Why a Zero Turn?

[Rams]

Built for a price point.

Mark,
I can't confirm the JD story but, I can say this.   Walmart and Lowes are operated on similar strategies.    Every wonder why there's a Walmart near every Lowes?    I used to be a plant manager for a company that supplied items to Walmart vendors.    Walmart would keep driving the price down at the expense of quality until it was basically junk.    Saw one vendor after another (to Walmart) that would either go out of business or move their production out of the country to stay in business with Walmart.     Of course, those vendors to Walmart we're my customers.    We hated dealing with Walmart Vendors.    Correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe the connection between Walmart and Lowes is more than just business.     Walmart is just too damn big.

Sorry, started to rant.   Yes, I believe JD builds two separate versions, one specifically for Lowes.

[Firefighter]

The John Deere at the box store's have an "LT" in front of the rest of the number which stands for lite duty series, and that is what it means. Built by JD to someone else's spec. In some cases its steel grade, steel vs aluminum , bushing vs ball bearing, sealed bearings etc. I have seen some riding mower brands in years past that used a frame lengthing system to engage the blade. Buddy of mine had one and the belt would slip in wet grass, he was never satisfied and ended up returning the machine. Its easy now a days to get cheap quality, some times you can't do anything about it.  Research is the only way I can make a larger purchase.  Firefighter

[Master Blaster]

I mow about 5 acres, and use a 60 in Bad Boy from Tractor Supply. Have had it for about 3 years, and its great.  I also have a Massey 4wd tractor that I used to use a large finish mower behind, was faster, but the lawn looks much better with the ZTR, and there is lots less close finish work to do.  The Bad Boy has a heavy duty welded deck, and is tough as nails.

[cookiedough]

probably right about LT being light duty john deere and home depot, etc.  But, if only 2 acres as originally posted,  light duty should be fine for 15+  years of mowing say 1 hour per week or so.   You don't need heavy duty for 2 acres once a week, IMO.   My neighbor's LT110 john deere foot pedal speed operated (hydrostatic?)  was around 1600 bucks new at home depot and is now about 8 years old and nothing been done to it except 1 tube inside rear tire loosing air and yearly oil changes and 1 air filter and 1 new battery. 

Then again, my 20 dollar push mower plain jane cheapest on the market cuts grass just fine, just cannot walk too fast or let the grass get too tall or it is not powerful enough to cut grass decent being only the smallest 3.5HP engine around. 

My other cheap 1993 rally mower 3.5hp briggs engine still runs, but deck is falling apart cost me 100 bucks, still runs though.

I find the smaller yards and more uneven lawns, push mowers cut better 100% of the time over any rider or zero turn mower, just takes 2x's as long usually since 20" vs. 42-48" cut with rider.

Look at all the neighbors lawns with fancy 2 grand on up riders and their 5 step lawncare companies spraying/fertilizing at about 75 dollars per application and I just think that is all foolish for a city lot all about the same 100'x110' (about at most 1/3 of an acre lot).   Their yards don't look much better or greener or weed free than my own doings on my lot doing it myself at 95% cheaper cost to me.   It is not that hard to hand crank a fertilizer spreader or hookup to the water hose a liquid weed and feed sprayer taking 15 minutes tops, if that. 

Yah, I know, if I can squeeze a penny out of nickle, I would.     Some say it is cheap, I prefer the term frugal and sensible living.  The day I spend over 300 bucks for someone to come on my city lot to take care of my lawn is the day I move to a non-lawn home.

