Time to buy MY first JD rider, please help

[2720wes]

The gt235 is a great machine. I have a gt225, same machine just a few less horses and smaller deck. Believe me the transaxle in the GT series is tough, I have worked it very hard. If it was taken care of a gt tractor will last a long time.

As for the 325 or 345, both were way out of my budget at the time but everything I ever heard about them was positive. I wouldn't hesitate buying a used one if I was in the market for one. I don't know if you can find one with a $2000 budget. Seen the 325's going for $2500-3000 with 500-700 hours. Nice machines though

 

[isuhunter]

The gt235 is a great machine. I have a gt225, same machine just a few less horses and smaller deck. Believe me the transaxle in the GT series is tough, I have worked it very hard. If they was taken care of a gt tractor will last a long time.

As for the 325 or 345, both were way out of my budget at the time but everything I ever heard about them was positive. I wouldn't hesitate buying a used one if I was in the market for one. I don't know if you can find one with a $2000 budget. Seen the 325's going for $2500-3000 with 500-700 hours. Nice machines though

What about a JD GT275 or GT262 or GT 242? Anyone have one of these?

 

[jimbo64]

If you will be pushing a lot of snow I would get something with a strong transaxle and with a $2000 budget I think you will need to go used. The GT series from the late 90's-early 2000's can easily handle snow plowing and can be found for under $2000. I'm sure there are geared JD riders that are strong enough for plowing but I don't know the model numbers.

i agree----gt series are some good tractors

 

[ZDB]

I agree, GT series or older 245/265/285 tractors.
Very durable machines more than suitable for your lot size.
They have well built easy to buy attachments that are readily available used.
Priced within your range.
Relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain.

Watch out for older 285's with water pump or plastic cam gear issues.
neither a bad fix if you are handy with a wrech.

We have a 23 year old 285 that I put a water pump in, plastic cam gear still working fine. Mows 2.5 acres almost every week in summer, and sees snow plow duty on a 100ft gravel driveway in NY all winter.
Bought it for under $1k with the plow blade, power-flo, and 51" mower deck 5 years ago.

 

[homepukes]

What do you guys think about a GT235 or something in that series? 325 or 345?

If you can get one in good shape I'd go the used route. I bought a 2003 JD X475 recently and have been very pleased. It cost quite a bit more than you are looking to spend so you may have to go a little older. Find one that has been well taken care of and you will be much happier going heavy duty.

 

[ducks13]

You can probably find a good 318 with a 50 deck for $2K. Stout garden tractor but older than the GT series. My brother has I believe a 210, it is a gear drive "variator" drive, 10HP, there is a 214 and other too I believe, they probably have a smaller deck than the 318 and they don't have power steering like the 318.

 

[LBrown59]

Well I have purchased a house and have .38 acres and 2 driveways. I grew up on a JD 185 Hydro that's still chugging away for my parents. Well its my turn to buy a mower.

I do not need anything new or fancy. What I'm after is something that I can have 48" or 54" deck for mowing and a blade for snow removal. We live in Iowa so we get plenty of snow. I am looking at a $2000 budget.

What models do you guys think I should look at?

Does it have to b a JD?

 

[isuhunter]

Does it have to b a JD?

I'd like a JD, but I guess if something else would match up to a JD I might take a look. I kind of bleed green though.

 

[mjncad]

I kind of bleed green though.

LBrown59 eats, poops, pees, pukes, and bleeds nothing but BX sized orange 'botas.

 

[wsp617]

As the owner of a 1997 LA140 I would stay away from the "entry level" JD untits like the D100 series. I replaced the transmission in mine this Spring. It had just under 100 hours on it (YES LESS THAN 100 hours). The Tuff Torq trannys in these units are not built for the long haul.

If you have a yard that is leve you might be OK. I mow just under an acre that is hilly and over time the mower had more and more trouble getting up the hills. But you also talked about snow removal. A snow blower might be OK but I doubt the tranny will hold up if you are pushing snow with a blade.

The tranny issues of these entry level tracors is well documented. They last just long enough to get passed the warranty period. You really need to buy one of the older GT series others have mentioned or spend more money on an 'X' series. However, I belive the X300 still uses the same model tranny as the D,L and LA series do. If I had to do it over again I would have paid more and got a heavier duty unit.

Good luck.