How durable is the JD LX series rotary mower?

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm looking ahead to spring and am in the market for a used rotary mower. I've found a John Deere LX at a reasonable price, but don't know much about the Deere mowers. I know that the LX series was part of the "standard duty" lineup and would love to hear from those who have experience with those models.

I have about 7 acres of meadows that I'm trying to bring back into grass. The cutting involves only weeds and the occasional saplings that spring up at the edges. I'd also like to use it to maintain the trails I'm clearing in forested areas. Is the LX rotary cutter up to the task?

Thanks,
~Kevin

 

[Willl]

I've got a 5' LX that I've been beating the snot out of and so far so good.
Going on 4th season of 2 acre field and about 1/4 mile woody trail trimming.

 

[Gypsy Rose]

I've got a 5' LX that I've been beating the snot out of and so far so good.
Going on 4th season of 2 acre field and about 1/4 mile woody trail trimming.

The one I've found for sale is the 4' version. While I'd prefer the 5' model for the meadows, I'm wondering if the 4-footer will be adequate (or perhaps even better for the trails and mowing the apple orchard). Any thoughts?

 

[kebo]

7 acres with a 4ft'er?? Man, that will be a lot of mowing time there. I have a neighbor that has 3 acres, and I mow about 2.2 acres of it twice a year. I had been using a JD 750 pulling a 4ft landpride bush hog which took me right at 1.5 hrs to cut it. I just upgraded to a 790 and will be cutting it this year with a 5ft bush hog so it should take a bit less time. No doubt you can cut it with the 4ft, but obviously it will take more time than with a 5ft. I've never have used the LX mower, but I suspect it would do just fine for meadows and pasture type mowing. You could get the LX 4 and use that for the trails, then get something like a used 5ft KK mower for the meadows. I see used KK's quite regularly in decent shape for about $400.

 

[jcmseven]

They are durable cutters. Not as heavy obviously as the MX but plenty heavy duty for most regular cutting types.

John M

 

[Gypsy Rose]

7 acres with a 4ft'er?? Man, that will be a lot of mowing time there.

Yeah, I know, but my point of reference is the way that I used to mow it. Twice a year I'd rent a walk-behind 4-foot-wide sickle-bar mower and spend two days, sunup to sundown, cutting it. That was a workout!

I only plan to mow the meadows three times a year. The central 1.5 acres that include the orchard will be mowed a half-dozen times a year.