$1499 vs $3500 (Deere D105 vs. X300) Worth it?

[ForumJunkie]

I just bought a D105 John Deere for $1499 list (Free 2 year service plan)
17.5 HP. 42" width. 1.5 acres or less

The sales guy was trying to upsell me on the X300 series for $3500
22 HP 54" width.

It seemed like a huge jump in price, and I just need a basic tractor for a yard (not a farm or something)
Was it a mistake to decline?

I only have about about 2 flat acres I mow.
I don't think I need frills like auto transmission, etc
I'm used to a very old basic tractor anyway.

 

[KENSFM]

Just remember you get what you pay for. If you are happy with your purchase that is all that counts.
Good luck with your new mower and welcome to TBN.
Ken

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome from Ohio, what trans is in it?

 

[Fossil Farm]

I have the JD 120 mower. Have had it for about 3 years. Works fine for me. No problems. Because of trees and shrubs, needed a maximum 42 inch cut and it takes me about 2 hours to mow. I also mow around the oil storage tanks and the pond and it does just fine. I have other tractors for other work, so mowing is the only job it does. Do the regular maintenance and do not abuse it and you should be fine. Good luck.

 

[jenkinsph]

I just bought a D105 John Deere for $1499 list (Free 2 year service plan)
17.5 HP. 42" width. 1.5 acres or less

The sales guy was trying to upsell me on the X300 series for $3500
22 HP 54" width.

It seemed like a huge jump in price, and I just need a basic tractor for a yard (not a farm or something)
Was it a mistake to decline?

I have about 3-4 flat acres I mow.
I don't think I need frills like auto transmission, etc
I'm used to a very old basic tractor anyway.

I haven't heard many complaints about the gear versions of these mowers and for many years that is all I ever had to work with. Cutting 4 acres will take some time but if you are good with that then you are good to go. Now if I were going to upgrade to a larger model with a wider cut the x320 and up are even more money, and I wouldn't buy the D100 series through x304 series with the k46 hydro. On the lower end of the spectrum I think the D105 was a good choice.

 

[94BULLITT]

The deck, seat, and engine are not as good on the D105. I just looked at mowers around $1500 for a friend over the weekend. 4 acres is a lot to mow with a D105.

 

[Rmart30]

I only have a acre at home to cut but I gave up on the lower end mowers about 8 yrs ago. I went thru numerous craftsmans up to their 23 hp garden tractor, a cub cadet and a lowes deere.... Got tired of fixing them and found a used deere 455 22hp diesel mower with a 60" deck ....
I have $1800 in it. It had a loader on it when I bought it and I sold the loader for $2300.... With this mower I can cut my yard at least 4 if not 5 times on 5 gallons of diesel. With the 23 hp craftsman I had it would take me almost 4 gallons of gas each time I cut the yard. Just that saving alone has almost paid for it.

3 or 4 acres on a 42" mower ? On that size mower thats a lot of time spent cutting grass. For the price of the X300 you could find a Yanmar, kubota or other mini tractor types in the 18-22 hp range and a 6 or 7 ft flail or finishing mower and cut that seat time in half.

 

[James Loehr]

I would like to hear how you like your D105. Thinking about one myself. It sure should get a workout with that much to mow. You made the right choice between the two mowers. A 3500.00 tractor with a K46 hydro is not a good value IMO.

 

[ForumJunkie]

Correction: I only have about about 2 flat acres I mow.
I will post an update after a mow or two.... Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Rmart30]

Correction: I only have about about 2 flat acres I mow.
I will post an update after a mow or two.... Thanks for the feedback.

that sounds much better.... my back was hurting just thinking of 3 or 4 acres on a 42" mower

 

[ForumJunkie]

Did my first mow. Took 2 hours. Since it was the first mow of the year, I had to stop to move branches and rocks, etc. So far, so good. I will post another update after a few more mows.

 

[crazyal]

I have a friend who mows lots of flat acreage with a cheap rider. He has 8 push mowers connected together. Fires them up and pulls the assembly behind the rider. Works well and cuts the time it takes to about 1/3. He's cheap and just buys used push mowers from one of a couple of guys around here who sell them for about $25. When one dies he just brings it back, gets something like $5 off the price of a replacement and then connects it up.

