I would be skeptical of your local dealer. Basically the same is "not" the same. I assure you there is a huge difference in the ones you get at lowes vs. an actual John Deere dealer. To each his own. I choose to own something other than a deere.

 

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geur6m_b...554.aspx%3fs=1


Never look back.....

 

I actually work at a Snapper, Hustler, Wright, and Husqvarna dealership. Just like everyone else has said, dont go to Home Depot or Lowes to buy a mower. Almost everything they sell is now made by MTD.
Just visit your local dealers, they have access to different series of tractors and different series of motors whether it be Briggs, Kohler or Kawisaki. When it comes to the Briggs I really like the new endurance series. Just my .02

 

My neighbor has one of the 100 series from Lowes. They are not close to the same machine. They share the same color scheme, that is all. He won't even use his, has his yard done. Even the decks are totally different. Are you going to a place that carries the 300 series or do they just have the 100s.

 

Well I talked to my local dealer, and he recommended that I get a load of dirt in and try to cover up the roots. I mean there is a section of roots that is large but its only say %20 of the yard, the rest is just un-leveled grass to cut. I dunno what to do, he said I would tear a new mower all to pieces running over those roots.

 

Is that the sport model? looks good looks clean and small kinda what I would like to have. Thats kinda been a option too, I though of mowing my mothers yard if I got a bigger zero turn mower she lives by herself when my step father is on the rigs.

Could you tell me what the ranges in price are on those?

 

The Deere's at Home Depot here in NC are part of a purchase agreement with the local Deere dealers. I bought mine at the local Deere dealer because he is an old friend. He was servicing and loading 35 new Deere's to take to Home Depot. Same exact mower I bought, for the same price. Deere made the arrangement and shoved it down the dealer's throats. He is beginning to turn a dollar on them, because H.D. sents them all to him for repairs and servicing.

 

That depends on what kind of trees. Because if they have roots growing along the top of the ground, they need them there to survive. If you fill in around them, in about two years most trees of that type will die. Pine, Pin Oak, Cypres are good examples.

 

Those rear engine mowers (rotary mowers) like the snapper you posted are NOT made for sloped terrain. Don't believe me? Read the mfc. specs and ask around. You need a front engine type for sloped yards to be safe as they have a better center of gravity. The rear engine types bodies tend to flex under slopping and uneven terrain which causes it to be unstable. They flex A LOT, so much on my dad's snapper, it's uncomfortable for me to ride in our yard. We have 11 acres.

Actually in some places rear engine mowers require a ROPS system (roll over protection). A bird cage if you will.

As far as mowers, Cub Cadet is awesome.

http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/s...1_600000_16205

God, so sexy.

Also cub cadet riding mowers have the zero turn feature liked by so many rotary rear engine tractors.

 

Good point.

 

I would just suck it up and weed eat where the roots are, you'll tear your mower up whether you pay $1,000 or $5,000 for it.

 

The L1xxx series of Deere tractors are basically made by MTD and finished at Deere. Deere dealers and Lowes sell the L1xx series. I own a L111 with the 20 hp twin kohler. I bought it at my Deere dealer and get the same support and service as if I bought any of their tractors. The Craftsmen and Cub Cadets are also made by MTD. You can park about 5 or six "different brand" 42 inch riding mowers next to each other and you will see they are basically the same mower with just brand specific mods to make them slightly different. Things like mower deck hose connections, the location of the reverse button or lever or cup holders etc. We had a thread like this already with pictures.

 

A skilled equipment operator can run their equipment anywhere and not tear anything up.

 

What has that got to do with anything? You see any of those responding here?

 

Jim my point is I have used an $800 riding mower to cut some terrain that usually is only cut with a brush hog and never torn anything up.