How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
I will be buying a new lawn tractor to replace my 8hp Snapper RER which is 28 years old and just went bad on me. I guess I should not complain:).I went to a JD power and equipment dealer and was told that if I wanted to get the same level of reliability/durability that I got from my Snapper, then I would have to buy at least the x300(starting at $3000) model because any D100 series JD will only last 4-5 years. I found that very hard to believe since it is not my intention to spend $3000 for a tractor. My price range is $1500-$2000. However, another expert in lawn tractors also said that a mechanical engineer for JD told him that the D100 series JD was designed so that the transmission will last only 200 hours which equates to 50 hrs/yr or 4 years. I was interested in the D130 model since it was in my price range. However,now I'm skeptical about it if these statements are true because I do not want to buy another tractor in 4-5 years if I can help it. My lawn is 3/4 acre and basically flat. What suggestions can anyone give me on this matter? Has anyone experienced any reliability/durability problems with the JD D130? How has anyone found JD manufacturer/retail support in the event of a problem?Thanks for your help!
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Buy what you can afford.
But remember, you get what you pay for.
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
canlis
I will be buying a new lawn tractor to replace my 8hp Snapper RER which is 28 years old and just went bad on me. I guess I should not complain:).I went to a JD power and equipment dealer and was told that if I wanted to get the same level of reliability/durability that I got from my Snapper, then I would have to buy at least the x300(starting at $3000) model because any D100 series JD will only last 4-5 years. I found that very hard to believe since it is not my intention to spend $3000 for a tractor. My price range is $1500-$2000. However, another expert in lawn tractors also said that a mechanical engineer for JD told him that the D100 series JD was designed so that the transmission will last only 200 hours which equates to 50 hrs/yr or 4 years. I was interested in the D130 model since it was in my price range. However,now I'm skeptical about it if these statements are true because I do not want to buy another tractor in 4-5 years if I can help it. My lawn is 3/4 acre and basically flat. What suggestions can anyone give me on this matter? Has anyone experienced any reliability/durability problems with the JD D130? How has anyone found JD manufacturer/retail support in the event of a problem?Thanks for your help!
Obviously the cheaper you go, the less it will last. I find it hard to believe that any tractor that JD sells will only last 200 hours before a transmission goes. If it is, it is a fluke. If your 8 hp snapper lasted 28 years you can't be that hard on them, then I have no doubt a cheapy JD will last that long. That being said, I know a man who bought the cheapest new JD he could find and started mowing lawns for a business, against everyone's advice. When it started breaking down a couple years later he was on a rant against John Deere, because he expected JD's to last forever.
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Please don't buy a John Deere LA series with the intent of it lasting 28 years.
In my opinion, they are a 5 year mower, at best.
Quote:
If your 8 hp snapper lasted 28 years you can't be that hard on them, then I have no doubt a cheapy JD will last that long.
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
canlis
My lawn is 3/4 acre and basically flat.
A D130 will mow a small lawn like yours for 20+ years if you do the recommended maintenance. As far as JD designing their transmissions to last 200 hours, that's ludicrous.
John Deere D130 | Tractor Review
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
canlis
I will be buying a new lawn tractor to replace my 8hp Snapper RER which is 28 years old and just went bad on me. I guess I should not complain:).I went to a JD power and equipment dealer and was told that if I wanted to get the same level of reliability/durability that I got from my Snapper, then I would have to buy at least the x300(starting at $3000) model because any D100 series JD will only last 4-5 years. I found that very hard to believe since it is not my intention to spend $3000 for a tractor. My price range is $1500-$2000. However, another expert in lawn tractors also said that a mechanical engineer for JD told him that the D100 series JD was designed so that the transmission will last only 200 hours which equates to 50 hrs/yr or 4 years. I was interested in the D130 model since it was in my price range. However,now I'm skeptical about it if these statements are true because I do not want to buy another tractor in 4-5 years if I can help it. My lawn is 3/4 acre and basically flat. What suggestions can anyone give me on this matter? Has anyone experienced any reliability/durability problems with the JD D130? How has anyone found JD manufacturer/retail support in the event of a problem?Thanks for your help!
I would either go cheap with a D100 with gear drive or move up to an x310 with the k58 tranny. You could likely mow quite a few years with the D130 just recognize that good mowers that last cost alot more than your budget of $1500-2000.
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Markcuda
Please don't buy a John Deere LA series with the intent of it lasting 28 years.
In my opinion, they are a 5 year mower, at best.
buy cheap-get cheap------better to buy a good used beefed up model then a new cheepee------:confused2:
Re: How reliable are JD lawn tractors?
I have three properties I mow, one 2 1/2 acres, another 2 acres and 1 at 1/2 acre. Mowed all three with my stx 38 which is 16 years old until I bought a used stx 46 and both are going strong. Now I'm selling one since I have my Mahindra and I leave one at my commercial property so I don't have to move them around as often. The 46 is probably 14 years old and runs like a top. Maintain them and they will run a long time, like anything else.
