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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:01 pm
by GORDON
Probably no one here except maybe Unk knows dick about lawn tractors.
I now have too much yard for a push mower...
How's this one look?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp....0661137
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.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:51 am
by unkbill
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.
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:39 pm
by GORDON
For those of you following along at home, I purchased this today:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp....0661136
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
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:48 am
by unkbill
I can understand that if it was break in smoke(muffler paint, etc burning off the motor) an no one warned you it would be unnerving.
Edited By unkbill on 1248623367
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:33 pm
by GORDON
Note:
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.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:44 pm
by TheCatt
I ordered a replacement blade for the mower I bought in 2003 a couple of months ago.
Some day I even plan to install it.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 3:50 pm
by GORDON
Mine was quick and easy, just a socket wrench and a 5/6" socket. The two blades don't need to be aligned any particular was in relation to each other.
Even my push mower isn't that hard. Have removed the blade a few times to sharpen it. Just a socket and wrench.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:33 pm
by TheCatt
I'm just lazy. But free lifetime blades is good, since they're supposed to be sharpened/replaced each year, right?
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:34 pm
by GORDON
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
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:11 pm
by TheCatt
Ah. I never have to add oil, so I never even think about it. And we only have like .2 acres.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:05 pm
by Mommy Dearest
TheCatt wrote:Ah. I never have to add oil, so I never even think about it. And we only have like .2 acres.
supposed to change it anyway hon lol 
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:43 am
by TheCatt
Mommy Dearest wrote:TheCatt wrote:Ah. I never have to add oil, so I never even think about it. And we only have like .2 acres.
supposed to change it anyway hon lol
My lawnmower doesn't use oil.
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:12 am
by TPRJones
Is it a goat?
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:50 am
by TheCatt
It's electric. Boogie woogie, woogie
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:12 am
by Mommy Dearest
TheCatt wrote:Mommy Dearest wrote:TheCatt wrote:Ah. I never have to add oil, so I never even think about it. And we only have like .2 acres.
supposed to change it anyway hon lol
My lawnmower doesn't use oil.
Has to have some sort of lubrication I would think but good point.
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:19 pm
by TheCatt
Only thing it needs is new/sharpened blades.
And to remember to not run over the cord.
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:02 pm
by Mommy Dearest
TheCatt wrote:Only thing it needs is new/sharpened blades.
And to remember to not run over the cord.
That is cool wonder if the cord is big enough for my house
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:30 pm
by GORDON
Put an electrified mesh over your entire yard and trick out a riding lawn mower to function similarly to a dodgem car at an amusement park.
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:39 pm
by TPRJones
Well, if your going to go to that much trouble, you might as well go wireless.
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:41 pm
by GORDON
Yeah but it would be really cool to have a dodgem car with a mower deck.