 

[Rvrrat14]

I bought a X320. Much more solid machine than D series. My land is somewhat rough and I figured the heavier frame and deck would be worth the $$$$$s.

Also, either a three or four yr warranty, can't remember.......

 

[BuilderML]

I have a friend who mows lots of flat acreage with a cheap rider. He has 8 push mowers connected together. Fires them up and pulls the assembly behind the rider. Works well and cuts the time it takes to about 1/3. He's cheap and just buys used push mowers from one of a couple of guys around here who sell them for about $25. When one dies he just brings it back, gets something like $5 off the price of a replacement and then connects it up.

I would like to see a picture of that set up. The units are cheap i get that but he must be going thru some serious fuel.

 

[Wagtail]

Count yourself fortunate regarding the price & availablity of the D105. My Sister/BIL just bought a D105 a fortnight ago (love it) and that put me in mind to pick one up myself for getting at all the places that my slasher/tractor can't.

The JD dealership was impressed but said that the D105 wasn't available in Australia yet (they need to sell all of the D100 stock first). So I needed to go for the D110... short story is that for A$3000 I got the D110 with a high(er) backed seat from a D130 (no charge = because it's ME), oil & filter for the first servicing @ 50hrs and they'll deliver it with a full tank of petrol + a free coffee mug ('cause I've already got the JD ball cap, JD bomber jacket, JD windscreen decal, JD tool box, JD... Ad Nauseum).

In Australia, the eBay price for a D110 is A$2899 so I got a deal, obviously because it's ME.

 

[rekees4300]

for A$3000 I got the D110

Why so expensive? The JD website says D110 is $1699 USD (which is about equal to AUS dollars). Does it cost that much to ship them down there?

John*Deere D110 Lawn Tractors JohnDeere.Com

 

[Wagtail]

It must be the shipping cost + the smaller population base = an even smaller ride-on mower purchasing base.

As I said, the eBay price for one from the mainland (Melbourne) was only A$100 less. Yes, there was free delivery (which the seller would've choked on as Tassie is an Island) but my dealer gave me a better deal by far. My Sister/BIL in Canada got a better price for the D105 but North America is a huge economic zone.

As we say here, you just 'cop it' and move on. (unless the dealer has ripped you off, then you raise bloody **** & their reputation is toast). Mind you, AKFish in Alaska probably has all sorts of horror stories regarding prices.

 

[stoyan79]

We bought D135 few years ago. We have about 150 hours on it. Best mower under $2K, no question about it!
X series is better, but I won't say its 2.5 times better. For X series money, better buy a zero turn.

 

[dleebold]

John Deere D100 Vs X300 Lawn Tractors

On the showroom floor there does not appear to be a whole lot different between the John Deere D100 Series model riding mowers and the X300 Select Series models. So why does the X300 Series have twice the warranty?

Heavier and More Durable Frame



The X300 Select Series frame is a solid one piece frame weighing in at nearly 100 lbs and the D100 Series frame is a two piece welded frame weight in at a little over 50 lbs.


This X300 Select Series frame is also thicker to make it more rigid to hold up for years of use and the added weight improves traction and better attachment performance.




Larger Transmission For Increased Productivity



The X300 Select Series transmission provides 165 lb-ft of torque and the D100 series models product 126 lb-ft of torque which is about 25% increase.

This increase in torque allows the X300 lawn tractor to climb hills better, tow more weight, and push more snow. The X304 model also features all wheel steering for tighter turning in and around obstacles for faster mower times.

Engineered For Comfort and Convenience




The X300 Select Series models feature a higher back seats with more suspension travel, foot operated deck lift rather than hand lift, standard cruise control and electric PTO engagement.

These features keep the operator more comfortable during their time mowing and reducing fatigue from lifting deck and other front attachments by hand.


Twice the Warranty

The X300 Select Series lawn tractors also come with a 4 year / 300 hour warranty vs the 2 year / 120 hour warranty on D100 Series mowers.

This increased warranty shows John Deere has more confidence in their Select Series line-up and with quality and performance upgrades they are sure to last the test of time!



John Deere D100 Vs X300 | Mutton Power Fort Wayne Indiana

 

[94BULLITT]

I think the cub cadet 1042kw is better than the d130. I has 5 anti scalp wheels on the deck. A Kawasaki motor and a nice seat.