Looking to buy JD D130

Crazy68Dart · Jun 30, 2013

Hi all. New guy here. I am looking at the D series line of JD lawn tractors. I know these are entry level, but I wanted to get some real world feedback on folks that have them and how they have held up.

I went to the local JD dealer and looked over the D series and X series lawn tractors. I have also done a lot of research. I am looking at the D130 as it has the twin Briggs and 42" deck. The 140 has a 3-blade 48" deck. I am not sure the extra blade, and the servicing (one more spindle, one more blade, extra drag on engine, etc.) of it is necessary for me. The two blade deck of the 130 appears more open and that it will clean out better, and not clog.

The X series has a larger frame, the Kaw engine, and the T46 transaxle. I am having a hard time justifying the cost difference. I know the Kaw is a great engine, but and skeptical of the T46 transaxle. The specs are only marginally better than the T40 in the D130. This is given it on a larger/heavier x300 which I think really washes out any of the slight increases in torque capability of the T46 over the T40. That, and I have researched pleanty of X300 users that are replacing their T46.

I am not ready to spend 4-5+ grand for something to cut grass on my mostly flat 3/4 acre lawn. I don't consider myself to be cheap, I do the economy of this country very well, I can assure you.

I know the briggs engine will hold up just fine, I maintain everything I own myself with pride and do a good job of it.

My concern over any of these newer machines (of any mfg) is the hydro transaxle. It is not possible to get a gear driven tractor unless you get the base/cheapest model, which you give up many other things when doing so. I have looked at used stuff too, but I get squeamish not knowing how people maintain their equipment. I am pretty **** when it comes to this and don't want to buy someone else's problem. Most folks I have talked to have older machines "don't know how many hours on them", etc.

I currently have the engine off my mid 80s craftsman looking for a trickly oil leak. It is a 10 hp TEC that had a new shortblock about 10 years ago that I put on it. Also rebuilt the 4-speed transaxle about 4 years ago. Needed third gear and the spring fingers that engage the drive. It is a beater, runs good, and cuts the grass.

Thanks for the help.

jenkinsph · Jun 30, 2013

My typical reply would be to consider the better mowers start with the x310 and up, this is where you get the K58 (H) transmission and skip the T40 and k46 transmissions. I bought an L130 in 2005 and replaced it with an x749 in 2010, that is because the k46 tranny was down to 3 mph with about 225 hrs on it. Big difference in price between these mowers but there is a big difference in capabilities too. For just mowing my own lawn which is smooth and level I could easily get by with an x320.

In the $2000 dollar range I would consider the D100 with the gear drive transmission for $1499 or a similar riding mower from other brands. I would not spend money on extra features or baggers. If you do buy the D130 $1900 I suspect your cost of operation will be higher than if you stepped up to the x310 or x320 long term, roughly in the $4,000 range.

I would consider buying a good used mower instead of the new entry level D100 series if I found a good one. Depends on what you can find in your locale. My take on your comments about the used mowers is you are protesting too loudly about the unknown maintenance habits of the prior owners. Sounds liike you want to buy new only, I think you are painting yourself into a corner so to speak.

Crazy68Dart · Jun 30, 2013

jenkinsph said:
My typical reply would be to consider the better mowers start with the x310 and up, this is where you get the K58 (H) transmission and skip the T40 and k46 transmissions. I bought an L130 in 2005 and replaced it with an x749 in 2010, that is because the k46 tranny was down to 3 mph with about 225 hrs on it. Big difference in price between these mowers but there is a big difference in capabilities too. For just mowing my own lawn which is smooth and level I could easily get by with an x320.

In the $2000 dollar range I would consider the D100 with the gear drive transmission for $1499 or a similar riding mower from other brands. I would not spend money on extra features or baggers. If you do buy the D130 $1900 I suspect your cost of operation will be higher than if you stepped up to the x310 or x320 long term, roughly in the $4,000 range.

