I need a new riding mower this year. I want v twin around 20 hp and budgeting around $2k. I have 1.5 acres of lawn. Not looking for a model #, just overall opinion on what brand is a better buy. From a dealer not a Home Depot/Lowes model! Thanks!

I bought a used John Deere 710 zero turn last year... it was more than what you like to pay.. I’d never owned anything John Deere so I was Leary... it’s been great... it’s got the better steel on the deck... I love it... I’m a ford/new holland guy..

Haven't owned a John Deere but have used them (zero turn and garden tractor) many times and i personally wouldnt buy one. Bog down really bad in thicker grass and just didnt cut well. Father in law traded his in cuz it was such a turd. My fifteen year old 21 hp Craftsman would out mow his JD all day long. My dad has a cub cadet and seems to like it.

I don’t have time to mow, I had a bigger cub cadet before... man those zero turns cut mowing time in half

Indeed they do. i just got my Hustler and cut my mow time down from 4 hours to 1.5 hours.

I believe that both the deere and cub non commercial tractors are made by MTD, so it might not matter much.

I bought mine from the village, it’s the commercial grade... 54 inch deck i think.. around 22 horse I think.. never bogs down... love it... I run 90 octane gas it it...

Dads got a woods diesel, that things a bear

Like most things, you get what your pay for. been running Deere for over 30 years and wouldn't think twice about another ...

I'd love a zero turn but yeah, not in the budget right now!

I bought a used John Deere 930M a couple of years ago, Great machine. I have worked it hard & other than replaced one belt, no problem.
As for zero turn vs tractor type mower, Zero turn hands down. You can mow a yard almost twice as fast with a zero turn than you can with a tractor type, faster than that if you want to.
As for Cub vs John Deere, Go with the green one every time.

You gotta match deck width with hp. I bought a Husqvarna last year and like it. 1.5 acres is not small potatoes.

Bought a cub cadet riding mower 5 year ago and it has been pretty good, had to do some minor repairs but nothing major. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Had a John Deere riding mower before that and it done pretty good as well, I just didn't like the hydrostatic drive on it for the hills I got to mow, but I'm sure they've improved that

I would get the cub, great machines.

Cub

Nothing runs like a deer!!!!!

The old Cub Cadets were well built, but like everything else, quality has slipped. Fancy zero turns are good, but will also break the bank.

Get a john deere from a john deere dealer and not from a box store. Look at local dealers and a lot of times they have nice trade- ins for pretty good deals. I have a john deere GT 235 and it is a great mower. It has the briggs and Stratton v twin.

Wouldn't buy either. The decks have exposed blades if you lift the discharge chute. Would not buy any mower where you can possibly set your foot into the rotating blades. This is the first thing i would look at on any mower. Most all mowers and riders are made by MTD. The only difference is the color and stickers. So buy the least expensive one that is safe to use.

Have had a cub cadet riding mower 4 years now. LT 48 I think - 48 or 46 inch cut. Its been a beast here on the farm. I have used it to mow the yard - up to 3 acres depending on my mood. lol. But I have also used it pretty much as a brush hog cutting tall grass and weeds in the pastures. It has performed well.