john deer LT 118 series

[Charlie_in_TX]

I think saying the JD100s suck is a little over the top. They may have some minor issues but anything inder $2k will. Now if you say Murry sucks, ok. Anything that is built for and sold at the box store will have design compromises.

I replaced my 4yr old 22hp Koyler Yardman (MTD) this year. I started off at the JD dealer. The best thing I saw (for me) was the 345. Talk about sticker shock. Then I looked at a 200 series (I think 275), while it was a fine machine it was a noticable step down from the 345 and couldn't make myself buy it. I did some research and desided on either a 318, 322, 332 or something from the 400 series. These are no compromise machines. I ended up getting a 318 for under the $2k you listed. It had 880 hours on it and 20yrs old. I have every reason to believe it will last me longer than a new box store unit.

I have heard a hypothosis that in my observations appear true. The closer a mechanical device is used to its design limit the shorter its life span. So if you mow an acre per hour with a mower designed for 1 acre per hour, it will wear out fast. If you mow an acre per hour with a mower designed for 2 per hour, you will never wear it out.

I have heard mower discribed by the number of hours per week they were designed to be operated. The cheapest box store MTDs and Murrys are 1hour units. Use them 1 hour a week and they will wear out. The box store JDs and Cubs are 5 hour units. Use them for 5 hours a week and they will wear out. The JD 200s are 20 hour per week units. The 300s and 400s are 40+ hour units.

Buy cheap junk if you want. Just plan on replacing it often.

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Slammer,

After reading all of this about mowers and brands and prices, I have decided ole' boy that I am goin' to buy one of two things:

1. A goat and fence in the property!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
OR,
2. If the goat gets stubbern and don't want to eat, I'll get a spray bottle and a hell of a lot of ROUND-UP!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Travis R
)</font>

Travis, it's a tough choice. I believe your best bet is a quality used mower but the goats don't sound half bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Slam

 

[KubotaBling]

The L100 series is made at same plant they make G line and all the baggers and push mowers.. and the spindle issue we haven't heard of at the plant/engineering. The only real issue has been supplier part failure as in engines major problem and seat issue which all were picked up and fixed at warehouse.

 

[yellowsocks93]

Are they made in Horicon, Wisconsin like the other JD mowers like the LX, GT series are. I have forgotten.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

We sell the Cub Cadet LT's and they have not been horrible, all 3 under 2k. The Kubota T1570 is $2600 and IMO probably one of the only companies making an actual quality small lawn tractor.

 

[stuart]

Travis: hate to rain on anyone's parade but I bought the L120 and got rid of a 12 year old MTD that I paid less than a thousand dollars for. The Deere does a great job and I have experienced no problems with it at this point. I love the fact that it is comfortable to operate, cuts in reverse, has a 46 inch cut and while it has a 20 hp motor (more than a lawnmower needs to cut grass) seems to be pretty good on gas. I cut 3 acres with it in a little over an hour. I spent 2200$ on it and am very satisfied though at first I was put off by the fact that it seemed slow. I have gotten used to the speed and like the fact that it is a bit slower then the MTD was. It certainly does a nice job on my lawn.

 

[Dutch445]

Actually,
the L100-L130 tractors are built in Greenville TN. The rest of the lawn equipment is built in the Horicon plant. There is a different factory for Turf equipment also, in Raleigh NC.

Surprisingly, the response from Stuart is very common among L-Series owners. They are easy to use, do a great job of mowing, and didn't cost an arm and leg to buy. Looking back, the Sabre's really haven't been too bad as far as durability. A lot has to do with the type of usage and care the machine is given.

 

[SteveH_CT]

I'm glad you posted that about reliability - I've read many tests over the years in Consumer Reports and the Deere(s) are always rated as reliable - even their less expensive models. I think a lot of the less expensive equipment (all brands) will work as long as it's maintained and used within it's design specs.

 

[DAP]

More crap that sucks unfortunately.

 

[Loudoun]

Maybe this will help in choosing a 100 series or not. I read Consumer Report's endorsement last year of the L series and I went to my Deere dealer to get the larger L130. I've got several acres and needed a beast. They sent me to Home Depot because they didn't have any. I got it. From the start it has smoked terribly, a problem with the overhead valves seating. Deere's response a year later? Too bad, it will fix itself. It hasn't. Also, my meter is screwed up, adding hours all the time. And, no, I didn't keep the key in the on position so it would tick off hours. And just this week, less than one year into my ownership of the L130, the transmission fan somehow engaged the drive belt, shredding the fan and pushing the belt off. I talk to two local dealers and they have this to say: The machine is junk, the 100s are junk and Deere is just scaring away potential buyers. I tried to trade in my $2,400 machine and Deere offers $1,000. That's probably not bad, considering. My Kubota dealer won't even take it on a trade for a zero turn. He says that since Deere went the Home Depot route, quality has dropped and people know it. He added that when his dealership used to get a Deere trade in, it wouldn't last a week on the lot. Now, he's got a fleet of them. And you should see the repair lot at the local Deere sellers. For comparision, I've got a 10-year-old Craftsman and it still works fine. Live and learn and if you can learn from other's mistakes, so much the better.