 120 has a 21 hp hydrostatic transmission. THe pros are for this are the same as the other 2 JD's other than a high back seat. The cons are it has 2 deck wheels and its not a v-twin, and manual blade engagement.

To sum it up, my few basic questions are, is steel going to be a problem versus cast? Does the v-twin make much of a difference? Am I going to notice a couple hp? Is hydrostatic really better than manual from a RELIABILITY standpoint? I really like the tall seat, I spend a lot of time mowing lawns all summer lawn. I like the 46" idea of the ariens but it wont fit into my sled shed too easily.

Thanks for any and all help!

[ezra]

none get the loan and buy a quality commercial mower that will last you well past collage and then last the rest of your life at your home or farm.
I say get a Exmark/scag/Ferris/dixi chopper/Gravely.
all the decks are 2x as thick as any you are looking in to Hydrostatic is like a toy in comparison as it should in a home mower.
in 5 yrs or less you will regret not buying the quality mower.when is the last time you saw a pro lawn corp running a Ariens or a deer.just saying
I know you are young and not flush with cash but no better time to start building credit than now.you will look more like pro than a kid cutting grass and be abel to comand a few more bucks when selling to your accounts neighbors.
play it right and you could be pulling in close to 50k a yr before you graduate

[jr37]

I have had a J.D. L120 for 9 years now, no trouble at all. If you can swing it, get a zero-turn. It will cut your mowing time way down, enabling you to cut more lawns. That means more money for you.

[gary_in_neenah]

Hi Indy,
My John Deere is 13 years old and is as solid as the day they delivered it. I've had no issues with the manual transmission and about the only thing I recall replacing was the belt for the deck.

Our dealer for this area is known for great service and parts. We had a recall after the first year to replace the gas tank. The dealer came out to pickup the mower, hauled it in for the work, and returned it washed & dried on the same day.

If you're going to be doing commercial work, you undoubtedly will be needing parts and local service is a must. Let us know what you decide on.

Gary

[mezz]

Check out the John Deere 304. 42" cut, 4 wheel steer, v-twin 18 hp, hydrostatic transmission, eletronic deck engagement. Nice high back adjustable seat, very comfortable. I have owned both the manual transaxle & the hydro. I personally prefer the hydro, the most recent one was 9 years old (not a Deere), no trans problems. Just bought my first Deere, no comparison to my previous riders, all were crapsman, oops, I mean Craftsman.-Mezz

[indy_500]

none get the loan and buy a quality commercial mower that will last you well past collage and then last the rest of your life at your home or farm.
I say get a Exmark/scag/Ferris/dixi chopper/Gravely.
all the decks are 2x as thick as any you are looking in to Hydrostatic is like a toy in comparison as it should in a home mower.
in 5 yrs or less you will regret not buying the quality mower.when is the last time you saw a pro lawn corp running a Ariens or a deer.just saying
I know you are young and not flush with cash but no better time to start building credit than now.you will look more like pro than a kid cutting grass and be abel to comand a few more bucks when selling to your accounts neighbors.
play it right and you could be pulling in close to 50k a yr before you graduate

Not sure how much longer I'll be mowing lawns. Anything is a huge upgrade over an early 90s 30" JD GX85.

[mebearman]

JD L120
500 hours
8 Years old

Deck bearings all 3 replaced, replacemenst have grease serts.
Steering drive gear(Small pinion) and large steering rake gear replaced, twice pp design under engineered
Deck front bar or hanger gets bent all the time and replaced 2 times
Broke front cast axle in two ***
front wheel bushings replaced, replacements are actual ball bearings not bushings
2 batteries
48 inch deck with 3 blades cuts grass like **** but its not the finish mower you will need for your customers because it scalps the grass all the time if deck is not completely level.


Engine very solid and no problems with hydro but other stuff very annoying and in my opinion built very cheap to compete with the other box stores.


Hoped this helps

[indy_500]

I have had a J.D. L120 for 9 years now

Is it a hydro? I've read of some guys taking the transmission off drilling and tapping fill and drain plugs to change the fluid. The 46" Ariens feels nice and big, gives you the feeling of a Cadillac when sitting on it.

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Mezz, do you own the 304? It sounds nice but probably out of my price range. Looking to keep it around $1500 and I'd really like new.

