P220 Onan

[artfull dodger 439]

The Vanguard/Diahatsu diesel is not well respected by most.  Not known to have the durablity of a Kubota, Yanmar or other small Japanese diesel sadly.   Yes 4wd kills turning radius but most do not cut grass unless its with a small bush hog for side ditches ect.  Nearly everyone mows with a ZTR of some kind now, pick your poison brand wise.   ZTRs combined with the SCUT's killed the GT market, period.  I do not thing anything would have saved the GT with the way the market shifted towards ZTR's for the mass majority of the general public.  I know many that I serviced in my nearly 30 years of professional L&G repair work, also owned a classic GT of one brand or another.  Most had rusted away mower decks so the owner upgraded to  ZTR for mowing duty, and kept the old GT for snow work and other lawn chores.  

[RED-Z06 2,365]

56 minutes ago, artfull dodger said:

The Vanguard/Diahatsu diesel is not well respected by most.  Not known to have the durablity of a Kubota, Yanmar or other small Japanese diesel sadly.   Yes 4wd kills turning radius but most do not cut grass unless its with a small bush hog for side ditches ect.  Nearly everyone mows with a ZTR of some kind now, pick your poison brand wise.   ZTRs combined with the SCUT's killed the GT market, period.  I do not thing anything would have saved the GT with the way the market shifted towards ZTR's for the mass majority of the general public.  I know many that I serviced in my nearly 30 years of professional L&G repair work, also owned a classic GT of one brand or another.  Most had rusted away mower decks so the owner upgraded to  ZTR for mowing duty, and kept the old GT for snow work and other lawn chores.  

I keep a 2004 60" Toro Zmaster and a 2005 72" Zmaster, also came into a 2012 Z445 54" deere last year, not a fan of much of the newer gimmicky stuff.  Mowing is really fast and fun but thats really all they are good at

[artfull dodger 439]

I agree, but many folk do not garden or do much else but cut their grass.  So much as the 4 wheel L&G tractor made cutting faster decades ago, the ZTR has taken the next step in fast lawn mowing.  So if you dont do anything but mow the yard, which is the vast majority of modern society, then that is all you want and buy.  The majority voted with their wallets years ago and the true GT that we all love, largely passed into history as far as new equipment.  I love mowing on my Horse, but for winter snow, my old '97 Polaris 4wd quad is faster, which is less time in the brutal cold.  As I get into my 50's, I care less and less to be out in the cold.  So my Horse slumbers under a soft blanket and I fire up the quad if need be.  

Edited January 8 by artfull dodger

[Ed Kennell 39,560]

7 hours ago, artfull dodger said:

    As I get into my 50's, I care less and less to be out in the cold.  So my Horse slumbers under a soft blanket and I fire up the quad if need be.  

       As I pass my 80s , I don't go out in the cold unless I'm in my warm Wheel Horse heated cab..b.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 8 by Ed Kennell