Lawn Tractor

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I would not even run herbbie in that thing.....I would use it for tree's shrubs and garden.
 
I don't really want a "fixer" up......unless I have to "fixer" up down the road.
 
I think the used Deere's might be a little overpriced used........kind of like a certain saw brand in my area
 
I think the used Deere's might be a little overpriced used........kind of like a certain saw brand in my area

You live in a tough place...lol Around here there going pretty cheap.
 
note to self, foot hydro is desirable.


Yeah... took me a little while to get used to the hand hydro on the Cub 123, esp. when backing up short trailers / tow-behind implements. Foot hydro on the Deere is much more intuitive to anyone who's ever driven a car.

There was one advantage to the hand hydro on the Cub, though. I'd set it to crawl forward slowly alongside me, as I'd be edging, weeding, or picking up branches in the yard. I'd just walk along working, the Cub would slowly cruise by my side. Can't do that too safely with the Deere.
 
Hydrostatic is nice (I own two myself), but I grew up mowing with manual gear shifters, and never saw it as any problem. The only app where I find hydro to be an advantage is plowing snow, as I need to do a lot of shifting fwd/rev when I plow.
 
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the push pedal drives on the old Bolens hydro's is awesome

old JD"s like the 110 with a gear box with a low 1st gear and also have the 'variator' which adjusts speed by pulling the lever, lots of flexibility (so if your in 3rd but really need to be in gear 2.5 so to say, pull the variator and adjust)
having had both, hydro is nice but I would worry more about buying a solid good running unit than hydro vs gear box

tons of parts availability for old JD's, hell just look at ebay

it sounds like a big walk behind might be what you really want
 
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old JD"s like the 110 with a gear box with a low 1st gear and also have the 'variator' which adjusts speed by pulling the lever, lots of flexibility (so if your in 3rd but really need to be in gear 2.5 so to say, pull the variator and adjust)
The variator system is great, if it's working perfectly (which it usually is), but nothing Deere ever built with a variator turns worth a damn. ;lol

HittinSteel would be doin' a lot of 3 pt turns and gear bangin' on an old 100/200 series GT. ;) (He specified tight spaces)

it sounds like a big walk behind might be what you really want

A decent 36" commercial walk-behind will far exceed HS's budget of $500. I just sold an old Bunton 36" in great mechanical/good cosmetic shape for $700.
 
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Bottom line with CL. The good stuff doesn't last the day. You need to be on top of it and react immediately to get the good stuff.
 
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If I had to do it again, I would NOT have bought the John Deere 100 series I got from the Big Box store in 2006. The zerks are a PITA to get at, one of them is facing the inside, so unless you take off the mower deck, you will tear up your knuckles getting to it.

Look for a used Cub Cadet, I have not heard of anyone around here having that many complaints. Just my opinion.
 
The zerks are a PITA to get at, one of them is facing the inside, so unless you take off the mower deck, you will tear up your knuckles getting to it.


13 mm wrench/socket. Pull the covers. Much easier. ;) Or go whole hog and unbolt the spindles, rotate them to position the zerks where you want them. Then plan on pulling the covers to grease it. Agreed that it was a silly design, what was wrong with the zerk being on top of the spindle shaft? <>
 
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An OLD cub cadet. Plenty of complaints regarding the post-MTD buyout models (mid 80's onward).


1981 or earlier, to be specific. If it doesn't have an "IH" badge, it's not a real Cub Cadet.
 
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The variator system is great, if it's working perfectly (which it usually is), but nothing Deere ever built with a variator turns worth a damn. ;lol

HittinSteel would be doin' a lot of 3 pt turns and gear bangin' on an old 100/200 series GT. ;) (He specified tight spaces)



A decent 36" commercial walk-behind will far exceed HS's budget of $500. I just sold an old Bunton 36" in great mechanical/good cosmetic shape for $700.


Yep, I'd love to have a 36" walk behind.......... if I could find a good machine from someone like you, I'd come up on my budget
 
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Alright then.......keep the suggestions coming.
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