100 Series, are they worth it?

[EddieWalker]

Keef,

I've seen the 135 mowers at Lowes and wondered about them, but haven't gotten serious about buying a mower yet. My ten year old Craftsman keeps on doing the job, even though it's getting kind of rough and starting to nickle and dime me.

Your review and reasoning for your purchase was very helpful. I'll keep an eye on this post and of course, read the other posts on mowers before buying, which might be a few more years, but for a light duty mower, it sounds promising.

Eddie

 

[Volfandt]

I was told all the Light mowers Yard Machine Craftman LA John Deeres are all built at the same place.
Maybe someone can confirm this. I'm not 100% sure.

This is incorrect.....
The 100 series JD L&G tractors are made in a JD plant located in Greeneville, TN. This is the same JD owned plant that used to make the Sabre series, a series the 100 series replaced.

There is a Tuff Torq manufacturing plant in Morristown TN (approx 20 miles south of Greeneville) that makes HST's for just about all brands of L&G tractors, including the higher end JD's.

There is a Kawasaki engine plant that manufactures air cooled engines in the same industrial park as Tuff Torq and these higher end engines are provided to just about all brands of L&G tractors that spec them, including the higher end JD's.

just alittle FYI........

 

[Brutismax]

I bought a L120 new about 4 years ago it has a 20hp briggs 48" deck hydro trans. With a little over 200 hrs I finally had to put new spindle bearings $18 from a distributer and idler pulleys $30 from deere in it. The spindles didn't have grease fittings from the factory so I knew they wouldn't last too long but when I had it apart I put fittings in them. $48 for 4 years of service ain't bad, and I believe the newer ones come with greasable spindles. Everything on the 100 series is built lighter than the premium tractors, their not made to last 30 years, just compare the weights of them, but for the money the 100 series is hard to beat.

 

[Keef]

I just met someone who has the LA 165 with an acre of property. His land is about 75% flat. He told me he loves his tractor, there have been no problems with it, and it cuts the grass even. (He bags his grass.) The only problem he is having, is his 16 year old son argues with him on who gets to cut the grass each weekend. His son likes to cut the grass when his 2 friends are over and they all like to jump on it or even take turns riding the mower. Their parents have tractors too, but not John Deere. Something again about the green and yellow. The only attachment he uses is the spreader which he said really saved a lot of time. He had a Craftsman mower before that worked great for 2 years. But then he started to have problems with the engine. After having it repaired twice, it never was the same. He confirmed that the 100 Series is still a better tractor than the Craftsman out there. He recommended getting their V twin engines as he feels it helps with the longevity of the engine (as long as you don't strain the engine with attachments). Now if he could just keep the neighbor's kids from driving it.

 

[thatguy]

You can check out this older thread for ppls thoughts on almost everything small lawn mower


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/lawn-garden/81595-lawn-tractor-jd-vs-craftsman.html#post921583

brian

 

[Revelation]

I have the LA 165 too, and I just love this tractor. I have over 225 hours on it and it has been going strong. My dealer is the best and I love the way this unit cuts grass and how comfortable it is to ride. Had an older Ford tractor and this one just sounds, feels, and cuts better. I too don't use it for doing nothing but cutting grass. I think that is what the 100 Series is designed to do best. I have over an acre to cut and this unit is just great.

 

[mjncad]

Sorry to offend owners of these models but I have seen a ton of them broke down with very few hours.

At 36-hours my L-130 started throwing the mower drive belt off. As I was putting it back on, the idler pulley bracket broke. A new bracket is $5.50 and it will be $6 to ship to my house. If I pick up the bracket, it will $6 in gas plus my time to make the round trip. I did find out the newly designed "universal" idler arm bracket is Made in USA, which was a pleasant surprise.

However, I did find an easier way to get the belt on the mower instead of what the manual says. Instead of trying to get the belt over the deep grooved pulley mounted on the engine as the last step; remove the left black sheet metal pulley guard on the 48" mower deck, use a socket and ratchet to release tension on the idler pulley per the manual, and work the belt over the left blade pulley. Put the pulley guard back on and you are in business.

The next time it wrecks a mower belt, I may spend the bucks for a PowerTwist belt like the one I use on my power tools. I won't have to remove the deck or any pulleys to change a belt afterwards.

