I need a new mower

Yeah, if going with a rider, get a "garden tractor" not a lawn mower..  Look that they sell accessories such as a snow blower/thrower & plow.  That will tell you that it has a real frame (not a stamped c-channel), a real transaxle (not the cheap clamped together crap that AYP makes that goes in every single box store mower), etc.

I bought my 1974 cub cadet 149 in 2008 because I broke 3 of the AYP transaxles on various mowers because the C-channel "frame" flexed too much going over my rough terrain.  I used it it until 2018 when I bought the X.   I still use it to tow yard carts and such into the woods, mulch, etc.  It's infinitely rebuildable, but I just didn't have time to do a restoration on a tractor and it always needed fiddling to get the cutting deck working and kept in good repair for mowing work.

In 1974, the 149 w/ a 44" cut deck cost around ~$2000.  To put that in perspective, that's $12,350 in today dollars.   That's how I was able to justify paying in the $5000 range for my X. 

To flip it around, if you went to lowesdepot and bought a $2000 mower today, that's the equivalent of a $325.00 mower in 1974.

AxeHealey said:

The Timecutter was high on my list even before this thread so it's nice to have that vote of confidence. A local mower dealer sells ExMark and Big Dog. The Big Dog has the best stated warranty. 3 years on the engine and 4 on the mower itself. 

It seems like the Timecutter will be the least expensive of all the options which certainly is a consideration. Buying a mower for what I could buy a E36 M3ty Miata for sorta hurts. 

Also. I never knew that you're supposed to sharpen the blades so often...

The fuel efficiency and engine load is radically improved if you keep your blades sharper.  It's like flushing brake fluid on a daily driver.  No one thinks to do it for the home gamer, but it makes a massive difference!

Oh, and for servicing the eXmark, at least, you can grab a trailer jack from harbor freight to lift it at the front hitch point. It only costs $20 instead of whatever it was they were charging.

If you want to go the garden tractor route I'll sell you an Ariens GT16 with 60" deck but it needs work before it's ready to mow. I used it to mow for a few years before getting a zero turn. It was handy to keep around for tractor stuff but I have two full size tractors now and it's been sitting. 

After mowing with the garden tractor I would still recommend a used commercial zero turn or walk behind.

In reply to WonkoTheSane :

Makes sense, I just never thought the blades needed that much attention. 

In reply to EvanB :

I appreciate the offer but I think I'm convinced on going the zero turn route.

If you can spare the $$ and dont need to do stuff other than mow, a nice zero turn is AWESOME! 
my dad has a toro timecutter. Its like a magic flying carpet. 
 

just make sure you maintain the hydro system. Thats what usually kills the zero turns. The hydro pump/motors can be prohibitively expensive to fix/replace. 
thats also why you dont gamble on used "broken" zero turns. You'll be at the cost of a new machine if you had to replace the hydros. 

RevRico said:

If you can find one, a 70s IH cub like I bought would run forever. The kohler 10/12hp motor is simple and happy as long as it has oil. The carbs get a little weird but nothing some blue loctite can't fix. Belts are still dirt cheap too. 

This is the third one I've had in my life, and even with a dead battery (just needs a jump) currently it cuts circles around all the newer used motors I've had, and judging by Dusterbds thread, a lot of the newer name brand mowers as well.

I have a 70 IH Tractor, a 108. I NEED to get the thing running because I know that, once it is, it'll outlive some of our countrymen. I swear that Kohler engine could run on oil that still has the dinosaur bones in it. 

The local shop that was sharpening my chainsaw sells Cub Cadet and Toro. The guy I spoke to said they're very similar but he prefers the Toro. 

I think that's where I'm headed. I've now heard only good things about the TimeCutter from both GRM and a friend who has one. Only good reviews scare me but, alas, maybe good news is just good news. 

In reply to AxeHealey :

The one my dad has has this crazy floating suspension seat. Its very nice. 
 

also, he was able to order it from home depot for something like 500+$ cheaper than anywhere else. 

Let's see how much time it cuts. 

Ooh you got the fabricated deck.  Fancy. 

The neighbors are going to be jealous!