[Gavin_Sons]

I don't have any personal experience with the JD issue following, so I could be completely full of it.  But the story I got is, John Deere has a special marketing arrangement with Home Depot.  The garden tractors they make and sell at HD are dumbed-down JD's - just have the name and color, but not the quality.  Built for a price point. I was told this by a JD dealer (so take this with a grain of salt) but it was confirmed by a contractor friend who is very knowledgable on equipment sourcing. Come to find out, there are other companies with the same arrangement with Home Depot.  Lincoln welding to name one.  Thought I found a good deal on a brand-new Lincoln 180amp HD 240v MIG welder on CL.  Picked it up for $200 below list at a pawn shop - yep it was unused, never been plugged in, was bought by a man for a project he wanted to get into then he died and his wife sold the welder on consignment at the pawn shop.  Talked to my welding gas supplier, it turns out the "HD" designation was not "Heavy Duty".  It was for the model made just for Home Depot.  Turns out, it has stepwise settings on the volts rather than infinite adjust.  You can't fine-tune the power.  And it has LESS welding power than my 125amp 120v Lincoln MIG welder. If it burns out - and it needs a new motherboard - throw it away.  Replacing the dumbed-down motherboard is so expensive you are better off just replacing the unit. Not servicable on the main component. Went and looked at the same model at HD - yep I paid significantly less than the HD price, which is significantly less than similar-powered Lincoln MIG welders from welding stores.  The welder at HD, same stepwise voltage control.

I told the associate woman at Home Depot who was helping me, open the box to look at the welder - I wanted to confirm something - that I was concerned the model was dumbed-down and I want to check the voltage dial.  I told her the "HD" on the model name was not for "Heavy Duty" but was to indicate the dumbed-down Home Depot model - she laughed, thought I was joking.  I said unfortunately, no.  And there is a similar story on your John Deere's.  And I'll bet on other products too.  It was a lesson for her.  And she worked there.  I think I popped her niavete cherry.  She was no spring chicken either.  Probably 50.

Beware of what you buy, even name brands at Home Depot.  Or even other big box stores.  I'd bet Lowes has similar arrangements.  Check online, ask on specialty forums before you buy.

You are 100% correct. They are made by JD but only sold to home depot. Meaning they are cheaper built and not near the quality of one bought from the dealer. How do I know this? I have 2 close friends that are salesmen at our local JD and I hear about it all the time.

[Hook#3287]

I bought a cheap Husky from Lowes 4 years ago, put just about zero $$ in it outside of oil and filters.  Still runs like it did new.  I also bought my second Valk then.  Most times, I try to ride the Valk.

[Bighead]

Hell I haven't mowed in three years  I started paying a buddy to do it

[cookiedough]

Hell I haven't mowed in three years  I started paying a buddy to do it

My neighbor pays me 10 bucks to sit on his john deere and mow his yard - he has allergies and is miserable only in the springtime.  10 bucks an hour isn't too bad I guess for sitting on a rider?  I do have to get off and use his lawn boy 20" push mower though to trim around the trees and bushes and edging taking another 10 minutes of walking so maybe I should charge 20?    I know my other lazy young couple around 30ish or so pays a guy I know 25 bucks to mow their city lot right across the street, but it is his own rider and eqmt. so I think that is reasonably priced. 

I say if it cuts grass and is reliable,  is all that matters to me.  I don't need a 2-4 grand rider for under 1 acre lot.  Now, if I had 1-2 acres,  I'd be getting a rider since don't want to spend 3-4 hours push mowing, 1 hour is plenty now. 

[3fan4life]

Saw one of these at Lowes the other day:



http://www.lowes.com/pd_521592-47615-MPV+7100_1z0wgcu__?productId=50343476&pl=1#img

This is one cool mower!

[Bighead]

Looks like a bad ass mower I might have to start mowing again

[Joevalk]

I had a conventional riding mower before my zero turn. A world of difference. Yes it was double the price, but when you buy a $1600 mower from home depot and you have to spend $200- $400 every season to keep it running. Well no brainer there. I went with a Hustler brand. It makes short work out of 2 acres

Joe,
I'm not trying to be a smart ass or jerk when I ask this but, what the heck cost $200 to $400 every season.    Other than oil changes and sharpening blades a squirt of grease here and there (and of course gas).    My mowers typically don't cost me $50 a season to maintain.     The dollars are only that high because I use synthetic oil in my mower.    I do all the maintenance myself but lordy, that seems like a lot of maintenance costs.     What brand mower was it anyway.

