Riding lawn mower experts?

[houstondallas]

Need someone with knowledge on riding mowers to help me out. Looking to get one to cut an acre lot but there are so many kinds to even know where to start. The horse power differences are vast and so are pricing.

I prefer to find one in good shape used for maybe less than $1000? There are several on Craigslist but I dont know what I'm looking at. Help would be much appreciated.

[FATHERFORD]

Do you have a lot of trees?

The grass in the back of my "2" acre lot will grow 3-5 inches a week, if not more. I had a 18hp tractor mower with a 42" deck and it could barely do it. If I mowed every other week it would take me 4 hours to mow as I had to go so slow. I bought a 23hp zero turn and I can fly through that now and get a perfect cut with a 46" deck. I mowed my entire lot last night in about 25 minutes.

Notes:
Get a zero turn
get the most hp you can

[UserX]

Notes:
Get a zero turn
get the most hp you can

This. Consider a LSJuan swap.

[Jose]

I've been living on a house on a 4 acre lot for a little over 13 years and I have had no problems cutting my grass with a 50" 22 HP Craftsman Riding Lawnmower with an automatic transmission. It's over 10 years old and I do the maintenance once a year on it and haven't had any issues except for the occasional flat tire. It's my second riding lawn mower, the first one was a 42" and came with the house and the difference in cutting time was noticeable between the two.

My advice, get the widest cutting, highest HP lawn mower you can afford. Is your yard "flat"? My front yard is on a hill so the HP helps with going up and down and getting it cut fast. The 50" cut helps get it done quickly. I wouldn't worry necessarily say you need a zero turn lawn mower but if you can afford it go for it. I can't see myself having a zero turn lawn mower and still not having to weed eat up close to the trees and bushes anyway.

[mardyn]

Mercbuff has a nice low hour Husqvarna that he's getting ready to sell... PM him.

mardyn

[dcs13]

Mercbuff has a nice low hour Husqvarna that he's getting ready to sell... PM him.

mardyn

How big?

[SS Junk]

Zero turn is the way to go, however they are 'spensive.

[mardyn]

How big?

Not sure... probably 48" or maybe 50", 23 HP I think.
He just bought it about two years ago, but inherited a larger
Zero-turn from his neighbor which he's using now.

He's on here occasionally, send him an inquiry via PM.

[crapstang]

Notes:
Get a zero turn
get the most hp you can

This. You will never regret it, especially if you have trees on your lot. We bought a brand new 23hp 42" Toro zero turn for $1800 and it has been great. Just keep some cash in your pocket and your eyes on craigslist.

[Sgt Beavis]

ZTR is definitely the way to go if you have a significant amount of trees like I do. I have a Toro TimecutterSS 4235. It has a 42" deck and 22HP. I can knock out my acre in about half an hour. The front yard has two beds and several trees I have to go around. This thing gets around obsticals very easily and lets me cut way down on the time I need to use my line trimmer. Brand new they cost $2800 but it has paid for itself in the time I'm not mowing the yard.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Mowers/Zero-Turn-Mowers/Pages/Model.aspx?pid=TimeCutter-SS4235-74633

My boy wants mine for himself.

[krazy kris]

Why not buy new I picked up a 42"cut with a 18hp Briggs and Stratton for $900 at home depot 5 years ago to cut 3 acres. It did very good the first time it cut through 4 ft tall grass/weeds. Ran and cut great 3 years later when I sold it.

[houstondallas]

There arent any trees and its pretty flat. Its a residential lot thats about 340 feet long and 170 wide. Its pretty straight just would take a long time with a push mower. Think I would still need a zero turn mower?

[houstondallas]

Why not buy new I picked up a 42"cut with a 18hp Briggs and Stratton for $900 at home depot 5 years ago to cut 3 acres. It did very good the first time it cut through 4 ft tall grass/weeds. Ran and cut great 3 years later when I sold it.

This?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_288803-270-13WN77KS011_0__?productId=3278599&Ntt=briggs+and+stratton&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dbriggs%2Band%2Bstratton&facetInfo=

Id be willing to buy new if it would probably work for a normal straight lot without trees. Although, it says 7 speed manual? I dont really wanna have to shift this thing. Id spend a little more to just hop on and go.

[SSMAN]

I bought a craftsman 22 hp 46" cut hand hydro for $1350.00 out the door. Took back a 20 hp with 42" cut tight turn with a standard trans that might be had for a discounted price at the Hulen Sears.

[fivelstang4]

I have 2 acres of property. It has only 7 trees to cut around. The rest is flat grass. My grass grows 3-5 inches in 10 days. I have been mowing with a 19HP 42 inch cut for 3 years. Takes me 3 hours. I can't stand it anymore I'm buying this lawn mower new this weekend.

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/garden-tractors/fast-tractor-yth24k48/

Lowes has is for $1899 also. Comes with free dump trailer. 24 months no interest on a Lowes card.