I'm shopping for a new mower. It's beyond frustrating.
My experience: 2011, Tractor Supply Store.
Just needed to get it done. 3 acres. House poor at the time, cheapest available. Had previously done similar on an old 36" Simpliciity.
Went for a 42" Huskee.
The good:
No hydrostatic or automatic, a shifter. I'm ok with that. And it paid off. It was FAST. It got the job done. Deck size and speed for the combination was great.
$1,000.00 plus tax, out the door.
Now the bad:
Inside the the second season, it started throwing bolts.
The muffler fell off. Put back on with locktite. Lasted about two seasons, did it again. Same deal. Locktite.
Midway thru two seasons: Starter solenoid went up. Note to self: NEVER jumpstart a weak battery with a car or truck. Get it on a charger, then change the battery.
Season 2: Needed a battery. My cars seem to get six years, barely two out of the mower.
After two seasons, it started smoking at startup. Never could locate the oil leak till recently. The verdict? The mainshaft. Spins the pully for drive and deck. straight out the bottom. Mitigating: Its not a lot. I have to add a few ounces once a month, after 3-4 cuts. I do have to keep an eye on it.
3rd season: All that a deck belt would last. Replace. Could be considered a wear part to be fair. Sloppy design that lets debris get into the pulley system.
4th season: Barely done, its the fall, almost there and it still throwing bolts. This time its the engine mounts. Seemed to be slowing down. Then wouldnt run and cut at the same time.
It was the mounts. By the time I found it the engine was torquing back slightly and taking tension off the pulley.
The @#$%#% engine mounts!
I know there s a price war on. I know the stores are competing. I know the Chinese who make this crap are bloody gangsters and DGAF. Also it seems that the assembly points out in the rust belt, OH to be exact…are turning out crap, with crap. Beware anything with MTD, check for a plate under the seat.
The full spec:
Store: Tractor supply
Mower: Huskee 42" 4200
Engine: Kohler Courage 17, 597cc
Assembly: MTD, Cleveland, OH
So, I'm looking around.
I had heard Kohler was better than Briggs and Stratton. Not good, If the Kohler was leaking after 2 seasons…Maybe that hearsay was wrong, and Briggs is better, or I just got a bad one.
I"m avoiding MTD. This would also include TroyBilt, a brand that use to be EPIC American high quality. The models at Lowes are:
-assembled by MTD,
-One model about the size of my Huskee was IDENTICAL. Engine, trans, deck, down to the cupholder.
Avoid.
TSS carrys NEW huskees, with even less HP, and the same crappy build. the model has changed in appearance slightly. The prices have gone UP a couple hundred though. You now pay more for the same junk.
CUB Cadet, Home depot, and TSS: assembly in Cleveland OH, but possible from someone besides MTD.
The lone standout, at Lowes, appears to be Husquvarna.
Built in SC. Not sure by who,
Scandinavian origin,
Offering a decent warranty.
3 years overall, 5 on the chassis, and 10 on the deck.
I've been warned it appears to be a big box store phenomenon, and also there appears to be a demarcation line.
1 cylinders, and below 20 HP are CRAP.
2 cylinders or more, and above 20, seem to have better luck.
Also, if you can get to a direct dealer rather than a store.
But of course, the price will go up.
I am tired of blowing money and time on these. I am not rich enough to get a Kubota.
Even big Green, John Deere, has problems at the big box level. But apparently at the dealer level, things get better.
Home depot has a lineup called Ariens. It appears to be a bargain level Husquavarna. Does anyone have experience with these?
What says the crowd?
Annual Mower Thread: Husqvarna/Ariens Experience?
My experience: 2011, Tractor Supply Store.
Just needed to get it done. 3 acres. House poor at the time, cheapest available. Had previously done similar on an old 36" Simpliciity.
Went for a 42" Huskee.
The good:
No hydrostatic or automatic, a shifter. I'm ok with that. And it paid off. It was FAST. It got the job done. Deck size and speed for the combination was great.
$1,000.00 plus tax, out the door.
Now the bad:
Inside the the second season, it started throwing bolts.
The muffler fell off. Put back on with locktite. Lasted about two seasons, did it again. Same deal. Locktite.
Midway thru two seasons: Starter solenoid went up. Note to self: NEVER jumpstart a weak battery with a car or truck. Get it on a charger, then change the battery.
Season 2: Needed a battery. My cars seem to get six years, barely two out of the mower.
After two seasons, it started smoking at startup. Never could locate the oil leak till recently. The verdict? The mainshaft. Spins the pully for drive and deck. straight out the bottom. Mitigating: Its not a lot. I have to add a few ounces once a month, after 3-4 cuts. I do have to keep an eye on it.
3rd season: All that a deck belt would last. Replace. Could be considered a wear part to be fair. Sloppy design that lets debris get into the pulley system.
4th season: Barely done, its the fall, almost there and it still throwing bolts. This time its the engine mounts. Seemed to be slowing down. Then wouldnt run and cut at the same time.
It was the mounts. By the time I found it the engine was torquing back slightly and taking tension off the pulley.
The @#$%#% engine mounts!
I know there s a price war on. I know the stores are competing. I know the Chinese who make this crap are bloody gangsters and DGAF. Also it seems that the assembly points out in the rust belt, OH to be exact…are turning out crap, with crap. Beware anything with MTD, check for a plate under the seat.
The full spec:
Store: Tractor supply
Mower: Huskee 42" 4200
Engine: Kohler Courage 17, 597cc
Assembly: MTD, Cleveland, OH
So, I'm looking around.
I had heard Kohler was better than Briggs and Stratton. Not good, If the Kohler was leaking after 2 seasons…Maybe that hearsay was wrong, and Briggs is better, or I just got a bad one.
I"m avoiding MTD. This would also include TroyBilt, a brand that use to be EPIC American high quality. The models at Lowes are:
-assembled by MTD,
-One model about the size of my Huskee was IDENTICAL. Engine, trans, deck, down to the cupholder.
Avoid.
TSS carrys NEW huskees, with even less HP, and the same crappy build. the model has changed in appearance slightly. The prices have gone UP a couple hundred though. You now pay more for the same junk.
CUB Cadet, Home depot, and TSS: assembly in Cleveland OH, but possible from someone besides MTD.
The lone standout, at Lowes, appears to be Husquvarna.
Built in SC. Not sure by who,
Scandinavian origin,
Offering a decent warranty.
3 years overall, 5 on the chassis, and 10 on the deck.
I've been warned it appears to be a big box store phenomenon, and also there appears to be a demarcation line.
1 cylinders, and below 20 HP are CRAP.
2 cylinders or more, and above 20, seem to have better luck.
Also, if you can get to a direct dealer rather than a store.
But of course, the price will go up.
I am tired of blowing money and time on these. I am not rich enough to get a Kubota.
Even big Green, John Deere, has problems at the big box level. But apparently at the dealer level, things get better.
Home depot has a lineup called Ariens. It appears to be a bargain level Husquavarna. Does anyone have experience with these?
What says the crowd?
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