John Deere JOHNDEERED130 4.40 star(s) (7)

Quality
Model Year: 2014

So far, I am well pleased with my John Deere D130. Our lot is not too large and the 42-inch deck is good enough for me. If it holds up like my 2003 Troy-Bilt did, then I will be satisfied. The only thing I ever did to the Troy-Bilt was that I had the valves adjusted one time and had 2 main drive belts put on it. It had over 325 hours on it.

Pros: Nice and quiet.
Cons: Seat safety switch is a pain.

Spindles
Model Year: 2014

My spindles went out on May 13 and I was called this afternoon to pick it up tomorrow, May 21, 2014. I bought the mower at Lowe's and bought the extended 1 yr. warranty which gives me 3 yrs. Glad I did that with the way things have started out. The spindles that came on it didn't have grease fittings, but the ones they put on it does have the fittings. I spoke with an ex-JD mechanic and he said once a month to squirt them fittings 2 times but don't fill it to where it comes out, he said. He said to change the oil every 25 hrs. and the oil filter and oil every 100 hrs. I really like the mower, it turns so easy and tight. The vibration isn't as bad as a Craftsman or Husqvarna which is the only other two I have driven. I'm hoping it will be a good mower, it's my first John Deere.

Pros: Performance.
Cons: Cheap OEM spindles, push button to mow in reverse, too much money for what you get.

Top Of The Line
Model Year: 2012

I knew I'd probably have some issues with any machine purchased and believed this pick would have the fewest problems. As it turns out I had three: dust, tires and grease fittings. The front exhaust discharge kicks up a lot of dust that the air filter readily sucks up. The tires need too much attention for air pressure. The grease fittings don't work with my grease gun. I could kid myself and think everything is okay, but based on my past experience all of the above requires plenty of attention or else one day...

Pros: Quality control seems high along with the overall design.
Cons: Poor maintenance design which can cause a lot of distraction when I wanted to save time.

Still New
Model Year: 2014

I haven't had much time on the mower yet. So far I am impressed with the power. After reading the forum I am thinking of dropping the transaxle and changing the oil to a 5-50 synthetic, getting Gater blades and a mulching plug.

Pros: Still new and shiny.
Cons: None yet.

JD D130
Model Year: 2011

I have 2 acres of land all usable property. This JD gets use all year around. Summer it cuts grass on all of the 2 acres. In the winter it blows a significant amount of snow. We have a main drive way, a large circle driveway, our own private road and another large driveway for a boat house that i keep open. At times, I think I work it to hard. It has done well for the most part but have seen one weak link so far. The safety switches for the break pedal and the attachment engagement lever are really flimsy. I've had them come loose and dislodge rendering the tractor a NO START. Had to re-position them and hope they don't come dislodged again. I may securer them in place somehow but haven't had the time to figure that part out yet. Will get some pictures soon.

Pros: Good all around yard worker.
Cons: Not the best quality or what I expected from JD.

New John Deere D130
Model Year: 2013

Ask me ten years from now and I’ll tell you how good it really is. I’ve owned many 36 & 42 inch mowers the last 35 years and this is my second John Deere. The cruise control is nice for long straight runs and the reason chose the D130 over less expensive models. The B&S twin is smooth powerful and quiet compared the singles I’ve had in the past. I still don’t like all the safety switches and the absurd wiring associated with them but a guess that proves I’m an idiot and need them.

Pros: Price and cruise control.
Cons: Awkward position of reverse peddle.

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John Deere D130
Model Year: 2013

Purchased the D130 2-weeks ago only have 2-hours on it but so far so good. Read a lot of reviews on this site not being very favorable but most of those are coming from people that have the more expensive machines. I only use mine for cutting grass and getting up leaves on a 1-acre lot. I also read a lot of good reviews from people that actually own this model of Deere and are very satisfied. One thing I have learned is you can't always make decisions based on a few bad reviews because you can get a lemon in anything. My neighbor bought a John Deere last year at the John Deere dealers an x-300 or something like that and has had nothing but trouble with it. 12 years ago I was reading reviews on the Craftsman LT1000 and they were trashing it. Needless to say, I purchased it anyway and just sold it 3-weeks ago and the only thing I did to it is replace the blades, and I also used it to tow a DR leaf vacuum so if you're thinking about buying the 100 series lawn mowers remember that's what these machines are riding lawn mowers not lawn tractors if you're needing something for plowing are heavy hauling then you will probably be better off with one of the more expensive models.

Pros: V-twin, hydro-static tranny.
Cons: No amp meter.