Any Riding mower experts here?

[HemiEd]

RNR, It is all about your budget and what you have to spend.

I spent countless hours researching this a couple years ago, trying to avoid buying an MTD product and still got ****ed into one.

Unless you buy a pretty old Cub Cadet, or spend at least double or triple what these two mowers sell for at a small dealer, you are going to end up with an MTD mower. Just pick the color you like depending on the brand name on it. If you like green get a John Deere, etc.

I am serious, I went out of my way to buy a new Craftsman and read the reviews endlessly. They were not supposed to be MTD, but they had made a change that model year. The two mowers you are talking about are almost certainly MTD mowers. (cheap) Mine doesn't even have a bolt or screw holding the gas tank it, it is a tie strap.

[RNR]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

RNR, It is all about your budget and what you have to spend.

I spent countless hours researching this a couple years ago, trying to avoid buying an MTD product and still got ****ed into one.

Unless you buy a pretty old Cub Cadet, or spend at least double or triple what these two mowers sell for at a small dealer, you are going to end up with an MTD mower. Just pick the color you like depending on the brand name on it. If you like green get a John Deere, etc.

I am serious, I went out of my way to buy a new Craftsman and read the reviews endlessly. They were not supposed to be MTD, but they had made a change that model year. The two mowers you are talking about are almost certainly MTD mowers. (cheap) Mine doesn't even have a bolt or screw holding the gas tank it, it is a tie strap.

That is where I am at this point! I have researched extensively and only confused myself even more. The JD has a sturdier deck, but the Husky offers a wider deck at $300 less~

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by RNR

That is where I am at this point! I have researched extensively and only confused myself even more. The JD has a sturdier deck, but the Husky offers a wider deck at $300 less~

You just can't win, buy what you think is the best deal and go with it. I would get the one that is $300 cheaper, as the overall quality is probably the same.

Heck, these people aren't even sure anymore what is what. MTD has just about monopolized the business, unless you buy the real McCoy from a small JD or Cub Cadet dealer.

I bought one of those Home Depot John Deere's just like your model a few years ago, and the deck shives went out almost immediately. Dodged that bullet, as one of the JD dealers told me about the JD 30 day promise.

My Craftsman has been fine, and has a 20 horse BS motor. The Hydrostatic drive takes some getting used to. I also have an MTD that I bought used real cheap later, and fixed up, that is a few years older. Same mowers except they have cut a lot more corners on the newer Craftsman.