Lawn tractors.....

[Dan Thiem]

I've been looking at the idea of buying a new riding mower. The heavier duty kind. Not just a stamped out riding mower. My old J.D.316 started blowing oil up into the air cleaner really bad at the end of last year. If I could find a new 1975 J.D. 316 I'd buy it in a minute. That was a very good unit.

But now I'm looking for a replacement and don't have the revenue to buy green. So, I have looked at Toro, Cub Cadet, Craftsman, and Husquvarna. All have either a Briggs or Kohlers for engines. One has an optional Kawasaki engine. I am wanting to be in the 20 H.P. range with a 48" deck. Hydro trans, elec PTO are also what I need. Liquid cooled would be nice but too much money. The price I want to stay in is around $1800.00. Definatley new and not used! These are the brands I've looked at so far. The one I really like is the Husquvarna. The Cub Cadet I looked at is built by MTD. It didn't seem very solidly built. The decks don't seem very strong. (I'm prone to bumping into things.)

Without this turning into a Ford vs. Chevy thing, what kind of experiences have people had with the brands I mentioned.

So many other brands too. Simplicity, MTD,Poulan, Snapper.The list goes on.

[CFRay]

I've had a Craftsman 18hp w/ the hydro trans. for three years and I like it. I thought I wanted to go green at the time also but the $$ kept me at Sears. I think I got more in the Craftsman unit than the same $$ would have bought from JD. When I bought three years ago I think that the Craftsman and Husqvarna were the same unit in each's respective colors. Made at the same plant in Tennesee.

Steers nice n' tight, big tires float on the lawn, electric blade clutch, no complaints from me thus far. Good Luck.

[LundExplorer]

I bought a craftsman DYT4000 (48" deck, 26HP briggs twin 6-spd) a few years ago at the Sears outlet in Fridley for about 1/2 price. It was a return. Nothing wrong with it, its great. They start getting them on their floor in early June or so.

FYI, Sears and Husqvarna mowers are made by the same company, Electrolux/American Yard Products.

[Dan Thiem]

Thanks! Just what I'm looking for, good honest opinions! Anybody else have a review of their mower?

[harvey lee]

When I was still living in the country I had a Cub Cadet.If I remember correctly it had a 16 horse Kohler with 42 deck,hydro drive and elec deck.

This mower cut 1.75 acres every 5-6 days for 10 years without a single problem.Yes,I did replace the deck belt a few times and oil changes,but that was it.Awesome mower.

[efgh]

If the rest of the 316 is in good shape I would just stick a short block in the motor, not too hard to do, it can be purchased from any J.D. dealer, those 316,s and 318,s are one tough mower. I had a 112 jd that went thru 3 engines, I had this mower for 36 years before the chassie and tranie gave up. when that mower wasn;t mowing the kids, we had 7, were running it around the farm yard pulling a little wagon I made.

[Valv]

I endorse the JD 316 too. I had it for over 12 years, and you won't believe what it did cut, from regular grass to trees....yes trees and stumps.

That was THE BEST mower I ever had, the opposite side was a Murray, I bought it new, second day of use I hit a stump, bent crankshaft and that was the end of it, warranty does not apply to bent crankshatfs.

I can guarantee if Murray corporate site was in MPLS they would have had my broken mower right through the front door....do NOT buy Murray.

Now I have a used Cub Cadet with a 12.5hp Kohler and I am very happy with it, the thing runs everytime and also pulls a lot, I have a 2 place snowmobile trailer I use to haul stuff around my yard.

It was outside the whole winter, last sunday I cranked it up and started after few turns.

[MN Mike]

I would sure think that if the machine is in good shape like efgh said, I too would look at putting in a short block or even one of those Honda engine kits they sell on hsolist, at least you would have a pressurized oil system, I don't think the 316's did, did they? dang good units......

[JohnMickish]

I second the repower. If the unit is in good shape you will not be able to find another mower for the price of a new motor.

[Dan Thiem]

Believe me guys I've checked into either rebuiling the Onan or else replacing it with new or re-man. But, replacments now seem to be a Kohler retro-fit kits. Can't find an Onan. I also think you can only get Onan parts from Onan. Making them rather expensive.

I did a compression check and both cylinders were weak but even. The old girl mowed two farms since 1975. Always been good for us. I sure would love to find a new 1975 J.D. 316 or 318.

[swampman]

I have got a 20 hp scotts that was manufactured by john deere for home depot. they only made these for a few years and now john deere puts there own name on them ,while they may not be the same as the john deere's you buy at one of there own stores there not a bad machine. I have had mine for 5 yrs, mow over 1 acre and I have a tendency to bump into stuff too. 1 new belt and had the brushes cleaned on the starter thats it so far. It has a 20hp briggs and it does use a little oil now and then never owned a briggs that did'nt. anyway home depot sells mtd, cub ,toro and john deere if you want to look at these models side by side or on there web site. hope this helps good luck.

