mrmom
Joined: Sep 19, 2003
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We have a 3/4 acre sized property. I was using a self propelled walk behind mulching mower to cut the grass and it would take me a little over three hours to do the job. There is a 150 foot long berm in the back about 4 feet high and 12 or so feet across planted with an assortment of pines, firs, maples and cypresses. So going around each planting was a pain not to mention time consuming. This eventually led me to a search for the right mower for me.
Criterias I was looking at were speed to do the job, ease of use, owner servicability and dealer support.
I looked at tractor mowers as well as regular riding mowers. And through the help of the then 'what's-the-best' (now Abby's guide) forum narrowed down the search to an Ariens Minizoom and the Husky Swedish Rider. Both were in the same price ballpark I was prepared to spend.
As it turned out, I ended up with the Swedish Rider because of ease of service for me to sharpen the blades (flip up deck), Husky service close by and price.
Following the lead of the then WTB forum, I went to the local Lowes store where they had one 'demo' model they had used for OPE day. Basically it was prepped and readied for people to try on the one demo day a year that they had where all OPE were in the parking lot and people could come and try them.
The machine I got wasn't even used to cut grass but was just run around the parking lot. Got it a a good discount due to it being a display model and 'used' as well as I then had a Home Depot 10% off discount coupon that they honored.
As a whole it works great, I can do the lawn in less than an hour. Do different criss-cross cut patterns that my neighbors with lawn tractors can't do due to the almost zero turning radius. And cleaning the deck afterwards with a hose and nozzle. The cut is even and mulching ability is superb. Having the deck in front of you gives you the chance to ease the nose in under those pine trees.
The hydrostatic transmission is great and very easy to use. No more shifting a lever to go forward or reverse nor to even change gears while going forward.
The only thing that gets me is the backfire at the end on shutdown. I have since learned from this forum that one has to run it at idle or half throttle for 15-30 secs before shut down. Apparently this is the trait of Kohler engines.
Overall, two thumbs up in my humble opinion.
Date Purchased: 6/2003
Price Paid: $2000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Ease of use.
Ease of servicability.
Almost zero turn.
Having the ability to see where the deck is going as it is in front of you.
Hydrostatic transmission.
Cons:
Backfire on shutdown.... but there is a workaround for that.
No cup holder? I have since remedied this with a zip tied aftermarket one. |
This message was modified Feb 19, 2005 by mrmom
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