I just read the reviews on the craftsman. To many with the welds on the deck.
Have you thought about buying a used mower. Most times you can get more mower for your money.
If you like I can give a list of things to look at on used mowers and I am sure others can add to it.
I have thought about a used mower, but haven't been able to find anything close to promising and would rather not acquire someone else's headaches.
Sure, If I found a known reliable workhorse in great shape, for the right price, I would take a look though.
Yes, the 46" Craftsman Tight Turn mower they have on sale right now is out of the question at this point as it has 1/3 negative reviews about build quality, common complaints being those broken deck welds and major deck vibration due to a design flaw.
Weird though, being that this mower is supposed to be an upgrade from the ones below, yet it seems to be built like junk... even more weird considering it's built by Husqvarna.
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http://www.sears.com/craftsman-46-i...p-07128852000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 )
I have (for the night anyway) narrowed my search down to these two models:
1. Craftsman LT2500 - 46", Hydrostatic, Kohler Courage 22HP ($1299)
Biggest Concern: Hydrostatic tranny. Will a regular hydostatic tranny last 10 years mowing 1.4 acres in FL every other week during the summer? Based on the good reviews and lack of build quality complains, I feel I could take care of the rest of the tractor enough to make it last for a long time to come. I would just hate to have to trash the mower early because an expensive Hydro tranny fails and it costs more than it's worth to replace it. Also this mower is built my MTD.
Advantages: $150 cheaper, Comfortable fender throttle control
2. Ariens A22A46 - 46", CVT Auto, 22HP V-Twin Dual Cylinder B&S ($1449)
Biggest Concern: Foot throttle controls. I have not driven either of these mowers, but I feel in my large, flat yard that having to hold the gas pedal down for hours would make the leg sore. Sure, there is a cruise control feature, but I read that it's hard to engage and use. I sat on this model at the store and the throttle pedal seemed very hard to push like the clutch. Is that right, or was that one messed up? I feel just being able to reach over with a fender control would be much easier and less fatiguing. What do you guys prefer or think about foot controls vs fender controls?
Advantages: Smoother and more powerful V-Twin B&S motor, Quality built Husqvarna mower, CVT Transmission which should in theory be more reliable than hydrostatic right?
The main thing I am interested in is reliability. I don't want to waste $1500 on a mower that I have to trash in a few years.
Do you guys think CVT has more longevity than Hydrostatic? I read the hydrostatic transmissions are not serviceable, and thus they tend to prematurely wear out. I gather the CVT transmissions don't have anything that needs to be serviced except a new belt from time to time, thus making it probable that it would last longer. What do you guys think about this idea? Am I correct? Wrong?
Or should I seek a more inexpensive base model mower that has a manual transmission and good build quality reviews if I am looking for longevity?
My father and uncle both have manual transmissions and no issues for nearly 10 years each so far. My uncle who repairs small engines didn't seem to think the automatic trannys were as reliable as the manual ones.
There is this Ariens 42" 17.5HP 6-Speed Manual that is well built by Husqvarna for $1049, but it doesn't use an oil filter or full pressure oil system like the others, has a smaller deck and less power.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-4...g-Lawn-Mower-960160027/203013179#.Upgn-cTFXXA