Posted by Gary Stewart
on March 28, 2010, 11:54:52, in reply to "Lawn Tractor"
76.188.49.93
First-- We sell mostly residential smaller units and don't service the Lowes, Sears, WalMarts etc. Those usually last about 4 years then they start costing money. The 2 major players are MTD and AYP making about 70% of the market. Gravely doesn't make a tractor anymore, Wheelhorse is gone, and Toro tractors are high end MTDs. The lawn tractor business is pretty much trashed. There is still some good John Deere and Simplicity sold by dealers. JD sold at Lowes use to be MTD and may still be, I haven't checked. If you get actual JD, you will have to deal with that dealer, there are virtually no aftermarket parts for JD. They also have an exclusive agreement with Kawasaki engines. Around here Steiner and Ventrac are doing good but are expensive.
Used---Most of the tractor engines have been banned by the EPA. Tecumseh, Onan and Wisconsin, I won't touch. Older Kohlers are OK partswise, B & S flat opposed are obsolete. I guess the only thing for these older tractors is for somebody's collection. If one part breaks, you're done.
Not a good picture I've painted, but with today's demand for "price, not quality" this is the situation we have gotten ourselves into.
Message Thread
« Back to index