Push or Riding Lawn Mower ?

[cyfreddy]

Well my self-propelled push mower gave up the ghost tonight, so I have a tough choice to make, I have a pretty large lot to mow, and I have been using a push mower, now I am but if I could find a cheap rider to go along with a cheap push that would make me very happy.

I am open for suggestions on where to look for these items.

Cyfreddy

 

[DevilDog]

I've got a riding mower for sale. Its an Allis Chalmers which was inherited from my grandpa. Ive used it the past 4 yrs runs very good. Put in new battery and spark plug this year. It can be had for $350.

 

[cmoneyr]

I bought a lawn tractor a couple months back and I love it, It'd be tough going back now. It used to take me about 2 hours to mow my yard, now I can get it done in about 30 minutes. I got mine from Lowes, it's an MTD built by Troy Bilt, no problems with it.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

You can buy a John Deere and ride it free for a year ... it is the American way!!!

Use riding mowers designed for any lawn care project from

 

[jaretac]

If you have any tight corners or shrubs you will also need a push mower or you will have to do a lot of weed eating. Obviously, the $1,000 difference could be a determining factor. I had a Craftsman rider for awhile, ran good except the belt kept coming off. Rear wheel steering is awesome but expensive and the wider the deck the more you miss in corners.

 

[Phaedrus]

You need an afterburning jet-powered lawnmower, but at least something with a V-12 Allison or 600 cubic inch hemi power, minimum....

 

[h0mestar]

Rider vs. Push, it's a question of how much is your time worth to you? Go for a nice zero turn rider, you'll never regret the decision.

 

[mramseyISU]

Depends on how much you have to mow. To me anything over a 1/2 acre is rider territory.

 

[ISUFan22]

Currently use a Honda walk-behind for our lawn (25k sq. ft.). Takes me just about 2 hours to mow it and another 10-20 to trim, depending on if I edge the sidewalks or not.

I am looking forward to the day I upgrade to a Deere riding mower - my brother works for Deere so I can get a sweet discount - just can't justify the cost at this point.

 

[clones_jer]

Currently use a Honda walk-behind for our lawn (25k sq. ft.). Takes me just about 2 hours to mow it and another 10-20 to trim, depending on if I edge the sidewalks or not.

I am looking forward to the day I upgrade to a Deere riding mower - my brother works for Deere so I can get a sweet discount - just can't justify the cost at this point.

2 hours to mow?!?! good Lord! I get pissed when it takes 30 mins to mow mine, I would lose my mind in your situation. Do you have to refill the tank mid-lawn?

I think its time to pave in that full court basketball court ... or put in the olympic pool.

 

[Gink]

Get a Robomower. Robomow® - Automatic Lawn Mowers by Friendly Robotics®

I have had one for a few years and it works great. I have a Roomba as well. I like my robomower a lot more.

When I bought it the website said "Smart enough to mow your lawn, stupid enough to do it for free".

There was a question in the FAQ that asked "How long would it take to mow my yard". The answer was "A few hours but what do you care, you won't be doing it".

Only costs about $10 a year for electricity.

 

[Phaedrus]

Get a Robomower. Robomow® - Automatic Lawn Mowers by Friendly Robotics®

I have had one for a few years and it works great. I have a Roomba as well. I like my robomower a lot more.

When I bought it the website said "Smart enough to mow your lawn, stupid enough to do it for free".

There was a question in the FAQ that asked "How long would it take to mow my yard". The answer was "A few hours but what do you care, you won't be doing it".

Only costs about $10 a year for electricity.

Images of the movie Robocop, where the first version waxes the account executive play through my mind as I read this....

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

Well my self-propelled push mower gave up the ghost tonight, so I have a tough choice to make, I have a pretty large lot to mow, and I have been using a push mower, now I am but if I could find a cheap rider to go along with a cheap push that would make me very happy.

I am open for suggestions on where to look for these items.

Cyfreddy

I had a smaller - 30 something inch - rider that went on the fritz. Went back to the self propelled walk behind and really haven't missed the rider much. The time it takes with the walk behind is about equal to the rider due to easier turning, etc. and I get a little exercize in the process. I also use about 1/4 the amount of gas using the walk behind.

The only way that I would switch back to a rider would be if I had a large amount of cash sitting around to buy a 48 " or larger ZTR rider. That would probably save me about 45 minutes a week in mowing time. Otherwise, it just isn't worth it.

 

[ISUFan22]

2 hours to mow?!?! good Lord! I get pissed when it takes 30 mins to mow mine, I would lose my mind in your situation. Do you have to refill the tank mid-lawn?

I think its time to pave in that full court basketball court ... or put in the olympic pool.

I don't mind it too much. Sometimes it's annoying when I'm extra busy - but generally I like being outside and working in the yard. For now. :wink:

I do have to refill the tank, but it's when I have just 15 minutes left or so. I usually find a stopping point when I get to the front about midway through to refill and grab another drink. :yes:

And trust me, the half court hoops area has been discussed. But I doubt that'll happen anytime soon.

 

[HILLCYD]

I have a John Deere 425 with a 60in deck. Boy do I love that bad boy. Of course, I mow nearly 4 acres. Anyone who has a normal city sized yard and has a riding mower is either lazy or 80. Just my opinion.

 

[AIT]

My wife bought her dad's old riding mower. I used it once, and discovered that our front yard has some tight spaces and hills the rider couldn't reach, plus it wouldn't fit through the gate to get into our backyard. I sold it the next day and have stuck with the push mower ever since. It takes me a little over an hour to mow, but as has been said, it's good exercise.

 

[cyclonekj]

Something people tend to forget when making these decisions is maintenance. I don't know how expensive repairs run for the fancy zero-turn, hydrostatic drive riders, but a push mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine will run for years and can be completely rebuilt for about $30. I just fixed a carburetor issue on mine and it runs like new. The part cost $3.47 at Beaver Mower.

 

[dosry5]

Something people tend to forget when making these decisions is maintenance. I don't know how expensive repairs run for the fancy zero-turn, hydrostatic drive riders, but a push mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine will run for years and can be completely rebuilt for about $30. I just fixed a carburetor issue on mine and it runs like new. The part cost $3.47 at Beaver Mower.

.........you said "beaver mower".....

 

[HILLCYD]

Something people tend to forget when making these decisions is maintenance. I don't know how expensive repairs run for the fancy zero-turn, hydrostatic drive riders, but a push mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine will run for years and can be completely rebuilt for about $30. I just fixed a carburetor issue on mine and it runs like new. The part cost $3.47 at Beaver Mower.

I bolded the keyword in your post. If you properly maintain ANY decent lawnmower it will run for years with no problems.

I thought I was doing a great job on my John Deere but neglected a small gear box that was part of the deck. Most me $400 for a new one. BUT, if I had taken care of it (and I will now) it would have lasted forever.

Sometimes it is easy to just jump on the mower and get the mowing chores out of the way, in the end, it is better to check out the machine. Oil, grease, blades, etc, etc. It will save you a TON of time and dirty finger nails.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

I have a John Deere 425 with a 60in deck. Boy do I love that bad boy. Of course, I mow nearly 4 acres. Anyone who has a normal city sized yard and has a riding mower is either lazy or 80. Just my opinion.

Agree with you there 100%. I was out jogging last night and seen a 20 something yr old guy out on a riding lawn mower mowing his single lot lawn. I would have got done push mowing all the time he was taking turning, backing and he would still have to get out the pusher to trim the yard. It was a joke.

I do have a neighbor who had open heart surgery at 33 so I do make exceptions, but the lazy's are a lot more prominent of excuses for the smaller lots that's for sure.