[indy_500]

JD L120
500 hours
8 Years old

Deck bearings all 3 replaced, replacemenst have grease serts.
Steering drive gear(Small pinion) and large steering rake gear replaced, twice pp design under engineered
Deck front bar or hanger gets bent all the time and replaced 2 times
Broke front cast axle in two ***
front wheel bushings replaced, replacements are actual ball bearings not bushings
2 batteries
48 inch deck with 3 blades cuts grass like **** but its not the finish mower you will need for your customers because it scalps the grass all the time if deck is not completely level.


Engine very solid and no problems with hydro but other stuff very annoying and in my opinion built very cheap to compete with the other box stores.


Hoped this helps

Yikes, can't believe you broke the front axle. Is it possibly because the cast is more brittle? I do mow some ditches but the reason I'm looking into a new one is because I have a full-time mowing job for an owner of a very popular candy company. Her lawn is big but flat.

[gogebictodd]

I have a 2001 Simplicity Landlord 23HP Kohler Motor 52 inch deck. Over all has been a nice tractor, but have had some problems with it. Sterring gear went out twice $120 each. Front Axle cracked(the deck and blower) attach to it so it takes a beating. That was $400.

I would go with a commercial cutter, but not within your budget. Good Luck Indy.

[mjkaliszak]

I have a 52" Ferris. Not as polular as the ex-mark here in MI , but mine has never let me down. I was paying for a commercial service and after 3 years I eventually broke down and bought the Ferris for 6500 + 2000 for the 10 bushel bagger. I have a leave issue so the extra 2k was worth it for me. One year , leaf pick-up had cost 450 ! ( many years ago ). I knd of like mowing at 10mph, it takes less than 1 hr for my 1.1 acre. The line trimming & edge-ing is where the time is excessive. Hate that part of " doing the lawn ".

[jr37]

Is it a hydro? I've read of some guys taking the transmission off drilling and tapping fill and drain plugs to change the fluid. The 46" Ariens feels nice and big, gives you the feeling of a Cadillac when sitting on it.

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Mezz, do you own the 304? It sounds nice but probably out of my price range. Looking to keep it around $1500 and I'd really like new.

Mine is a hydro. Not the greatest quality machine, but I like to think that I am pretty easy on things. I don't abuse stuff to easily.

[frosty]

Indy, my neighbor and father in law have two of the Deere's your talking about, they are the biggest P O S's I ever seen! You name it, broke or had to be replaced. Front axles, twice on the fatherinlaes, once on the neighbors. Go big or don't bother, you could find a 10 yr old Scag and still have no worries.

The thing I don't understand, I have a 25 horse kohler Scotts mower with a 52" deck paid a grand for it, and just beat the sh!t out of it, and it starts every time and never a problem, and its 10 years old. I think I've only changed the oil three times. Built by John Deere for Home Depot before Home Depot started carrying the John Deere line.

Weird how stuff has gotten built cheaper and cheaper over the years...... What a shame

[elm103]

Did I read it right and you want to spend $1500 and want new? I,am not sure why were talking quality.I,am not sure you can get it for this amount. If those Deere,s are running 9 years with not much for problems,WOW. Just my 2cents

[indy_500]

Hmmm decisions decisions... I don't see anything near my price range being built any better than the JD. Even larger used ones that are 15 years old want 2k+. I would love a larger one but not in the price range and I need one now. I'm thinking about getting the JD I may regret it in years to come but it will get the job done for the time being. Reviews are really good, I will baby it never had a new mower before. If I have problems I will let you guys know

I realize I'm not getting a new quality mower for $1500 but IMO its the most quality I can get for $1500 new. JD dealer is right down the street, prices aren't TOO outragous for parts.

[elm103]

Indy. I,am very much pro John Deere. Have a 318 with 1250 hrs and a 724 with 150hrs. Not one problem with either one.Buy the Deere. Just my 2cents.

[sixball]

I have the same mower as Mezz, and its been outstanding. It uses less fuel then my old large walk behind.

[ezra]

I would go with a older used mower over some PO s home depot D100 I had one 4yrs ago the deck was so thin it warped when I cliped the sidewalk they called that owner abuse when I took it back would not cover.
I sold it to a bud who did not care about the uneven cut.well he kept it behind his shed now the mower was 2.5 yrs old and the flywheel magnets that were glued on yes surface mounted with some kind of green glue.well a cast iron flywheel rusted behind the glue and when spining around say 80 times per sec when a glued magnetcomes off it takes the whole top end out with it.
I bought a 20yr old Ariens at a vintage tractor show for a grand it is 3x the tractor than that pos home depot deer.deck is crazy thick has pto for tillers blowers way over built for home mower etc uses my old snomobile trailer tires for fr wheels.
you could not pay me to buy another POS big box store crap mower.

