Is a Craftsman worth $1,000 more than a JD?

[Diggin It]

Lowes is showing the Craftsman T4400 at $4,650 and the JD S-180 at $3,500

Both are 54" cut with 24HP V-Twins and have 22" rear wheels

Craftsman is a Kawasaki 726CU engine with a K62 transmission.

JD is a Briggs 44U877, 724 CU "

Extended Life Series (ELS)" with a K46 transmission. ​

Craftsman is a fabricated deck, JD is stamped.​

Is the Kawasaki, K62 and fabricated deck worth $1,000?​

​

 

[4get gto]

Certainly sounds like the Craftsman has more to offer. Dollar wise I guess its all debatable.
Just because it says John Deere doesn't mean its good...Especially the ones in the big box stores.
And just because it says Craftsman doesn't mean its bad.

 

[tacticalturnip]

The Craftsman is their top of the line garden tractor, the Deere is the top-end of their entry-level lawn tractors.

One to one, that Craftsman is a tougher machine despite the name attached to it. The K62 alone is worth the difference, especially if you have hills. The K46 is a sealed transaxle, the K62 is serviceable.

 

[Hay Dude]

Lowes is showing the Craftsman T4400 at $4,650 and the JD S-180 at $3,500

Both are 54" cut with 24HP V-Twins and have 22" rear wheels

Craftsman is a Kawasaki 726CU engine with a K62 transmission.

JD is a Briggs 44U877, 724 CU "

Extended Life Series (ELS)" with a K46 transmission.


Craftsman is a fabricated deck, JD is stamped.


Is the Kawasaki, K62 and fabricated deck worth $1,000?


​

I'd say yes, it is.
But if it's for light occasional usage, then the JD may be enough for you.
Are you going to use it a lot?
That would be the determining factor, IMO. Especially if warranties are same

 

[tomplum]

Just think of the excitement for your first 100$ blade set! Which will be soon as they are thin. I know you've had Deere before and maybe thought about the price of green paint. B&D has the parts gimmick down.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are these similar to the sub $1000 lawn tractors not all that long ago?

 

[tacticalturnip]

Are these similar to the sub $1000 lawn tractors not all that long ago?

These would have been $2-2.5k not long ago. Sub $1k machine is what runs about $1500 now.

 

[Diggin It]

I paid $1,729 for my Craftsman 24 48, Briggs V Twin on December 16, 2010. That has a HydroGear that has been replaced once.

 

[ultrarunner]

I didn’t realize I purchased 24 years ago and best I can recall it was around $800 out the door including an extra set of blades.

When I buy something new like a mower or even a new toilet I always pick up a service pack at the same time… no guessing what I need and when the occasion arises I don’t have to scramble…

My Craftsman was like new when I loaned it to the tree farm where it got beat mowing a neglected pasture… my fault for bringing…

 

[stevem5215]

Buy based on Transmission first. K72 is a worthy upgrade.