JD LX series ...

[DAP]

Anyone own a 2000 or newer LX 288 or LX 277 JD ?????

Is this thing a tank or what!

How many hours with annual oil changes do you think this V-Twin air cooled Kawasaki s worth?

And lastly, when do you think a complete hydro flush is necessary?

 

[NHTC30]

I have a 4 year old LX277. It's a great machine and is very tough. The Kawasaki engine is quiet and smooth. I only change oil about 2 times every mowing season and have never done a hydraulic flush, and don't plan on one soon, the fluid still looks very clean.

I have a friend who I let borrow the LX a couple of times while his mower was broken down. He told me after the first time he used it that he had thought spending that kind of money on a mower was ridiculous when you could get a Craftsman or Yardman or Murray for about one third the price, but after using it, he understood why someone would really want one bad. There is no comparison between the LX series and a cheap Craftsman or any other cheap brand, or for that matter, the cheaper JD line.

 

[DAP]

My LX288 is about 5 1/2 years old .. with about 200 hours on it. I give an oil change with filter every spring ... the thing just seems to get stronger and smoother ...

I'm still wondering about how many hours I can expect from this motor if takend moderately good care of.

 

[jcotta]

I have a LX 277 with about 150 hours. I bought used with 100 hours. I used it about 50 hours this season changed the oil once in at season start. It is probably as important to clean air filter and oil prefilter for proper maintenance. I use compressor to blow out all dust. I use my Cub Cadet 1100 to tow cart and dirty mowing jobs. Hydro fluid looks clean and will leave alone. With light mowing only I expect tractor to last 1200-1500 hours. The mowing deck and other parts will probably fail before engine.

 

[chrisjbell]

I have a 2000 JD LX255, which has the (cheaper) Kohler engine, but that thing is a tank, too. I beat the thing up mercilessly and it just keeps going like the Energizer bunny. I do change the oil a couple of times a year and changed the hydro fluid a few years ago. It probably didn't need it, though. Great little lawn tractor...

 

[epic6500sr]

I had a 345 which had the Liquid cooled engine, and the hydro tranny. I changed my oil 1ce a year, but I used Mobil 1 full synthetic, good stuff. As far as tranny, they're so durable 1ce every 750 hours is plenty sufficiant. Trust me, my 345 was used really hard, and she lasted till 1500 hours and never had a spec of problem. (I know if you look at my other posts I have had alot of lawn mowers, they come and go with good deals) Good Luck

 

[bontai_Joe]

In the old Deere 300 series GTs, they recommended a change of hydro fluid and filter every 200 hours or 2 years, whichever came first. I don't really know what the change interval is on yours, should be in the manual. As to how long the engine will last? I would think 1200-1500 hours with excellent maintenance, possibly more. As stated above, excellent maintenance means changing oil, oil filters, air filters, keeping the cooling fins clean to prevent overheating, and using good quality fluids, not the mystery crap on sale in the bargain bin of your favorite box store. I will never understand the logic of buying an expensive machine and then using dubious quality filters and oil because they are a couple of dollars cheaper than what's specified.

 

[Shaman]

Replaced a 1999 Craftsman 20.5hp auto that had the transaxle go.

Just picked up a 2003 LX277 with 249 hours.
Great lawn tractor. Wish I could have afforded a Garden Tractor, but I think I got the best of what I could afford.

 

[crbr]

Just picked up a used 2003 LX277 with 249 hours.
Replaced a 1999 Craftsman 20.5hp auto that had the transaxle go.
Great lawn tractor. Wish I could have afforded a Garden Tractor, but I think I got the best of what I could afford.

You'll get good service from the LX. Glad you are happy with it.

 

[bgi]

I got a used LX280 with 80 hrs on it a couple years ago. That makes it a little over 3 yrs old now. I love the thing. Everybody that I talk to that knows says it's a solid tractor and they just don't have problems with them. It has nearly 200 hrs on it now.

The manual specifically says that the transaxle fluid does not require changing - ever. The LX models have a much beefier transaxle than the L/LT line, so they are pretty tough. The Kawa engine is great. We used to use it constantly to haul the 10P cart around loaded heaped high with dirt - no problems.