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Author Topic:   Riding lawnmowers..... I know stupid thread...I need help.
Gary C


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posted 10-03-2000 03:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
The new house is finally getting landscaped, I need a little help on what kind of lawn mower to purchase.

I went looking at a John Deere, model LX277, witha 42inch mulching deck, has anyone had any experience with this product.

4 problems already, I hate green, the magnetic flames will not stick to the plastic body and it will not do donuts or wheelies.

ron nj

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posted 10-03-2000 04:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ron nj     send a private message to ron nj   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by ron nj
Hire a landscaper, make money doing the things you like, pay landscaper, use your Saturdays for fun. I cut my lawn for the first year took me all day sat. did the whole nine yards tractor trailer, my time was not worth it,

just my thoughts

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posted 10-03-2000 04:44 PM           send a private message to ron nj   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by paulr
Come on Gary, just hire the landscaper/mower and get over it. Leaves you with more Prowlin time.
WildCat





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posted 10-03-2000 08:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for WildCat     send a private message to WildCat   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by WildCat
Gary,

Not a supid question, if you have a need to know asking is the best way to find out. We all come from different walks of like and experiences and most of us are KNOW IT ALLS except for me and I don't know "Jack Schitt"

I wouldn't buy a mower unless it had great turning radius. I like ZTR (zero turning radius) and when buying mower the $ makes a BIG difference.

The cheaper mowers work fine for the 1st year or two then cost a lot to repair & are always in the shop.

By that time you will be tired of mowing yourself and ready to hire a mowing crew to maintain your grounds. So this might not be a bad deal either.

Hydrostatic drive is a must even if it isn't a ZTR.

You might be able to locate the mower Tim Allen had on Home Improvement, Dixie Chopper that would run 60 MPH. Do wheelies and burnouts. and being a ZTR even donuts, Not Nyle Wing style but true DONUTS.

CJ





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posted 10-03-2000 08:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CJ     send a private message to CJ   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by CJ
We have a lawn service for our home and we cut the acreage up at the cottage by ourselves. Bob has a Sears Craftsman tractor with a 42" deck. We put the magnetic flames on it. Cuts great, doesn't do wheelies or burn-outs. Call Bob if you want more info!

P.S. Bob has to fight me for the tractor... ......I love it!!!

[This message has been edited by CJ (edited 10-03-2000).]

Nyle Wing
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posted 10-03-2000 08:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nyle Wing     send a private message to Nyle Wing   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Nyle Wing
Hey Gary, John Deere great choice my wife loves ours she does all the yard work ! hehe What a Woman....
I flamed my brothers tractor Looks cooool.

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Flamed Red 99

Dave Mills





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posted 10-03-2000 08:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dave Mills     send a private message to Dave Mills   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Dave Mills
I paved my yard......more parking; less work
CJ





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posted 10-03-2000 09:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CJ     send a private message to CJ   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by CJ
Great idea, Dave, I'm surprised my husband didn't think of that!
Debbie
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posted 10-03-2000 09:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Debbie     send a private message to Debbie   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Debbie
We have a Toro Wheel Horse , the 5xi series, 20hp. with a 48 in mulch deck. You can get what ever size deck you need up to a 60 in. It also has cruise control. No shifting, it is automatic. Love it. No problems. And YES, you can burn some rubber with it.
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posted 10-03-2000 11:58 PM           send a private message to Debbie   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by PhxSuncat
Buy one like Tim Allen's: Binford 6100 series. 60mph plus, wheelies, donuts, wench,HID lights, raintop, wipers, Tony's horn,Canadian 5mph bumpers, day time running lites, and OPTIONAL side-saddle seat for Bear to ride in and point out pot-holes for you. Nothing works like a Deere! Just my opinion. Pay full list, the economy needs your money.
RBRYellow2000
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posted 10-04-2000 05:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RBRYellow2000     send a private message to RBRYellow2000   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by RBRYellow2000
I own a condo. Association fees take care of all outside yard work. Took the money I would have spent on a tractor and had my garage (rec room) finished, insulated, and heated !!!
Laddie Roussel





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posted 10-04-2000 06:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Laddie Roussel     send a private message to Laddie Roussel   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Laddie Roussel
I have 15 year old Wheel Horse (before Toro bought them out). 12 hp Kohler engine, four speed, 37" deck....

Yes, it will do wheelies. As matter of fact, once it flipped completely over on me... Thanks for the kill swicth...

