Lawn mower ?
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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=161454
Printed Date: 04 Jul 2025 at 10:10am
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Topic: Lawn mower ?
Posted By: jiminnd
Subject: Lawn mower ?
Date Posted: 29 May 2019 at 9:36pm
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Loaded question but what would you say is the average life of a lawn mower in hours? Been using my sons mower but he is moving away so need to buy one, has to be used, can't afford new. I need a rider in the 50 inch range, thanks. ------------- 1945 C, 1949 WF and WD, 1981 185, 1982 8030, unknown D14(nonrunner) |
Replies:
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 29 May 2019 at 9:49pm
| I have one from 1986 still starts on second pull and runs great. Both John deeres are from 1982 & 1983. Had to replace the deck on one of them it rusted through from built up grass that was never cleaned. It came from the church no one cared for it just used it year after year with no maintance. Any mower old mower that has had any maintance should last a long time. |
Posted By: Krazy Karl
Date Posted: 29 May 2019 at 10:11pm
| I have seen couple riding mowers with over 2000 hours on them with the owners always serviced on time. Seen quite a few with 1000 hours that haven't been cared for the best and they say first time its given me major problem. Then seen some with quite a lot less hours where neglected and junk. Best advice i could give stay away from mowers you can buy at chain stores throw away mowers. Yea some will last but be prepared to buy a newer one every few years |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 5:39am
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After 33 years of 'fixin and flippin' there ain't a whole lot of difference in brand name or color. Got a deal on a real JD unit as hydro was 'shot', 200hrs (wouldn't go up a small incline). JD cut the specs to the TuffTork unit.For $25 I did the TT recommended upgrade. BIGGEST deal is people cutting wet grass and NEVER cleaning the deck ! Price abare shell and you'll see why people buy new riders....yeesh. MTD make several 'colours'( 8 or 9) including Troybilt and CubCadet, so 'what's in a name' anymore ? Keep them reasonably clean , change oil and keep blades sharp. My rider is an MTD CC unit , 20+ years old probably 400hrs on it. I've passed by 'commercially' used riders...beat to death. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 6:03am
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It's sort of a "you get what you pay for" thing. Compare the engines. If an oil filter is available for the engine, buy that option. If two engines are the same between the two mowers, look at the construction. You can replace belts and bearings, but it get pricey to replace mover decks. Deere makes a good one, but they have high end and low end stuff, just like many other manufacturers. |
Posted By: AaronSEIA
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 6:17am
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No idea. I'm still mowing my lawn with a B110 made in 1968 or so. Engine is original. AaronSEIA
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Posted By: B26240
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 6:35am
I would stay away from MTD mowers, they might be OK for small lot in town but not your big yard. Personally I use a JD dealer is in town has all normal service items in stock and Coleen is related to him Hi Jim !!
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Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 7:30am
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The old ones are a little stronger but still need work. I am still using 1970's Cub Cadets. Too cheap to buy a good $10K unit. Good luck with your search. Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 7:53am
| You can buy a solid Garden tractor from the 70'-80's-90's with a 50" deck for 600-1000 dollars all day long. Pick your color. Everyone is going to zero turns or retiring and downsizing. Keep an eye open they are out there. |
Posted By: CAL(KS)
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 8:45am
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i have an old case 446 and that thing is a tank, but the deck technology back then was less than ideal. it doesnt mow worth a damn when compared to my craftsman rider, it leaves streaks unless you are crawling and the blades are recently replaced. I think the blade speed is part of the problem, but for pulling things like a harrow or yard wagon, its 3x the tractor as the craftsman ------------- Me -C,U,UC,WC,WD45,190XT,TL-12,145T,HD6G,HD16,HD20 Dad- WD, D17D, D19D, RT100A, 7020, 7080,7580, 2-8550's, 2-S77, HD15 |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 8:53am
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I have a 1997 John Deere 325 (17hp Kawasaki, 48" deck) with about 1900 hours that is still going strong. There really, truly is a difference between "premium" lawn tractors and "big box" lawn tractors. If I needed to, I would gladly buy another JD from a JD dealer, but I would never touch one from from a big box store. Anything by MTD, Craftsman, etc. and big box JDs will likely work well for close to a decade with good maintenance, but they will probably not go 20+ years of regular use. There are other brands besides JD that are good, but I am not very familiar with them. I have heard good things about Simplicity, older Cub Cadets, older Ariens and Kubotas, when they made lawn tractors (do they still?)
