Ariens rideon lawnmower - any experiences??

[begreen]

I love to mow deep fields. So long as I know there are no stumps, cars, wads of barbed wire, or holes to fall into. My favorite height is eye level when seated in the operator station so about 6 feet tall. At that depth you're really accomplishing something and you see much more wildlife, though it is often chopped up. The eagles and coyotes seem to appreciate the lunch.

It is mowing season and I plan to spend all day on Saturday spinning the blades.

But yes, three or four times a year. If I wasn't trying to sell the woodlot, I could mow once per year and that would take care of all the trees and undesirable growth. The mowers can mow anything thinner than your wrist without slowing down.

This doesn't sound like Craftsman territory. Are you field mowing with the tractor?

 

[Highbeam]

This doesn't sound like Craftsman territory. Are you field mowing with the tractor?

Oh yes, the riding mower is for lawn and the tractor is for fields/pasture/blackberries etc.

 

[bag of hammers]

Wow - how do you guys keep all these brands / re-brands straight? How can anyone know for sure (when they buy a piece of equipment) who actually manufactures it? Makes my head spin (which doesn't take much these days, but nevertheless....)

 

[BrotherBart]

Not much different than cars or anything else. Bought a "US" Plymouth one time and ended up with one from Canada with a Mitsubishi engine. In 1991 I bought a pro line Poulan "US" chainsaw. Ended up with a re-badged Partner saw with a big red maple leaf sticker on the side of it.

In the case of my garden tractor it is a good thing. When I need parts I just log on to Sears Parts Direct and order the parts for a Craftsman GT5000.

 

[Highbeam]

Wow - how do you guys keep all these brands / re-brands straight? How can anyone know for sure (when they buy a piece of equipment) who actually manufactures it? Makes my head spin (which doesn't take much these days, but nevertheless....)

Welcome to the global economy. Truth is, it doesn't matter who actually manufactured it. The important thing is that the machine performs as you expect, and replacement parts are available for as long as it is intended to last. How long it lasts is just one of the specifications.

 

[velvetfoot]

Here is a picture from earlier this evening:

 

[Retired Guy]

Looks like retirement to me. Nice stacks!

 

[maple1]

I've got a little wagon like that. One tire went flat over the winter and I'm having a heck of a time now getting it to hold air. I slobbered it with bead sealer a couple days ago & pumped it up again, haven't gone back to check it yet since I did that. Might go looking for solid rubber for it, if there's something to be found.

Nice wheels!

 

[velvetfoot]

I've got a little wagon like that. One tire went flat over the winter and I'm having a heck of a time now getting it to hold air. I slobbered it with bead sealer a couple days ago & pumped it up again, haven't gone back to check it yet since I did that. Might go looking for solid rubber for it, if there's something to be found.

Nice wheels!

I have yet to take off a little tire off. Plenty of bicycle tires. I don't have the tools. Perhaps one day it will become necessary.
What I have used with some success on generator and wheelbarrow and these tires too, come to think of it, is green slime.

 

[Jags]

Maple, just tube it. It is easy to do (usually don't even need tools). Tube it and be done.

Edit: Well...ya might need a pair of side cutters to get the old valve out.

 

[bag of hammers]

+1 on the tube suggestion. I get them from the local TSC.

Maple - I did a solid rubber wheel on a wheelbarrow (the tire was weather beaten and split so I had to toss it) - all I could find was a "skinny" version but I figured I'd give it a try. Its fine on the hard surfaces and you wouldn't think it would make a huge difference - but it really sucks in the softer material (pushing it thru a bit of gravel, or muck, or any of the other stuff I have to deal with out there). Tube tires "float" a bit better depending on the terrain. I could be out to lunch, but something else to ponder.

 

[Ashful]

I would NOT want to store a riding mower for the purpose of mowing 1/4 acre! If you have other uses for it (snow plowing, snow blowing, pulling a firewood trailer), then I could see justifying the garage space, but I'd also be looking for a garden tractor... not a lawn tractor.

<-- mows 4 acres in 2 hours, with lots and lots of trees and gardens to go 'round

 

[maple1]

I think I'd rather store a riding mower than push mow 1/4 acre.