[mezz]

Is it a hydro? I've read of some guys taking the transmission off drilling and tapping fill and drain plugs to change the fluid. The 46" Ariens feels nice and big, gives you the feeling of a Cadillac when sitting on it.

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Mezz, do you own the 304? It sounds nice but probably out of my price range. Looking to keep it around $1500 and I'd really like new.

Yes I do, just picked it up last week. Like I said, no comparison to the others that I have owned. This one may be a tad out of your price range, just thought I would throw the idea out there. My opinion is just that, but, I think you would do yourself a great service by investing in the lighter model JD. If you take care of it, it will last. Perhaps a few years down the road when you may want to upgrade, you would still get a decent trade. My Dad has owned a JD for several years & he has been happy with it & it has not caused any problems. I was in your position, young, not a lot of $ to spare, so I went the less expensive route with the Craftsman (3 in 20 yrs). When the last one began to show signs of issues, I decided to go for some quality. Had I been able to afford a good one 20 yrs ago, I might still be running that one today, hind sight is alway's 20/20. No regrets on the new one though, it's like driving a Caddy vs. a Cavalier, better yet, it's like trying to compare a Cat to a Poo, can't be done cause the Cat is #1! LOL!!! had to throw that out to ya! If you do go with the Deere, at least you'll be riding something green! All jokes aside, good luck in your search.-Mezz

[snowbuff]

Indy - I have a Cub Cadet LTX45. It had a 20hp Kohler motor and a 46" deck. Hydrostatic drive. I bought it from a local dealer, not Home Depot (there is a difference). I love mine. No trouble going into my fourth year now. Cuts great, sips gas and turns very sharp, 18" turn radius. My dad bought a new JD and is not rel happy with it. Says it will stop going up hills, unless wide open throttle. Dealer told him thats how it's designed.

I let my neighbor use mine last year and now he's getting rid of his Huskvarna to get the Cadet.

[reiley99]

If your mowing grass for money don't buy a lawn mower like cub cadet john deere or any lawn mower that you can get from home depot or sears or a place likethat they won't last.Yes there fine mowers for the home owner but not for mowing everyday they won't last trust me on this.One big reason there mowing decks are stamped out one good hit and your cutting uneven.Spend the money on a good mower like scag, exmart,bobcat and my favorite is Wright Standard.Trust me on this I owned a landscaping business with over 50 accounts. And one more thing don't go over a 48 inch cut if your going to have only one mower anything over that likes to scalp the yard. 48 inch is a good size. small enough to still get into places but big enough to still do some decent size lots.As for hydro yes that's the way to go but be prepared to dish out some money if it goes down.What a would do if I was you if you don't have any huge yard to mow is go buy a used walk behind like a bobcat without hydros with the 5 speed trans they cut great and there cheap and easy to fix.I've bought them for 400-500 used them 40 hours a week by now their 10 years old and slill run great .just gotta remember to grease them and change the oil and take the cooling shroud of and blow the grass out of there to keep it cooling good.I changed mine every 2 weeks but my mowers were worked like dogs

[Magnumb]

A JD 335 or 325 can be had for $2500 used and is a solid and roomy ride.

[jr37]

Indy, I know I don't have to tell you this. But, if you maintain it good, it will last. After ever mowing I run it up on ramps and clean out the deck, blow it all off and check it over good. If you just put gas in and expect it to go every time, sooner or later there will be problems.

I know you are smart enough and will do enough research to make the best choice for youself.

Mezz, I like your way of thinking.

[ezra]

sadly if using it commercially it wont last! if it has a HR meter and you bring it back for work they wont do it if used commercially so un plug the meter after your first 10 hrs or so.I stoped and looked at the new JD when at home depot today what piles of crap they have goten cheeper than the pos I wrecked 4yrs ago.
it is sad when a old quality name sells out for the short term$$$

[AlumaDoo]

I've got a 42" 18HP, Kohler, Full hydrostatic, 6 cut heights, full floating deck that's a snap to remove, Cub Cadet and have had no issues with it. I just couldn't justify buying the name "John Deere" or "Simplicity"