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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,859
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,859 |
I need to figure to figure something out for this year. I cut about 3-4 acres and its taking too much time. I have a Honda 14hp twin with a 38" deck,and its a great little machine but just not fast enough. I'm considering a zero turn, or maybe just another tractor so me and the wife can both cut. Weekends are for fishing,shooting,hunting etc, not cutting grass.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,202
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,202 |
A 42" deck will generally have 2 blades that will give you a better cut than the 3 on most 48" decks, along with one less pulley/beariing assembly to wear out Wheelhorse and older Sears SS 42" decks have 3 blades and give a much smoother cut over the twin blade 36-38" decks. With the extra blade, you can typically go a bit faster. Been mowing over an acre for 30 years with a 1968 Sears SS12, 1969 Sears Suburban 12 and the past 3 years, a mid 80's vintage Wheelhorse, 14 horse. All with 42" decks. Longer blade have higher tip speeds, and that's what cuts the grass Smaller blades move much slower Reality is you can't look at most lawns and tell anything about how they were cut There are just fewer parts on a two blade mower
One shot, one kill........ It saves a lot of ammo!
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,586
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,586 |
I bought a Sabre(by John Deere) in 1997 to mow my 1 acre yard. It has a 42" cut and a 16 HP Briggs. It still has the original drive belt and I changed the deck belt for the first time this year. I'm on my 4th battery now and the 3 of the 4 tires have tubes in them. I broke the key off in the ignition one time and had to replace it. Other than that it has been gas, oil, plugs and air filters. Not bad for a 17 year old mower! Back when I spent a lot of time in equipment dealers' lots and showrooms, the JD Sabres (and the Scott's-branded mowers) impressed me with the amount of iron one got for the dollar: thick decks & heavy frames+axles. Dunno if they still make either one, but I'd certainly price one out against others in the "lawn tractor" segment. I always figured one would have to spend quite a bit more than those mowers, to really get more durability. FC Unfortunately they don't make the Sabre anymore and I think the Scott's brand is now made by someone else. I'd have to spend a lot more money on a mower today to match the quality of the Sabre.
"Never stand and take a charge...charge them too."
--- General Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 42
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 42 |
MTD actually builds many of the mowers in the US The last MTD "Yardman" I owned was a POS with the absolute worst deck attachemnt design I've ever seen. I ended up GIVING it away probably thought up by a schmuck named ruger
Working for dad in office supply
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,264
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,264 |
I have a Cub Cadet. It was the next level above the box stores and I have been happy with it for the last 3 years. I don't have as much time on my mower as a bunch of others. Or as much land to cut (3/4acre). But besides a new battery and cleaning the plugs in the spring it has been flawless.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 150
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 150 |
I mow 3/4 acre yard with a 44 inch Ferris I purchased about 10 years ago. It takes about 20 minutes. It is a zero but takes little time to learn to operate. A commercial mower will cost you about 5 grand. I have put a battery in mine and that's it. You get what you pay for. Good luck
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,207 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,207 Likes: 3 |
The all have a common problem the Tuff Torque K46 transaxle, but with proper maintenance and allowing the trans to cool it is not a big deal, most people run them and grass fills in the cooling sinks and the trans over heats. I bought a Husquvarna 22V46, with the Briggs, I talked to a couple of shops and about the Briggs vs the Kohler, and the both said they see the same amount of problems with both, just be sure to get a v twin. So far I have about 6 hrs on my mower, and love it. The 46 is a only two blades as well. This. I have a Deere that has the crappy K46. The mower looks new and the transaxle is shot. Mine has a single cylinder Kohler and I have had no trouble with it at all.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 747
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 747 |
Too bad Wheelhorse lawn tractors are no longer made. Pulled a car out of a snowbank with a 10hp model.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,917
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,917 |
Had my 1st Simplicity for 22 years before I was in need for a new mower. I was mowing just under 1/2 acre. I looked at Cub Cadets and John Deeres. I told the John Deere Dealer my last mower lasted 22 years and asked how long I could expect one of the John Deere series 100's (the 300 Series were more than I wanted to spend) to last if taken care of. He said typically if someone gets 10 years out of one, they consider it good. Decided to stick with another Simplicity. Have had no regrets. They are good mowers.
3825 24336
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,505
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,505 |
I have a JD 300 and it's a POS! No power, two blades and leaves rows so I have to double cut. I have a hill in the back the Deere can't make up while cutting. I'll take a three balded mower over a two blade any day. Best mower I had was a 16 HP 3 blade Bolens, after beating the chit out of it for 20 years I gave it to a friend and bought the present JD, the Bolens is still running strong. The Bolens made today I think are made by MTD and not the same.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,472
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,472 |
I have had my JD LX 172 14 HP, 38" cut mower for 17 years. I bought it used when it was about 3 years old. Kawasaki engine has never given me a day of trouble.
This weekend I am replacing a belt tensioner pulley/bearings. First real issue I have had since I owned the machine. I think it's pretty cool that I can walk into a local JD dealer and buy parts for a 20+ year old mower (of course the parts ain't cheap either).
Replacement for a similar mower with the Kaw engine is $3K
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is.
dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,915
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,915 |
Multi purpose mower. ![[Linked Image]](http://s18.postimg.org/ebjgzab4p/Andy_Piccos_Stitchin_Business_Gok_Wan_Find_Ot_Frid.jpg)
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