Any riding mower experts here?

14-16 horse Craftsman, 42" cut.
You don't have to spend $3k to get a green mower unless you want to impress someone--spend the money saved on something worthwhile!

 

http://www.lawnsite.com/

I bought a 36" Toro walk-behind mower off someone on this site 5 years ago for $500.

The site is like f-chat for mowers - you can find out anything you need to know there.

 

In the price point you're shopping, most mowers will be made by the same company with different badges slapped on them. The John Deere you mentioned is a perfect example. It has green paint, but that's about where the similarity ends between it and some other JD lawn tractors.

 

My family as been using Kubotas for years (up to 45hp); I've got a little Kubota w/a Kohler. Great workmanship, but it's over the $1800 limit.

 

my last house had a huge yard and a riding mower was much needed, a friend found me a used craftsman, 46 inch cut but cant remember the hp- i paid 400 bicks- this thing worked great and always started.

 

when it comes to John Deere mowers you are just payng for the paint. I would agree with Kohler engines they are reliable and will last IMO. I would definitely recommend Kohler but make sure the rest of the mower is built well too. I see a lot of mowers using Kohler engines that look like the rest of the mower was built with very thin guage metal. What good is an great engine if the rest of the mower falls apart in a couple years. That's not saying the sears model is like that. Just look it over and make sure it looks like it can handle the job you want it to do for several years.

 

I'm trying to wrap my mind around the concept of enthusiasm for lawn equipment. It ain't workin'.

Edit: Just noticed it's for business owners, but you know someone is on there just for kicks!

 

I've seen people nearly come to blows defending their brand of power equipment. Enthusiast wouldn't begin to describe some people. Of course, I grew up in a rural town without a stop light.

 

It ain't the ferrari but it is still fun to drive.
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Yeah, it's pretty funny. I spent a few days doing research before I bought my mower, and after reading through it all, I decided to stick to commercial mowers, not Home Depot/Sears stuff.

They have a section for homeowners too.

My mower was used to mow a graveyard. The maintenance guy finally got them to replace it with a 48" cut mower so he could cut between grave markers with one pass.