Lawn mower ?

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.

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

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.

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 !!

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.

I have a 1997 John Deere 325 (17hp Kawasaki, 48" deck) with about 1900 hours that is still going strong.

Edited by HoughMade - 30 May 2019 at 8:54am

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.

Edited by Reindeer - 31 May 2019 at 8:53am

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.

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.

Edited by Lonn - 31 May 2019 at 7:05am

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.

HoughMade wrote: Tbone95 wrote: Amazing thread, in all my years and untold count of lawn mowers, NEVER seen one with an hour meter! Prepare to be amazed: Item B from the manual for the John Deere 345, which is the same on my 325:

HI Guy'S 

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.

Edited by DiyDave - 01 Jun 2019 at 5:56pm