Reader's Responses:

1. Ralfcoder says:

   March 24, 2011 at 4:05 am

   My lawn is fairly flat. There probably isn’t more than 10 feet difference in elevation from the highest to the lowest point. I have a 12 HP Wheelhorse rider. If you’re just mowing, and not going to use attachments, trailers, carts, etc, that would probably work. But if you want to tow a cart with gardening supplies, dirt, clippings, etc, I’d go bigger than that, and I’d stick to a major name brand. The cheap knockoffs may be $1000 less than the big name brands, but from what I’ve seen, they just don’t last. Buying 3 $1200 mowers in 15 years is more expensive than buying one $2200 mower that lasts 15 years.
2. Kurtis G says:

   March 24, 2011 at 4:24 am

   Husqvarna is excellent. So are many others.
   10HP is plenty for mowing, but I prefer a 15HP. (I like my deisel. It’s a Yanmar.)
   I’d have to recommend a self propelled push mower instead of a rider. 1/2 acre isn’t that much and if it’s hilly a rider isn’t safe.
3. lumberbuzzard says:

   March 24, 2011 at 4:51 am

   i have several acres to mow i use a john Deere L110 i have some good hills also this seems to work fine and is plenty strong. i think its a 5hp with a 42 ” deck.
4. A M says:

   March 24, 2011 at 5:37 am

   A riding lawn mower for a half acre? I think you just want a riding lawn mower. LOL. Hey, if you’re going for it, go for the best. Why not have fun while your doing it.
5. dubyaaitch says:

   March 24, 2011 at 5:52 am

   The answer is simple: Buy the most horsepower you can afford. The greater the horsepower, the longer the motor will last.

   And whatever brand you buy, remember that most of the cheap “affordable” ones are all made by MTD regardless of brand. And the quality MTD products is not what I consider to be very high.

   Like the answer above says, it’s cheaper in the long run to buy one high quality mower than it is to buy three cheap ones.
6. fugazi48 says:

   March 24, 2011 at 6:48 am

   I push mow my 3/4 acre. Why pay to mow when i am paying to use the gym.

   But not everyone can handle 2hrs of walking, so I would suggest 14hp for the rolling hills. something with a roll bar may be wise.
7. renpen says:

   March 24, 2011 at 7:24 am

   I would recommend the craftsman garden tractor with the kohler engine and the automatic transmission. Can’t beat the price and the warrenty. The auto trans will cut down on the mowing time and it is safer on hills. The Kohler engine has full pressure oiling system with a filter. Also the tractor is made by AYP and not MTD. Seems to be much better quality.
8. Todd B says:

   March 24, 2011 at 7:45 am

   Husqvarna makes the Craftsman mowers. MTD makes Cub, White, Troy-Built, Yard man, Yard Machines, Bolens, and the new Toro tractors. The John Deeres in Lowes and Home Depot are made to last 250 hours and be tossed. That is all the “discount” brands.

   If you are looking for a mower go to a dealer, even if its John Deere. The dealer can service the machine after the sale. Most will even deliver for free. They know the machines and the feature that will work for your conditions and situation in your yard. You are going to talk to someone who knows exactly what they are talking about, and not someone who will be in paint tomorrow.

   I would recommend a Snapper of a Simplicity. Simplicity has a mower called the Regent that is 18 HP with a 38″ deck, and sells for $1999. You are not going to find many machines under 15 HP.
   http://www.simplicitymfg.com
   http://www.snapper.com

   Hope this helps