John Deere 170

[RichZ]

Does anyone know what horsepower and vintage a John Deere 170 riding lawn mower is? Also does anyone know anything about their dependability?

Thanks!!

 

[s1120]

I have never heard of a 170 Rich, and I can't find any info on one. Are you sure on the number? I know there were a model 70, and a 120. Anymore info on the tractor, that may be helpfull to us?

 

[s1120]

Opps, sorry Rich. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I spoke to soon.

I assume you are talking about a LX170. I was only thinking of the older stuff, guess that shows where my head is.

The LX170 has a 16hp motor in it. Hope this helps.

 

[RichZ]

Paul, this should be an older mower. Here's the story...

We have an old JD 111 riding mower. Nice little mower that my wife uses for mowing trim that I can't reach with my Fergie and my rear finish mower. The only problem is, periodically, my wife uses it as a brush hog. A couple of weeks ago, I was brush hogging our horse pasture. My wife said she'd mow close to the fences with the little JD 111. I told her OK, but to stay on level ground. Next thing I knew, as I was brush hogging, I saw her heading down to our creek on the mower. She thought she could get closer to the creek with the little mower than my tractor. And she did. The only problem is, there are several steep drops to the creek she ran over, and she kept bottoming out the mower deck. By the time she saw me off my Fergie, jumping up and down, telling her to come back slowly, there were sparks flying from under the mower deck. She had bottomed it out so many times, she broke the supports that hold the deck to the mower. And I had just had them welded from the last time she did that. I don't think it can be welded anymore. So I need a new riding mower.

I really liked that little JD 111. It ran great and held up to a lot of my wife's abuse!! Now she's promised not to do that again, but I still won't pay more than $500 for a riding mower, because I figure that eventually she'll forget and do it again someplace on our farm.

So... I saw an ad in the Want Ad Digest for a John Deere 170 riding lawn mower for $650, and I figure they might go down to $500 if I like it. But first I wanna know how old it is and the horsepower. I don't think it could possibly be an LX 170 for that kind of money!! It's gotta be an old mower. I'd like something bigger and more powerful than the little JD 111. But that little JD was rugged, so I wouldn't mind getting another old JD.

 

[s1120]

The 111's were a good mower. Along the same lines of the old 110's and 112's, just a little lighter. Now I don't know of a 170 from that time, but there were a lot of others outthere that would fill the bill. The old 210,212, and 214's were real nice, just like the old 110/112's. Also there were the 316, and 318's. They are tanks, but a bit over your budjet. Now anythought of going non JD? I have had REAL good luck with my Case/Ingersoll tractors, and I beat the tar out of them.

 

[RichZ]

Oh, I definitely am not committed to JD, I just saw a reasonably priced JD in the Want Ad Digest. I was looking for any well built lawn or garden tractor. Case/Ingersol is definitely one that I would look at, based on your experiences, but I haven't seen any ads for them. I'd consider any rugged mower, especially ones made by tractor companies, like Cub Cadets, JD, Case, Ford, etc.

On another forum, someone told me the 170 is from the late 80's and has a 14 hp Kawasaki engine, and is very dependable. I was hoping to find something with more hp, but I may check out this JD if it's still available. I'm still looking, if you know of anything.

 

[professor]

If I remember correctly the 170 came out in 1988. It had a 14 hp Kawasaki engine. This series of lawn tractors gave great service. I had a 165 and used it for 10 years to cut 3 acres. My two neighbors bought 170s and used them for years. If this tractor is in good condition it still has many years of service. I feel that the Kawasaki is one of the best engines built.

 

[s1120]

Don't worry about a 14hp motor. It would be more then enough motor for your use. The new mowers with there 20-25 hp are realy overkill for mowing. My Ingersoll's are only 14hp, and I use them hard, and they never give me a problem. I will keep an eye open for you. I come across some once in a wile.

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Paul!! Please keep me posted on anything you see.

Another reason I wanted more HP, is that I thought most companies tended to make the tractors bigger the more hp it had. I thought a larger engine might mean a bigger tractor that will stand up to more abuse.

