JD quality

[rgs03833]

I was in the Big Box Stores... HD and Lowes and I saw a few JD. I LOVE JD's but dam.... they are making it cheaper and cheaper . I was Shaking all of them as a Shake test, lol... It was crazy, they Shakes like Crazy...

The only one that I think it good is Husqvarna. Looked well made, although I haven't tried it. But looks better than other brands...

If I were you, I would spend two hours looking at all the nooks and crannies before I'd buy it. But I like the Husqvarna model :thumbsup:

Good luck with your search!

 

[mjm1]

Go to your John Deere dealer. He is the most knowledgable and will steer you in the right direction once he determines your needs. After the sale he will support your product for as long as you own it. He is running a small business and employing local professionals. He will probably come in after hours or on a Sunday if you need a part.
Deere makes the best garden tractors once you get to the X300 and up series. Anything less from any manufacturer is a waste of money.
I am not affiliated or receive compensation from Deere, just my two cents.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Last fall I upgraded my 2520 which had been serving as my lawn tractor to a 3320 cab so I needed a garden class tractor to cut the 2 acres around the house. I could have used the 3320 but with all the plantings we have, it would have been a nightmare getting that large of a tractor around them. So, I started searching for a garden tractor. We live on a mountain, my lawn is brutal on lawn equipment transmissions because of the slopes. The Compact utility tractors have no issues whatsoever with it but lawn tractors are a different story, the hydro on the cheap stuff are lucky if they last 2 seasons.

Last summer I looked at Simplicity, Husky, Cub and Deere.

The Simplicity dealer said that the Conquest should be the minimum I should look at because of the slopes and he was pushing the Legacy but 10K is a bit much.

The Husky dealer said they wouldn't sell me a tractor as the drive system on either the regular or high speed models wouldn't last on my property.

The Cub 2000 series was nice but expensive and the dealer wouldn't budge off of list, I didn't want to deal with that.

The Deere dealer said I should look at the x500 or even the x700 series because of the slopes. More than I wanted to spend.

I ended up finding a 1988 318 Deere locally, The Onan runs like new and that bulletproof hydrostat will tow a large trailer full of cordwood around like nothing. I asked the Deere dealer what the 318's were like and he said they are the same level as the X700 series.

The point I'm trying to make here is if you really talk to the dealers, be honest with your needs, they will give you good advice. If you want a garden tractor but only have the budget for a lawn tractor, look used and you may find a good deal.

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[sriddle1ny]

TOMD999,

I'm with you, in 2002 I purchased a used (1993) JD425 with 895 hours. Since that time I've probably spent $1,300 on various parts and it runs great. The hydraulic deck lift is a great feature as compared to cheap manual types. I keep up with all the maintenance myself & 've been running Mobil 1 in it since that original purchase. The older models can be purchased at a good price and JD keeps parts for those older models available. JD's "after purchase" Support Services with its on-line Parts Catalog is great for anyone considering a new/used model.

Tom, On another subject you had me going for a moment. My wife and I purchased 14 acres in NH last summer. I had to look-up where "Manchvagas" was only to find it's slang for Manchester..... another tid-bit only learned on TractorByNet...........

 

[rubadub]

I have 3 John Deere garden tractors, a 111 I bought about 4 years ago, and really like it a lot, it doesn't have a mower deck just hauls a cart and gathers leaves and what not.

I have LT155 that I bought new 11 or 12 years ago, it has a 38'' mower deck and it has never had to be worked on or fixed, just oil and filter and grease, even has the original belt on it, but I don't mulch with it. I really like that one also.

The 3rd one I have is a X728, it only has 18 hours on it, because I don't cut the grass with it, just snow blow and till a pretty large garden.

The X728 has not been used much so I can't give an assessment of how it will last.

But I would like to like to say a few things.

Please understand up front I'm not trying to say I'm the last word on these tractors, because theres a whole lot more of you tractor guys that have forgot more then I'll ever know.

I'm just going to give you some background on me.

I'm 70 years old and still able to still take nourishment and get around and do some things around the house and back yard.

I was a real tool and die maker for a few years, did some welding and fabricating, retired out of a Nuclear power plant.

For the most part I would call my self a laborer/ whatever came along I could make a buck at I would work at it.

I was barely able to hold a C average through high school and have been a slow learner but I have the ability to retain quite a few things.

Throughout my years I built a couple of garages around 30' x 50' and I made one of them into my hobby shop, and still use it yet today.

My son moved up here a few years ago and him and I fixed some cars and pickups and what not for extra cash so I accumulated a bunch of tools.

I like to fabricate things in my shop and have the ability to do the mechanical and body end of a lot of projects.

Heres a website my wife of 50 years made for me that shows some of the stuff I putz around with. Just click on this.

CHEVELLE

Now to the point of JD quality.

I'm pretty impressed with the old 111 and LT155 I have, but the X728 is a whole nother story.

I have been under it several times looking it over, and kind of all over it , just kind of looking at how its made. I have had a few new cars and appliances in my life time but never anything like this X728, its a little tractor as tractors go but its very powerfull and starts instantly and will till virgin sod in one pass.

When I'm under this tractor it reminds me of the days as a tool maker when I had a micrometer in my hand a lot, I feel like this tractor, its hard to explain, like every part on it was well engineered and held to some good tolerances, as well as the paint work is really nice.

The four wheel drive in this little bugger just goes through the snow and dirt like it isn't even there.

My wife and I each had a mini stroke about 4 years ago and I was using a walk behind blower and it was beating me up, after a stroke a man doesn't have the energy he used to, I would get tired pretty easy.

So after the last snow storm was cleaned up, I walked into the living room and said Shari, were getting a bigger garden tractor or were leaving.

Thats when the decision was made to get the X728.

Folks, that was one of most intelligent decisions I have made in my 70 years of being here, and that was a ton of money for us.

We love this little tractor, and I really should put this on paper, you working guys at John Deere, I'm talking the guys that run it, the engineeres that designed it, and you guys that do the work on the line, down to ones that sweep the floors, you people pulled out all the stops on this beautifull machine. Yessir we still have some people in this country that can get it done and get it done right, I'm truly impressed with the workmanship on this little bugger, its an outstanding machine.

Rob Milks.

 

[jimbo64]

I'm shopping for a garden tractor and considered JD for it's rep. But I've been reading some negative things about JD, particularly the 100 series. Now I'm a little nervous about buying JD. How does Husqvarna, Kubota, Simplicity etc compare to JD?

i know a guy who has a gt245-he bought it new in 2002 -has about 700 hrs and he says all he's ever changed are the belts one time- i know he cuts his yard and 4 acres of fields with it plus he's always hauling something- has a 7 cu ft wagon with a 55 gal drum mounted on it that he pulls around watering trees-this thing is used a lot and never been back to the dealer- he is a stickler for maint though- does it on time every time=rugged little toy- so go see your dealer not your box store----he'll help you

 

[buickanddeere]

My boys both have 110 Deeres that are older than thier Mother. Tractors work just fine.