1rst post intro and question

CAMPYBOB · Jun 9, 2004

hi all!

i have a bunch of used john deere lawn and garden tractors and i'm looking at actually going out and buying a new one.

after 7 years af keeping the 70's, 110's, 112, 210's, 160 and 180 up and running...i think i owe myself a brand new machine.

when i buy a car i can go to lots of websites and get the dealer cost and find the best ways to work the deal.

is there anything like that on the web where i can find the dealer invoice costs, rebates, special deals (other than is found on the j.d. site)?

thanks in advance!

om21braz · Jun 9, 2004

CampyBob,
Try the search feature on this forum (Lawn & Garden) at the bottom of the page for the model you're interested in and see what you get - or add a post with the exact model, deck, etc. and you'll probably get a forumite to help you out. Good Luck and welcome from another newbie !

bontai_Joe · Jun 10, 2004

I don't know if they allow talk of buying and selling here, but if you are near PA and are possibly looking to sell some of your collection can you privately e-mail me at:
joseph_hartwick@yahoo.com ? Especially if the 110 or 210 tractors will be needing new homes? Thanks

CAMPYBOB · Jun 10, 2004

sir,

i am near the pa. state line, but i wouldn't feel right selling these things to anyone. too much can go wrong with an old machine...even a well maintained one. i would rather not make an enemy than have a few dollars.

i did use the search function and struck out.

actually, i'm looking at about 6 models in the lineup...from the lt and gt series up to the x475 machine. that's why i'm searching for dealer invoice costs. if ford and gm's are online, deere's should be...somewhere.

i'll run either a 48" or 54" deck. a long time ago i found out wide is good...but...ground speed is better.

that brings up another point...why are the modern lawn/garden tractors so slow in comparison to ztr's, atv tow-behinds/tag mowers and even some walk-behinds w/velky?

$10,000 for a machine that will only cut grass at 8mph? that seems a little slow in this day and age....maybe just my desire to get finished faster, also!

after using the neighbor's 60" tag mower and polaris atv, i'm a big fan of mowing faster = drinking an iced tea sooner.

DAP · Jun 11, 2004

Bob, your concerns about speeds make a lot of assumptions about lawn surface and smoothness.

A ZTR is much faster than my LX288, but my LX288 will still be cutting grass long after a ZTR has rattled itself into a pile-o-parts.

bontai_Joe · Jun 11, 2004

If you change your mind on the Deeres please let me know. If it eases your worry about older machines, My newest tractor is 20 years old and green. I've been looking for a decent 200 or 300 series machine for over a year now. All I find have been either literally beat to death or the owner has priced an average tractor as though it was a rare collectible.