Riding mowers

Discussion of all things technological and/or gadgety
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Steamforger
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Steamforger »

We've got the goat wranglers and about 20 goats at work right now. The goats munch on the vegetation that grows on the bedrock where the penstocks come out of the intake and dive into the power house. The rock can be 45% or better and is far too steep to put people on. The goats just climb all over it like its barely there.

My Dad has had good results with a conventional Deere. Parts are expensive.
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mekender
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by mekender »

After reading a bit over the last month or two, I am actually leaning towards getting one with a Honda engine instead of a B&S engine.
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Denis
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Denis »

Life is too short to spend it on mowing lawns: www.robomow.com

Turn it on in March, off in November. Fire and forget.

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Langenator
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Langenator »

I don't need a robot. I have kids. :lol:
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Denis
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Denis »

Langenator wrote:I don't need a robot. I have kids. :lol:
Ah. I see. Well get back to beating them then!
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evan price
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by evan price »

mekender wrote:After reading a bit over the last month or two, I am actually leaning towards getting one with a Honda engine instead of a B&S engine.
Just make sure it's not a honda with a plastic camshaft or the timing belts inside the crank case. Grenades.
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MarkD
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by MarkD »

evan price wrote:
mekender wrote:After reading a bit over the last month or two, I am actually leaning towards getting one with a Honda engine instead of a B&S engine.
Just make sure it's not a honda with a plastic camshaft or the timing belts inside the crank case. Grenades.
Just like their cars. Once they go it's too expensive to fix them.
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Netpackrat
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Netpackrat »

I'm a big fan of Honda engines. From Evan's comment, it sounds like they may have put out a lemon or two like everyone else, but overall they are some of the most bulletproof small engines out there. Parts are kind of expensive, but they are really good for keeping everything available well beyond any reasonable life expectancy for the equipment. I still have a 1981 Honda ATC; it still runs and I don't think the engine has ever been apart. Honda's parts department was absolutely golden for about 30 years... Any part I needed was available. It's only been in the last few years where they have finally started discontinuing items. I was still able to get the stuff I needed to rebuild the carb about 3 years ago, but it took longer to get the parts, and they don't list a kit anymore.
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rightisright
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by rightisright »

I am also a big fan of Honda small engines. I have two Honda generators (they are the gold standard w. contractors around here) that have been bullet proof for thousands of hours and a Honda 13HP powered pressure washer (the PW isn't Honda, just the engine). Regular oil changes are the key. I also have a smaller backup up power washer that uses the cheaper GX Honda engine. That one has been through two pumps but no engine work has been needed.
Precision
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Re: Riding mowers

Post by Precision »

I don't know how much acreage you have, but a used commercial mower with less then 1000 hours on it will last you FOREVER. Get a Kubota, Gravely, Toro, Skag, Exmark, Grasshopper or the like. Just make sure they are not one of the consumer grade ones someone used commercially.

When I had my lawncare business, I mowed 130ish lawns per week ranging from .16 acre up to 12 acres. I had a gravely 60inch Zturn (PM260) that thing was a BEAST. Nothing would stop it. Then there was the 36" tri blade Scag, very similar to the Gravely but much smaller. The deck didn't like wet grass, would clump up. But on dry grass, it would eat through anything too. There were a few others had along the way that were not good. John Deere zturn in a 48" gas guzzler and maintenance queen. I got it when I bought someone out. Sold it quickly. Snapper sucks.

That zturn scag was great for up to an acre. Too slow for commercial use (not a wide enough cut) unless the land demanded it. But it was great for backyards, tight spaces and having a second body mowing on high mow / low detail properties.

Skag no longer makes that mower. It has been replaced with this. If your knees are ok, this is actually a better way to mow.

http://scag.com/vride.html more comfortable and easier to work -- after a little practice. New they run about $6k. Look into Wright standers. They have a winter purchase program that is deeply discounted. Great mowers.

companies to avoid. John Deere, Great Dane (bought out I think), Bad Boy mowers, Dixie Chopper...
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