Best lawnmowers, snow and leaf blower. What do you use?

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

0.8 is the lot size, so less lawn. Pics attached. Gas here is 10% ethanol

That yard is a bit hard to justify an expensive zero turn b/c of all the trees. My mower shop guy thought I was a bit insane for spending the money I did b/c I wasn't a professional and though my yard is wide open it isn't 3-5 acres. That said most of my neighbors owned John Deere tractors and ended up replacing them with a zero turn except one, who's mower is newer and l love watching them cut their lawn b/c it's like watching a NASCAR race where they go around in circles.

BTW, that lawn is way too short. Try 3"-4", which will help shade and choke out the weeds.

Zero turn is also way faster. If time is a consideration.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

I just added Sta-bil to regular gas and, like I said, I turn off the fuel line and burn off what’s in the carb.

Sorry, I was commenting on product price not carb maintenance.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Can also get Diesel to avoid gas issues I checked diesel lawnmowers are very expensive

Focus on getting the best mower you can afford.

The closer to a professional mower you get the more benefits you'll reap...

1. Better cut
2. No bagging - unless you let the grass get too long in the spring
3. Fast - but this depends on brand. I can start 20 minutes after the neighbor on their zero turn and finish before them.

[Kolyan2k]

Yes, time is important, thats why I was checking out zero turn initially. I would love to use something electric, EGO etc but I think its gonna be a huge pain for that lot

[E92 M Sport]

IMO you won’t be happy with anything electric. Stabil is great stuff, we can’t get ethanol free fuel here so I use it all the time. Also a little dry gas in the storage tanks doesn’t hurt.

Stihl BR450 is a good blower. Used to use RedMax but never had good luck with them.
I’ve used echo trimmers for over 20 years, they’ve been great.
I have a 33” walk behind by Craftsman (mtd) for 9 years. I don’t bag, I’ll double cut when needed. That’s for 1/3 acre. For yours I’d consider a 48” if you’ve got the storage space, but I’ve never used a riding mower.

Your property looks great already! Good luck.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by AlpineWhite_SJ

What sort of issues? I just got one a few months ago and it’s been ok so far but curious what I should watch out for.

I got a four stroke 28(?)cc. I’ve got some brush work I’ll be doing eventually and figured I’d get the torque of a four stroke to help with some of those cuts. I’ve got some run issues with it bogging down and sometimes dying on me - especially if I ran it with, say, a string attachment then cut it off to change over to an edger. More times than not I’m fighting with it to stay running after a changeover; lots of finesse with the throttle to keep it going. Really acts like it’s running too rich or something.

Most recently I built a hanger for it to hang vertically and now find that it leaks oil. I guess I’ve only had two strokes in the past (no oil reservoir), so not sure if this is normal, but I can’t store this any other way without wasting a ton of valuable space in my garage.

Overall, I think I wouldn’t have these issues with a Ryobi two stroke. Just bummed since it’s only been a couple months, and it’s the only receipt I can’t find since we bought the house in February.

[Nuckle]

In my opinion Stihl makes the best products on the market as it pertains to trimmers, blowers etc.

I got the unit with interchangeable attachments. So I have one power head that will trim, edge, limb saw and hedge trimmers. They make 3 sizes of power heads. Get the biggest and never look back. On your string trimmer take the auto line feeder off and throw it in the garbage. Get one you have to manually put the line on and buy the biggest line it will hold. I am do everything I need to do on one setup of line because it's so thick.

I have one size down from the largest Stihl backpack blower. The largest was too heavy or I would have got it.

I can't help you on the mower. I have a John Deere Z930M but based on the size of your lawn you don't need a $12k mower.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by wdb

I bought an Ariens IKON "zero-turn" last year after my Simplicity tractor finally gave its last full measure after 20+ years. I wasn't crazy about it at first, because I found it pretty hard to handle. But somewhere along the line last year I found myself just getting on with it so I guess I figured it out. I spend dramatically less time mowing with the zero-turn than I did with the tractor. I also tow a cart and use a lawn roller with it. Not as convenient as the tractor for that stuff but it can be done. My second choice would have been another Simplicity tractor. Still a pretty sturdy piece. Look for a fabricated deck if you want to buy something that is going to last.

We have a Honda HS928 snowblower, with tracks. I hear the new ones had some teething issues, but they also have independent track control and are easier to turn than my beastie. I got tracks because I was sick and tired of having push and shove to keep my old wheeled unit moving. I even had tire chains on it. Proper tracked blowers get down there and just go through it. With snowblowers there is an enormous range of sizes, powers, and capablities. Get what your driveway needs.

