JD 120L/ Did I make a mistake?

stuart · May 11, 2004

Just purchased new JD 120L lawnmower. Now I do not expect it to run like a "Bat Outta Hell" but it seems a bit on the slow side at regular running speed. The cruise control lever when activated slows the machine down from the top speed a little bit more and cutting seems slow at that speed. Anyone out there with similar experiences with this machine. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

NoVA_Jimbo · May 14, 2004

I have a JD L120 with about 7 hours on it now. The machine Is definitely slower than the MTD type belt driven lawn tractors I've had before. My cruise control also works as you described. Still I am very pleased with the performance compared to my prior lawn tractors. I've been able to teach my wife and M-I-L to use the machine. Now I have to fight for seat time! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

GerardC · May 14, 2004

JD 120L/ Did I make a mistake?

A little late now to be asking this question don't you think /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?? G

budman72 · May 15, 2004

Too late now??

A post on this site had a link to Deere's 30 day guarantee. If for any reason you aren't satisfied you have 30 days to return or trade in on a different model, but you had to buy at a JD dealer, not Home Depot.

Bud

KENB · May 15, 2004

Hey GeraldC, I thought "the stupid question is the one that was never asked"? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

To Stuart, You might want to go back to the dealer or Home Depot (wherever you bought it), and try riding another L120. We have a L110, and have not noticed it. If you don't like it, you can return it under the JD 30 day promise like budman 72 said. We also have an LX266 and it drives and mows much better than our L110.

stuart · May 17, 2004

Gerard C: You are correct. When I bought my 4300 I drove it all over the lot and checked the speeds and everything about it. When I bought the L120 (my second mower in 14 years) I never even turned it on to hear it run much less took a test drive. I may have to rely on the 30 day guarantee but not till I ride it again. I was very pleased with the way it cut, just seemed a little slow speedwise and I am advised that they are all that way with max speed just under 5mph.
KENB: They are apparently all that way according to the dealer but I will try one anyway just to be sure. Thanks

BillG_in_TX · May 17, 2004

Bud,

Here's one instance where it might have paid to purchase at Home Depot - they have a 90 day return policy. See this web page for their return policy (go down to middle of page for in store purchases policy).

DaveInColorado · May 18, 2004

That web page didn't make it 100% clear. I thought I read somewhere that it was a 30-day no quibble policy and 90 days if there was a problem. I exchanged an MTD lawn tractor there after I had it 29 days. I didn't have the store receipt but I had proof of purchase on a credit card receipt, so they gave me something like $800 in gift cards! It really torqued me off at first, then I realized that I use that much easily in only a few months. I paid for the replacement lawn tractor and received credit for the old. Odd, but worked. The Tecumseh engine on the first MTD had a bad design for the starter/pinion connection to the flywheel and it kept jamming up. The Briggs eats fuel in comparison but hasn't given me a problem in a year.

I also have a Kubota BX1500.

grandad · May 18, 2004

The L130 I bought last year sure seems plenty quick to me - you'd have to run (well, jog at least) to keep up with it -certainly more than 5 mph. My understanding was the only difference between the 120 and 130 was the Briggs vs. Kohler engines but maybe there is something in the drive ratio's also?

cadet · May 21, 2004

If you bought it from a servicing dealer, have them check the hydro linkage. If not set correctly, it may not be allowing the hydro to run at full speed. This was the case on my Cub--took
about two minutes to fix it myself.