I need to get a riding mower

[GypsmJim]

Despised working on a Tecumseh, once they had any major wear. They were great until they started to wear, then basically it was cheaper to replace that repair. They were known for cylinder wear in an egg-shaped manner- making it virtually impossible to hone and rebuild.

When I came of age, I had to cut the lawn for my Dad. All he had was a push reel mower. When I started High School and had little time, and he had to do it himself, he bought a new fangled gasoline powered mower. It was a Sears with a Tecumseh engine. Later I got married and moved away. Now my sister was in charge. But she couldn't pull the starter on the mower, so Dad bought one with an electric start.

No need for the Tecumseh any more, so he gave it to me. As a new homeowner with limited funds, I used it for many years. When I was able to afford a lawn tractor, I put the ole Tecumseh in the back of the garage.

Fast forward and I bought a little piece of camping property out in the woods. Needed a mower. Resurrected the Tecumseh. It's still running.

Oh, I forgot to say. The old girl is now 59 years old. It has an aluminum deck, which added to the longevity. Sure with Tecumseh was still in bizness.

 

[PRichardson87]

Would you avoid an ExMark with a Kohler in it? I'm not sure if it's a commercial or consumer grade, it's a 22hp Kohler 7000 Series KT725.

Edit: The website says:
"Based on the KOHLER Command PRO® commercial engine design, the air-cooled, V-time 7000 Series will run rings around your neighbors. It features a 3 year, unlimited hour, limited warranty."

https://engines.kohlerenergy.com/en/products/KT725

The KT725 is a high end consumer grade engine in the 7000 series. If properly maintained it should last a long time. I have the Kawasaki FR651V in my JD which is a very similar motor and another good option used in some zero turns.

 

[Actnbill]

Buy a tractor that was Not from Homey Depot or Lowes.....just asking for trouble....

I bought a John Deere X300 with a Kawasaki engine used from local John Deere factory store.... 8 yrs later....running great...1 1/2 acres every week...

Nothing runs like a Deere..... ( except a Trane for u furnace guys )

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

When I came of age, I had to cut the lawn for my Dad. All he had was a push reel mower. When I started High School and had little time, and he had to do it himself, he bought a new fangled gasoline powered mower. It was a Sears with a Tecumseh engine. Later I got married and moved away. Now my sister was in charge. But she couldn't pull the starter on the mower, so Dad bought one with an electric start.

No need for the Tecumseh any more, so he gave it to me. As a new homeowner with limited funds, I used it for many years. When I was able to afford a lawn tractor, I put the ole Tecumseh in the back of the garage.

Fast forward and I bought a little piece of camping property out in the woods. Needed a mower. Resurrected the Tecumseh. It's still running.

Oh, I forgot to say. The old girl is now 59 years old. It has an aluminum deck, which added to the longevity. Sure with Tecumseh was still in bizness.

I found a 54 year old mini-bike with a Tecumseh pull start motor. Had not been started in decades. Changed the oil, cleaned the carb, started on the first try after a priming pull. Had not even cleaned or changed the spark plug yet.

 

[Mike J]

I don't know anything about zero turns. I've had a John Deere I bought from Home Depot for 7 years. It has been fine. It has a Koehler engine. Before that I had a Craftsman with a Briggs & Stratton engine that I kept for 18 years. The engine was still going strong but the chassis started falling apart. I actually liked the Craftsman better. It had a manual transmission. The John Deere has been fine though. The only Tecumseh I've had is an old 3rd hand go cart I was given. It hasn't been used a lot here but I pull it out for the kids from time to time. The only issue I've had with it is the carburetor. I ordered another carb from online (it was cheaper than buying a rebuild kit) put the new carb on & quit using ethanol gas. No more problems.

 

[gjgalligan]

As luck would have it......
I commented in post #15 that I was getting my Cub ready for it's 13th season and today I went out for the first cutting. About 1/3 of the way it just quit moving forward. Motor still running fine, mower deck still working. Just will not move forward or backward.
First thought is the hydro static drive died. If that is indeed the case then I will also be looking to buy a new mower.
422 hrs on the clock.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I sharpened up the blades on my JD X350 today and cut grass for the first time this season. 7-8 inches of grass, sometimes more. Set the blades to 2" and mowed that down like it wasn't even there. Say what you want about JD but I'm good with this mower, I cut a couple acres or more this afternoon.

 

[GHollan]

I'm a reel guy and mow under an inch. It is a 34" reel and makes quick work. I only have 12,000 square feet to mow and a few hills and narrow sections but if I had a larger and flatter lawn I would love a riding tri-reel rider.

 

[gjgalligan]

It appears as Cub Cadet is using a mix of Kohler & Kawasaki engines.

Good news is I don't have to buy a new mower right now. Just need to replace the drive belt on mine.
Due to a bad back & knee I will have to take it in and pay the big bucks for somebody else to do it.

 

[Woodtroll]

"As luck would have it......
I commented in post #15 that I was getting my Cub ready for it's 13th season and today I went out for the first cutting. About 1/3 of the way it just quit moving forward. Motor still running fine, mower deck still working. Just will not move forward or backward.
First thought is the hydro static drive died. If that is indeed the case then I will also be looking to buy a new mower.
422 hrs on the clock."

-----------------------------------

Is it one of the ones that has a v-belt to drive the transmissions/pumps, separate from the deck? That happened to mine once, and it was a failed belt. Usually the hydrostatic drives give some warning before failing, in my admittedly limited experience with such things. Good luck!

Edit - sorry, guess we were typing at the same time. Glad it was relatively simple!

 

[xtratoy]

Never buy a John Deere! trash, Buy the Cub or a Honda!

Really??... I have a 2005 JD LX280 and in 19 years all i have done is regular engine oil changes , 1 battery change and one transmission oil change. That is trash i can live with.

 

[Killer Bee]

Kubota have done very well for us close to 40 years. I rode the 6200 and 8200 with belly decks back in 80's when my folks had a mowing contract for 6 large apartment complexes and a big motel on I70. Folks got these zero turns about 20-25 years ago and the 6200 was traded in. All three Kubotas still going strong. Farm duty work, house, barnyards, 1/4mi driveway, road ditches, woodland access trails and property lines, etc. Hard working and smooth cutting even in 100+ degree summers and low maintenance. Only major repairs I had to rebuild the deck on mom's 6 years ago, center blade miter box stripped spiders. I rebuilt all three boxes, bearings, shafts, seals, and blades for about $750 in parts. They take care of business just about anywhere. Good luck!

dad ran the big one anywhere it would go and some

rebuild job and parts run - two days in vacation mode

those machines cover a lot of ground

almost 40yo 8200 doesn't like to be left out. Retired from mowing but still a great small chore tractor, carry-all platform, log splitter, spray boom, etc.

 

[WV460hunter]

Well, many of us probably use our lawnmowers a lot more than we use our guns.

I definantly don't want to .. I don't live in a house development of some such place. Living in the country my lawn gets mowed when I get to it usually once every 2 weeks I don't care if it is high or not .. lol I hate grass

 

[Taterman]

Well I actually ran the mower out of gas today, and after filling the tank it still won't start. Hours later it still smells like gas 20+ feet from it but I didn't see any leaks or spill even a drop of gas when I filled it.
Any ideas? Could the fuel filter have gotten clogged from that?

 

[Fox Mike]

Well I actually ran the mower out of gas today, and after filling the tank it still won't start. Hours later it still smells like gas 20+ feet from it but I didn't see any leaks or spill even a drop of gas when I filled it.
Any ideas? Could the fuel filter have gotten clogged from that?

Water in the gas can?

 

[LGC42]

That last sentence made me laugh out loud.

 

[Actnbill]

I'd take off the carb and clean the heck out of it..... check to see if fuel runs out the line from the tank.......put in a new fuel filter too....

 

[Taterman]

Thanks guys. I've never worked on a carb before so a may be out of luck on this. And Dave, it is the old Bolens I bought.
The worst part is I don't know anyone who works on them since we just moved her a couple months ago and I don't even have a trailer to move it.

 

[Taterman]

Learning is good for the brain...look for the good old you tube videos...very basic hand tools and attention to details should get
you through it. Old used equipment is always a learning experience!

Thanks Dave. I'm just not sure I have it in me.

 

[arfmel]

"That last sentence made me laugh out loud."

It's tough aiming precisely enough to get it in the little hole on the can.