New member needs an ET or similar (was: RE: (ET) mowers)

["Chris Tromley" <chris_t microtrac com>]

wombat wrote:

> The only trouble I had when I used the et front mower was the
> stripes it 
> left on corners.  Since I got the JD 90 been using that, a 
> lot easier to 
> get around the trees and stuff.  Mowing about 1 1/2 acres.
> 
> BTW, the JD circuitry is a lot simpler, maybe that type
> hookup would be 
> a cheap answer to the et troubles.  But no variable speed on 
> the motor.

Hi everyone,

It's time to de-cloak.  I've been watching this list ever since I moved
to a new house on a 3/4 acre lot with *many* trees.  I've been reading
and posting to the EV Discussion List while I ssslllooooooowwwwwlllllyy
put my road EV together, so I have a reasonable grasp of the basics.

Lawn tractors, however, are new territory for me.  I'm sold on the whole
electric grounds keeping thing, but I was under the impression the Elec
Trak/Wheel Horse/New Idea family is the only game in town.  And the
other thread that's going isn't giving me a warm fuzzy feeling about
being able to just go out and mow grass or plow snow.  I really need a
tractor and a blade (and a chipper/shredder and a yard vac, electric
preferred) to keep what little spare time I have.

Which means I need it to work.  Just about every time, preferably with
no surprises.  Is that possible with a properly set-up ET?  Oh, and I
need it fairly soon, *without* having to de-scale, paint, diagnose and
rewire a project tractor.  I'm trying to keep the faith, but I admit I'm
having doubts.  It seems the only good ETs are the ones that have
benefited from *lots* of TLC and hard-won experience.  Or maybe I'm only
reading about the problem children?

Now wombat is talking about a JD 90.  (??!?!??)  There's another kind of
electric tractor available??  Any others?  Any reports on their use?  Or
is there a reliable ET out there whose owner would actually part with
it?  I just missed out recently on an E15 in good running shape.
Haven't seen anything comparable since, and mowing season is coming.
I'm near Philadelphia.  Does anyone have any leads?

BTW, with all the trees on my lot, I'm wondering if I should get a belly
mower for improved maneuverability.  Do the -M style ETs also have a
front mount for a blade or snow blower?

Thanks for the help so far, and what's sure to come.

Chris