I figured this would be a good place to ask this....we all know what kinda trucks we like but who makes a good mower? I just bought my first house and have about .5 acres worth of grass to cut now. i got a few months before i gotta start cutting this but wana know who makes a good mower....i dont have to have a rider but it'd be nice for pushin snow....whats everyones opinion?

 

I have less than a 1/4 acre, and I use a 21" snapper in a mid 1980s vintage. The thing mows really well and is a dream to run. I'd say look for an older one to start with, blades are cheap and they are easy to fix if they break. These newer ones run way to lean to cut anything thick. That's why you see 6 or 7 HP engines on a 22" mower.

 

How much can you spend?

Also, what kind of terrain will you be cutting? Flat, slope, bumpy, etc?

 

I would be looking for a Gravely Model L tractor. I don't believe these are made anymore but if you can find one in good shape, they are worth every penny you will spend. These things are a small piece of machinery, not a lawn mower. They are able to have multiple power heads like a mower, snowblower, brush hog, chain saw, plow, and other attachments that would likely be of value to you. They also have a sulky for riding if you want or don't hitch it up and it is a walk behind unit. These units, properly maintained, will last nearly a lifetime but they are not cheap. Might want to look around for one. I would expect to spend around $2,000 for one with mower unit in great condition. Years back the DPS here used to cut hiways with these things- virtually indestructable.

 

Its pretty well flat......prolly no more than 1k unless its a spiffy mower....even one of thoes walkbehind commerical mowers would be nice

 

Those Gravely mowers are dangerous, that's why they don't make the good ones anymore. I know a guy who was whipped with barbed wire while running the bush hog, seems if they kick up to just the right angle, the deck flips over. While using the tiller, a rock was thrown up with enough force to break his arm near he shoulder. While mowing his yard using the sulky attachment, he went through a ditch at an angle, which caused one of the handlebars to contact the seat. I should say it didn't contact the seat directly, and he's halfway to signing soprano now-
I got a cheapo 22" mower from Lowe's, it worked great for me mowing three lawns about that size, was decently powerful, but didn't like tall wet grass.

 

cub cadet Lt 1042

 

For my acreage, I have a Yanmar diesel tractor with a 48" brush hog. Great little tractor. For around the house, I just buy the cheapest POS mower I can find. The digging barrier around the fence to keep the dogs from digging out has been pulled up in a few places, and it seems like regarless of how hard I try to avoid these spots, I still grab chain link with the mower. Between that, and whatever mystery stuff I manage to pick up that makes loud expensive sounding noises, despite combing the yards several times over the years to get the rocks, concrete chunks and other non-cuttable debris collected and removed. Because of this, I break mowers frequently.

 

And that was what I was going to recommend Maybe a 36" Exmark Metro walkbehind. They will mulch and side discharge well. 1/2 acre is more than you want to tackle with a 21" every week of the growing season, I would think. I believe they are up to about $2400 new, but you could likely do much bettier buying last year's model in early-winter. You could start looking for a used one and get a decent one for probably $1500 or so. One thing about it though, it should last you many, many years.

 

I'd shoot for a nice Exmark Metro, or a good used Scag or Deere walkbehind mower, those are usually found for like $500-1000 depending on age and condition used, the commercial units will last a homeowner forever I think.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD717

I'd shoot for a nice Exmark Metro, or a good used Scag or Deere walkbehind mower, those are usually found for like $500-1000 depending on age and condition used, the commercial units will last a homeowner forever I think.

for a half acre? he would spend more time fueling and checking the oil than mowing

 

With a 21" mower it would likely take over an hour, every time, to mow a half acre. With a 36" walk, it would take less than half that. You are not going to mow decent growth at more than 3mph with a 21". A lot of 21's are grossly overrated in the hp department. A 21 with a Honda or Kawasaki (commercial) 5-6hp engine could probably keep up with it, but not your average department store variety. When Sears advertises a mower with a Honda on it, it ain't the commercial variety. Buy a 21 with a commercial engine on it and you will be in it for $800-1200. With a 36" walk you are going to get a full-pressure lubed 13-15hp Kawasaki or Kohler that can run through heavy growth at more than 3mph all day long. The operator will be the limiting factor. It is a no brainer. Guarantee yourself more than an hour of mowing every week with a 21", get a cheap rider that will likely be giving you problems 3 to 4 years down the road, or get a mower that will give a superior cut, and do it faster, and last for a long long time.

 

keith w: true dat, true dat...

 

Keith, you stated the EXACT reasons I say get a used Exmark or JD commercial walkbehind mower. a superior cut, you'll get done WAY faster, and be less tired when you finish, less trouble later on down the road, and the fully pressure lubed 10-19hp motors. and yes, I HAVE seen some of these walkbehinds with 19hp motors on them.

 

Simplicity