John Deere 160 4.20 star(s) (5)

My 25 Year Old JD 160
Model Year: 1987

I have had my JD 160 for 25 years now. I originally bought it to cut the grass and bag leaves in the fall. I also bought a blade for it to plow snow in the winter. Plowing heavy snow tore up the tranny (my fault) as I was way too aggressive. I rebuilt the transmission and bought the single stage snow thrower attachment. The only other problem I have had is the front axle pivot point was not welded thoroughly. I took it off and had it welded and has been trouble free since. The only worry with it now is that there does not seem to be a replacement engine available for it. It still runs good but it is over 25 yrs old now. I would buy a new Jd if only the snow blower would fit on a new tractor.

Pros: Quality design.
Cons: Some of the welds were not up to snuff.

JD 160
Model Year: 0

It's held up well over the 20+ years. No cup holder, no power assist anything but also up until recently no major or unexpected repair bills. Transmission finally failed and I found a supplier of a new replacement transmission a little stronger than original. Had it in the same afternoon received.

Pros: Robust construction and parts still available easily.
Cons: Basic features, needs more power, only 12.5.

Who Knew That it Had a Kawasaki Engine? BONUS!
Model Year: 1988

Several years ago I bought this 1988 JD160 lawn tractor to mow the rough stuff on my less than manicured, somewhat hilly acreage. It was my second JD lawn tractor, having replaced the older JD112. It had the complete rear bagger set up, along with the 38" mid-mount mower deck, a trailer hitch and a pull behind yard trailer. The price was right, and I figured that the edges/finishing could still be done with the push mower. Due to circumstances, and my disability, it has become difficult for me to get on/off this machine from the seat, then lifting my leg over the steering wheel, etc. As a result, I have not operated it for about 18 months. There were seized bearings etc. simply from age and from the non-use. This spring, I had planned to replace it with a simple pedestal steering ride on mower, which would be easier for me. I just hoped that we could figure out an inexpensive way to get it running again, as I had intended to give it to the kids to enter into the teenager lawnmower races at the 2012 fall fair. That would have been its retirement. A friend recently tuned it up and replaced the bearings, greased the mower deck pulleys, oil change, fresh fuel etc. When he jump started it, the engine roared to life. Now I had a decision to make: 1) I had intended to replace it with a newer 9 hp ride on mower for about $1,200 (all manufactured in China). And with the 12.5 hp Kawasaki engine (a surprise to me---the previous JD112 had a 10 hp Kohler). Even at 24 yrs. old, it might have had comparable value/more HP, but also more difficult to get on/off. 2) Was there any trade in value for such an old machine? 3) Was it a contender for the beating that it would take at the lawn mower races? 4) Would it still have value for it's initial purpose of still mowing the lawn, or did I need to buy a goat? 5) I realized that even if I was personally no longer able to use it, my kids would rather ride-mow, than push-mow, and my wife would probably use it also to maintain the area by the honeybees Decision made. The mower has new life. A new battery ($70), and this thing became unstoppable. With the old tent trailer that it now pulls around the yard, dirt, sand, feed, hay, bikes and other junk are easily moved from place to place. It cuts fine, gears and deck work great, and it even manages the slopes on the property reasonably well. It's a keeper.

Pros: 12.5 hp Kawasaki engine = lots of power; towing things around the yard is easy; mowing is quick; still has plenty of life and value; all I need are chains for the turf tread tires.
Cons: Can't seem to find agri tread tires for it (too bad that I sold the snow blade with the JD112).

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My 160 Mower
Model Year: 1988

This old mower was purchased from a friend of my Son-in-Law, and he used it to mow lawns on a semi-commercial nature. The transmission had 1 broken shifting finger in the peerless 6 speed transmission. I rebuilt the transmission, and repaired everything on the deck and every other thing that needed attention. I was especially impressed by the old Kawasaki engine. I bored it .010" and everything else was perfect. It would have ran another 10 years, but I wanted to learn a little more about mowers. I use it now, and the transmission and everything else works well. The availability of parts in the future is the only thing I worry about. It is much better than the LT150 and the L110 I also work on. They are a semi-cheap version of a mower. The Kohler engine piston fits much looser in the block. I will likely sell them, and keep the old 160.

Pros: Sturdy, heavy duty construction.
Cons: Hard to find parts, expensive parts.

Nice for a Small Lot
Model Year: 2003

I like the tractor but....the mower deck a 42c is horrible. The first time I cut my grass both roller wheels came off. The welds were not the best. I am on my second deck now due to the rusting of the welds. here there was a weld I ended up have a rust out. I also do not like the lack of attachments for the tractor but it was what I could afford at the time and it does cut the grass. Where you get into trouble with this tractor is when you try to do a whole lot more with it.

Pros: Better then a box store 100 series tractor.
Cons: Bad deck, low amount of attachments.