Looking for a JD to replace my Craftsman

[Menagerie-Manor]

Shopping around locally for a used JD probably in the 100 series to cut about a 1/2 acre and other minor activities related to lawn and garden. I have a full grown tractor for all the heavy work. So it comes down to the choice of engines (42" or 48" not a concern) Briggs or Kawasaki and not being a big Briggs fan is there anything that should be avoided.

 

[beenthere]

Go for a JD 455, or 425. Older, but solid tractors. IMO better than the X series mower decks. Like the 54" but some can be found with the 48" deck.
Good buy in the midwest for a 700 - 1000 hour 425 is around $3500. The diesel 455 another $1500 but well worth it IMO.
Overkill for 1/2 acre, but will treat you well for years to come.. again just my opinion.

 

[Wagtail]

Mate, I've had a JD D110 (with the B&S engine) for the past 8+ years. I bought it new from my JD Dealership and have close to 300 hours on it, maintaining 6 acres. No problems whatsoever.

I've replaced the OEM blades (after 4 years) with predator blades... the OEM blades were wore-out by 'establishing' (finding things) the paddocks. Last year I needed to replace the mower belt, so, 7 years of use on that.

FYI.

 

[dadohead]

You're focusing on the wrong end of the tractor IMHO. The transmission is the weak link in any lawn tractor. Deere tractors have 3 levels of transaxles: K46, K58, K72. All are made by Tuff Torq in Tennessee. Because the tractors all look similar in size, buyers tend to overlook the transaxle.

The K46 is a non-rebuildable, non-serviceable, sealed for life (can't change oil) lawn tractor tranny (think L series and X300/X350). It has a 3/4" axle, no charge pump, and is designed for no bigger than 20" tire (some tractor brands mate the K46 with way too big of tire). Tractor weight, tire size, and usage determines its life. If you're an average size guy, have no hills, and don't pull anything heavy... you'll get about 350 hrs of trouble free service (35 hrs / year for 10 years is the design life). Your mileage may vary.

The k58 is serviceable and is a decent step up. It has a 1" axle and a charge pump so is commonly mated to 22" tires. The unit is designed to change trans oil (some here have figured out how to service k46 though).... huge dealy if you want the unit to last. Deere X380 has a K58. If you plan to pull anything, mow on hills, or just a big guy... I wouldn't go under a K58.

Deere puts the K72 into all of the X5 series tractors... a garden tractor actually. The K72 is a beast: 1" axle, charge pump, diff-lock, and completely rebuildable. You can pull a plow with these things and put on high hours... just need to change the trans oil. The weakness in these is the input sheave/shaft joint... they will 'fret' and strip the input sheave splines @ 350 hrs if not taken apart, cleaned, and greased every 100-200 hrs.

I have hills and mow with an older GX335 because of the K71 transaxle. They are beasts! Just change the transaxle oil and grease the input sheave splines every 200 hrs and she'll out-live you. Hope this helps!

 

[4570Man]

I’d get a ZT but if you’re set on a rider a 100 series wouldn’t be my pick. A 455 can be picked up for an affordable price and they’re way more durable.

 

[Wagtail]

Look, I fully understand the transmission argument/debate. Indeed, I agree to the transmission argument for a robust usage of a lawn tractor. The OP can certainly take that advice 'on board'.

However, the OP has stated that it's for a flat 1/2 acer and for 'minor activities'. A JD 100 series is adequate for that.

 

[dadohead]

the OP has stated that it's for a flat 1/2 acer and for 'minor activities'. A JD 100 series is adequate for that

Agreed... for ~350 hours.

 

[arto98607]

My 1977 JD 300 came with the house back in 1992 and we are still using it regularly.

With proper basic maintenance it will probably outlive me and my kids will inherit it!

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

Look, I fully understand the transmission argument/debate. Indeed, I agree to the transmission argument for a robust usage of a lawn tractor. The OP can certainly take that advice 'on board'.

However, the OP has stated that it's for a flat 1/2 acer and for 'minor activities'. A JD 100 series is adequate for that.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[dadohead]

Sorry but your 1977 JD 300 shouldn't be put in the same sentence with a newer 100 series with K46 transaxle (L, X300, or X350). The old Sundstrand transaxle and horizontal shaft drive has a design life WAY beyond 350 hrs.

To the OP's question of engine choice... it doesn't matter. Any engine you pick will wear out three K46 transaxles before dying.