[Dan Thiem]

Thanks Swampman!

[JohnMickish]

What kind of price have you been given for a new motor? Do you have other attachments like a snowblower or rototiller that would also have to be purchased?

I don't know if this is true but I was told there are only three major lawnmower manufactures. MTD, JD, and Cub Cadet so nomatter what you buy it will be a variant of one of these.

[Dan Thiem]

I have been looking at a couple in the $1800.00 to $2000.00 range.

I thought Cub was made by MTD????????

[nytelyter]

if it aint green it aint seen. replace the motor heheheheh sorry i dont own a rider i only have about 20 minutes of grass to cut. but i love john deere. they are the best. next that it has to be a dixie chopper. the fastest lawn mower in the usa. but you are gonna need a bit more green for either. .... paul

[DEADhead]

I have a Craftsman DYT4000, B&S 24hp Vtwin, 42" cutting deck, automatic. Great little tractor, gets my acre cut in less than an hour. I bought the 42" blower for it this winter; I cannot say enough about how much it was worth the extra $1000. My driveway is 225+ feet long and is wide enough to park an RV or a dozen cars, and still have room to pull into the garage. I swear I'd still be shoveling if I didn't have the blower.

If you look around, Sears is selling the updated model this year for $1600. Husqy and Crafstmen are the same mower (as well as MTD) except for different colors. Husqys have a higher starting price because they come standard with the auto tranny and other upgrades. I would highly reccomend the auto tranny, it's hydrostatic, and the electric PTO engagement.

I know this tractor's not a Deere but for the price, I am happy with what I have!

[Dan Thiem]

WOW! The Sears Craftsman sounds like a great unit! Thanks! I will stop there and take a look tonight.

FM....what a great source for educated opinions.

[Wishin2BFishin]

I have two tractors One's an 80's vintage Craftsman that I got with a blown engine. Got a brand new 12hp Tecumsa shipped to my door for only $400.00. It was complete with a starter, carb, and everything. Just had to hook it up to the gas line and wires. The other was a freebie from a friend a 1970 3212H Simplicity Soverign with a 48 inch mower deck, a 42 inch snow blower, and a 36 inch tiller. Needed a used cylinder head and little TLC but it's a great tractor! I have another buddy who bought a Cub Cadet less than two years ago. Cub Cadet's use to be a great tractor but they have gone downhill badly! I had to help him with a no start issue that ended up being the starter solonoid. Whatever tractor you decide to get you should get one with hydrostatic drive. I agree with the other people that if your tractor is in good shape other than the engine you should re-build the engine or buy a new engine.

Best of luck...

[Bryce]

Pretty unhappy with our Cub so far. Doesn't cut evenly and the bagging system is a joke. We'll find out what type of a dealer we have this summer when we have them make it cut evenly. Snow blower option rocks. This is a bit bigger than what you're looking at ( 2554 ) but don't think the bagging system varies between models.

[efgh]

Northern hydrolic in the twin cities have a lot of different small engines up to twenty H.P.

[fishing tech]

I think if it is in decent shape I would replace the engine. I have a 12 hp kohler on my old log splitter. It is out of my grandfather 69 Panther snowmobile. Runs like a charm. Most engines now will run a long time if you take the time to change oil in them. I have a Murry lawn tractor that has been used for 13 years. 12hp Briggs only changed oil in it and replaced battery.

[SteveWilson]

I would rebuild it as that unit has a nice strong frame (unlike the JD LX series out now).

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I have a GT235 that I inherited from my father and it's a great unit. It has some paint discoloration on the hood and I've thought about stripping the machine down, powder coating a bunch of parts, and then give it a nice metalic green and metalic yellow finish with some flames and then fabricate a chrome grill and chrome the wheels, or get some spinners made. Now where do I mount the subwoofer - pimp my deer.

[HOGEYE]

Just thought that I would continue this thread. I am looking to get a new lawn tractor for under $1400.00. Am looking at Craftsman, Poulan, Cub Cadet and Toro. So far it seams like I can get the most for the money with a Poulan PB22H42YT. If anyone has bought a mower recently or has any input it would be great. Looking to mow 2.5 acres of somewhat rough terrain (gopher mounds). I also noticed that Brigss and Kohlers seam to be the engines available. Any difference?

[minneman]

Dan, if your still thinking green, I have a 78 JD 316 thats looking for a home, maybe with yours and mine you could get one running. engine is ok on mine, needs a carb tho, and has no deck, (rusted out). if you'd like it its yours, come get it. 218 234 6585

[Dan Thiem]

Thanks! But I ended up buying a new Craftsman. 25 horse Kohler 48" deck. Sweet!

Our 316 ended up being a leaky intake gasket. Got it fixed and now it lives at the in-laws.