 

[AK13]

I'm actually thinking about buying an Ariens mower also. I've been push mowing a 1/2 acre rental property. It takes an hour and I'm tired of it. I'm thinking of getting this el cheapo version from HD. Or maybe the similar $999 Craftsman version. They look like the best options for under a grand. And if I'm looking at paying someone $50/mow every two weeks vs buying a rider then I'll have it paid off in only 2 summers or so. Plus I can probably write it off. Is this the one the OP was after? I assume this is maybe the Husqvarna version?

Any sources for a good 10% off coupon to use for this thing?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-4...27/203013179?N=5yc1vZc5c0Z12ld#specifications

 

[Highbeam]

I'm actually thinking about buying an Ariens mower also. I've been push mowing a 1/2 acre rental property. It takes an hour and I'm tired of it. I'm thinking of getting this el cheapo version from HD. Or maybe the similar $999 Craftsman version. They look like the best options for under a grand. And if I'm looking at paying someone $50/mow every two weeks vs buying a rider then I'll have it paid off in only 2 summers or so. Plus I can probably write it off. Is this the one the OP was after? I assume this is maybe the Husqvarna version?

Any sources for a good 10% off coupon to use for this thing?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ariens-4...27/203013179?N=5yc1vZc5c0Z12ld#specifications

That's my mower with an ariens name tag on it. Mine is a craftsman. Honestly, I love the thing.

Be warned though, this mower has the 500cc briggs engine that is known for popping head gaskets. Same engine is in the john deere mowers at home depot. I had mine pop last fall after mowing for a few years. I replaced the gasket myself with simple hand tools for the cost of the 10 dollar gasket from amazon.com and with the guidance of excellent youtube videos.

 

[BrotherBart]

One thing I would add. The Ariens is a true gear drive gear shift transmission like my Husqvarna garden tractor. I screwed up one time and bought one of the MTD produced "shift on the fly" garden tractors and it was a piece of junk. I just looked and they are still making the things as MTD, Huskee, Cub Cadet and Murry with that crappy drive system. Probably not a problem if all you are going to do is mow grass. But for anything heavy go with the gear drive.

 

[velvetfoot]

I'm still gonna have to pipe in for the hydrostatic. It's been fine so far.

 

[Swedishchef]

Here is a picture from earlier this evening:
View attachment 133015

Ha! Love it! I purchased the mower today with the same trailer. 22 Hp, 46 inch cut. I negotiated $250 off of the price, 2 free pick ups and drop offs (for breaks if any happen or tune ups) and got the trailer for $125 (what a great trailer..converts to a wheel barow).

I took the 0% financing...$68/month. I will likely pay it off in 3-4 months but it is a nice option. No interest provided I pay the min payment of $68.

 

[velvetfoot]

I have a tip on the trailer (mine is a Brinley). If you put in a bunch of rounds, they can break off the plastic lip when they come tumbling out when you unload. I'm still using mine. It's been through a lot. I think they have wider tires now. I too have the handle.

I just remembered: a weakness with the tractor was that the seat developed a crack in the covering very soon. I just put some black duct tape on it and didn't fuss about it.

 

[Ashful]

Are these HP ratings on new tractors for real? My old 1963 Cub 123 hydrostatic had a 12hp Kohler K301, and ran a 48" mower deck or 42" snow blower, without slowing down. I bet it would pull one of these new 22hp lawn tractors backwards uphill, without much struggle. Similarly, my 4wd CUT loaded with front end loader and 3pt implement tips the scales at 5000 lb., and is rated 24 or 25 hp. It runs a 72" mower deck and a 64" snow blower.

 

[begreen]

It's not just horsepower, torque is important. Is the CUT diesel? If so, that would be like comparing apples to oranges.

 

[BrotherBart]

Horsepower isn't the issue with the yard/garden tractors. They have plenty. Traction is the problem given their light weight.

 

[begreen]

Yes, chains can make a big difference with traction. But I hear what Joful is saying. Six years ago I replaced our 12hp B&S Craftsman with an 18hp Kohler Craftsman. I cut our fields with it and the old unit would bog down with damp grass. The newer one easily handles thick wet grass. It would be interesting to look at the torque specs for the old Cub motor and compare to a modern B&S motor.

 

[velvetfoot]

I haven't looked lately, but I recall the engine on my Ariens is a 650cc V-twin. That's motorcyle size. My point being, that the bigger motors suck down more fuel.

 

[firefighterjake]

Not to derail the thread ... but are the Kubota lawn tractors any decent or are they also just rebranded mtds?