Looking at tractor

[kwall828 63]

I’m looking at getting another wheel horse so my grandson can start mowing the yard, I have a 73 automatic but he not comfortable driving it, says to much work lol, what’s a good tractor that’s easier to drive for him thanks. 

[clueless 2,993]

If an auto is to much work then any of the others will be the same.

[Ed Kennell 38,177]

55 minutes ago, kwall828 said:

 says to much work lol, what’s a good tractor that’s easier to drive for him thanks. 

The 73 auto is the least amount of work to drive unless he has trouble steering.  

The 73 should not be hard to steer if it is  in good condition, lubed well and the tires inflated.      Maybe try tri ribs on the front and inflate them to 20PSI.

[Handy Don 12,232]

I suspect the grandson is enamored of the newer style of zero turn. I freely acknowledge that as a pure mowing machine for conventional lawns, they can’t be beaten--fast, nimble, and, with some practice, easy to operate.

[squonk 41,118]

Is this a 73 D series auto or a C series?  If it's a D they can be a handful. Switch to a C 120 auto or similar.

[8ntruck 7,004]

I agree with @Handy Don - zero turns are excellent for mowing.  The couple across the street died last year, leaving the property in probate.  My neighbor has is keeping it mowed with his Cub Cadet 60" zero turn.  I went out with my 14-8, 42" deck to help him one day.  I gave up because i was pretty much in  his way.

 

@kwall828 - you old is your grandson?  Could be a size/strength issue if he is younger? 

[WHX?? 48,815]

9 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

you old is your grandson?

 

Perhaps a Suburban or a RJ? 'Sides they fit nice in  any herd... 

Maybe a B-80 they can be easy to handle. 

 

You s that are suggesting Z turns need to sell yer horses...  

[8ntruck 7,004]

 Not suggesting a zero turn, just saying I couldn't keep up with one in a 'side by side trial'.

[kwall828 63]

I think you guys are right about the zero turn, lol , at one time he did mention his friends mower is easy, maybe I settle this with a push mower, 😂😂, I ain’t spending 5 grand on a mower when the 2 houses together ain’t a acre, thanks guys

[kwall828 63]

49 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I suspect the grandson is enamored of the newer style of zero turn. I freely acknowledge that as a pure mowing machine for conventional lawns, they can’t be beaten--fast, nimble, and, with some practice, easy to operate.

Think you hit the nail on the head 😂😂😂

[8ntruck 7,004]

15 minutes ago, kwall828 said:

I think you guys are right about the zero turn, lol , at one time he did mention his friends mower is easy, maybe I settle this with a push mower, 😂😂, I ain’t spending 5 grand on a mower when the 2 houses together ain’t a acre, thanks guys

Push mower sounds like a good solution. 

The old fashion non powered reel mowers are still available.

 

I was using one maybe 10 years ago to mow my 90' suburban lot.  A couple of kids of junior high age were walking down the road.  One of them said "oh, it's a lawn mower".

 

I replied that it ran on cheeseburgers and beer.

[squonk 41,118]

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap. I think that's mostly from landscapers mowing at 10 +MPH and the bouncing all over. I see 0 turns stuck every spring like abandoned Camaro's and Firebirds at a trailer park. 

 

IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck. 

 

[Lee1977 6,659]

If it can be all mowed with a Wheel Horse It's already too easy. You didn't say how old he is, maybe he needs a kick in the rear to get him started.

[Ed Kennell 38,177]

6 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

 kick in the rear to get him started.

Good point and makes me wonder why Wheel Horse never made a kick start.

 

 

Edited May 25 by Ed Kennell

[Pullstart 62,884]

Depending on his size, a 953 or 1054 are surprisingly easy for small framed people to work the clutch/brake.  They have hydro lift as well.

 

 

[Handy Don 12,232]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap. I think that's mostly from landscapers mowing at 10 +MPH and the bouncing all over. I see 0 turns stuck every spring like abandoned Camaro's and Firebirds at a trailer park. 

 

IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck. 

No argument from me--especially when the z-turn is barreling across the lawn. At a more moderate speed, they do just fine.

[adsm08 2,060]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

 

 

IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck. 

 

 

I agree. I just wish I could get through a season without an overhaul.

[kpinnc 12,061]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap.

 

I gotta say, must be some zero turn morons cutting around you. I can't speak for every brand, but zero turns only do one thing: mow grass. They are optimized for that and nothing else. No clumps, no scalps, and as quickly as possible. If someone leaves a lawn looking bad, they likely not only have no clue how to use one, they also can't maintain it. If they tear up a yard spinning wheels, they clearly can't operate it correctly. 

 

I love my Wheel Horses. They are "Jack of all trades" flexible, and tough as can be. That being said, my Scag zero turn literally runs circles around even a 520-H with a 60 inch deck. I have one of each, and can literally compare each side by side. 

 

Point being: if someone makes a mess with a zero turn, it's the operator's fault. 

Edited May 25 by kpinnc

[Easton Rich 267]

Maybe a 310-312 with electric lift depending on his age

[Ed Kennell 38,177]

A 310 or 312  With an Eaton 1100 tranny with hydraulic lift and foot control.     It can't be any easier than that unless you go the robotic  or RC route.

[kwall828 63]

Just picked this up, cut and drive amazing 

[Handy Don 12,232]

6 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Point being: if someone makes a mess with a zero turn, it's the operator's fault. 

[WHGuy413 2,683]

10 hours ago, squonk said:

0 turns are fast but most of the lawns I see cut by them look like crap. I think that's mostly from landscapers mowing at 10 +MPH and the bouncing all over. I see 0 turns stuck every spring like abandoned Camaro's and Firebirds at a trailer park. 

 

IMHO nothing beats the cut of a 60's WH gear drive deck. 

 

Hey now lol. I love the way my scag turf tiger 2 cuts at work. But I do come home to mow 2 acres with any one of my wheel horses that happens to have a deck on it at the time. Some of the wheel horse stripes are beautiful too. 2 different beasts but only 1 can do things other than mowing. 

[ohiofarmer 3,276]

   Well help me understand...??

I was on an Oliver 88 pulling a ten foot disc through the field at age eight and using the brakes to turn at the end of the field. A few years later, in order to plow with a non hydraulic plow ,it was one foot covering the clutch, one on the brake one hand reaching back to pull the trip rope to pull the plow out of the ground, and the other hand steering around the corner. No power steering either. 

  I guess back then that boys were men and men were gods. My grandpa was known for being able to lift a hogshead of tobacco somehow or other. But then he started out faming with horses.

Edited May 28 by ohiofarmer

[adsm08 2,060]

38 minutes ago, ohiofarmer said:

  My grandpa was known for being able to lift a hogshead of tobacco somehow or other.

 

Those old timers, they were built out of sterner stuff. At age 87 my grandfather was stronger than I have ever been. At age 95 my great aunt had more energy, and was seemingly in better shape than I was at age 35.