In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Most dependable lawn mower

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by TurboDiesel, Jun 1, 2022.

Page 6 of 7
  1. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,011
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    Vanguard is not your typical Briggs. I have seen them go 4-5000 hours on original long blocks. As good and often better than top-shelf Kawi or Kohler.
     
    MasterMech, Jun 6, 2022
    #101 Top
    Screwloose, Eggshooterist, TurboDiesel and 3 others like this.
  2. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,011
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    I was going to suggest Deere X700 series possibly a 1 series CUT. The Simplicity models were and are great, but you mentioned you were worried about future parts availability and dealer support. Nobody come within miles of Deere for that when talking about tractors. ZTRs, lots of good choices, including your Ferris. Those "little" iS units are well built.
     
    MasterMech, Jun 6, 2022
    #102 Top
    Screwloose, The Wood Wolverine, TurboDiesel and 2 others like this.
  3. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    I read a lot online about engine brands.
    Its kinda funny. B&S was bashed a lot..."they're junk because the 5 hp push mower engines don't last" ...
    I'm not quite buying the hype on kawasaki and kohler and Honda.
    B&S can't put a junk (v-twin) engine on a big commercial unit...if they want to compete in the commercial mower market.
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 6, 2022
    #103 Top
    Screwloose, Barcroftb and brenndatomu like this.
  4. tree killer

    tree killer

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
    Messages:
    2,463
    Likes Received:
    16,914
    Location:
    Central me
    I don’t care where it is built it’s produced to compete cost wise and quality wise with MTD. They have a projected home owner use life of 10 years.
     
    tree killer, Jun 6, 2022
    #104 Top
    Screwloose and TurboDiesel like this.
  5. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    17,463
    Likes Received:
    113,713
    Location:
    Vermont
    Mine has been flawless IDK 6? Years needs a wash but saves time CD76BEF6-131B-4A10-B371-B4B609A29E09.jpeg
     
    Canadian border VT, Jun 6, 2022
    #105 Top
    Screwloose, TurboDiesel, brenndatomu and 1 other person like this.
  6. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    That looks exactly like mine. 6 years with no changes?
    I was thinking about painting my ROPS black. Mine is red. (Or just taking it off)
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 7, 2022
    #106 Top
    Jack Straw, Screwloose, brenndatomu and 1 other person like this.
  7. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    Anything i should look out for?
    Early wear?
    Maintenance issues?
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 7, 2022
    #107 Top
    Jack Straw, Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  8. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    upload_2022-6-7_15-38-2.png
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 7, 2022
    #108 Top
    Screwloose, brenndatomu and billb3 like this.
  9. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    I read vanguard was now make (assembled) by b&s in America.
    How does vanguard compare to b&s "commercial" series?
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 7, 2022
    #109 Top
    Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  10. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    17,463
    Likes Received:
    113,713
    Location:
    Vermont
    Normal maintenance.. oil changes etc.. make sure you know where grease fittings are. I was missing one on 52” deck.. dealer told me.. It has been flawless

    I will post pics again once it’s washed my tools are filthy:emb:
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2022
    Canadian border VT, Jun 7, 2022
    #110 Top
    Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  11. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

    Joined:
    May 29, 2015
    Messages:
    22,221
    Likes Received:
    140,980
    Location:
    NE Ohio
    I was gonna say...when I worked at the mill one of my fellow mechanics had a buddy that worked at the MTD plant in NW OH and I could have sworn he said he got him a new scratch n dent JD lawntractor from the MTD plant...was $300 too, IIRC! (This was 20 years ago)
     
    brenndatomu, Jun 7, 2022
    #111 Top
    Screwloose and eatonpcat like this.
  12. Lennyzx11

    Lennyzx11

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    Messages:
    586
    Likes Received:
    3,991
    Location:
    Bennington Vermont USA
    There’s a fb group on them. A lot of people say the dealer prep is only so so. Go through the checklist yourself to make sure.
    My deck wasn’t level, one steering handle wasn’t adjusted correctly.
    I flipped the deck lift pedal to allow better leverage to pick up the deck.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Lennyzx11, Jun 8, 2022
    #112 Top
    Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  13. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    Thanks. Good to know.
    Mine seems to be ok. But my knee does hit the handle when i let the deck down. I guess i could move the handles back. My arms aren't as long as they used to be...:whistle:
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 8, 2022
    #113 Top
    Screwloose, brenndatomu, walt and 1 other person like this.
  14. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    I do have trouble finding the brake release. And it's a little hard to reach to apply. Pretty lousy where they put it.
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 8, 2022
    #114 Top
    Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  15. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Messages:
    9,122
    Likes Received:
    50,045
    Location:
    Eaton Township, OH
    I thought this only happened when the check for dinner came!

    DistortedLividKudu-mobile.jpg
     
    eatonpcat, Jun 8, 2022
    #115 Top
    Jack Straw, Chvymn99, Screwloose and 4 others like this.
  16. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    :eek:
    I'm fat...not cheap...

    :startled:


    :rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol:
     
    TurboDiesel, Jun 8, 2022
    #116 Top
    Jack Straw, Chvymn99, Screwloose and 5 others like this.
  17. B.Brown

    B.Brown

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,389
    Likes Received:
    9,458
    Location:
    USA

    Or, that could mean less mowers, keep the prices UP, supply and demand= $$$$$$$$$$$$
     
    B.Brown, Jun 8, 2022
    #117 Top
    Jack Straw, Screwloose and brenndatomu like this.
  18. lukem

    lukem

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    11,518
    Likes Received:
    60,707
    Location:
    IN
    I have a Bad Boy. I think it is a 2008 model. Absolute tank of a mower. Not sure if the new ones are still built the same but I wouldn't be scared to buy an older used one.
     
    lukem, Jun 8, 2022
    #118 Top
    TurboDiesel and Screwloose like this.
  19. jtstromsburg

    jtstromsburg

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2016
    Messages:
    738
    Likes Received:
    5,522
    Location:
    Stromsburg, Nebraska
    There’s a kaw plant an hour from me in Lincoln NE. My wife was reading that they were very short of labor force and had a new plan that seems to be helping. They’re hiring for a 5 hour, 9-2 shift so to work around school days schedule. Sounds like they’re paying well and still offering some benefits for that even, and push hard for those 5 hours. Not a bad plan if you ask me.
     
    jtstromsburg, Jun 8, 2022
    #119 Top
    TurboDiesel, ammoaddict, Chvymn99 and 3 others like this.
  20. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,011
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    That is somebody’s (incorrect) option and not fact. Unfortunately, it easy propose BS as fact on the internet, and this is one of the biggest lies spread on the ‘net about Deere. There’s plenty of legitimate bones to pick with mother Deere, this ain’t one.

    I invite anybody to walk the lineup at HD/Lowes and check the labels on the frame or fender deck. They will clearly and plainly state where the machine originated and by whom it was built. Nearly everything intended for the box-store retail market is built by Deere in Greeneville TN. The rest of their riding lawn equipment is built at Horicon Works in WI.

    My memory is still pretty ok, and to my knowledge, Deere has never offered a lawn or garden tractor that was built by anybody else. Much less MTD.
     
    MasterMech, Jun 11, 2022
    #120 Top
    ole, eatonpcat and The Wood Wolverine like this.
Page 6 of 7