 

[rancar]

<font color="blue">I really liked that little JD 111. It ran great...I'd like something bigger and more powerful than the little JD 111. But that little JD was rugged, </font>

Hi Rich,

I wish I still had by JD 111. But I sold it last year. I bought my JD 425 in 1995 and hadn't been using the 111 except for a few hours each summer to cut high brush. That 111 cut the tall weeds and brush much better than my 425. I agree it was a tough little bugger. However, those welds that held the support brackets to the mower deck were problematic. I too broke one of mine and I couldn't think what I did wrong for it to happen. It just happened and I had to take the deck over to Allen Farm Equip. to get the bracket re-welded. Didn't have any other problems after that but I was always a bit hesitant when running the deck in the lowered position (at 2.5 inches or lower) over rough ground. Snagging one of those mower deck wheels on a rock or small stump could put excess strain on the support bracket welds thus braking them. Maybe, this is what happened in my case.

...Bob

 

[RichZ]

Yep, Bob, those welds are it's Achilles heel. The last time I had them re-welded, it would only go all the way up or in the 2.5 inch position. Now, if I have it re-welded, who knows. And I don't want to put any more money in the poor little thing. My wife says she'll just use it to tow her little cart when she's doing landscape work. So the tough little bugger will be semi-retired.

Now I just have to find something CHEAP to replace it with!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[chrisroma716]

i have a 170 deere great tractor. only fault i see is the ignitor goes every couple years.does great on hills and inclines . has a 38 inch deck and a fc420v kawasaki engine.exspecialy 80s stuff was the best and ran for ever.check the main drive belt deck spindles and pullys.if the engine is running a little out of adjustment and it seems to that the govoner is your problem.or running fine and just dying .theproblem is the stupid ignitor.before thismodel i had a 160 another great deere butonly 12 hp .still runs strong to this day.
the drive system slips a little in first and second with all 160 thru 180 models with out hydro.and the drive belt is a bad nightmare to replace otherwise i love my deere just dosnt do good in snow with out chains.
a neighbor had purchased a 300x seires deere with bagger 3600 dollars and my little 170 will out pull and power it .300x had a 17 hp kaw and my littler 14 will cut grass and weeds 2 feet tall and only bog down to a certain point i have never stalled it out in to deep of grass and use my tractor all four seasons. parts are cheap.and if it was taken care of it will last for ever with proper maintence. also dont let body rust fool you every rusted 160 plus series ive seen has been solid but nneded paint.attachments include snow blower ,plow,bagger,and they will except a sears manual 3 point hitch

 

[Flecato]

RichZ I have a lawn more deck that works great for your JD111 if you are interested let me know my e-mail address is franklecato@yahoo.com. I am only asking $50- $75. for it because I only use my JD for snow plowing my drive and sidewalks. You would have to pay the shipping though

 

[Flecato]

:thumbsup:

RichZ I have a lawn more deck that works great for your JD111 if you are interested let me know my e-mail address is franklecato@yahoo.com. I am only asking $50- $75. for it because I only use my JD for snow plowing my drive and sidewalks. You would have to pay the shipping though

 

[markrogers]

I really like my 170. It is a 1984 model with the fc420v engine. It's been Quite reliable considering I saw it on the side of the road and picked it up for $400. It doesn't have brakes at the moment, which makes the hills a bit scary, but it will mow my 1/3 acre a 2-3 times before needing a fill up. I just replaced the tensioner on the 38" deck. (It had been causing flame out on my belts) I found a few other minor parts that needed to be replaced too, but now the deck is in good shape. Just recently it started running rough. I determined it to be the carburetor. The needle no longer adjusts the fuel/air mix. As a result of the poor fuel/air mix, it has backfired a few times. The last one blew a hole in the rusted out muffler baffle. Oops!

Now it's a bit loud, but a new muffler is on the way. If anyone knows where I can buy a new carburetor or the parts to rebuild one in the Puget Sound Region, let me know.

Every thing else is in good shape even the paint looks good.:thumbsup:

I've been running it for a couple of years now. I love my Deere!