Stihl is my small engine vendor of choice. Chain saws, blowers, that stuff.

Those Honda snowblowers are really nice. They are top of the line for sure.

[upstatedoc]

honda everything thats pricey. ex took my honda mower still going strong after 10+ years. just bought toro self propelled 22 " for $300 works perfect. have a craftsman snowblower that has not let me down, course now sears are all closed

[Kolyan2k]

Craftsman are sold in Lowes as well

[Kolyan2k]

So I did read everything. Thanks for advices. I obviously understand that more you pay better stuff you get, but I am on a budget as well Granted that local Lowes and HD sell cheap versions of Cub Cadet, Craftsman, John Deere etc. I was thinking if I step up to more premium Cub Cadet like XT2 LX46 EFI, maybe I should be good? Mulching and snow plowing....so no need for blower and snow tractor

https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/lawn-...AZA1CN010.html

Something like this Husqvarna TS 248XD is $500 more....(242XD is $300)

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/product...8xd/960430309/

[wdb]

Moving snow with a tractor can be a challenge.

You'll need to convert the tractor every year from mower to blower. Besides the blower (or plow) you'll need tire chains, weights, controls, possibly a cab to protect the operator.

If you are thinking of using a plow be advised that you can't let the snow get too deep or the tractor won't be able to move it. That might mean multiple clearings depending on how much snow you get.

You may only have the option of a single-stage blower which is nowhere near a 2-stage unit in terms of performance.

Do you want to clear walkways, perhaps a dog run in the yard? Will the tractor do that?

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by wdb

Moving snow with a tractor can be a challenge.

You'll need to convert the tractor every year from mower to blower. Besides the blower (or plow) you'll need tire chains, weights, controls, possibly a cab to protect the operator.

If you are thinking of using a plow be advised that you can't let the snow get too deep or the tractor won't be able to move it. That might mean multiple clearings depending on how much snow you get.

You may only have the option of a single-stage blower which is nowhere near a 2-stage unit in terms of performance.

Do you want to clear walkways, perhaps a dog run in the yard? Will the tractor do that?

I would just need to clean asphalt driveway, was thinking of getting plow for $400. Says its a quick and easy to attach without tools

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I would just need to clean asphalt driveway, was thinking of getting plow for $400. Says its a quick and easy to attach without tools

Okay. I warned you!

[Kolyan2k]

This is more difficult then buying a car

[OkieSnuffBox]

Typical smaller suburban-type lot ~10 sq ft.

Have been using the 80V Kobalt mower and trimmer w/edger attachment. We have 3 batteries and two chargers. 1 battery will mow the entire yard, and it's just the standard battery not the ones with more juice.

I'm happy as it means I don't have to keep oil/gas etc in the garage.

[Kolyan2k]

Cub Cadet makes electric ride on lawnmower, but its like 4k

[corn18]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I would just need to clean asphalt driveway, was thinking of getting plow for $400. Says its a quick and easy to attach without tools

Boston. That’s a lot of snow for a blade. My X540 could handle 6” of snow. More than that and I had a tough time moving it out of the way. If another 6” came before the first 6” melted, I was in trouble because I had nowhere to move the snow. And I had a big, heavy tractor with wheel weights, add on weights, beet juice in all the tires and chains. If I lived in Boston, I would get a snow blower. 2 stage so it can throw the snow a long way. It will build up fast over the winter. Our plant up in Londonderry had 20’ piles of snow one winter.

[Murf993]

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[Kolyan2k]

Spoke to a buddy of mine, his lot is bigger and he only pays $40 per week for lawn and 60 to plow big driveway several times per year. Told me for him makes no sense getting lawnmower

Do you have to do lawn every week or can get away doing it every 2 weeks?

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by Murf993

'

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Spoke to a buddy of mine, his lot is bigger and he only pays $40 per week for lawn and 60 to plow big driveway several times per year. Told me for him makes no sense getting lawnmower

Do you have to do lawn every week or can get away doing it every 2 weeks?

I mow 6 times a month for 5 months = $40x6x5=$1200 spring time is the worst

I've owned my tractor for 4 years $1200x4=$4800

A decent lawn tractor is $1600 to $2400
Typical life span of 10 years

Mowing 4 times/month for 5 months = $40x4x5=$800