My MTD yard machine is being replaced. Only a limited number of brands are now in the stores. I am interested in anyones experience/opinion of any particular brand and or model. Any general advice in what to look for.
I have a John Deere lawn tractor that was given to me. It does a fine job, but I don’t have enough experience with other brands to give an informed recommendation.
But I do think that a hydrostatic transmission is the way to go - it seems decidedly better than the straight manual transmissions I’ve previously used.
If you are going to use this solely (or mostly) for cutting grass, you may want to look at one of the many “ZTR” (zero turn radius, which actually should be zero-radius turn) machines - they are becoming quite popular and get great reviews from most who use them.
I would love to get a zero radius mower. We have a decent number of trees, and they all seem to mow so quickly. Unfortunately, money is an issue, and they cost at least twice as much as the old fashioned kind.
Be advised that MTD is the parent company of Bolens, Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet (not International Harvester anymore), and others. My favorite tractor is a Simplicity 725-likely older than you-with a ring and valve job a few years ago to restore original compression and performance.
I have used an Simplicity in the past and now have CubCadet bought new at the begining of the summer. The Simplicity was great but wasn’t mine. I got the CubCadet after looking at everything but JohnDeere (no dealers around here). The CubCadet was the cheapest with the largest cut (50"). It does the job.
A couple of minuses: the PTO on light is tiny and dim, useless. no gas guage, you have to look at a see through in the tank, which is positioned behind the seat in the lower rear. With the bagger on its very hard to see. You have to get off the tractor so its a real PITA.
I just bought a John Deere L130 this summer, 23hp Kohler and a 48" deck. It is a nice tractor, but now I see Poulan has a 25hp 48" deck model for about 1K less than what I paid for my JD. I think it has a Briggs and Stratton engine. So in hindsight I’d probably go for that one.
How many acres are you cutting?
I have around a1 1/2 acres, I would guess. It is all flat except for one small hill graded to the side of the house that I have to mow with a forward then reverse, forward then reverse. Probably about 12 trees and other obstructions to mow around. I have a 42" deck now, and don’t really want to go larger because of storage considerations.
My last two mowers have been zero radius. The first lasted about ten years, when the transmissions lost compression. I got a fairly good trade in on a demonstrator that still cost an arm and a leg. It has a 32 hp engine and a 60" deck, so it will mow some grass. However, I also have about 7 acres with lots and lots of trees to mow.
Screw lawn tractors, go out and buy a farm tractor. I bought a Kubota diesel, a 3 cylinder 18 horsepower 4 wheel drive job with a dozer blade and a 3 point hitch with power takeoff. It has 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds, weighs almost a ton and can lift about 800 lbs at the end of the hitch. Great for clearing our long unpaved driveway in the winter. Nice heavy cast frame, plus wheel weights. I bet it could win a tug of war with a Jeep. I also got an auger, a rake, a ripper, a lift, and a boom pole, over the years since. My wife was so pissed at me she near to killed me, but the first time it snowed she came 'round.
Get a Deere. I can’t kill mine.
John Deere is the trusted name in tractors, combines, diggers, back-hoes etc…etc… for a reason. They are the best*
*John Deere satisfied customer #23,452,897