Thread: Ride on mowers - advice needed

Check this out-
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...-mower-us.html

I hear Slunnie's had trouble starting, not sure if it's the mower or him.

The ones I would recommend have already been mentioned - Cox & Toro, but I just wanted to add a few details from personal experience.

The old Cox mower Dad had was unbreakable - very simple design and very solidly built. We cut about 2.5 acres for 10 years with that mower - the deck eventually rusted out, but that was patched up. The mower was sold with the house - not sure how long it went for after that.

When I worked up at Licola at the Lions Village, we had a fair bit of grass to mow - we did the ovals with the slasher, but everything else with a ride on - about 8 acres. The John Deere (36" Zero turn with 15HP motor) that was there when I arrived was a couple of years old, and required heaps of maintenance - it chewed through belts and spindle bearings like you couldn't imagine. I admit that this mower was too small for the job, but it was a crap machine. It soon got passed it, and the camp bought a brand new Toro 48" zero turn machine (22HP) - one word - BRILLIANT. It never missed a beat and required much less maintenance. Did about 1 or 2 belts per season, and with a good service at the end of the season, never let us down. That mower is still being used by the camp today - 10 years later. It looks a bit worse for wear now, and they did have to replace the motor a few years back, but that was because the 'maintenance' guy (I use the term loosely) that was there at the time ran it out of oil... nuff said...

If I ever have the need to buy a ride on, that is what I would buy in a flash.

As an aside, we used an old MF35X with a slasher for the rest of things - that old beast is still doing the same thing all these years later - that is one tough old tractor!

My 2 cents worth
We live on steep acreage in the Tweed valley, probably mowing 3 acres.

We use a Cub Cadet Zero turn ride on. Yes a ride on tractor with true zero turn. 50 inch cut 20hp Vtwin. Wide and low with twin hydro motors I let my 10 year old son mow the steep paddocks with it no problems. All we have done is fitted agressive drive tyres. Has done 70hrs of hard steep grass with just a blade change. Next door property has a large John Deere, good mower but cant go where the Cub can.

Justin

hahahaha, I love these threads, 8 different replies recommending 8 different mowers, its like tyres, batteries, oil, diesel fuel......everyone has a different and BEST option . Long live the forum, long live freedom of speech, long the differences that make up our individual lives. By the way.....have you heard of a Simplicity mower? american with a kholer engine.

+1 for Greenfield, we have had one for 8 years and at 120 hours its still going well. Friction drive like the Cox and mine has a diff lock.
Regards,
Tote

I have a Kubota (petrol) 14Hp HST (we got it 2nd hand from the council) it has about 1500hrs on it now after about 12 yrs. We have lot of rocks and the heavy (3/8in) bar blade and pressed steel deck has been ideal. I have a friend with a Husky who did a lot of blades until he got rid of all his obstacles.

+2 For Greenfield, i have the 34" deluxe and a very steep 1 arce block on hard packed clay soil

I've changed the rear tyres to mini tractor tyres and it's unstoppable. Is a problem though if you loose traction on the grass (like mud tyres in sand).

If you have a sloped block make sure you consider the centre of gravity, another + for the greenfield. And don't bother unless it has a diff lock or solid axle because you won't be able to mow at all if it's damp.

Ever used a zero turn on a slope in the wet? don't bother with that also.
Sam

I best stand up for Husky l think!
I have a diff locked 22 HP unit with 42" commercial deck.

Works hard.
Does contract work (not massive amount though).
Flat. Slopes. Wet. Dry. Stones. Sticks.

They are well priced. And are perhaps not as "robust" as JDs etc BUT it is all about how you treat machinery. Anyhing will become un-reliable if it is abused....

Mike