------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 9:08am
| ive been using J.Deere because the dealer is 3 blocks away. i had an STX 38 and hated it. now running a LT190. it is a good mower. Do not buy a big box JD mower. they are way too light duty. our JD dealer hates to work on them. |
Posted By: Reindeer
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 9:48am
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Bought a Allis 5015 a few years ago. 54" mower. Diesel. Tough as nails, and was cheap cause it looked rough. Had been used and abused, had to spend a couple hundred dollars to fix radiator but works good. Downside is parts can be challenging for the tractor, however mower deck is Agco and parts are available. ------------- |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 1:54pm
| Got a 62 B1 still going(but not very often these days). Second deck,second engine(9hp) bored 3 times. 30,60,standard 10hp piston...getting thin. |
Posted By: eryanh
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 2:07pm
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I have an '89 Wheel Horse (Pre-Toro) 520H with 1900hrs on the clock that still works. Its been put aside to be used as a back-up when the 2005 Toro goes down, which this year is every other time I use it to mow. My dad bought a Simplicity with a 52" deck. I tell you what, if I had the funds to buy one I wouldn't hesitate. They come standard with front suspension and optional rear. In a yard littered with mole tunnels, it made quite the difference. Their dealers can be few and far between but I believe Simplicity is now owned by Briggs and Stratton, and parts are available online. If anyone was looking into one, I would strongly suggest finding one to compare. ------------- 1958 AC D17 Series 1 NF 1949 Farmall M NF 1938 AC B |
Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 3:51pm
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Got a JD 235 48" cut, 18 hp twin cylinder Briggs in it. I think it is a 2000 model. Great mowing machine and can cut almost as fast backwards as forward. Backup mower is Husqvarnia 25hp twin Kohler with 48" deck. It cuts good for a $500 used mower but stay away from a non foot operated hydro and this one cuts real slow in reverse but it will pull like a mule. I pull my car hauler up the hill from where it is stored. ------------- 1957 WD45 dad's first AC 1968 one-seventy 1956 F40 Ferguson |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 30 May 2019 at 7:54pm
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My 1983 AC 917H is still going strong. Still original engine and deck. Mows 1 1/4 acres each week. A little wielding on the deck, bearings replaced once, and 2 pulleys. Belts, oil, grease job, normal maintenance stuff. No hour meter but I’m sure its way up there. The older ones are built the best. Still have a B208 that I restored 7 years ago. It still would mow if needed. 1968 model. Both 720’s still strong, one has 1,200 hours on it. Box store mowers are cheaply built. Neighbor has bought 3 Deeres from Lowes in the past 10 years. All because they have green tractors. I just shake my head. He could have spent that money on a better green machine from a dealer and still have it. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 6:09am
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re: He could have spent that money on a better green machine from a dealer and still have it. You've probably spent less buying orange AND have coins left in your pocket !!  ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 7:00am
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I bought a new AGCO 1616H in 1996 and it's still going strong after mowing a very large yard all these years. Two years ago I bought a new Simplicity Conquest with 50" deck. Then traded it last year for another Conquest with 52' deck and full suspention. It's such a beast that I wish is had the drive over deck like the next size up does. I can barely drag that deck out from under it. But with full suspension it's a pleasure to run for my back. But anything to keep my bride happy.......... she does most of the mowing so what she wants she gets for a mower and I don't have to think about it.  When I worked at the Allis dealer 20 plus years ago I was the young one who got most of the lawn mower repairs. Back then AGCO (Simplicity) mowers beat Deere and Cub to pieces mostly because of the deep mower deck. It could handle the tall grass far better and the deck was easier to remover and reinstall. Also little things like tie-rod joints and the rollers on the AGCO units were far superior. I worked at a CaseIH dealer later and the Cubs were no match. Now if you went commercial then an Ex-Mark was an excellent choice but at $8000 back in the late 90's not many could swing them and they were plagued with those stupid cables that would stretch.
