Price Check cheap vs expensive; longevity vs price

[llitten]

I just looked at the local john deere dealership today.

the x300 is the one on the table, possibly the x320.
x300 17hp, 42 deck $3000
x320 22hp, 48 deck $4000

woah.

tomorrow, I hit the box stores... to see what they have and the prices of each and such.

idk... but I like this discussion. points in both directions..still.

Ones made today are not as well made as years ago.....I want this to last...
I hear maintenance is probably the biggest factor in ANY machine purchased.

I will let you know my decision in a few days.

 

[67PLY]

We have a 1996 JD 345 w/46 mower. It was a lot of $$$ new. But no real issues except general maintenance. Has a Kawasaki 18 hp. watercooled engine, power steering and hydro. We mow about 4 acres.

 

[buck12]

Exactly what it means, the post says it severed him. Sounds like it would hurt to me too.

Don't give me too much grief over my spelling I have spent most of life in school do get to this point with my spelling.

 

[dirt ditch]

I just looked at the local john deere dealership today.

the x300 is the one on the table, possibly the x320.
x300 17hp, 42 deck $3000
x320 22hp, 48 deck $4000

woah.

tomorrow, I hit the box stores... to see what they have and the prices of each and such.

idk... but I like this discussion. points in both directions..still.

Ones made today are not as well made as years ago.....I want this to last...
I hear maintenance is probably the biggest factor in ANY machine purchased.

I will let you know my decision in a few days.

I was in the same boat. craftsman rider was frustrating last year, could not get it to run right this year.

Looked at John Deere, Cub, Craftsman and others but kept coming back to JD.

Was going to get a X300 but got to looking at the upper 100 series mowers and finally bought a LA165 with a 4 year warranty.

24hp Briggs & Stratton extended life series engine in the LA165, 17hp Kawasaki for the X300, same K46 hydro/automatic transmission in both the LA165 and X300, 48" edge series deck on the LA165, 42" edge series deck on the X300 and most other specs being so close I went with the larger hp and deck size of the LA165.

I still can't believe how quiet this mower is and no vibration.

With no running rider and all the rain this spring my yard grew to a thick 18" in several places. That did not even lug the engine on the 165. Mowed the hole yard in 2 hours. Use to take 4-5 hours on the old craftsman. May it RIP.

 

[JoelD]

Been thinking on this one. I can't recall a machine I've had that actually failed on me other than manufacturer defects. I've been pretty good at maintainence. I change the oil and keep the air filters clean. As long as you lubricate and replace the wear items as they fail, I find most machines last. I've had one motor wear out, and that's as simple as a ring job and back to goodness.

I think it probably comes more down to performance than longevity. At least for homeowner use I think. Commercial application is a different story. Would not want to run my craftsman mower 8 hours a day 6 days a week 7 months a year. The motor, deck, spindles, wheels and tires, etc. are not designed for that kind of use.

I just don't think you need to spend crazy money as a homeowner to cut your lawn.

Joel

 

[deputyrpa]

I bought a JD279 water-cooled new in 1999 for $2700, and mowed 5 acres with it for 3 years. Had an issue with the hydro, but that was warranteed. I wound up selling it with the house.

To save cash (for tractor stuff), I recently bought a 1968 Ford 120 hydrostatic, 12HP Kohler flathead, 42" cut magnesium decks (2 of them) - for $200. It's no beauty, although there are not dents. I'm going to eventually restore it. Most parts are still available thru New Holland.

That Kohler and its massive flywheel just chews thru everything I throw at it. It has more cutting torque than my JD's Kawasaki twin.

It's a tank. I went cheap for old quality. They, along with the Minnie Moes and a few others, were made by Jacobsen.

 

[pitt_md]

Ok, I am giving up on re-fixing an older craftsman lt1000 mower, over 12 years old. I mow a lawn aprox 1 acre in size. I would like the mower to handle hills, meaning able to pull itself up with ease.

The Crux of the question:

Do I, purchase a 800-1200 mower, with a lifespan of say 5 years, possibly more.
or purchase a mower of say 3000-4000 with a supposed life span of 10 years, possibly more. (It would seem more logical to pick up the cheaper model)

The mower at the top of the list for 3000-4000 range is the john deere x300 series. is this mower able to easily outlast the cheaper box store models?
What am I getting for the extra 2000 that the cheapies is lacking?

I am ready to be sold on the bigger models...but I am not sure if I am getting anything more out of spending my money.

thanks.

I have to weigh in on this topic. I have purchased inexpensive riding mowers all my life and I am really paying the price for it. I live on a small farm and there is lots of work for the mower. I only cut grass with them and try to keep the oil and filters clean/changed and sharp blades. I bought a Craftsman GT5000 and it was a total piece of ____! After two years the engine went south. I bought a Cub Cadet model 1045 and I think its even worse than the Craftsman. I have had it in the shop 4 times and I am only going on the 3rd year. I don't mean to step on anyones toes here. If you have either brand and like them then good for you. My next mower will be something far more substancial than the current entry model junk being offered.

 

[pitt_md]

Don't give me too much grief over my spelling I have spent most of life in school do get to this point with my spelling.

I too have spent far to much of my life in school getting degrees to stay ahead of the jobs being shipped over seas and still can't spell to save myself.

The way I see it if the occasional spelling glitch is all they got on you then they are probably having a bad day or making a joke.

 

[greggh]

Don't give me too much grief over my spelling I have spent most of life in school do get to this point with my spelling.

Yep... I'm in the same boat. If I don't use spell check, I sound like and idiot. I used to do much better before I got hooked on this spell check. I also used to do better at math before the calculator crossed my path...

 

[Soundguy]

I just don't think you need to spend crazy money as a homeowner to cut your lawn.
Joel

I agee.. some 'lawnmowers' I see cost more than some of the AG tractors i've bought!

I can't see paying more for a lawnmower than i did for a 70hp diesel tractor!!

soundguy