[schmee]

Hey everyone,

My name is Josh and I have been reading/lurking on this site for awhile and it has been a valuable resource. My JD 316 governor gear is out and I am tired of working on this old beast, so I am now in the market for a new riding mower.

Currently I have about $3000 to spend and I have narrowed down what I am look at. Since I have a couple of questions, I wanted to see what everyone’s opinions were. Each of the following would be purchased from the dealer and not Lowes/HD.

Here is the background. Currently, I live on a corner lot that take about 2 hours to mow with the JD. (big yard) My wife and I are looking at moving to 3-5 acres within the next few years, so I want something that will mow this yard with ease and have the ability to move up. I like the implements idea but the zero turn would also be excellent. I am having trouble picking the best one out of these four. Longevity would be the biggest plus.

Ideas??

Cub Cadet RZT50 – Kawasaki -$2800
Toro Time-Cutter Z5030 – Kohler VTwin - $2899
Craftsman GT500 - Kohler VTwin - $2699
Craftsman PGT or PTY 9000 – Briggs - $2899

 

[Maplekid]

Go with the toro out of those ones. the cub cadet is a piece of crap and all I own is cubs. The guy that works for my dad had one it is a cheap piece of crap.
Also try looking at simplicity garden tractors.

 

[Upper5Percent]

If you buy a Craftsman today...make sure you get an extended warranty, because you will use it...

 

[schmee]

Intresting! - Here is what I know.

The TORO that I looked at had good reviews and was really nice.

The Cub seems to have a mixed review. (Hydro issues is a big one.)

Really liked the Craftsmans but just not sure compared to the Toro.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I missed the 3-5 acre future move...
How sure is that?...because you will be looking at a different class tractor for that size property...

So you might be better off buying a cheaper mower for the current property and selling it when you move...

 

[schmee]

Yeah, the move maybe a while. It is just in our heads....
Looking like the Toro would be a good choice.
Thanks!

 

[Brett-JDX748]

I missed the 3-5 acre future move...
How sure is that?...because you will be looking at a different class tractor for that size property...

So you might be better off buying a cheaper mower for the current property and selling it when you move...

Really?

Depends on the lay of the property and how the machine is maintained doesn't it?

I had an MTD 18Hp Briggs IC Vtwin "garden tractor" that was no better built than my Craftsman GTS5000, I used that machine for 13 years and sold it to my Cousin and her husband now uses it to mow 14 acres of grass (relatively flat) It takes him HOURS because of the small deck, but by golly, he gits r dun!

:sidelaugh


I personally would want a JD 4310 to mow that much grass, but I believe that "too much is just right".....

As far as the Craftsman goes, you won't need an extended warranty. The GTS5000 has a great engine and a great transmission and a "decent" deck. If cared for, it will last a few decades I'm sure... I've put 30 hours on mine this summer and it's been faultless.

 

[Titanium]

I own several different makes of garden tractors.

I know many guys treat it like a religion, and only their favorite brand is any good. I don't have years and years of experience at this like many other do.
But from what I've seen, garden tractors are like everything else...

...when it's running well, it's great! when it's not running, it's a piece of crap!
:sidelaugh

 

[dirtsaver]

Since I work for a Cub Cadet dealer.......let me tell you some bare facts. Stay away from the RZT...far away............! The RZT is an entry level unit made to cut maybe 1/2 to 3/4 acre of FLAT and LEVEL ground. It will not hold up to anything else. The frame is stamped sheetmetal,the deck is flimsy,the hydros will not hold up to pulling trailers or hilly mowing and you WILL have problems for the first five years. After that....It will be dead!

If you want a Cub(for the work you have ahead of you)step up to a Z-Force or Recon with a real frame and heavier deck and mounts.

I can't comment on any of the other units but if I was looking for myself I'd rather go with a good older Simplicity,Wheel Horse,Sears Surbuban,JD,etc Garden Tractor for $400-$800(that would likely still be running 10 years from now) and hold the rest of the money for attatchments and refurbishing the older tractor.

Larry

 

[D-Dogg]

I'd spend the $3000 upgrading from a 316 to a 318, 332, 425, or 445 before I'd consider anything on your list.

If you must have new and a warranty, I'd recommend stretching the budget a bit and getting either an x300 or a Husqvarna 2354GXLS (ground engaging tranny, Vanguard commercial engine).

 

[Upper5Percent]

Really?

Depends on the lay of the property and how the machine is maintained doesn't it?

I had an MTD 18Hp Briggs IC Vtwin "garden tractor" that was no better built than my Craftsman GTS5000, I used that machine for 13 years and sold it to my Cousin and her husband now uses it to mow 14 acres of grass (relatively flat) It takes him HOURS because of the small deck, but by golly, he gits r dun!

:sidelaugh


I personally would want a JD 4310 to mow that much grass, but I believe that "too much is just right"..... <<<Boy, that is right on the money...on that, I agree with you 100%...

