John Deere 145 vrs Husqvarna 23-HP 48" Cut

[Gem99ultra]

>snip
As Jinman said, if possible, buy the lawn tractor from the dealer as it's the same price as Despot & Doh's (Depot & Lowe's). However as you've noted, the Deere dealers may not be carrying much in the way of lawn tractors since D & D began carrying them.<snip

I'm surprised that the dealer carries the same lawn tractor as the big box stores, and sells them for the same price. I had heard that the units sold by the dealers were of better quality than Despot & Doh's, but they carry a different model number and higher price. That's a question, not a statement.

I do have a Husky Rider 155 (15hp/42" cut) that I've mowed 3 acres/week for the last 7 years. Almost no trouble with it, and it still runs and looks like new. But I also think highly of JD and would definitely consider one next purchase. The Rider does not have the power of the lawn tractors and strains on the steep inclines. But (so far) it has gotten the job done.

Like you, I'll never buy another mower from HD nor Lowe's. Service sucks! And they 3rd party out the warranty coverage.

 

[mjncad]

I'm surprised that the dealer carries the same lawn tractor as the big box stores, and sells them for the same price. I had heard that the units sold by the dealers were of better quality than Despot & Doh's, but they carry a different model number and higher price. That's a question, not a statement.

Like you, I'll never buy another mower from HD nor Lowe's. Service sucks! And they 3rd party out the warranty coverage.

At the time (~2006) I bought my L(emon)-130, the dealer was carrying the same units as D & D. However; it looks like they are focusing more on the higher priced and more capable "X" series based on my last visit a few days back. Though they did have a couple low end D & D grade mowers on the floor.

I think dealers that have significant D & D competition nearby are dropping the entry level riding mowers because people assume the dealer will be higher in price. If I were a dealer and I wasn't selling "L" series tractors due to D & D's, then I'd not order as many if at all, unless it was a special order. Now rural dealers probably stock more of the "L" series since the nearest D & D is 50 or miles away.

A buddy of mine in the neighborhood was looking to buy a riding mower a few months before I got mine. He was ready to buy one from Despot, when I said let's go to the Deere dealer and take a look. The nearest Despot to us is in a town with an ~8% sales tax rate. The Deere dealer being an ag dealer charges only state tax of 2.9%. What my buddy saved in taxes allowed him to get the next model up, and delivered later that day all set up and ready to go.

 

[keyman1808]

I have a Husky ylt1848XP for 6 years now with not 1 problem related to quality issues (1 due to a hungry mouse and one from an old battery) but nothing that I can complain about. My neighbors have a JD L100 series and a Craftsman and both have complained numerous times about them. Both I beleive have the briggs engines which is one of thier problem areas. I opted for the Kawasaki engine when I bought. more money up front but man lots more power and no problems. I am planning on selling it this spring if I can find a reasonably priced bagger for my Kubota BX series just because its more fuel effiecent being diesel, along with only one engine to maint. Otherwise I would not have traded it for the world.