------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 7:11am
| Amazing thread, in all my years and untold count of lawn mowers, NEVER seen one with an hour meter! |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 7:19am
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I used a finish mower for quite a few years. It was powered by a B/S 9HP engine. About 50" or so. Worked great for all those years. I still have it for a backup yet. I now mow with a used Bad Boy ZT 60 incher. Never looked back. Found that one used with just under 400 hours. Guy took care of it from day one. Has synthetic oil in it since new. 27HP Kohler. Man, does that bugger cut grass on the fly! Took 1 1/2 hours off my mow time. I pull the finish mower around with the HT Honda I have or Jo Jo's B110. A lot slower though.... Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: CAL(KS)
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:14am
Worked for a dealer that sold bod boys a few years back, they are amazing. and orange! ------------- Me -C,U,UC,WC,WD45,190XT,TL-12,145T,HD6G,HD16,HD20 Dad- WD, D17D, D19D, RT100A, 7020, 7080,7580, 2-8550's, 2-S77, HD15 |
Steve in NJ wrote:Posted By: wekracer
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:18am
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I had a commercial mowing business for 15 year when I was younger and in school. We ran 6-60” mowers. Started with grasshopper and then switched to Exmark. Also had a 1435 Deere 4x4 front mount for hills but found the Exmark hydro walk behind would get around better. I usually traded around the 2000 hour mark or 3 years whichever came first. I always liked the Kawasaki engines. We ran liquid cooled with the later ones. The only issues i can remember are belts and spindle bearings. I still have one from when I sold out in 05. It had 400 hours then and has 800 hours now. The only thing I have done to that mower is grease and change oil and sharpen blades. It still has the original drive belt. Back then we had a Stihl dealer that was really good who also happened to be a Deere dealer. I demoed a couple of there mowers but I didn’t feel like they cut quite as good as the Exmark. At that time I was also running stainless rollers behind the decks to give that defined stripe so we were selling the look. In my opinion Exmark/Toro commercial mowers are the best you can buy. They have the fastest blade tip speed allowed by law and a strong deep deck that handles tall wet grass well. I know they are pricy but you only have to buy one once. I should also add that there are no Scag or bad boy dealers nearby so I have no experience with them. |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 9:07am
Prepare to be amazed: Item B from the manual for the John Deere 345, which is the same on my 325:  ------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 9:10am
K, well, I didn't mean to suggest I didn't believe you guys. I've just never seen one. Dad has a Deere a lot like that one. Even looked at it last night with this thread in mind. No hour meter.
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Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 9:31am
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I can see having the hour meter would eliminate guessing hours for maintenance intervals required and record keeping. ------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: Rod in MN
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2019 at 12:53pm
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HI Guy'S I have a 2001 John Deere 425 AWS with 1558 Hours on it runs good but it leaks oil out crankshaft in front of tractor a i have put 4 seals all diff. brands and speei sleve I have sandy soil needs new deck patched 4 times and it is thin i have to keep adj blade tips to tips deck will bend And the All Wheel Steer was not a good rings around the trees even if i make big turns Will not get another one Rod in MN
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Posted By: JoeO(C-MO)
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2019 at 1:33pm
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I purchased a new Cub Cadet 1200 with 44' deck in 1979, last one on show room floor before 82 series, it has been a really good mower for me. I had an acre lot at the time and my son was doing the neighbors lots, he wanted spending money, I furnished the equipment, fuel and maintenance, and he did my mowing!! He furnished the labor for oil changes, greasing, sharpen blades, kept the tires properly inflated, etc! He has carried on the habits of good maintenance and is real particular taking care of his vehicles and other equipment today. Back to the CC1200, I had to replace the points last month, and 2nd condenser. I don't know what I would buy if I was buying new today.
------------- D10 III, D15 II 3 pt, D15 II SC, 170 Gas w/shuttle, 175 Diesel UI ROPS, 185 w ROPS. AC 653 w/6 way blade, ROPS AC 615 Ind. WD45 running/Parts. |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2019 at 5:51pm
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I have almost 3000 hrs on the 13 YO Dixie chopper. No major motor work, I think it has had 1 crankcase gasket, and seal. Its a Kohler EFI 28 HP. Still running it, though as a flat lander, now that I got the new Altoz, with a 33HP Kohler. [TUBE]XKaSjNE1A_U[/TUBE] ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2019 at 5:58pm
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re: Rod , sandy soil, thin deck. Have a shop punch out some thin ,wide SS strips to 'line' the inside of the deck 'walls'. With prepunched 1/8" holes you can either pop rivet or screw them in. Jay ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 11:32am
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Still rocking the 1997 JD 325 (single cyl. Kawsaki engines last). Probably hit 2,000 hours this year. ------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: garden_guy
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 12:24pm
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I got my folks a 2003 model John Deere (30" cut, pretty small) and service it regularly and it's been a good mower for them. Single blade and heavy so it cuts nicely. I know my family has got a couple newer Gravely zero turns for the big acreage (a big upgrade from an old 36" or 42" cut Ariens).
