Spring makes for new things

[altivo]

I guess. The rain stopped early this morning but is likely to begin again Sunday night or Monday. Rain on a Monday doesn't usually bother me so much except for one thing:

I spent a large sum today, my tax return and a lot more, for a new garden tractor. It was time. A few years ago I did the same thing and the result was so bad that we made the dealer take it back and refund the price. I sincerely hope this won't turn out the same way, as we really need it to keep the pastures mowed down to a reasonable height and do other tasks around here. We've been limping along with a twelve year old Murray lawn tractor that we got from our erstwhile neighbors when they moved away. It's cantankerous and patched together. Gary has spent a lot of hours keeping it running, and it died again last week of an apparent electrical problem. Fixable, I'm sure, but we need something now. Sears is having a sale on small tractors, and against my better judgement due to past experiences, we looked at Consumer Reports and picked one. It has double the horsepower and 50% more mowing width than the old Murray, and we paid for a three year full coverage warranty with on site repairs. They are supposed to deliver it on Monday, and I know Gary will be eager to try it out, hence my distaste for Monday rain this week.

Spinning and weaving work presses, so I need to get my hooves back on the treadles.

Comments

[casey382]

Happy new tractor!

[altivo]

Hooves crossed. After so many bad experiences, I'm not positive about it.

Online reviews are mixed, but overall favorable. Some people claim "it won't go up a hill" or "transmission burns out every year" but reading their overall commentary, I suspect they are demanding more from the machine than what it was rated to do. Some of the claims seem absurd, like "the inside parts of the engine are made of plastic and will fail in 500 hours." If that happens, Sears will have to replace the engine, since I know we'll hit 500 hours before the three year full service contract is up.

Others are quite pleased, including statements that it climbs hills easily, and doesn't stall. I suspect these people are using the lower speed gears (appropriately enough) for heavy work instead of demanding full load service from the engine at top speed of 7.5 mph. The tractor has a Craftsman label but is actually built by Husqvarna with a Kohler 26 horsepower engine.

Remains to be seen whether Sears will meet their promised delivery date (tomorrow, with full setup and test included.) My last experience with a major appliance delivery from Sears (admittedly, that was 1997 in Florida) was abysmal. They failed to show the first day, were seven hours late on the second day, and scratched the paint off the refrigerator while forcing it through a door even AFTER I told them it would not fit that way. Salesman promises a full refund if we are not satisfied, so we shall see.

[casey382]

Ooo, Husqvarna. This might be a good one. Let's hope the Craftsman label doesn't jinx it.

[altivo]

Hooves crossed. Sears did call last night and promised delivery today between 12:30 and 2:30. We shall see.

Gary actually cleaned out space in the garage for it.

[flamekist.livejournal.com]

The tractor has a Craftsman label but is actually built by Husqvarna with a Kohler 26 horsepower engine.

I've always been quite satisfied with all things Craftsman and Husqvarna, but I've never used any of their tractors. Just lawn mowers, chainsaws, and power tools. The only Kohler I know of makes faucets and I've sworn never to buy another.

[altivo]

Never had a problem with Kohler faucets, but I've only ever had the basic simple ones. It's the same umbrella company but different factories, obviously. They've built small engines since the 20s at half a dozen locations in the US and Europe.

[moonhare]

...we paid for a three year full coverage warranty with on site repairs.

"On site" is key. Trying to load the beast up and get it to them and then have to go back to pick it up just isn't pleasant. Your contract may include oil changes, air filters, belt adjustments and other upkeep maintenance as well. Good luck with this! :o)

[altivo]

Yes, the contract includes "everything" according to the sales guys. Any and all repairs, once a year inspection and adjustments. I'm not sure about oil changes but we're used to doing those. They will replace belts, which is a job I hate. On our present beat up old Murray, you have to remove the mowing deck to replace the belt, and then it needs leveling which is a tedious job at best.