I would consider buying a good used mower instead of the new entry level D100 series if I found a good one. Depends on what you can find in your locale. My take on your comments about the used mowers is you are protesting too loudly about the unknown maintenance habits of the prior owners. Sounds liike you want to buy new only, I think you are painting yourself into a corner so to speak.

First, thanks for the reply.

I guess what I am most aggravated with is that gear drive transmissions generally hold up pretty well (even the cheaper models), are easy to fix if they happen to break, but they are no longer offered. All that is out there these days is hydro because everyone is brain dead and needs a forward and reverse pedal. I need something that is going to last more than 250 hours. I think it is ridiculous that a unit that is going to be used only for cutting grass needs to cost 4000+ dollars to "hopefully" last as long as I want it to without major failure (i.e. the hydro unit). I simply don't need the size or capability or heft of the x310 frame, but it appears that it is the only way to get a tractor with a good hydro unit that will last.

I've got nothing against buying used. I've never bought anything brand new in my life. The few that I have checked on were not well taken care of, and it just takes a lot of time to research, go and look, etc. It just gets aggravating after a while.

I don't want to turn this thread into a rant, there are plenty that I ran across on this board already on this topic.

jenkinsph · Jun 30, 2013

So are you saying the D100 is not available? It has the gear transmission which allows you to avoid the cheap hydro tranny problems. As I understand it the D100 is still in the current model line up.

Zebrafive · Jun 30, 2013

I would look at used. I saw a JD 345 w/400 hours on another site for $2900. It was located near Akron OH.

Crazy68Dart · Jun 30, 2013

jenkinsph said:
So are you saying the D100 is not available? It has the gear transmission which allows you to avoid the cheap hydro tranny problems. As I understand it the D100 is still in the current model line up.

Hi, it is actually being phased out. The 105 is replacing it and it has the "CVT"/auto setup, not even hydro.

I can get my hands on a 100, there are other luxuries that are lost with this bottom of the barrel mower. I am going to keep hunting the classifieds, craigslist, etc. I got my Craftsman back together today and did the yard. That gives me some time to look without feeling rushed.

Crazy68Dart · Jun 30, 2013

Zebrafive said:
I would look at used. I saw a JD 345 w/400 hours on another site for $2900. It was located near Akron OH.

Thank you. I am sure that is a nice machine, but pretty big for what I need. I may try to hunt down a 90s LX172. My grandpa bought this new in 92. He has since passed, but that mower has been great. It is the smaller frame with the Kaw engine which you cannot get that combo any more. Peerless 5 speed, up and down the hills at his property. We went through the trans once as it has a lot of hours on it and was starting to feel a little sloppy. Given the abuse that it has to endure with the hills and a 2+ acre yard, it has held up great.

ajd187 · Jul 1, 2013

I considered the 100 series vs the 300 series a few years ago when I was shopping for a mower for my house now. Prior to that I had 0.25 acres that I just cut with a push mower.

The 100s are probably good for a smaller lawn such as yours. I have a friend who has an LA122 (basically the same as the D series) and he says good things about it.

Crazy68Dart · Jul 1, 2013

ajd187 said:
I considered the 100 series vs the 300 series a few years ago when I was shopping for a mower for my house now. Prior to that I had 0.25 acres that I just cut with a push mower.

The 100s are probably good for a smaller lawn such as yours. I have a friend who has an LA122 (basically the same as the D series) and he says good things about it.

Thanks. You certainly here more bad than good about things online.

Not that it is all false, just that it is more prominent.

That said, I've run across a few used ones. GT262, LX277, and LT180. The GT is a 6 speed manual shift, LX is hydro K62, and LT is hydro K46. I assume the K62 is a better unit. It looks like it is serviceable to some degree. All three have the Kaw engine and are 48" decks.

The GT is probably the most reliable of any of them long term, but I know the least about it. No hour meter, being sold by a re-seller, no history either. Supposedly really clean and nice shape.