I'm a retired JD L&G engineer. Inside Deere MANY of us have the same machine: 2000-2005ish 325, 345, GX325, GX335, or GX345. Why? Because they are the pinnacle mowing tractor for 1/2-2 acre yards. There are other great tractors made before as well but the decks?... not so much. All have K71 transaxles (the GX tractors have diff-lock), really good mower decks, are smaller statured, and still have all the premium do-dads that make mower (and attachments) easy to remove. Most guys have the GX345 (KHI liquid cooled) variant because there are more of them out there. I prefer the GX335 because the Kawasaki big block air cooled engine is bullet proof... there is just rarely any warranty issues with them (that's why they're still in the JD lineup and the liquid cooled is not!)

The new JD X5's w/ K72 are great tractors. The new decks are AWESOME.... just $$$ My GX/48C was $2500 3 years ago with 200 hrs. I'd look there. Hope this helps!

 

[Citydude]

I mowed my 1/2 acre with a Jd LA125 and sold it with 280 hours on it. Never had an issue with it.

I bought a zero turn on an impulse buy so had to sell the 125. Lol

 

[Doughknob]

U must b an old fart not being a Briggs fan. The newer B&S ( last 20-25 years). Are great engines. I had a GT325 with a B&S twin that never gave me a problem. The bigger deeres are all good machines. But i do agree my current X500 deck is not as good as what was on the GT325.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

Sorry but your 1977 JD 300 shouldn't be put in the same sentence with a newer 100 series with K46 transaxle (L, X300, or X350). The old Sundstrand transaxle and horizontal shaft drive has a design life WAY beyond 350 hrs.

To the OP's question of engine choice... it doesn't matter. Any engine you pick will wear out three K46 transaxles before dying.

I'm a retired JD L&G engineer. Inside Deere MANY of us have the same machine: 2000-2005ish 325, 345, GX325, GX335, or GX345. Why? Because they are the pinnacle mowing tractor for 1/2-2 acre yards. There are other great tractors made before as well but the decks?... not so much. All have K71 transaxles (the GX tractors have diff-lock), really good mower decks, are smaller statured, and still have all the premium do-dads that make mower (and attachments) easy to remove. Most guys have the GX345 (KHI liquid cooled) variant because there are more of them out there. I prefer the GX335 because the Kawasaki big block air cooled engine is bullet proof... there is just rarely any warranty issues with them (that's why they're still in the JD lineup and the liquid cooled is not!)

The new JD X5's w/ K72 are great tractors. The new decks are AWESOME.... just $$$ My GX/48C was $2500 3 years ago with 200 hrs. I'd look there. Hope this helps!

Helps a lot, great info and sets me in the right direction. Was definitely leaning towards the Kawasaki.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

U must b an old fart not being a Briggs fan. The newer B&S ( last 20-25 years). Are great engines. I had a GT325 with a B&S twin that never gave me a problem. The bigger deeres are all good machines. But i do agree my current X500 deck is not as good as what was on the GT325.

I grew up and cut my teeth on Briggs back in the 60's, but had a 5hp power washer and a 5hp gen set self destruct about 15+ years ago. Bought a new 5hp Honda power washer in 03 that I still use regularly and the 11hp honda genset ran nonstop for almost 3 weeks without missing a beat during Hurricane Sandy. Moved from the east to west coast just 5 years ago and the Honda mower was in storage until last august, pulled the plug and gave the cylinder a shot of oil, added fresh gas and the dam thing started on the second pull. Hard to argue good performance.

 

[TractorGuy]

The main thing I will add to the conversation is to beware of the deep 54 inch decks. I was given one that I adapted to my F725 and cut quality is crap. I have set tire pressure and blade levels to the book and for some unknown reason it leaves an uncut strip. To get a clean cut I have to straddle my path and remow every other pass.

I picked up a Husqvarna Gt26/54 a few years back with a dead K46. I swapped a K46 from a lawn tractor that had a dead engine and worn out everything else. Somehow that K46 was still good and my daughter has abused the GT for several years. THAT 54 inch deck cuts clean as a whistle. The 26 HP B&S is strong as an ox. Her husband recently stuck their golf cart in the pond. She tied on to it with the Husky and pulled it out.

As far as engines go I have never had any problems with Briggs. I ran my first Craftsman lawn tractor for 21 years and the B&S engine was still good when I retired it.

I like the water cooled Kawasaki too.

Stay away from the Kohler Courage POS.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

Came across what appears to be a lightly used JD LX172 with the 14HP Kawasaki and a manual trans (my preference) for $650 any thoughts. Looks like a grandson cleaning out grandpa's stuff.

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[tomplum]

If it looks nice, it probably is. The majority I see have broken hoods anymore. If the trans shifts easy enough, that is a yes. Binds no. For this tractor, watch the front axle for wear. If it sits funny, or you can twist the axle back and forth, it is worn and a costly fix. Other than that if the deck runs quiet and isn't rusted, I'd go for it.