cub cadet from home depot, from pulleys, spindles, belts, springs, to blades. You name it, it was a constant to work on it. It finally wouldn't start, so I left it there were it died and bought my current one Hustler zero turn 60"

[Atl-Jerry]

You have already made your decision and purchase, but I'll chime in for anyone else facing this decision.  I've run lawn tractors all my life and still have a 42" Scotts by John Deere I bought from HD in Mar of 2000.  It runs great and I use it to mow 3/4 acre north of Atlanta.  3 years ago I bought 7.5 acres in south Ga as a retirement property and I mow about 5 acres.  For this I bought my first ZTR, a Husqvarna 61" commercial mower with ROPS.  I mow around a 2 acre pond and some steep ditches and safety is a key consideration.  Every year we hear about someone being pinned under their tractor/mower and they drown in their pond.  The ZTR is wider and more stable on inclines and does well on wet grass.  I do occasionally get too close to the pond and have to pull it out with the Mule once or twice a year, but I like to get close.  Most tractors mow at 4-5 MPH, My ZTR mows at 10 MPH, but as level as my grass is, I can't stay on it wide open.  My son is a fan of the the lawn tractor, but last year we had room on the trailer so I took the tractor, thinking we would tag-team it and get it done faster.  I put my son on the ZTR and it didn't take him long to become a fan of it.  I also think the ZTR does a better job, it just looks better.  I have a bench grinder and 3 sets of blades and I swap them out about every 2-3 mowings. 

How many lawn care services have you seen using lawn tractors?  golf courses?  There's a reason for that.  When I walk thru Lowe's and HD I see ZTR in much smaller sizes for the residential user.  Maybe one day the lawn tractor will just disappear. 

[Spirited-6]

 I have a bench grinder and 3 sets of blades and I swap them out about every 2-3 mowings. 

Damn, Guy what are you mowing ?  My blades last the season, but I cut grass. On a side ; Think about how often Sellers change brands they are selling. Do they think the brand is slipping or not funding the "bank" There are only 3 to 4 Co. that make to Company specks. The BRAND Name goes not own Factories to make their brand. I hope I`m right !!!!  

[Atl-Jerry]

2-3 mowings is 10-15 acres, probably a season of mowing for the average homeowner.  Sharp blades will let you mow faster and provide better results.  Some lawncare guys advertise "fresh blades with every lawn".

[Patrick]

2-3 mowings is 10-15 acres, probably a season of mowing for the average homeowner.  Sharp blades will let you mow faster and provide better results.  Some lawncare guys advertise "fresh blades with every lawn".

I have a neighbor that does that. Sharpened blades every time.

[MarkT]

I sharpen based on need - when thicker grass - say over the septic field - makes me downshift 2 gears to keep rpm up - time to sharpen.  You can also examine cut grass blades - when it's too dull you get the grass more smashed in two than sliced.  Also there will be clumps sticking up that didn't cut. Works out to every 3 mowings or so depending on how lush the grass gets.

[BF]

Hell I haven't mowed in three years  I started paying a buddy to do it

I sold my yard.   

Owning my yard was just like when I owned my sailboat.....the two happiest days I owned it was the day I bought it....and the day I sold it.   

[cookiedough]

Saw one of these at Lowes the other day:



http://www.lowes.com/pd_521592-47615-MPV+7100_1z0wgcu__?productId=50343476&pl=1#img

This is one cool mower!

I saw them on craigslist at other places as well.  Not so sure if it wants to be an ATV or lawnmower.  I think top speed is around 23 mph, if that, so really doesn't justify being an ATV unless you want to get passed by a 90cc youth ATV having a top speed of about 35 mph which is just fast enough to have a use for being an ATV.   

Buy one and let us know how it cuts grass, but my guess is it is neither great at mowing the grass (cheaper made) and for sure not for ATVing removing the mowing deck. 

[Atl-Jerry]

The two burning queastions are what oil to put in it and what tires to put on the back of it!