I'm happy with the Kohler engine, though it does tend to backfire when I shut it off on a hot day. No big deal.

I can't complain too much since I use mine to cut weeds and cheatgrass on 1.8-acres, which it wasn't intended for. I don't use the Bush Hog rotary cutter too often anymore since the heavy weeds have been beaten back...for now.

 

[Revelation]

It seems that there are some 300 and up series tractors owners who feel that everyone should upgrade to their series even if you don't need the extra durabiltiy and attachment needs that they might need for their land. While I agree the LA Series is not of the same toughness, for just cutting grass the LA is a great way to go.

If you need something to go over more harsh terrian, want to buy attachments to do other work, than the 300 or 500 Series is the way to go. I looked very carefully at the LA Series, talked to a lot of people and did a careful search on the quality of the 100 Series, compared them to Caftsman and Simplicity to name a few, and the John Deere overall came out on top. I also am not convinced that a Kohler 17 hp will last longer than a V-twin 22 or 24 hp Briggs and Stratton. The more hp for just cutting grass (up to a point) will not work as hard and will last longer (as long as you maintain it). I don't care if the frame of the 300 Series is more durable than the LA. I have yet to see a frame crack even on a cheaper tractor for just mowing grass on the flat land in beautiful Texas. On the flip side, if you can afford the 300 Series, I highly recommend it as it is a better built unit. But that does not mean we should toss the LA Series on the side of the road. John Deere does not make crap tractors, never have never will.

Your original question Keef was the 100 Seires, are they worth it? My answer is a loud YES. In their price range, I have yet to see a better lawn tractor. Is the 300 or 500 Series worth it? Yes again. For the extra money you will get a mower that will last longer and is more durable. So it all comes down to your needs and your budget. John Deere is the way to go, no matter which range you choose.

 

[Keef]

It seems that there are some 300 and up series tractors owners who feel that everyone should upgrade to their series even if you don't need the extra durabiltiy and attachment needs that they might need for their land. While I agree the LA Series is not of the same toughness, for just cutting grass the LA is a great way to go.

Thank you for your reply Revelation. I don't think there is any arrogance with John Deere owners here who have the higher level models. You have to remember that, the higher end models was all that John Deere made. It was not until recently that they jumped on the Craftsman market and came out with more affordable mowers. Yes I agree they are still good units for the price, but the 300, 500, 700 series mowers are professional tractors that will live longer than your neighbors dog.

I agree with some of your thinking on your post. Yes I think the 100 Series is worth it now that I own one and have experienced nothing but pure satisfaction in cutting my grass. And if you and I have just grass cutting on flat terrian, the 100 Series will do it for you in spades. But the real stuff, the strong, longevity, tougher than nails mowers which are the 300 series and up. For our grass cutting needs, we just don't need to spend another $1,000 for the tasks our mower will do. The only reason I could even afford the LA 135 was for the no interest for a year. The wife then allowed me to buy it. I had to first explain to her why I did not want to buy a $1000 - $1,700 mower from other brands, and gave her an explaination on buying mowers that would give you problems in a couple of years. Maybe I will buy the 300 series next time around. It all depends how long this one last. The LA Series are pretty new, let's post in 5 years about our tractors and see how pleased we are with them.

 

[dieselram]

I agree, I just don't want the possible headaches. I am sure I paid more for my used GT235 than any LA costs but I did not get cought up in the "brand new" market. I can shine up the old GT and you can't tell it from a new one. Kinda funny, as my expensive pickup rust away, I am spending more time washing an waxing my GT235 and 4300 JDs and neglecting everything else! That JD green is intoxicating. If you can get away with it, get an LA. I will give my GT235 to my son and I am sure he will mow with it when the time come (quite aways away). Just don't bad mouth JDs when they break, you took that risk. They are less expensive for a reason. My personal thought is that JD messed up by offering to sell these models at the big stores and wipe out the mom and pop dealerships but who am I? I want to buy my equipment from a dirty, redneck, good-'ol boy farmer type of guy- not one in a suit who probably never used a tractor of any kind before. Ok, i'll stop ranting now! (JD wiped out my dealer)