As this spring approached....we entered into the annual knock down....drag out....lawn mowing episodes of 2008....the UFC....ultimate fighting championship...has nothing on us ...
Let me set the stage...for 5+ years now....Austin has been in charge of mowing the lawn.....for 5+ years now....Austin being Austin...does his best to 'not start' the lawn mower....BUT....if he can't start and I can...it can be started....however...if he can't start it...and I can't...it can't be started...but the all knowing and powerful Scottie can start any lawn mower...including the 10+ year old lawn mover that has been cursing this family for years ...
So this spring...I've HAD IT.....once again...I can't start the lawn mover....Austin can't start the lawn mower.....but when we call to notify the big man in charge...according to him....IT CAN BE STARTED...
Yeah...well...guess what...I don't care if it can be started...I inform Scottie (on his voice mail) I'm on my way to buy a new lawn mower....and ignore the ringing of my cell phone....and drive on....mission on hand....
Finally answer the cell phone and just hand it over to Austin....Scottie and Austin talk...and before I know what has hit me .....I'm being told by the both of 'em....I don't know what kind of lawn mower I need to buy......Austin and HIM know exactly what they need
Well we still don't have a new lawn mower(they're still looking)...but nobody attempts to start the old one if I'm anywhere near around
The REAL mission has been accomplished
Summer
2009 36RD5S Cedar Creek
2006 310RBDS Pilgrim
2005 Dodge 3500 CTD 4X4
Scottie 1962 Model
Austin 14
Coondog Moonshine
Wiener Beagle Candie
Wiener Beagle Pebbles
Gee, I'd sure like to help you out.
How big is the lawn?
do you want a rider or a walk behind?
Toro is good, either tractor or walk behind or zero turn.
(the zero turn units are a total BLAST to drive!)
John Deere makes great mowers, but that green paint is EXPENSIVE!
I like my Craftsman Fairway Tractor with the 54 inch deck and Vtwin engine.
In a rider, get a hydrostatic ("automatic") transmission. IMO, the gear drives are always too fast or too slow, doesn't matter how many gears they have.
Snapper also makes some very good mowers, in all sizes.
When it comes to riders, remember, there are only a few engine manufacturers, and only a few transmission/transaxle manufacturers. Any tractor or rider that you get will have pretty much the same engine and drive train. The sheet metal is the only major difference. However, look for a cast or forged front axle, not one stamped from sheet metal and welded. Those are junk. I have had to replace many of them on rigs only a couple years old!
Remind your men that "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy!" Then go with them to shop for your new mower. If you get a walk-behind, try to find one with the "GTS" engine. "Guaranteed To Start". If it doesn't start on the second pull, the shop has to fix it so it will!
Then again, electric start is available on some walk behinds...
Have fun shopping.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
I see not a big difference between pushing electric start, or making single pull on our Honda.
Dealing with dead battery in the spring time with grass 10" tall is not my favorite.
BTW I KNEW my wife needs Honda.
Pessimist sees dark tunnel, optimist sees a light at the end, realist sees lights of coming train.Engineer sees 3 idiots on the tracks.
Still driving my yellow and cream colored, 1972 IH Cub Cadet 73. 7 HP Kohler engine, direct-drive, 3-speeds forward, one reverse. Key start, sips fuel, cuts with a 3-bladed 38" deck. It pushed snow the first 20 years of it's life. Never fails to start.
I like our Wheel Horse 520H (purchased used in 2000) and we've run the snot out of it mowing 6 acres. But it's probably bigger than you would need. Realistically it's smaller than we should have but a compact tractor is not in our budget right now.
Mark
Mark & Renee
Jasper the Greyhound
Working Border Collies: Duncan (retired), Rae, Gyp (retired), Jody, Peg, Bette, BJ & Nell
2001 Chevy Express 2500 Cargo (rolling kennel)
2007 Nash 22M
I don't understand... with your vast knowledge of all things mechanical I would think that you are fully qualified to purchase a lawn mower. I think it's a conspiracy!!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
mowermech wrote: Gee, I'd sure like to help you out.
How big is the lawn?
do you want a rider or a walk behind?
"If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy!" .
Pretty small standard size lot I'd say...it'd have to be a walk behind...but I don't really care what they get...I don't mow lawns
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