Id recommend you shop for 1 size larger, worth the money if you plan on keeping it. And the old John Deere etc. machines were all built much heavier than the new Chinese models. Going up one size will get you a better quality. Make sure you have a good local dealer and buy a high volume model with good parts availability.
Unfortunately Don we have no local JD or Kubota Dealer in Gaspe. But there is a really good lawn equipment shop that can get any parts quick.
I do agree with going up larger to get the heavier construction. Now I'm getting up pretty pricey trying to get the better Hydro drive axle. It's amazing how fast the price rises.
Its only money and in this case its not mine.
I have a hydrostatic Honda snow blower, love it.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
If you REALLY want to reduce mowing time, buy a Ferris or Simplicity (same corporation) zero turn mower! Customers buy their first one of those after a conventional garden tractor/mower and come back just grinning saying they cut mowing time in half.
Bought a Ferris 61" four years ago and love it. Reduced my lawn (3 1/2 acres) cutting time from 3:30 to 2:20.
-- Edited by bjburnout on Wednesday 3rd of June 2020 08:35:20 PM
Thanks for the comments guys. I went to my local simplicity dealer, and they don't carry their lawn tractors anymore. Only a lower Snapper line. Too expensive and complex they say they's become. Difficult to impossible to get deck repair parts for them. I was quite surprised at that.
Looks like i'm focused on the JD X370 42" now. Found a brand new 2019 model local for a good price.
Some notable items;
Kawasaki engine, a reliability upgrade from the Briggs (made in China). Told that the Briggs twins (in this size) are having valve train failures at a early runtime.
K57 serviceable hydro drive with integral filter. Lesser models have a sealed unit. I read some not too good stuff on the lower end (but super popular) K46 unit. It can be serviced, but has to come right apart.
Power steering and power deck lift. A little luxury indulgence, power steering on a rider is supposed to be really nice, especially in the rough go.
Any thoughts on the above items?
The way I see it is yes, it's more bucks, but I keep and look after my stuff a long time, and that extra money will be spread out over time. Why not have a machine that could go the extra mile. And I do love getting out there on the mower, this would be a treat!
Don't buy a tractor with a Kawasaki engine unless you want an engine that is extremely difficult to get parts for....
As far as deck parts being an issue for Simplicity, I have one word. HUH???? I routinely order Simplicity parts, including deck parts for tractors of all ages, including deck parts for my deck that is 40+ years old. My tractor is an old beat up 37 year old tractor and at that moment I can't think of one part that I know of that's discontinued for my model.
I don't understand what they said to you at all...
The stuff they told you about Briggs valvetrain is very true. Certain models of the twin have issues with the valve seat falling out of the head, or the valve sticks and bends the pushrod.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I received a 2004 Simplicity Prestige 23 hp Kohler with Hydro static drive, power steering, grass vacuum system and 50" deck with a house purchase last year. Not much history with it but it shows 784 hours on the meter, plenty of power and speed, cutting 1.25 acres (only used for grass currently). The steering seems loose is the only issue and will look into that this winter.
I been using this for 14 years - a Yardworks 21", 173 cc.
I've crunched the numbers: 14 years x 6 months x 4 weeks x 3 hours a cutting = 1008 hours total. Starts first pull ALL the time.
Since bought new, I've been running it on REGULAR Prince Edward Island gas (non-ethanol). Just one blade change, one wheel change, and two air filter changes.
I was so impressed with this mower, I bought an identical one about 9 years ago as back up, so far it is unused and still in the box!
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Non ethanol regular?? Didn't know it existed Darryl. Or do you get it somewhere special?
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
Non ethanol regular?? Didn't know it existed Darryl. Or do you get it somewhere special?
Pretty well no ethanol on PEI.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Spy shot of Darryl's legs from pushing that mower over all that acreage:
Ya, my "Summer legs".
I plan on using a push mower as long as I'm able to.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Deer flies are bad at my place. My mosquito magnet has solved that issue but those damn flies... My wife gets a reaction from their bites. Swells up like a balloon.
