untateve Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I've never owned a riding lawnmower. I am considering buying one and dumping my lawn service. My house is on a half acre lot. Nothing fancy or difficult about the lawn except the number of trees. I am looking for something that will efficiently mow my lawn for a reasonable price--but I don't want to purchase a piece of crap. I don't care about bagging or mulching--I just want the grass mowed in a dependable way. Teach me. I want to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 zero-radius turning. Beverage holder These are the only features you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Any slopes on your property? If so, make sure you get one that can handle those particular grades. My parents have a Craftsman riding mower from Sears. I would not recommend it. POS. That's all I got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Lesson #1: They typically have 4 wheels and can cut grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 2 words....... push mower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddogs2020 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 For half an acre you only need a 46-48" cut. Zero-turn is great, but I would get one with normal steering. John Deere (my favorite) runs about 2k, closer to 3k for 50" cut. Deere's are known for quality construction. Husqvarna (sic) is alot cheaper but I hear they aren't as reliable. Cub Cadet is my second favorite. Not too expensive, decent quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 2 words....... push mower why ??? sit down and relax ..thats the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Unta , hire someone to do it for you ...thats the best sit down mower around ...you sit down while others mow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 Unta , hire someone to do it for you ...thats the best sit down mower around ...you sit down while others mow I have someone to do it for me know. For that and the hedges, it's costing me $125 per month. I have a son who turns 12 in Sept. He will not be charging me $125 per month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddogs2020 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Unta , hire someone to do it for you ...thats the best sit down mower around ...you sit down while others mow Yeah...last summer I mowed alot...haven't mowed a bit this year thanks to the neighborhood grass cutters... wanna buy a slightly used Cub Cadet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Buy one that's Big. And Green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 zero turn radius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I have someone to do it for me know. For that and the hedges, it's costing me $125 per month. I have a son who turns 12 in Sept. He will not be charging me $125 per month. $125 for a half acre AND pruning? Your guy is a lowballer! $125 is low for just mowing, blowing and edging. I price my pruning out seperately depending on the time required (I'm in my first year with a new landscaping biz). But.... a kid ought to have a chore or two... good idea. Most of the ride-ons under 3 grand are not good machines. I don't care if it's John Deere green or a Craftsman. A good ZTR (zero turn mower) is well over 4 grand, I'd say 5k for a reliable one with sufficient HP, if you want one that will still start and have some paint left on the mowing deck in 3 years go with a good walk behind. Get a walk behind unit. A 36" or a 32" machine, with at least 15HP (avoid the Briggs, get a Kawisaki) will do nicely, and the extra HP will come in handy in the fall when bagging leaves, it won't bog down. I recommend this outfit if your lawn is level. http://betteroutdoorproducts.com/ They use a single hydro, much easier to turn than a belt drive, but not as nimble as a much more expensive dual hydro unit. If the lawn is hilly, get a dual hydro machine. Google Walker mowers for dual hydro types. Better Quick is the machine I use in the biz, a 32" due to many small gates. Make the kid walk.... a half acre doesn't need a freakin ride-on. Waste of money.... and the kid needs to burn some calories! I don't care if he's skinny! A wlak behind will give him nice shoulders, and not a fat ar-se! Feel free to PM me or ask again here..... I'm full of, amoungst other things, lots of advice on lawn mowers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 (edited) I saved up and bought this a year ago. Makes life so much easier. Riding Mower Edited June 5, 2008 by Double Agent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 A half acre does not need a riding mower. I have have an acre and run while pushing the mower and it's great aeorbic exercise and you're done in no time-plus riding mowers take up a lot of room in the garage. Get a Honda self propelled and put on the jogging shoes that you don't mind getting grass stained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millerx Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 A half acre does not need a riding mower. I have have an acre and run while pushing the mower and it's great aeorbic exercise and you're done in no time-plus riding mowers take up a lot of room in the garage. Get a Honda self propelled and put on the jogging shoes that you don't mind getting grass stained. A self-propelled sets the pace for you though, doesn't it? I agree with the Honda suggestion. I have one (self-propelled), treat it like crap, but the thing just keeps on running (around 13 yrs old now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 floating deck is also important - I scalp alot on unlevel areas due to not having this feature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I just bought This and I love it. I have a little over 1/2 acre and mine slopes somewhat in the front but I can still use it for 90% of my mowing. You will not be disappointed, I also bought the bagger for it as well and it will handle a snow plow for the front during the winter which I know you won't need but hey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 I just bought This and I love it. I have a little over 1/2 acre and mine slopes somewhat in the front but I can still use it for 90% of my mowing. You will not be disappointed, I also bought the bagger for it as well and it will handle a snow plow for the front during the winter which I know you won't need but hey could you be more specific in what I should buy as the link is not helpful at this point in time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 could you be more specific in what I should buy as the link is not helpful at this point in time? Cub Cadet 20 HP, 46 In. Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor Model 13RX11CH756 $1,649.00/EA Each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonkis Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Buy the kid a nice pair of shears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I went through this in the spring and ended up going over the top and got a Toro Timecutter Z5020. The difference in cut between that and the Husqvarna I had is amazing. Zero turn, 50" deck, 23 HP, it's like mowing the lawn with a Volkswagon. However, I got a great deal on it. It was last year's model sitting on the lot; the dealer threw in a bagger kit and took $500 off. Total price was around 3K. I do my lawn in about an hour now (approx 1/2 acre). By getting a prosumer machine I'm expecting that I will get 20 years out of this bugger with reasonable maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 (edited) I cannot believe no one mentioned getting some goats. You could also get some milk and cheese out of the deal. Edited June 5, 2008 by Footballjoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Once you get big enough, they become lawn tractors. Now that's what you want. More power, bigger cutting deck, women throw themselves at you, etc. Mine is 24 HP, 54" deck. I go apecrap on the attachments for it. My lawn is about 3 acres and I'm clearing out a few dozen yards back into the surrounding woods as well. One day I'm going to upgrade to the big John Deere one like the guy across the street. It's something you'd see on a farm. Remember, it's like woman and cars...you can never have too much deck and too much power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman_Nick Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I recommend this outfit if your lawn is level. http://betteroutdoorproducts.com/ That's both Big AND Green. Perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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