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I'm poor and I keep breaking my riding mower

LittleLebowski

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I've been dealing with MTD crap for a while, got a newer Bolens and an older one that I use to keep the newer one (the Marine Corps calls this practice "ratf-----g") running. Yesterday, I had to clean out the carb bowl and clean off all electrical cable connections in order to stop it from dying under load. Been running like a champ since, but it's always some piddley *s-word like this with these consumer grade MTD machines in my experience.

Today, I hit a rock and the blade that I tightened the hell out of yesterday popped off of the mandrel (nomenclature?) and stripped the mandrel, I think. It started raining and it came loose again during a test run to the shed. This is on top of ratf-----g a mandrel assembly out of the old mower last year when the old mandrel broke like cheap junk when it hit an exposed root. Also on top of the new carb, filters, and fuel hoses from last year.

So, I'd really like to find an older, tougher machine. I want durability and reliability. Are these things attainable for say, around $3 grand?

This would be for a very uneven lawn, with rough patches, and a coupla hills. Does the nature of my lawn preclude zero turn mowers? Do I have to keep ratf-----g MTD machines to keep one running while I save up for something more expensive, or (I hate financing, but it might be needed) jumping on one of those "0% APR if paid off in this amount of time" deals? Right now, I have a 42" deck, I would like larger, because I hate yard work if it does not involve a chainsaw or axe.

I do not have a need for other duties besides mowing. Got a snowblower, got a strong back, and a weak mind.
 

Dub11

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The Husky dealer in my area has a promotional thing were you buy a mower ( Not sure which one) and you get a saw and trimmer. And from what I was told Husqvarna bought out Dixon. Just a thought. And last time I was at my Gravely dealer there ZT line was starting at 2400 for a 34" cut and I think it went up to 50". Might be something to look at.
 

AVB

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First they are called lawn mowers not root cutters and rock crushers. If this what you wanting to do then a John Deere with a 7 iron deck should be able it for a while but even its 1/4" thick blades will suffer damage. Second you need a commercial grade unit instead of a consumer grade.

MTDs don't normally strip the spindle shaft (mandral, jackshaft, etc) stars. Most this is from not putting the blade on the star properly. Also the blade nut needs torquing to 80-90 ft-lbs. My customer and myself actually the H pattern blades so they actually have less engagement of the 6 point star. Even with these blades I rarely see stripped stars when the blade is mounted properly. Since '09 I have only seen 2 bent spindle shafts on MTD spindles. I have how seen numerous bent blades and several stripped stars.

Also don't be using those aftermarket spindle shafts that are either 3 point (Rotary) or the 6 six point undercut versions both are causing problems here in the shop.

I personally went though 3 set of blades last year on my personal Bolens 38" cut. Mostly from hitting hidden objects on my new place. First was a stump, second time buried concrete survey marker post, and the third was a electrical power pole brace anchor rod. Remove the stump, dug up the old unused survey marker, and took a cutting torch to that unused anchor so none these will cause a repeat problem. This Bolens is a '05 model and is used to cut 6 acres it sees a lot of run time mowing. I have actually worn one the transmission axle bushings out but considering it was never greased from the factory that was unexpected. I have rebuilt the spindles once and just regreased those sealed spindle bearings last fall.

AYP(Husqvarna) spindles also suffer the same improper mounted blade problems of stripped 5 point stars; although, the blade bolt torque is 55-65 ft-lbs they still don't stripped stars once the blade are mounted properly.

Also all mowers will have spindle problems. I even rebuilt a set Bush Hog ZTR spindles last Summer. Oh what a pain the original had pulleys with puller holes but the replaced one didn't. I had to send it out to a machine to have those put in. Even with puller attached it took a lot of heat and grade 8 bolts to pull the pulley as it was rusted on. I was having to install new bearings.
 
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Czed

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I've been dealing with MTD crap for a while, got a newer Bolens and an older one that I use to keep the newer one (the Marine Corps calls this practice "ratf-----g") running. Yesterday, I had to clean out the carb bowl and clean off all electrical cable connections in order to stop it from dying under load. Been running like a champ since, but it's always some piddley *s-word like this with these consumer grade MTD machines in my experience.

Today, I hit a rock and the blade that I tightened the hell out of yesterday popped off of the mandrel (nomenclature?) and stripped the mandrel, I think. It started raining and it came loose again during a test run to the shed. This is on top of ratf-----g a mandrel assembly out of the old mower last year when the old mandrel broke like cheap junk when it hit an exposed root. Also on top of the new carb, filters, and fuel hoses from last year.