NightProwler
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posted 10-04-2000 01:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
GaryC, ahhhhhh tractors, now we're talkin'! If you have flat terrain, it doesn't matter much on the type of tractor. John Deere will do fine but do make sure that you buy a unit from a DEALER CLOSE to you who can service the unit. Power to 1 rear wheel and pressure brakes will suit you well. Parts are easy to get for a John Deere and dealers are usually plentiful. Have the dealers throw in an extra belt from the engine to the deck, and from the trans to the wheels. See if he'll come out and change the oil and trans fluid the first time for free.

Next, if its mainly for cutting grass/sucking up leaves/pulling a 10 cubic foot trailer with some dirt ON LEVEL GROUND then 16/18 horsepower is plenty. Get one with a hydrostatic transmission. Makes life easy.

Things to consider: power to 1 rear wheel or 2 rear wheels, brakes -pressure or disk, tire size, ease to remove cutting deck/add snowblower, terrain -level or hilly, do you have a lot of tight corners -then need 0 radius tractor, oil sump recirculator, manual shift or hydromatic transmission.

For $2,000-$4,000 you can get a good tractor for basic duty on LEVEL GROUND. John Deere, Cub Cadet, Simplicity and Ariens -all ok. Many Sears models don't have the oil recirculator which means that you won't get any oil to the engine if you are on a steep hill. You will then hear a grrrrrrrrrr, whhhhhhhhhhhe, clunk, clunk, grind....and then silence until the toe of your shoe kicks one of the tires which will loosen the brake and then the unit will roll down hill and you will be standing there going fu............ but not much you can do about it then!

If you have steep hills (greater than 15% grade) then you need to spend $8,000-$10,000 and you'll have one heck of a lawn tractor. You'll get disk brakes to hold you on hills, power to 2 wheels not just one to help pull you up hills when you're turning and plenty of traction in snow or dirt.

Like Mike Krehel's Vipers, most tractors have more hp than the tires can handle. You care lots about traction on hills and in snow. If you have hills get the bigger tires, have the dealer "load" the tires with antifreeze (won't rust your wheels like calcium chloride) and maybe get wheel weight or weights on the back of your tractor.

If you plan on going down steep hills get a Cub Cadet that has a cast iron shaft from the trans to the rear axle. Belts slip with age, cast iron shafts don't slip (but the wheels will a little and thats ok). JDeere likes their design but I know from experience that Cub is better with a load of sand behind you when you need traction going down hill.

Also, having the 3 point hitch is nice, especially if you don't plan on pulling a cart. Expensive and need to get the $8,000-$10,000 tractor but it makes lifting heavy things around the yard a lot easier.

All being said, think about traction (not just hp) just like with cars. Any more ? just ask.

Gary C


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posted 10-04-2000 04:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
I am looking at the 1/2 flat acre, with tight turns. The Deere I am looking at has a 15inch radius for turning. Mulching is the only way I will go, forget the bagger deal to much work and what do you do with the clippings, pain in the @$$. It is 42" mulching deck.

Thanks all and you Nightprowler for your input.

I live in Southern California, no Snow, I miss it yearly.

Still open for suggestions.

NightProwler
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posted 10-04-2000 04:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
the LX277AWS is a good unit but doesn't have a hydrostatic transmission. You probably won't need it if your lot is flat. The hydrostatic transmission makes it easier to control the tractor especially going downhill. Sort of like using L1 and L2 in a car transmission going down mountain roads, but hydrostatics does it automatically-no manual downshifting. Make sure to get a mulching blade and have them show you how to change a belt, oil, trans fluid, etc. Since you will need to sharpen the blade make sure the Deere cutting deck is easy to remove so you can easily get at the blade to remove and sharpen it.

Lastly, talk to Paxton about some Novi1000 blower for your Deere!

Gary C


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posted 10-04-2000 04:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
thanks NP,

How do you Know soooooooo much about tractors?

Nice email address.

