John Deere LA145 3.70 star(s) (13)

Absolute Junk
Model Year: 2005

At 13 months old (45 hours), the mower deck spindles exploded. The upper and lower bearings sealed so lube at the fitting just produced hydraulic pressure. At 55 hours, the bearings failed in three deck pulleys. At 90 hours, the bearings failed in the clutch that engages the blades. In the above two items you must replace the complete assemblies as the bearings are not serviceable. At 150 hours, the transaxle failed. I had to replace the steering gears three times. In 200 hours, I have replaced the three deck pulleys twice to current hours. The tractor still looks like new (washed after every cut and stored inside) but it will be my last John Deere. I was an extremely costly mistake!

Pros: None
Cons: Too many to list

Started Smoking Like A 2-Cycle.
Model Year: 2009

My LA145 ran great until the warranty was up. I always changed the oil more often than required but didn't use synthetic. It started smoking a lot when it first started up. The whole back yard was smoked out. Usually, it would stop after a while. Sometimes it wouldn't smoke at all. The dealer didn't find anything wrong so I traded it for an X360. No problem with it.

Pros: Plain riding mower, simple to operate
Cons: Bad Briggs engines, hand deck lifting, barely enough power for the 48 in deck, bad steering gear design, collects dirt

LA145 Bought Used
Model Year: 2012

I bought this one off a preacher that was getting a zero-turn. I picked it up for $1,200 with 80 hours on it. I have had it for years now. It always starts and runs strong. I had one of the pulleys changed out on the deck at around 500 hours and as of today broke my first belt at about 1200 hours. I have just been doing seasonal maintenance on it like oil changes, blade sharpening and not being stupid with it.. I'll probably never have to buy another mower.

Pros: You can get it into tighter spots than a zero turn and it always works
Cons: Nothing really to complain about

Weak Transmission
Model Year: 2008

Every year since I have owned this mower, I noticed it seems to take me longer to mow my 1-acre lawn. Last fall I noticed that going up an incline on lawn that it would slow to a crawl. This spring it would not even crawl, just make a whining noise from the transmission. I inquired at the John Deere store ( I bought it at a big box lumber yard) about this, He said these are not made like the ones he sells and that right around 250-hours he sees a lot of people having the same problem. Mine had 249 hours. I ordered one online ( cheaper than what he was asking) and installed a new one and it is running like new again. I did notice my steering gears are really getting worn, so that will probably be the next thing needing replacing.

Pros: The color
Cons: Weak transmission

La145
Model Year: 2009

My La145 has 400 hours and still runs like the day I bought it. It climbs hills like a boss. No major problems other than replaced the governor at 375 hours, it is old so something had to eventually go.

Pros: Great machine. Did not cost a lot to purchase either. Easy to service.
Cons: Paint is pealing in places. Did mention in pros easy to service, the con on it is I have a hard time greasing the center zert on the front axle.

LA145 No Major Problems
Model Year: 2010

This is my 5th year with this mower and so far I've had no major problems. Gives a reasonably even cut and I can mow 1.6 acres in 1 hour. On the down side: The start key is a piece of junk; the metal is way too soft. Bought a replacement key and it is already starting to twist. Mulching is a waste of time because it leaves long rows of "mulched" grass. Occasionally it is difficult to start; don't know what is in the gas here in NJ.

Pros: Engine power, 48" cut, maintenance not too difficult.
Cons: The key is crap, sometimes slow to start, mulching stinks.

Bad Steering Design
Model Year: 2009

Good mower. Steering problems. I've had to replace the steering bushings 3 times. The last set only lasted 5 months. Cutting the grass once a week or less.

Pros: Name.
Cons: Steering.

3 Steering Gears in 3 Years
Model Year: 2009

Bought this after 7 years of using a Murray of same size thinking John Deere can't go wrong. Wrong at 188 hours in 4 years the steering gear and it's parts have been replaced 3 times. Outrageous that they put there name on this junk at there prices. I'm not a lawn guy this was using it and maintaining it by the book, now its lawn art. Check the availability of steering gear replacement parts, they are everywhere Why...because they know you will be replacing them.

Pros: Powerful engine.
Cons: Steering is junk. It will strip out the gear-poor design.

Photo Uploads:

LA145 Lawn Tractor
Model Year: 0

Tractor does a great job cutting the 3 acres that we have.

Pros: Sits higher then our Deere Sabre.
Cons: Have trouble with getting fuel to the carb.

On the LA145
Model Year: 2009

Great tractor/mower. However, the stupid safety stuff to protect the dummies is a real pita. Also rather hard starting on the new 10% ethanol gas. I change my own oil and sharpen the blades. It just keeps running.

Pros: Dependability.
Cons: Safety (stupid people) features.

Good
Model Year: 0

Good all around machine. I have cut lots of grass. I use a bagger and feed the fresh cut grass to my cows worth buying easy to maintain nothing runs like a Deere.

Pros: Good machine good service.
Cons: Never start up right the way but always starts after turning over a few times.

LA 145 Underpowered
Model Year: 2009

We bought this unit thinking that it had a little more power than the LA 125, etc. Well, it wasn't enough. Later, when trying to get various problems fixed, we were told that this was a unit that had been previously owned and turned back in from someone in Ohio! We bought it new in McComb, MS - how can that happen? Since then, it has thrown the belt every weekend. I would not recommend a John Deere product.

Pros: Price.
Cons: Totally unreliable - breaks constantly. Throws the belt frequently.

LA145
Model Year: 2010

In the $2000 price range I looked at Ariens, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna and JD. The JD seemed the best for the money. I really like the 2 cylinder motor and high sitting position.

Pros: Wide rear tires, relatively quiet, good seating position, nice cut, hydrostatic transmission, and more grease fittings than most.
Cons: Electrical connection to head lamps keeps coming loose, oil drain drains onto frame, no front center deck anti-scalp wheel, front wheel toe-in not adjustable.