As far as the Craftsman goes, you won't need an extended warranty. The GTS5000 has a great engine and a great transmission and a "decent" deck. If cared for, it will last a few decades I'm sure... I've put 30 hours on mine this summer and it's been faultless.

Wow 14 acres with a little garden tractor...

The forward speed is about 3 mph. The main variable is the width of the mower. Let's say we have a 42" mower. If the overlap is 4", then we have 38" cut.

Then the time to do one acre with a 42" mower is:

220 ft. x 220 ft. / ( 3.17 ft x 4.4 ft/sec x 60 sec/min) = 58 minutes.

In summary:

* 24" mower is 110 minutes per acre
* 36" mower is 69 minutes per acre
* 48" mower is 50 minutes per acre

So, if he has a 48" mower it takes him (50 min/acre * 14 acre)/60 min = 11.66 HOURS to mow...

As for Craftsman mowers, I'm on my second one...they replaced the first tractor after the SECOND!! Kawasaki engine died in it in its 5th season...(the first engine died at the beginning of the second season)...NO CHARGE to me, because I had their warranty......the new one has only needed a mandrel replacement on the mowing deck in its second season...I have about 30 hours/month on my lawn tractor...so oil changes are a pretty regular event...

I use an old JD855 for all the little dirty work projects around the farm...this is a real workhorse of a unit

My Ag tractors are only for crop work...when mowing hay if I take longer than 10 minutes an acre I'm running SLOW...

 

[G-1]

I'd spend the $3000 upgrading from a 316 to a 318, 332, 425, or 445 before I'd consider anything on your list.

If you must have new and a warranty, I'd recommend stretching the budget a bit and getting either an x300 or a Husqvarna 2354GXLS (ground engaging tranny, Vanguard commercial engine).

Just a quick check of OK Craigslist (don't know what cities you are closest to) reveals quite a few nice looking green machines.

Are you sure you can't put your 316 back in order to use 'til you move and keep adding to the $3k 'til you are more able to know what your future needs will be?

One thing I would be thinking about is whether fixing up the 316 to sell is worth it as opposed to selling it while broken. So, if it is worth it to fix it...then could I live with it until I have enough $ to really get the right machine. Or, if I fix it and don't want to live with it, what makes most financial sense to get to the $ needed for that right machine. Does that make sense? :swow:

 

[schmee]

Hey all,

I appreciate all of the comments and advise. I chose to go with the Toro Z5030. I feel that I got a good deal and it was setup for my needs. As far as the JD, it may become my project for the fall and we will see.

Thanks again!

 

[jeepersmitty]

You need to post us a picture of the Toro. We don't see many of those.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Hey all,

I appreciate all of the comments and advise. I chose to go with the Toro Z5030. I feel that I got a good deal and it was setup for my needs. As far as the JD, it may become my project for the fall and we will see.

Thanks again!

Congrats on your choice...Being in Sooner Country...I thought the fall was dedicated to FOOTBALL...

 

[Brett-JDX748]

Wow 14 acres with a little garden tractor...

The forward speed is about 3 mph. The main variable is the width of the mower. Let's say we have a 42" mower. If the overlap is 4", then we have 38" cut.

Then the time to do one acre with a 42" mower is:

220 ft. x 220 ft. / ( 3.17 ft x 4.4 ft/sec x 60 sec/min) = 58 minutes.

In summary:

* 24" mower is 110 minutes per acre
* 36" mower is 69 minutes per acre
* 48" mower is 50 minutes per acre

So, if he has a 48" mower it takes him (50 min/acre * 14 acre)/60 min = 11.66 HOURS to mow...

As for Craftsman mowers, I'm on my second one...they replaced the first tractor after the SECOND!! Kawasaki engine died in it in its 5th season...(the first engine died at the beginning of the second season)...NO CHARGE to me, because I had their warranty......the new one has only needed a mandrel replacement on the mowing deck in its second season...I have about 30 hours/month on my lawn tractor...so oil changes are a pretty regular event...

I use an old JD855 for all the little dirty work projects around the farm...this is a real workhorse of a unit

My Ag tractors are only for crop work...when mowing hay if I take longer than 10 minutes an acre I'm running SLOW...

Paul,

Those numbers sound about right, he will start on a friday and will finish up on Sunday! granted he doesn't mow it all down to 3" so he may be hitting the rough stuff at a faster rate of speed, but I don't think my old MTD went too fast from what I remember! LOL He's had to rebuild the mower deck so many times in the past three seasons, but that Briggs IC and the hydro keep chugging along, and the Hydro has never been serviced (not even sure if it's servicable!)

 

[G-1]

Hey all,

I appreciate all of the comments and advise. I chose to go with the Toro Z5030. I feel that I got a good deal and it was setup for my needs. As far as the JD, it may become my project for the fall and we will see.

Thanks again!

Hope you enjoy your new Z. :fing32: And let us know how the 316 project goes.

 

[schmee]

Thanks everyone....

Mowed (well tried to mow) the front and it took 10mins!!!!!!!!

There is a little bit of a learning curve to driving a ZTR....