It had me up to the words “boundary wire”.

 

If you go the model up from that I think it has GPS function but it is $3700. I don't think the fact of having to bury a boundary wire is that terrible. I have been looking into these and following these since the first time I saw a house along a golf course with one. My biggest hold up right now is the fact my front and back yard are separated by a fence. So I would need two of them if I wanted it all remote managed. My back yard only takes about 12-15min to mow so I would probably just do that with a hand mower and let the robot handle the front yard.

 

I will have a fence this week with large areas on each side. 2 mowers is way more than I am looking to spend.

I might go with a zero turn for the maneuverability. A tractor would be more versatile though.

 

If my mower was not passed down to me from my father I would definitely have gone with a zero turn for sure. If you put down mulch yourself instead of hiring someone though I could see the desire to have a tractor with a trailer for it. Mine is very handy for that.

 

Been doing a bit more research. I have a walkout basement with a pretty decent slope front to back... probably a 14% grade. Seems like a definite need is a fully pressurized oil circulation engine. Might also have to step up to a garden tractor with stronger transmission.

 

Now you are getting up to some serious lawn tractors then. Not sure if a robot mower would even be able to handle the 14% grade.

 

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/lawn...-lawn-tractor/

Mow grass in the summer and get a snow plow or snowblower attachment for the winter.

 

I just bought a new Kubota tractor after much research. Likely much larger than you will need, but among the accessories I got is a 60" belly mower. I am 100% in love with it.

 

I was not very impressed with anything John Deere has to offer

 

For that price you are probably better off going up a bit more to a sub-compact with a bunch of accessories, IMO.

 

For snow clearing I don’t need anything more complicated than a 2 stage walk behind. I will get that later this year.

Will probably go with a Deere E160 for the lawn and see how it is. For the steep slopes I can always make my son mow with the walk behind.

 

Buying through a dealer? They might bring it out for a test mowing to see how it performs on the slopes, if you're close enough.

 

Possibly.

 

Guess I never followed up on this. I bought a Honda HRX mower without blade stop or electric start, found both to be gimmicks in the end. Works great for the past 2 years and I made $75 off of selling the Toro that I got for free.

The majority of the mowers you'll find at the big box stores are largely the same thing with different branding slapped on them. If you want to get a good quality machine, go to a power equipment dealer. You'll pay more but will get a great machine that will last a long time and a good service department if you need it.

How long are you on this steep slope? If it's just for a few seconds, you will probably be just fine to drive up it and then back onto flat ground. 14% for a short distance isn't bad at all.

 

Thanks Sam, it is about 60 ft.

I am going to hit up a dealer or two this weekend. I want to talk to someone who knows the equipment.

 

Edit - that was just Colts throwing a pricey one out and not sure why the pic is so blurry.

If you're looking at that price point, I would check out a zero turn. I know they don't pull things as easily but my mom got one and it was a life changer. I used to mow around 10 acres at her place with a tractor and a pull behind finishing mower but the zero turn does such a better job and in probably half the time. She's had it for probably 10 years now and the diesel is still running strong (not the same model but you get the idea), plus the 72 inch deck is great. I believe hers was around $20k but for a yard, I'm sure you could step it down a bit.

 

Also, I think I mentioned it in another thread but I bought an electric push mower a few months ago and I'm shocked at how long the 80 volt battery lasts and what a good job it does. It is really quiet plus it is nice to be able to stop at any point, pick up something in the yard and just push a button to keep mowing.

 

I have looked at the zero turns and while I haven’t ruled one completely out I am leaning in the tractor direction.

Husqvarna has a really cool AWD articulating mower but it is $4500– way more than I want to spend.

 

Some of the prices for zero turns are outrageous. That's what I initially looked at, but realized quickly that they couldn't handle my terrain.

 

Yeah that is why they are not a strong candidate for me.

 

I've put my mom's through some serious stuff but it is a pretty heavy duty mower. The job they do on the lawn and the quickness, is incredible.

 

Bought a Deere E170 through a nearby dealer today. Will be delivered next Saturday.

 

Yeah I wasn't seriously suggesting that crazy thing

 

Congrats on the new mower. I am sure it will serve you very well.

 

Wow, nice pickup!

Any mods planned?

 

Already did the mulching kit. I could get a canopy. Or add a double bagger.

 

Since the thread got bumped, I figure I should review the Honda walk-behind I picked up early 2017. I’ve only had two “issues” with it, and neither have ever stopped me from mowing.

1) The front wheel won’t stay tight. I guess I need to add some Lock-Tight or a locking washer.
2) The auto-choke system kicks ass for cold starts. It always starts first pull. However, once it’s warm, the system sometimes doesn’t get up to full throttle. Jiggling the choke lever quickly gets it up to speed though. (“Jiggling” is a technical term. )

All around, a great mower.

EDIT: Just now realizing I missed the last page.

 

Needs a drop, wheels, and tintz. Maybe grab a tune and, if you need, overnight parts from Japan.

 

This guy... For realz.

 

Needs a yard cart to tow behind it now.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gorilla-Car...Cart/999930538

 

JDM = John Deere Modified yo

 

Did someone say tints

 

Here it is. 3.2 hours on the clock.

 

Tubo it!

 

Gotta find a limited slip first.

 

That's the spirit...

 

perhaps the updated governor spring will fix #2.
or you could bend the metal that holds the governor spring

 

Enjoy!

What's the yellow knob on the seat do?

 

Adjusts the lumbar support.

 

Still has that "new tractor" smell?

Awesome, but I notice the lack of anything to apply "tints" to...

Seriously, though, the grass in the background (front yard looks to be sod?) looks amazing. What type of grass is it?