🏡 Better Homes Need a Riding Mower - Where to Start?

[Z28Camaro]

I just bought a place in the Peoria area but wasn’t able to visit it in person yet. It’s got a pretty good sized lawn and when I was doing the (virtual) walkthrough I mentioned to my realtor that I have a nice Toro push mower that I’ll be using for lawn duties. He recommended a riding mower. I hadn’t even considered it but now am thinking it might be a good idea to pick one up at the end of the season when prices are down a bit.

I grew up behind a push mower and have used them my whole life. I don’t have a lot of experience with riding mowers except using a few for people occasionally. I figure if I will get one I’d probably want one that I could put a snowblower on the front of to do the driveway as well. That’s not necessary but might be nice to have instead of a separate blower. Maybe it’s better to have a separate machine for snow?

Not looking for something new - prefer something that is used, reliable and will last. Parts easily available. Also not looking for a fixer upper or a relic. Something that is in the sweet spot of being a good used machine that will last a while.

What should I be looking for and how much should I be prepared to spend?

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[daturbosix]

Drive shaft driven something. Early 2000s or earlier manufacturer built machines.

Try to stay away from vertical shaft belt driven machines.

There's a reason why there's such a following for the 1960s and 1970s Cub cadets and John deers... They just don't die, and most local part stores carry parts for them

 

[DanJ]

How big of a lot is it? You don’t necessarily need a riding mower, but you may need something with a bigger deck. My parents have a half acre and my dad has a Kawasaki powered commercial 48” mower he got when my uncle sold/lost his landscaping business 20 years ago. It’s been pretty bulletproof and really doesn’t take that long to mow with the wider deck.

 

[boostedguy05]

Outlaw

 

[GTPpower]

I would buy a snapper or toro zero turn mower for $1000-$1500, then get an ATV for snow removal if you have storage room.

 

[Flyn]

I bought my current rider at the local auction. Paid around $700 IIRC. Worth over double that if it was new. Has worked well for several years now. I started it and ran it before I bid on it, of course. Oil looked OK. I changed the oil, filters and plugs and put new blades on it when I got it.

 

[Jon01]

If lot is <.5 ac, John Deere 345 with a 48" deck.
If >.5ac John Deere 425-445-455 with 54 or 62" deck.

Close the thread.

 

[Z28Camaro]

I would buy a snapper or toro zero turn mower for $1000-$1500, then get an ATV for snow removal if you have storage room.

I like this idea because an ATV would be pretty fun to have around anyway. I have a 10X16 storage shed so space shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Z28Camaro]

How big of a lot is it? You don’t necessarily need a riding mower, but you may need something with a bigger deck. My parents have a half acre and my dad has a Kawasaki powered commercial 48” mower he got when my uncle sold/lost his landscaping business 20 years ago. It’s been pretty bulletproof and really doesn’t take that long to mow with the wider deck.

I’m guessing it’s somewhere between .5-.75 acres of grass to mow. I’m thinking a ZTR might be a good idea as there are a fair amount of trees to mow around and navigate. If I go this route obviously another piece of equipment would be needed for the snow.

 

[Z28Camaro]

If lot is <.5 ac, John Deere 345 with a 48" deck.
If >.5ac John Deere 425-445-455 with 54 or 62" deck.

Close the thread.

Like this one?:

https://www.meridianimplement.com/inventory/?/listing/for-sale/194621571/1998-john-deere-425-riding-lawn-mowers-outdoor-power?dlr=1&accountcrmid=61369&settingscrmid=61368

 

[Jon01]

Like this one?:

https://www.meridianimplement.com/inventory/?/listing/for-sale/194621571/1998-john-deere-425-riding-lawn-mowers-outdoor-power?dlr=1&accountcrmid=61369&settingscrmid=61368

Yep just like that one. Except that one is way overpriced.
FB Marketplace and CL should have lots of good examples.
If you can swing a 455 that's the diesel version of that machine, they run forever.
This one would be a good one:

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Edit - or this one, you can find decks pretty easily. With this you'd have summer and winter covered.

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[Outlaw]

I’m a big garden tractor nerd….

With that said, my 318 is relegated to pulling a small trailer with a water tank for animal pens.

If you’re just trying to cut grass, get a zero turn.

 

[Kizzlebizz]

I have a 1995 425 that puts in work at our property. 20 horse, 2wd, hydro with power steering. The thing is a beast. Also has a small 3 point with rear hydraulic lift and pto.

 

[LikeABauce302]

I just got a 46" Craftsman from Facebook marketplace. My dad actually found it and picked it up for me as a house warming gift. I have a half acre lot with a lot of trees and landscaping features. A 42" zero turn would have been ideal, but just wasn't in the budget.

If you want to take a couple hour drive north from Peoria, this is the guy I got my mower from. He's a scrapper and had a bunch of riding mowers in running condition. Mine needed a new battery, but otherwise runs great.

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[Yaj Yak]

I’m a big garden tractor nerd….

With that said, my 318 is relegated to pulling a small trailer with a water tank for animal pens.

If you’re just trying to cut grass, get a zero turn.

Outlaw nailed this.


garden tractors are neat.


buuuuut if you're just going to be out there mowing, buy a decent zero turn and never look back.

i fucking love my home depot special 42" toro zero turn. parts are easily available. kohler engine reliability. ive beat the fuck out of it the past 3-4? years and it just doesn't give a shit.

getting my yard done quickly is a priority and zero turn can do it so much quicker and efficiently.

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

Jumping on board with zero turn and something else for snow.

I have a 79’ Deere 214 that I use for grass and snow. Eventually I’ll go zero turn and an ATV/plow setup for winter

 

[Yaj Yak]

also on the topic of the snow situation Z28Camaro, i haven't used my snowblower in two? years and im way north of peoria...

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

People go way overkill on snowblowers too. You don’t need a two stage self propelled with tracks on it. Single stage gas will handle everything but a freak storm. Even a foot of snow just takes some time with smaller bites.

 

[Yaj Yak]

People go way overkill on snowblowers too. You don’t need a two stage self propelled with tracks on it. Single stage gas will handle everything but a freak storm. Even a foot of snow just takes some time with smaller bites.

yeah i have some fucking monster like youre talking about i bought used from a friend's family member that is super fucking overkill so that is also likely why i haven't used it in two years as well.

fucker's got a headlight and push button start if i remember right.

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

Electric start is nice, but I’d you maintain stuff it’s not a big deal to pull start in 1-2 yoinks anyway.

Big snowblowers are such a pain in the ass to use in anything less than a few inches. It’s a workout.
You can whip around in a single stage and they pretty much pull themselves into the snow too.

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

If you got a deal on it, send it though.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Electric start is nice, but I’d you maintain stuff it’s not a big deal to pull start in 1-2 yoinks anyway.

Big snowblowers are such a pain in the ass to use in anything less than a few inches. It’s a workout.
You can whip around in a single stage and they pretty much pull themselves into the snow too.

biggest thing is i hate storing it, i need to just sell it.

 

[Lord Tin Foilhat]

also on the topic of the snow situation Z28Camaro, i haven't used my snowblower in two? years and im way north of peoria...

Gotta warm up before the earth's protection system kicks in and we go ice age again.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Gotta warm up before the earth's protection system kicks in and we go ice age again.

 

[Pewter-Camaro]

No snowblower crew checking in. I could have used one last year but ehhh. The most snow we had was 6-8” and I just shoveled it in pieces. If I do get a snow blower it will be a small gas one. Also my wife is making it part of the chores for everyone to help shovel the snow so the SIL will get her ass out there help.