Free at last, free at last...I now own a riding lawnmower

Kevin Alexander · 06-25-2003, 10:35 PM

I now have a large portion of my life back. I feel like I have been freed from bondage. I feel POWERFUL. It is so hard to put into words how such a simple machine can change a man's life and give him reason to look forward to each day - not just to endure it, but to conquer it. My new Snapper riding lawnmower now let's me live each day to the fullest, no longer in fear of the labor intensive chore known as cutting the lawn. As God is my witness, I will NEVER push another lawnmower again. Can anyone else relate? Have you had the life altering experience known as a riding lawnmower?

Philip_G · 06-25-2003, 10:42 PM

When I was in highschool my parents had a house on a ONE ACRE lot, and it was all grass. They bought a riding mower (cheapie, nothing near as nice as the snapper) and didn't like how it cut, so we mowed it every week with a kubota push mower. Not only that, they didn't like to mulch so we bagged one acre of grass clippings. It sucked
(if you want to know one acre take about 12 55 gallon trash bags of clippings)

Kevin Alexander · 06-25-2003, 10:44 PM

I also might add that this is a used Snapper - about 1.5 years old.

Greg Rakaska · 06-25-2003, 11:05 PM

I achieved that same feeling of freedom, but took a different approach. I sold my 4000 sq ft multi-level house with the tree ladened, acre of grass, multi-level wooden deck with built-in hot tub, etc., and moved into one story 1500 sq ft house with a "postage stamp" sized yard.

I am in heaven. My free time, is once again "free", I do not turn into Mr. Groundskeeper/Handyman for 10 to 12 hours every weekend.

I enjoyed the large home, big lot, etc. when the kids were home, but after they left, and I added another decade to my life, it was time to downsize. I cannot express how much my wife and I enjoy our new lifestyle. We now have time to travel, visit museums, visit the kids, grandkids, etc.

Obviously, this choice would only appeal to some. I still have many friends that truly love large homes on large lots, and enjoy being a groundskeeper/handyman every spare moment of their "free" time. I guess I am just burned out, and have the good old "been there, done that" attitude.....

Philip_G · 06-25-2003, 11:07 PM

I'm with you Greg. I'm buying a townhouse, forget yardwork (ok so it's all I can afford but I like to dream that it's really for the lifestyle..

)

**HTF Ads**

Jeff Kleist · 06-25-2003, 11:26 PM

Down with lawns! Mowing is the most futile thing in the world. Kill it all, astroturf it, paint it green. Problem solved.

David McGough · 06-25-2003, 11:54 PM

I find if very relaxing to mow my 2 acres. It sounds weird
but I just love it. My dogs love the time I spend with them
on the mower. I have a acre pond I trim up and after I finish it looks great... I know your thinking he must be a BOREING kind of guy.
I think it has to do also with age. I'm 48 and values do change. 20 years ago would not be caught spending that much time in my yard.

I have a X Mark Zero turn 27 hp Kawasaki with 60" cut.

Dmac

John Watson · 06-26-2003, 02:32 AM

Dave and Greg both make sense...

I'm finding the self-propelled job a bit of a problem on the one acre (if it was smoothe lawn, it might be a lot easier)

What's holding me back on the Ride-em variety, is why havent't they been adapted to allow installing a plow on the front for winter use, when the snow on the 100 foot driveway forces us to hire a contractor for snow removal?

Todd Hochard · 06-26-2003, 08:03 AM

Quote:

is why havent't they been adapted to allow installing a plow on the front for winter use, when the snow on the 100 foot driveway forces us to hire a contractor for snow removal?

My grandfather had a Craftsman 16hp riding mower that he had a plow on, and he bought that in 1978. A better choice, IMO, are the front-attached snow blowers. The pulley that runs the belt for the deck in used to turn the blower.

I thought these things were commonplace?

I'm torn- I have a little postage stamp of a yard (very common here in FL- essentially all you will ever get with a newer home), and I'd like more. BUT, you can be assured that when I arrive on my acre+ of turf, it will be with one of those contractor grade mowers that goes 12mph when cutting.

I don't mind yard work, but I like to do other things more.

Here's something- since I moved to FL in 1993, I've had serious pollen/grass allergies. I've been getting shots for the last year, and these have allowed me to smell again.

Now that I can, I am reminded of how badly manufacturers need to clean up emissions on mowers. These things stink- badly. I'm looking at a cordless model to cut my tiny yard, as I can't stand the smell behind my push mower any more. And, it's well-tuned.

Todd

Jeff Gatie · 06-26-2003, 08:47 AM

My dad had a Craftsman 12HP mower for 17 years. It had a plow attachment and was able to power a blower. I'm pretty sure all Craftsman riding mowers can handle a plow. I can highly recommend these Sears tractors. "The old grey mare" as she was affectionately known was left outside through 10-12 winters, uncovered. After the 5 year extended warranty ran out, she hardly ever had maintenance except to recharge the battery or put air in the tires. She did have her belts replaced around year 14-15 and we sharpened the blades every few years. We were going to change the oil at one point, but we were afraid the shock to the engine would kill it. We finally replaced it not because she was dead but becuase my dad wanted a new toy and I was buying. As far as I know, it is still working for the guy we sold it to, 4 years later.