 

[landescruiser]

hello,

I am in france near Bordeaux..:thumbsup:!
I bought my 170 in 1989! And it's a very good machine, no problems with it.
Always in work!

Sorry for language..

Bye

Philippe

 

[joesmania]

I was researching my 170 and found the info at the site below. It is either an 89 or a 90 depending on your serial #. If the last 6 digits in the serial # is between 595001 & 750000, it is an '89. If between 010001 & 100000, it is a 90.
The engines are 14 H.P. Kawasaki 422cc, one cylinder. The 170 wieghs in at 570 Lbs.
We have had ours for 21 years and she is still serving us well on our 7 acres. We use it for all kings of jobs (brush hogging, hauling/pulling logs, etc.) as well as mowing. I doubt any newer lawn tractor would have the durability that the older ones have. We do regular maintenance, clean her down after a hard ride, and she is garage kept.

TractorData.com John Deere 170 tractor information

 

[snowalk]

I have a 170. I think it's an 18 Hp. I think it was built in 1980.

 

[AndyJD170]

New here need some help?

I have a JD 170 w/ the FC420 motor......Blew-it up plowing the driveway this winter...Have not had a chance to tear it down, but was wondering with replacement parts/engins few and far between....IS there another engine that can dropped in and hooked-up?

Thanks:drink:

 

[JD170]

i have a 170 deere great tractor. only fault i see is the ignitor goes every couple years.does great on hills and inclines . has a 38 inch deck and a fc420v kawasaki engine.exspecialy 80s stuff was the best and ran for ever.check the main drive belt deck spindles and pullys.if the engine is running a little out of adjustment and it seems to that the govoner is your problem.or running fine and just dying .theproblem is the stupid ignitor.before thismodel i had a 160 another great deere butonly 12 hp .still runs strong to this day.
the drive system slips a little in first and second with all 160 thru 180 models with out hydro.and the drive belt is a bad nightmare to replace otherwise i love my deere just dosnt do good in snow with out chains.
a neighbor had purchased a 300x seires deere with bagger 3600 dollars and my little 170 will out pull and power it .300x had a 17 hp kaw and my littler 14 will cut grass and weeds 2 feet tall and only bog down to a certain point i have never stalled it out in to deep of grass and use my tractor all four seasons. parts are cheap.and if it was taken care of it will last for ever with proper maintence. also dont let body rust fool you every rusted 160 plus series ive seen has been solid but nneded paint.attachments include snow blower ,plow,bagger,and they will except a sears manual 3 point hitch

i have a 170 deere great tractor. only fault i see is the ignitor goes every couple years.does great on hills and inclines . has a 38 inch deck and a fc420v kawasaki engine.exspecialy 80s stuff was the best and ran for ever.check the main drive belt deck spindles and pullys.if the engine is running a little out of adjustment and it seems to that the govoner is your problem.or running fine and just dying .theproblem is the stupid ignitor.before thismodel i had a 160 another great deere butonly 12 hp .still runs strong to this day.
the drive system slips a little in first and second with all 160 thru 180 models with out hydro.and the drive belt is a bad nightmare to replace otherwise i love my deere just dosnt do good in snow with out chains.
a neighbor had purchased a 300x seires deere with bagger 3600 dollars and my little 170 will out pull and power it .300x had a 17 hp kaw and my littler 14 will cut grass and weeds 2 feet tall and only bog down to a certain point i have never stalled it out in to deep of grass and use my tractor all four seasons. parts are cheap.and if it was taken care of it will last for ever with proper maintence. also dont let body rust fool you every rusted 160 plus series ive seen has been solid but nneded paint.attachments include snow blower ,plow,bagger,and they will except a sears manual 3 point hitch

Hello, I am having one heck of a time getting the mower deck drive belt back on. Should the tension arm attached to the deck pulleys move some to accommodate putting on the belt? I got it to move some with a hammer! It has a ball bearing as part of its assembly so I though it should rotate some. How did you solve the nightmare? I am not a young man any more, maybe just not strong enough. Thanks!