having worked as a small engine mechanic on lawn & garden equipment for several years, i gotta tell you those machines are the bread and butter of any small engine shop. Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Yard Machine, Murray, and even the new John Deeres are all made by or in partnership with a company called MTD -"Major Tear Down" is always involved with anything they build. One summer i fixed 8 of thier self propelled lawn mowers that had about 5 hours on them- all had EXACTLY the same failure in the drive.... we did warranty work for sams club, walmart, etc etc. If you want something that will last, your gonna have to pay for it. We sold Agco Allis (simplicity) and there was nothing I liked to do more than demonstrate deck removal in under 15 seconds. Makes it easy to change that belt!!!

 

Our Central Park (built by American Yard Prodcts) has not given us much grief in over 10 years. Belts are about it.. Pull 4 pins and the deck FALLS off.... Easy as cake... The biggest thing was when WE pushed the front axle out if, pushing snow...

 

I have to take issue with dorkpunch on the YardMan mower. I have a Yardman (MTD) 18 horse hydrostatic garden tractor/ mower that is around 25 years old. I have only found 2 design issues over this time period that I have had to correct.
1. Steering column lower shaft had a brass bushing that wore out quickly. I was able to redesign a support to install a real bearing.
2. Front wheels had nylon bushiings on the axels. Cut the axel stubs off, welded boat trailer spindles onto them and replaced the front wheels with 4 inch 4 bolt wheels and now have real bearings that can be lubed.

This thing is built like a tank, but it was not cheap when I bought it. The engine is a Briggs 18 horse 2 cyl opposed. I finally rebuilt it last season as it was using some oil. The hydrostatic drive oil pump is a techumsi and has never been touched. Other than oil changes (engine and hydrostatic drive) and bearing replacements in the deck, this is the toughest machine I ever saw. My neighbors are all on their 3rd or 4th riders and my old dog just keeps plugging along. Starting to need a re-paint job.

I have looked at some of the new YardMan mowers at Home Depot , and I am disappointed. They LOOK cheaply made and I am not sure they will hold up. But last time I looked at the YardMan web site, they still offer the Hydrostatic tractor that looks like mine and if so, should be a good machine, but it will not be cheap.

Dialtone

 

i do agree with you on that- in my books anything older than me (25 years) is probably a lot better quality than what you can buy new! For instance- my 1970 f-250 runs like a top. If it broke, i could fix it no problem. My '95 kia DOESNT run, no one makes a repair manual for them, and I'M SICK OF MESSING AROUND WITH IT!!! anyone wann buy a sportage cheap?!

 

My Sears (model 917.25400 mfg by AYP/Roper) Hydro-Trac is ~37 years old and running strong. The original 12 hp flathead has given way to a 14 hp OHV but it's otherwise pretty much original. The frame is dimensional, not gauge, steel and wear components are designed to be replaced. It was the top of the line for Sears in 1968.

Roger