Anyone that bought a new mower

[Alvy]

It’s funny that you posted that Steve as Zippy Todd was about ready to pull the trigger on one of those and we convinced him to get a real zero turn.

I don’t have any that I bought from new but I inherited my 1782 that my late grandfather bought new in 1992. He Bought all IH equipment since day 1 for the family business and even though the 1782 wasn’t he still kept it going with getting it from the old dealer who kept selling cubs. When I was up to NY last time, that dealer had turned green.

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by Alvy

It’s funny that you posted that Steve as Zippy Todd was about ready to pull the trigger on one of those and we convinced him to get a real zero turn. .

Yeah Mike, that would have been a BIG MISTAKE for certain.
That's what makes this forum so damn good. With all the members who know a little about this and that, someone's "been there, done that."

[bugeye]

Bought my 1863 new in 1993. Didn't want the power steering as just another place to leak. My Dad's Case backhoe seemed to leak everywhere. The 1863 had the 54" mower deck. The dealer told me not to use a bigger than 38" mower deck as the engine horsepower was lacking !!! I think the dealer had 38" decks he couldn't sell. Well the next winter I purchased a new 451 snow blower. Just in time for a 3 foot snow. The snow blower loaded the engine like the 54" mower never did. The snow blower also required arm strong steering. Then in ~ 2002 I purchased a used 1864 (power steering yea) with a 48" mower deck. I have used the 48" deck once as the 54" works perfectly although the blades only last about three years. The turned up trailing edge ears wear away. The 1863 sleeps in the air conditioned/heated basement as a spare if ever needed. Both tractors have been very reliable with the exception of the safety switches and wire connectors.