lawn tractor?

Question

I am looking to purchase a lawn tractor. I have aprox 1.5 acres of grass, flat to hills , and some uneven areas. what lawn tractor would you recomend? john deere, cub cadet, troy built, ect...... what hp, deck size
looking in price range of $1500-2000

I am looking for something that mulches well. my yard is too big to bag, rake or collect

Answer 1

I'd recommend about a 17-18 horse lawn tractor or so (17 horsepower absolute minimum) with a 48"-60" deck. Zero turn radius tractors will go faster but they can take a little getting used to.

You can't go wrong with a John Deere. They do cost a little more, but they last so much longer that they are worth every penny. Our family had a John Deere 116 for years and it lasted from about 1980 to probably about 2003. In that same time, our neighbor went through about 4-5 cheap lawnmowers and we had a much larger yard to mow including a pond where we hit sticks and stumps, etc. John Deere just builds theirs well, you can tell by the thickness of the sheet metal on the mower deck.

If you get the tractor type, the only kind I'd recommend is a John Deere. Well, I'd probably also recommend Toro. They are pretty good, but still not as good as John Deere. Gravely also has pretty descent ones, but they are not as common. I recommend getting one with hydro-stat. It comes in SO handy. Also, for the hills I recommend getting the lug tires. They work so much better than the turf tires for going up hills.

For a zero turn radius there are several good brands out there. Dixie Chopper is well known. Of course there is John Deere. Then there is Grasshopper and Bushhog. All of those brands are good brands.

Answer 2

I love my Sears tractor, and I don't have anywhere near 1.5 acres. I've got a 42" deck, and can do the front yard in 6 passes.

(BTW, I'm a girl, -ok, maybe an old girl - and used to have a 4 acre FRONT YARD to cut. Don't remember what brand that one was, but they're all about the same) Just get the one with the padded seat and big cutting area.

Cheers!

Answer 3

I suggest that you look at the zero turn mowers. They cut faster and maneuver easier but may cost close to $3k. If you stick with a conventional rider, I would suggest a minimum of a 48 inch cut and at least 18 hp. I am partial to John Deere but have not owned any of the low priced models which they sell at Home Depot and Lowes. I have had excellent service from the JD's which I have owned.

Answer 4

i have a john deere170,23hp. icut 5 acres with it.to mulch i just mow throwing the grass in.there is a mulching tool also but i find it easier to just mow inward.and at home depot if you have one in your state they are intrest free for a year.

Answer 5

My opinion? Id go with a murray. Had one for a few yrs now and still running good. Easy maint. and parts are reasonable
That and its in your price range