As far as I can tell, prtty much the best one in my price range.
Ariens A18KG42 features a Kohler Courage 18 HP engine. A patented twin cam design with cross flow cylinder head delivers responsive power, superior cooling, and increased efficiency. Leak-proof operation and reduced vibration are features you can expect from a brand like Ariens. Features like an ergonomic step through design, cup holder, and fingertip cutting height adjust are included to make mowing you lawn an enjoyable experience.
* 18 HP Kohler courage single cylinder engine
* Patented twin cam design with cross flow cylinder head
* Dual-reciprocating balance system reduces vibration providing comfortable operation
* 18" silver rim rear wheels
* MFG Brand Name : Ariens
* MFG Model # : A18KG42
* MFG Part # : 960460001
The next general price point for lawn tractor is $1500, which is more than I wanted to spend, especially considering I need to spend another $2-300 on a trailer for the tractor to tow.
Someone told me a while back that Ariens are also American made.
And unfortunately, this particular model isn't available on amazon... no free shipping and free sales tax. More expensive ones are. Sigh.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
I do know that Home Depot and Lowes among others dumb down brand names. Like there John Deer lawn mowers. They have them manufactured without bearings that can be greasedand other things. I would look into that aspect. As far as built in America. There is a large MTD plant in Ohio. MTD makes 90% of mowers no matter what name they stick on it, as far as I know. Don't know if Ackermans has anything in your price range but I could take you over and introduce you to the head salesman and maybe the owner. He cut me a good deal.
In marriage there is always one person right. And the other one is the husband.
Had some mystery smoke from underneath after the first 10 minutes of operation, but nothing since. So far so good.
Unk: I loaded up the wife and kid into the cart, and we took a lap around the new property through the weeds. Blades disengaged. No smoke reoccurred, and I didn't smell anything burning. Wacky.
Also, the neighbors were eyeballing me. Wasn't close enough to see if it was the stinkeye, or not.
OH - very happy with Home Depot custserv. I signed up for a card while I was waiting for them to uncrate my tractor, and the girl took 10% off my bill, and gave me 12 months same as cash. She and my kid had a long conversation about cacti.
Edited By GORDON on 1248482445
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Buying this Ariens-brand tractor at Home Depot, I qualified for a "Free Blades for Life" promotion. I just registered on their website. I get a new set of blades every year, I just go to the website and click the "Redeem" button. Sweet. I don't even pay shipping. My first set of free blades are already on their way for this calendar year.
Since I already bent the hell out of one of my blades.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Well, mine typically need it. I flip my old mower over every spring when I am changing the oil, and my blade usually looks beat to hell so I pull it off and get it sharpened. Cost me $2 in NC. Cost me $10 last time I had it done in Ohio.
Now I own a spinny sharpening stone thing and I will play with that.
But free lifetime blades are very good. They cost $30 to buy a pair of them from Home Depot, for my particular mowing deck. I know because I bought a new set already. Now I have a free "backup" set coming so next time I bend one all to hell, I will just spend 10 minutes replacing it and be off to the races instead of having to run to the store again.
Edited By GORDON on 1251754634
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