NightProwler
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posted 10-04-2000 04:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
1 more thing: if you have jet skis on a trailer, have Deere drill the rear plate of the tractor with a 3/4" drill bit to hold a 1 7/8" ball hitch. That way you can pull the jet ski trailer with your Deere to a location on your property that you wouldn't drive your car on. ie. store in the corner of the back yard, etc. I use my tractor for all sorts of things at my lake home besides cutting grass. I pull my jet skis out of the lake with my tractor when fall season arrives. Easier to manipulate than a car for the 2 blocks I have to drive.
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posted 10-04-2000 04:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
Gary, trust me. I'd trade my experience with tractors any day of the week for your experience with computers or cars! My experience comes from the school of hard knocks. The really important features on a tractor are not highlighted in promotional brochures. For example, where in the lx277 brochure does it say that only 1 wheel gets power? Thats important to know. Also, they tell you the size of the tire but how do you know if that is good, bad or whatever for your specific purpose? Do they ever talk about "loading" the tires? No. Better to load a tire than use wheel weights because less weight is on the axle. btw, you probably cant hook up a 3 point hitch to your unit. you probably dont need it-but just so you know. doesnt sound like you will need to load the tires either. for some hotrodding have them disconnect the safety switch under the seat - that way you can hang off the side of the tractor, give it a little gas, and have some fun! Lastly, see if you can put the unit in reverse without the cutter disengaging. Gets to be a pain in the a///// if it disengages. Have them remove this safety feature if it has it on the unit-or have them show YOU how to remove this safety device.

[This message has been edited by NightProwler (edited 10-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NightProwler (edited 10-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NightProwler (edited 10-04-2000).]

Gary C


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posted 10-04-2000 07:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gary C     send a private message to Gary C   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Gary C
Thanks NP,

I am now leaning towards the LX277AWS with the new 44" Pirana mulcher deck. I got them down 500 bucks on their price.

Does that sound good to you?

There is not a straight shot anywhere on the lawn. Tons of curves. I really think I need the mobility.

BTW, I do not know JACK about computers, seriously. Cars yes.

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posted 10-05-2000 09:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
I haven't ridden the lx277aws tractor, but that aws feature is nice. Since you have flat land with lots of curves, you may be backing up a lot. Make sure you can back up without having the blade stop every time you step on the Reverse pedal. Some newer models have this feature while others don't. Have them disconnect the safety wire so the blade won't stop when you step on the R pedal. With lots of sharp curves you may want to try the zero radius. Not as cool looking and takes time to learn how to steer-but you'll get the hang of it-then you can do donuts allllllllllll day long. Have them bring the lx277aws to your house for a test drive. See if it satisfies your needs given your flat land and tight corners. Don't let the salesman say "Oh yeah, you'll be ok."

Since you will only be mulching do you plan on sharpening the blade yourself? If so, be sure you can get at the blade to remove it. Try removing the deck 3 times in the showroom to see if it is easy or difficult to do. Otherwise plan on having to bring the unit to the dealership or waiting for the dealer to stop by your house.

Don't be amused by any beverage can holder on your tractor since the beverage just gets spilled, and you only end up drinking dust and miniature pieces of grass.

Re: price, I'd call up 4 different Deere dealers. Offer $1,000 below sticker on a $4,000 unit. If he says you're smoking something get his best price and call the next dealer and offer $200 below the previous dealers best price. Do the same with the 3rd dealer, etc.

[This message has been edited by NightProwler (edited 10-05-2000).]

Lance.d
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posted 10-05-2000 12:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lance.d     send a private message to Lance.d   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by Lance.d
Gary,
You can mow anything down with that, I use mine to mow 5 acres and its the best, If you have tight turns you might look at some of the zero radius mowers.
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posted 10-05-2000 11:56 PM           send a private message to Lance.d   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by PhxSuncat
Gary - This is why we have recruited NightProwler to Team CJ, where the WINNERS go! He is equipping CJ's tractor with jet engine, to blow away your new toy. It will be, as at Woodward, NO CONTEST!
NightProwler
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posted 10-06-2000 08:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
Lets see...hmmmmm, GaryC's LX277AWS modified with a Paxton Novi 1000 supercharger with restrictor plate with 9 pounds of boost, or CJ's Craftsman tractor modified with a Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A engine with 17,500 pounds of thrust? I'd lay my money on CJ's unit, with loaded tires, in the 1/4 mile, and GaryC's in the slalom.

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posted 10-06-2000 09:19 AM           send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by PhxSuncat
NP - BRAVO! CJ's tractor smokes Gary's. Gary on the slopes? It better be insured for full value, as it will come away totaled after one trip. Better equip with full roll cage and wing above - you know he was a sprint car type of guy. A Kinser want to be!

------------------
Larry Salzman AZ - POA

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posted 10-06-2000 09:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NightProwler     send a private message to NightProwler   Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote   Search for more posts by NightProwler
We better put some weights on the front of CJ's tractor too. Jet fuel has quite a kick.

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