Most dependable lawn mower

In my Troy Bilt thread i mentioned the possibility/ of getting a new mower.
The TB (Bolens) was a good machine till they got bought out by MTD. Seems MTD didn't like that the Bolen/TB was a good dependable machine, so they discontinued it and made the parts NA.

So.
Now is the time to find a good brand.
Long lasting. Dependable. A dealer (not mtd/big box brand) that sells and services and stocks (or at least can get) parts for their brand.

What say you, lawn kings?

I'd like this to be the last garden tractor/lawn mower i buy... if thats still possible...

 

I just bought a grasshopper zero turn, not sure if you're a zero turn fan, no problems now and it's built pretty well.

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These are the most dependable.

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I might be able to fill that up. Rec fuel now $5.60 a gallon here..

 

Any commercial zero turn. They basically all use the same engines, hydraulics pumps/motors, deck gauges, spindle shaft size, ect.
Mine is a Toro. 15 years of mowing about 6 1/2 acres of rocks and ravines. Done next to nothing to it.

 

I might quit mowing except paths to certain things. Like using a snow blower in the winter. Nice yard..... overrated. Lol.

 

All that one takes is a box of Wheaties.

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I’ve got 700 hours on Cub Cadet 1517. Before the atv I used trailer fire wood from the edge of the field with it.
Battery and last year PTO clutch is all I’ve done. Oil too.
I bought it at local tractor spot at about the same time JD and CC started to show up in the bigbox stores.
I’ve heard there’s a delta between what goes into the BB stores and what you might find at an actual OPE shop. I don’t know.
If I could send you back 16 years or so, I’d recommend it for reliability.

 

I had a really really good experience with my first Simplicity. I used it for probably 12-15 years. Still have it and it starts right up and runs and cuts fine. Only thing I did was routine maintenance and replaced fuel lines but never changed a belt. The deck developed about a 1” hole w/ rust, so I got another of the same model, just newer. I’m a fan so to speak. I’d recommend at least looking at some of their models to see if they fit your bill. I can’t really attest to the parts thing because I’ve not needed any.

 

I've been sorta looking for a small diesel to mow with. Prefer a Kubota but Deere or Massey will work to.

 

with 80% or more of the parts coming from chi-com territory everything is a gamble nowdays. Simplicity isn't the same either - not a stand alone company any more. I know they are tied into Ferris but little beyond that. If you are not dealing with MTD then it might be AGCO ( both are corporate holding Co.) , the old brand names change hands so fast it's almost impossible to keep track. I know that Massey is part of AGCO. Best small diesel is still Yanmar. JD is still stand alone, in the past JD used quite a few Yanmars in their equipment but how far down the line size wise I do not know. Saber is a box store off shoot of JD lawn tractors. Box store JD's are slightly different than the authorized JD dealer units which a little better built but I forget the fine details.

 

How much do you want to spend?
Do you want something that does more than mow?
What dealers are by you?
If you are thinking diesel that gets you in another league.

 

Sheep? Goats? Worst case you got emergency meat!

 

I would add a vote for a commercial zero turn if all you'll do is mow. I have a 14-year-old Toro, 1400 hours on it. I've replaced one belt, one spindle, a throttle cable, and a PTO clutch-the housing cracked. I don't think the brand matters-Kawasaki engine, fabricated deck, and commercial pumps are the key.
I also have a 5-year-old Toro-450 hours without a repair.

 

I mow 6-8 acres weekly here in season. It’s a lot of work but I stay outside as much as possible every day around my work calls.

I have to me the best setup I’ve ever had bought this year but it was an extravagant purchase.

I sold my Dixie chopper(s) and bought a Ferris ISX800. It’s Commercial, has real suspension for my bumpy yard, and perfect for me. There are bigger, diesel, etc but this is plenty of power to go faster than I need to be mowing. Made in America too.

For push mowing I bought the Toro TimeMaster 30”. I have some steep banks to mow that it will climb up or go sideways.

I had said at the end of last season I was upgrading this year and hopefully be my last mower purchase. The Dixies were starting to break down off and on and just getting to be PITA.

My wife says she’s going to hire me out for yard work since I have the equipment for it.


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Sounds like a good place for some input from MasterMech

 

Wheaties?... I'm mowing about 4 acres..

 

I cut about 2.5 acres for the neighbor. Do a little tree cutting and landscape maintenance for her also. It pays well...