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Posted By: ac fleet
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 1:30pm
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Simplicity sunstar 20 with 5,000 hours is not uncommon---AND still mowing. ---care is the key here! --Right now some of my sunstars have 1,024 to 1,769 hours on them and still run like new, but I have seen many in the 4500 to 5000 range still running. ------------- http://machinebuildersnetwork.com/ |
Posted By: Rod in MN
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 2:01pm
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Hi Guy's Yes i spent more on the deck with parts that is more then i could have got a used deck and when do you think i found it ?? After i orded parts and started cutting and welding in new metal that is thicker. this time i'm welding it one the out side. I think when i welded on the inside it would not pickup the grassand blow it out as good as it did Rod in MN
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 4:11pm
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I bought a Craftsman 18 HP with the heavy 3 speed HI-LO transmission and a 44 inch deck in 1989.. Ran it 15 years about 100 hours per year... Was going to rebuild ( B&S horiizontal twin -no filter)... dealer said forget it, cheaper to buy a motor.. I ended up getting a Husquvarna with the same transmission, 54 inch deck and 22 HP Briggs with an oil filter.. Run it about 100 hours per year.. has 16 years of use so about 1600 hours.. runs like new... has a real THICK deck and heavy duty spindles on it.. I have painted it twice... no rustout.............. when i was talking to the dealer 16 years ago he said the push mowers with 5-6 HP motors are good for about 200 hours and the 14-16 hp riders were good for about 500 hours... assuming it was an economical mower and had minimal maintenance......... I change the oil in my 22 HP Briggs every March to get ready for the summer. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Rick of HopeIN
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 5:10pm
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I picked up a 91 Grasshopper, 48" deck that was never used commercially about 1998. Vangaurd Briggs 16 was not one their better ones but I repowered it with new engine about 8 years ago and still going strong. The advantage is a real heavy deck, well built overall. Neighbors seem happy with a Deere ZTR, they are not built as heavy but if ya get the Kawasaki option I hear that is a real good motor. There are a lot more choices out there than when I bought mine. If I had to do it again I may consider new but I could not justify a new commercial unit. I have a collection of yard tractors but find the zero turns cover a lot of ground quick, especially by back area with trees. ------------- 1951 B, 1937 WC, 1957 D14, -- Thanks and God Bless |
Posted By: DSpears N IL
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 8:30pm
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I will stay with my rider 1920H Agco Allis! 1900 hrs logging in 100 hours per year! Tried a Zrow turn and could not get comfortable steering it!   |
Posted By: HagerAC
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 9:50pm
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Get you a good 700 or 900 series AC if you can find one in good shape with a 48 inch deck. They are tough and darn reliable. I have a 716H and just acquired a 712 hydro that will do most of the mowing now since the 716 needs an overhaul. My dad has had a 712 since 1990 and mowed 2 hours every week for at least 20n years. He did add a green 917 which does most of the mowing now. 712 has been thru a couple decks and a couple overhauls but that thing has cut a lot of grass. Still looks like new. The 712 i just bought i actually overhauled back in 2009 and then it was parked in the guys shed. He's now in the nursing home and they are selling his stuff. I paid $200 for it, but it needed tires, and a battery. Put some gas in it, cleaned the points and it runs as good as the day it left. Iam surprised the carb didn't need any work after sitting 10 years. ------------- 30+ A-Cs ranging from a 1928 20-35, to a 1984 8070FWA, Gleaner R52 |
Posted By: GARY(OH/IN)
Date Posted: 20 May 2020 at 11:47pm
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Using a 5015 with a 4' King Kutter, 5015 with a 4' Bush Hog Squealer, 5015 with a 6' WAC finish mower, B 210, Simplicity 7112, and a HDG 16 hydro. Just bought the last one a year ago and not sure of the model #. Move them from place to place as needed. |