GF1800 or F2690?

[78Vette]

Thinking real hard about trading my GR2120. Test drove the F2690 and from what i am reading, it's a great mower, but there are a few things that just rubb me the wrong way.
1.) That machine has quite a whine to it when driving it (not at idle) and was told "its normal and they all do it"
2.) The black fender thingys shake and make noise, which can be fixed, but geeze.....
3.) The engine cover rattles, making noise too.

Haven't been able to test out the GF1800, and am wondering if anyone has one, so i can get a owners point of view. Cant find much online that helps me.

I dont want to overbuy for my 3 acres of grass, but also hate to underbuy.

 

[Moosetracker]

My wife and I are considering the same machine for our hilly 2 acres. We already have a L3710 with 6' MMM which is a PITA to clean and maintain.

We'd like a dedicated mower and possibly a front end snow blower. We considered the GF1800 but ruled it out because it's not power steering and my wife (who does 75% of the mowing) suffers from arthritis.

I guess we better give the F2690 a try before buying! The other alternative is a JD 1550, but it's so much more $$$$.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

To go from a GR to a GF is a huge down grade.
To go from a GR to and F... well it's just going to feel completely different.
If you want a dedicated mower look at a Z

78Vette, why do you want to trade in the GR2120?
That tractor would be my pick for Moosetracker as it has all the needed power to mow and snowblow and it has hydrostatic steering.

 

[Moosetracker]

To go from a GR to a GF is a huge down grade.
To go from a GR to and F... well it's just going to feel completely different.
If you want a dedicated mower look at a Z

78Vette, why do you want to trade in the GR2120?
That tractor would be my pick for Moosetracker as it has all the needed power to mow and snowblow and it has hydrostatic steering.

My wife tried and decided she won't use a Z, so I'd be stuck with all of the mowing. As for the GR2120, she finds the ride "uncomfortable" and I don't see much advantage over my current MMM 72" for cleaning and maintenance.

 

[78Vette]

78Vette, why do you want to trade in the GR2120?

Several reasons.
Deck is up front and i don't drive over grass before the deck comes along...
I can get under trees further.
Tilt up deck for maintenance is a major factor for me. I like keeping things clean, but removing the deck on the GR after every use is not an option for me!
Installation of deck/blower on the F is easy as can be.
Seat Suspension seat is a dream.
Snow blower troughs up to 65 feet (on a field instead of my lawn)
Cut down my mowing/blowing time as well.

The deck on my GR is getting real noisy already on my 2 year old GR (bearings i suspect) and will need some work very soon, even though i grease it regularly.
Installing the blower is a real pain, even though they'll tell you it's easy, and I'm mechanically inclined by the way. Bad back has a lot to do with it too.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

78Vette, thanks for the reply, I was curious, the GR's look to be well built.

 

[78Vette]

the GR's look to be well built.

As far as the GR goes, yes. The deck is disappointing me though, being that the bearings are gone already, right out of Warr. That's a first for me.

 

[78Vette]

Here is a shiny new F2690. What an ANIMAL this mower is!