So, I'd really like to find an older, tougher machine. I want durability and reliability. Are these things attainable for say, around $3 grand?

This would be for a very uneven lawn, with rough patches, and a coupla hills. Does the nature of my lawn preclude zero turn mowers? Do I have to keep ratf-----g MTD machines to keep one running while I save up for something more expensive, or (I hate financing, but it might be needed) jumping on one of those "0% APR if paid off in this amount of time" deals? Right now, I have a 42" deck, I would like larger, because I hate yard work if it does not involve a chainsaw or axe.

I do not have a need for other duties besides mowing. Got a snowblower, got a strong back, and a weak mind.
If going used International later cub cadet 184 lowboy awesome mowers older but tough we still use one very hilly uneven ground.
 

LittleLebowski

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First they are called lawn mowers not root cutters and rock crushers. If this what you wanting to do then a John Deere with a 7 iron deck should be able it for a while but even its 1/4" thick blades will suffer damage. Second you need a commercial grade unit instead of a consumer grade.

I checked and I didn't say anything of the sort. I don't know of anyone with a radar like ability to detect camouflaged rocks and roots :D

Agreed on the commercial unit, hence the thread seeking data.
 

LittleLebowski

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Took the deck off, removed the blades, sharpened up the blades, and tightened everything down using teflon tape. The mower ran great afterwards but I know it will break sooner or later. I took a look at the local Cub Cadet dealer, was sorely tempted by their 0% financing for 48 months plus their $500 discount for active duty military and veterans, but I held back and am going to keep on nursing the MTD riding mower as long as the engine holds out.

My worst slope is about 10 degrees, my lawn is getting straightened out regarding bumps, rocks, etc. I don't care about my lawn other than it's cut and my time is quite valuable to me; would a zero turn make sense for me? What's the group think on steering wheel zero turns? I don't care either way on the steering wheel, just seeking input.
 

fordf150

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a Z will drastically cut your mowing time down and personally i would stay far far far away from the steering wheel Z's.

lesser known Z's can be had much cheaper than the top shelf with almost the same quality to them, take a look at Encore, World Lawn, Big Dog for starters.....should be able to get a smaller commercial/heavy duty consumer Z for $3000-4500 from one of those and have a well built unit that will last. Maybe find a couple year old Z from one of the top shelf manufacturers....Gravely and Ariens had some near bulletproof Z's but I am sure most of the commercial units from any manufacturer are well built.

I had a commercial Gravely Z for 6-8 years and pounded the snot out of it and never had issues with it other than the kohler engines...2 with broken rods so the third engine installed was a well used briggs V twin. I think i replaced the spindles once and maybe 3 deck belts in the 800hrs i owned it so the kohler engine was by far the most problematic thing on it.

At the farm we have an older(2000-2004) homeowner(still has a fabricated deck) Ariens Z that has held up well even thru the abuse of my step dad mowing off trees and brush with it. He treats it more like a brush hog that he occasionally mows the yard with than the lawn mower it really is.
 

Dub11

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Took the deck off, removed the blades, sharpened up the blades, and tightened everything down using teflon tape. The mower ran great afterwards but I know it will break sooner or later. I took a look at the local Cub Cadet dealer, was sorely tempted by their 0% financing for 48 months plus their $500 discount for active duty military and veterans, but I held back and am going to keep on nursing the MTD riding mower as long as the engine holds out.

My worst slope is about 10 degrees, my lawn is getting straightened out regarding bumps, rocks, etc. I don't care about my lawn other than it's cut and my time is quite valuable to me; would a zero turn make sense for me? What's the group think on steering wheel zero turns? I don't care either way on the steering wheel, just seeking input.

Coworker has a 54"cub from TSC and is on his 4 spindle replacement in 6 years.
 

jake wells

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go look at a Husqvarna a lot of mower for the money.
 

Dub11

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go look at a Husqvarna a lot of mower for the money.

And my local dealer has a special now by a pro line mower and get a saw, blower, and trimmer Free.
 

LittleLebowski

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My problem is that my closest local dealer whom isn't a big chain like Lowes is a Cub Cadet dealer.
 

Dub11

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My problem is that my closest local dealer whom isn't a big chain like Lowes is a Cub Cadet dealer.

Thats surprising I have a dealer for almost everyone here in Topeka with a population of 127k.
 

LittleLebowski

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Thats surprising I have a dealer for almost everyone here in Topeka with a population of 127k.

I really take the "local" part seriously. 20 miles in Northern VA ain't like 20 in the rest of the country.
 
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