100 Series, are they worth it?

[Keef]

Well,you might be right,but I'm not so sure.

My thoughts as I've said before,is if you want to buy a cheap lawnmower,than buy the cheapest one in the size you want,that you can find[husky,cub,sears,deere,or any other brand],cause,thats what your wanting and they all [in about same price range,cheapest ones] will be about same quality. But you will save a few hundred,by buying that cheapest one.

But,if you want to try and buy a good,fair priced,middle of the road one,its very hard,cause they ain't but maybe 1 or 2 of those.[and than your not real sure you did better than just buying a cheap one.]

Now if you can spend,over 4,000 dollars on a lawnmower,you increase your chances of getting a better quality mower,But I,[like about everybody,I see mowing their yards],don't have that kinda money to spend on just a lawnmower.

Well I wanted to the best quality lawn tractor under $2,000. For what it's worth it seemed that JD 100 Series was equal on several areas with Sears, and higher quality in other areas. The 135 model also had several extra features over the 125 or lower JD models. Having a good dealer was also very important. Increasing my warranty since I bought synthetic oil from the dealer was another good thing. Plus I love the way the JD look. I have just under .5 of an acre of property, so to spend $4,000 to just cut grass seemed a little high.

I will report once or twice a year on this thread and give an update. If any other owner of the 100 Series wants to comment on their experiences as well, that would be great. I am hopeful I will get 9 more years out of this tractor. If I do, it would of been worth the savings.

 

[Revelation]

My LA165 100 Series lawn tractor is doing great. Not one problem with it and is going on it's 3rd year. I compared it to the Sears before I purchased it. The JD has a stronger frame, storage pocket, 12 volt outlet, more comfortable seat, more mower cut positions, thicker deck, and two bar style bumper that the Sears lacked.

My neighbor purchased the same lawn tractor a couple of weeks ago. He admired my lawn tractor so much last year. I let him cut his lawn with my LA 165 (and afterwards he filled it up with gas when done...thanks Ralph). He said it cut better and was more comfortable than his aged lawn tractor. He wanted to buy the 300 Series, but since money is so tight, and I had no problems with mine, he said the 100 Series was good enough for his 2 acre property. He also will not do much more than just cut grass with it.

 

[FarmNut]

I do have to ask why you would buy the LA165, when the price is not too far away from the price of the x300. I do agree that the LA135SE is a good value for what you get, but I think I would go ahead and buy the x300 before I would spend the money on the higher end 100 series. Is there something that I am overlooking? I've been considering an LA135SE since the boss is not too keen on the idea of using the new orange B7510 for mowing. Proof that bigger is not always better.

 

[Revelation]

I do have to ask why you would buy the LA165, when the price is not too far away from the price of the x300. I do agree that the LA135SE is a good value for what you get, but I think I would go ahead and buy the x300 before I would spend the money on the higher end 100 series. Is there something that I am overlooking? I've been considering an LA135SE since the boss is not too keen on the idea of using the new orange B7510 for mowing. Proof that bigger is not always better.

To get a 48" deck which the LA165 has ($2,500), the 320 JD which also has a 48" deck, it cost over $1,500 more at ($4,099).

 

[greenmule]

Thats right,you gotta spend well over 4 grand on the 300 series deeres to get a deck that is around 50 inches.

I don't know why any one with an acre or so yard would want anything smaller,maybe cause thats all they can afford with a deere 300 series.

 

[BlackRaptor]

I'm going into my 3rd mowing summer i got it mid summer 07.
and the farm is not smooth and there is always something hiding in the grass to run over it seems. I've pushed the LA135 hard and it's been used a lot and it's holding up great I went in last night to look at over and get it ready for the summer and it really drives and mows nice still for how hard mowing out here is on it. it's no 445 or 2520 but for the money it's holding it's own. I'm pretty impressed zero problems change the oil gas and go.

 

[FarmNut]

To get a 48" deck which the LA165 has ($2,500), the 320 JD which also has a 48" deck, it cost over $1,500 more at ($4,099).

OK, I see your point if you really feel the need to have those extra six inches. I was just comparing the difference with the base x300 and the price difference was only about $500 more than the LA165; and only about $250 more than the LA175. Anyway, for the other things you get with the x300 (even though it has the smaller deck), if I was going to spend close to the x300 price, I'd get the x300. Having said all that, I think the 100 series tractors fill the niche for a quality mowing machine that doesn't have to perform significant heavy hauling or ground engagement work.

 

[greenmule]

I just bought a new lawnmower,that was one of my must have things,[a deck that was at least 50 inches.]

I got about an acre yard.
Another thing was price,didn't want to spend much over 3 grand,

Bought a snapper,lt200,for 3 grand and 50 inch deck.

 

[Revelation]

Just looked at Consumer Report which reviewed the tractors. John Deere was in 1st place with the 300 series. Then the 100 Series was not far behind in 3rd place with great praise.

 

[jenkinsph]

Keef,

I had a JD L130 lawn mower. The mower was great for the first 3 years. After 200+ hours the spindles failed on the 48" deck. I replaced all of the spindles for roughly $200. The cut was never great even though I replaced the blades every year. The bagger drove me up a wall. I had to cut the grass and let it sit for several hours to dry out completely then vacuum it up. The chute still clogged regularly. It was definitely not your father's JD. The dealer offered me $800 trade-in value. I purchased a 2305 and I could not be happier .

The only thing good about the L130 was the 23hp Kohler engine. It held up well with regular services. It was a very loud mower that did the job with some aggravation. I wouldn't expect it to last 10 to 15 years unless you are only using it for 20 hours a year. Make sure you service it regularly and grease all of the fittings.

Good luck with the LA135, I hope it is an upgrade from the L130.

I would think the L130 is more similar to the LA165, both are larger than the LA135. The L130 is 23hp Kohler with a 48" deck.


Steve