[00 SS]

Soon I will need to buy a good lawn and garden tractor and I know nothing about them. Our new house is on 1.25 acres and I can't even imagine mowing it with a push mower. I'd also like it to be capable of mounting a plow blade for the drive in the winter.

Does anyone have any recommendations of who makes good ones and maybe some to stay away from? Any other info you may have that would help me select an appropriate tractor would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[sgarnett]

John Deere does have a budget brand (Sabre, I think) that might be worth looking into. Cub Cadet is good, though I'm not sure it's really Cub Cadet anymore. I just have a regular but sturdy Cub Cadet riding mower. A real Cub Cadet was built more like a miniature tractor.

Sears tends to use the largest motor and mowing deck that the frame can possibly handle. In other words, a lot of power on a flimsy frame.

Most manufacturers have several basic frame designs (in other words, grades) that they will build a variety of models on. I would look for the smallest model built on the intermediate frame. It's easy to spot once you know to look for it.

Also, twin blade decks are more reliable than 3 blade decks. The belts are simpler and the grass exits better (if not mulching). Typically, a 42" deck is about the biggest you'll find in a twin blade.

I'd also look for a cast front axle instead of stamped.

The hydraulic drive on mine is GREAT. It allows you to actually vary your speed with a pedal while keeping the blade speed more-or-less contant instead of having to constantly stop and change gears or manipulate the hand throttle. That may not be an issue in a big open area, but if you have much stuff (trees, etc) to mow around it helps a lot.

The zero-turn models are nice, but pricey.

BTW, we have eleven acres. We mow several acres of it with the rider, most of the open area with a 6' bush hog and 38 hp tractor (JD), and there's an acre or so of woods spread out along the stream and fences.

The cheap/flimsy bottom end models are OK on smooth, manicured lawn, but on slightly rougher ground (just open field, not wild or rocky areas) they just don't hold up. We went through two quick before I bought a sturdier model.