I bought this tractor(John Deere 115) after a run in with a Cub Cadet 1042. And here I'll quote my review of the Cub Cadet. "I bought a 19 horse 1042 Cub hydro a week ago(4/1/06) at Farm & Fleet. Used it 3 days later for the first time pulling a light wieght 38" dethatcher on a 1/2 acre with a slight slope. This was a 60 degree day and within 25 minutes the hydro had overheated and it wouldn't move until it cooled off. Took it back and they said that Cub told them to bleed the hydro unit. Got it back tried again to dethatch on a 50 degree day, took 35 minutes to heat and quit this time. Well I packed it up again and off to the Fleet store and to the credit of the manager he apologized and took the tractor back. The service person though was not to forthcoming until the manager had takin the Cub back and then the full story came out that Cub had told them that the 1042 wasn't made for this type of yard work. Hummmm? This is a real shame as the Cub is a feature rich tractor with a great engine and it got saddled with crummy weak hydro unit. Now the tractor I had for 12 years was a White 15 horse manual with belt drive and it never had a problem with dethatching and was still a good tractor when I sold it. Upon the request of my wife I bought a 19 horse John Deere 115 hydro and to test it I dethatched the yard on a 60 degree day and it went smooth as silk and I do have to say I like the steering better on the Deere. If your going to buy a tractor in this class listen to your wife and buy a Deere."
Now I can add the fact that I pulled a 42" plug aerator with 48 pounds of added weight over 1/2 an acre sloping yard twice without a hickup. If your in the market for a tractor of this size save yourself some grief and get the Deere first.
I bought the Deere at Lowes and they have the local dealer of John Deere set up the new tractors and do all the service, it even has the dealers sticker on the back. So far so good. Hope this helps someone. Sanford12

Date Purchased: 12/2005
Purchased: New
Price Paid: US$65535
Pros: Great cut, plenty of power and good looks to boot
Cons: Small gas tank and no cruise
Rating: