Lawn mowers to avoid!

As a mechanic, I work on many brands of residental and commercial mowers daily. Here are the used residential lawn mowers I'd recommend you avoid. If you already have one of these mowers, you may not like this video. This video will still be helpful if you choose to keep one of these mentioned mowers.
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Click this link to see my review of the new 2023 Z300 series John Deere zero turn mowers

[Mechanical_Mind]

I'll get a commission on the sale at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to help the channel and get the items you need.

[jimdodge]

Hey give him a big round of applause.
He is honest.

[privatedata]

I was a Tech and a Service Manager for many years at a GM garage . This Man took the time to make this video and share his mechanical experiences, what he sees as common failures & I appreciate his opinion and experience very much . Some people who own the models mentioned may never have a problem BUT why take the chance ? We experienced this too on GM cars that had expensive common failures . Occasionally one of these cars would perform great with no issues . Thanks for the video, we will be shopping for a mower soon .

[dnprgpn]

You are absolutely correct and spot on! I had a John Deere Z540M zero. 176 hours and both hydrostatic transmissions have gone out. $1200 a piece and John Deere doesn’t stand behind. After the second one I got rid of it and will never buy another. Listen to this guy and stay away!

[Tolbat]

So just to speak up as an owner of the Z335E - Have had the mower a year. Have not had to add any air to the tires, nor have I had any issues with the mower. I mow a 1/3 of an acre and help my neighbor mow sometimes, she has a large yard. I do have the plastic casters, but they were greased from a factory. I never have a need to adjust the deck on the fly and do it when the mower is off from a standing position. I never EVER STAND on my deck. My deck is rinsed after each use and looks brand new after a year of use. You made me feel good about the engine though that was my only worry. If you have a rough, uneven yard, maybe it's a bad mower, but for me it's been reliable and makes mowing MUCH faster and easier. That said, I would NOT Pay the current prices for any of these mowers, I would find a good used mower that has low hours. The price has increased 15 percent since I bought mine, and I also got the 10percent veterans discount at Lowes. So, I paid 1000 less than what you see today. Buy what works for you. My mower cuts beautiful clean paths through the yard and I have no complaints yet.

[timvala]

I knew a guy that told me you can paint an out house green. Call it John Deere and people will buy it.😂😂

[RichardCWard]

Thank You for providing this information, my next door neighbor has a John Deer Riding Mower, he mowed lawns for income when he was a college student, he mows his neighbors (older folks) lawns (no cost) when he mows his own.

[youtubernazscensoredbythe]

I love mine! I use it on 2 acres. Never have ANY problems with it...

[sawwbones]

Thank you so much for this info. You saved me from a big mistake. Had almost decided to buy one from Lowe's. After your video went over to take another look and sure enough a plastic Transmission. Gonna check out some others.

[johndunning]

59 years old I've had many mowers. I remember when there were lawn tractors instead of lawn mowers. Like everything they built things cheaper and charged more. On a small flat lawn and if you take it easy with the mower you'll probably be ok with the cheaper mowers with proper maintenance. But if you have hills and large areas to mow, you would be better off spending the extra money. Thank you for this video great information!

[el]

I've had the Z335 for 6 years and use it every week on 1 acre. I did replace the front wheel bushings last year only because I noticed some noise from them. So, except for regular seasonal maintenance I've spent a total of $15 in repairs. The unit's been the best mower I've ever owned and the price was reasonable. I wish I had bought it sooner!

[scotty]

This is why I actually went to a John Deere dealer and bought an S240. Aluminum transmission, heavier frame, and Kawasaki 2 cylinder engine.
One word of advice for all yard equipment, if it is available in your area, use non ethanol gas only, for your equipment.

[philwood]

In the 70's, you could buy a new car for $3000. Some new mowers are $5500 at Home depot.

[johnanderson]

Great video and good advise. Went with a Bad Boy ZT Elite 60' deck and 747CC Kohler engine (avoid the Suzuki engine. Their advice). 0 disappointment. Super easy to work on, not that it's needed much. 100% designed to be be easy to work on and the deck even has "Step Here" decals. Been so impressed with it, picked up[ a 3026H Tractor as well. Same thing, super easy to work on and just hands down reliable. Word of advice, any mower that has a stamped deck instead of a welded one is one to avoid. For those not in the know or new buyers, if the deck is nicely rounded, contoured to the blades and the bottom of the deck is curled up, it's stamped. That means it's cheaply made and thin. A welded deck is much more angular, thicker will last much longer and usually has a reinforcement, visibly welded bar on the bottom. You get what you pay for.

[lordnikaderm]

335e owner here. Almost 7 years, 150+ hours, and no problems whatsoever other than blade replacement and yearly routine maintenance. I use it to mow approximately 2-3 acres once a week during Spring/Summer. Have never seen the stuff you mentioned in the video...

[stratoman]

I appreciate your honesty and I hope you don’t get fired.

[freed]

I purchased a "residential" 42" Toro Timecutter with a fabricated steel deck and the "My Ride" suspension system a couple of years ago to replace a 42" Timecutter with a pressed steel deck. The only complaint I had with the old machine was the pressed steel deck... which is why I purchased the "same" machine only this time with the fabricated steel deck (which they call "iron forged"). I had to do some repair work on the pressed steel deck because of stumps I ran over, bending/breaking some parts underneath. (Also destroying the blades) I appreciate your taking time to make this video and will agree that there are some real pieces of junk out there. That being said, I will stand behind the quality of my most recently purchased machine FOR RESIDENTIAL USE... indeed, the next step up would have been a commercial unit although the machine I purchased does come in 46" and 52" 'residential' as well. Toro has made many improvements over the years, and if you purchase the dual bagging system ($900) it simply cannot be beat even by powered vacuum systems- it picks up everything. I did sell my old Timecutter to one of my neighbors for $400, and he's still using it. While Toro is the company's main brand, they also include commercial equipment like Exmark, Ditch Witch, Spartan as well as some of the finest rough, fairway and greens golf course maintenance machines available. I also have a 22" "Personal Pace" walk behind manufactured by Toro. MTD did make entry-level garden tractors and walk-behinds for Toro a few years back- whether they do or not now, I am not sure. Most of the "pieces of junk" you refer to in your video are manufactured by MTD. I think MTD is associated with (or owned by) Murray. It all boils down to "you get what you pay for"... As a side note, I will never buy another pressed steel deck zero-turn machine. The difference between one of those and the fabricated steel deck I now have are day and night.

[davidbusekrus]

I have a Z425 I bought new. I have had nothing but good service out of the unit. No problems at all for 3 years.

[scome]

I've got a Z335E used with the property. Served me well for 4 years, but I can see what you are saying. Although mine has taken quite a bit of abuse on 30+ acres where I had to use it to mow the pasture a couple of time. Got lots of hours on this thing and it's time for some much needed maintenance and love.

[gregkersey]

I have a 345R, LOVE IT. 3 years, no problems front tires hold air. Deck seems solid, pulled deck to rust proof it, belts went back on easily. Was told it came from a John Deere plant. Will keep an eye on front bushings, so far they seem good.