Unhappy new member

[KennyG]

Well, fja, now that everyone has beat up on you maybe we should see what we can do to help you. As noted the LA105 is a lawn mower and probably won't do much on pushing snow. However, it's no better or worse than any other riding lawn mower in the same price range. I think you will find the engine and mower deck components are standard components that everyone uses. I assume yours is off warranty. Replacement carbs are readily available for Briggs engines and not too expensive. When you say worn mower deck, I assume that would mean spindle bearings or idler pulley bearings which are about the only moving parts. These are really easy to replace but usually last quite a few years. I'm thinking this machine is old enough you should just work through and learn how to repair it or junk it and move up.

Does it make sense to make this a mower only machine (which it really is)? If your snow removal needs are limited, an 8 or 10 horse heavy duty snow blower is a lot cheaper than a tractor and will move a lot of snow in a hurry.

 

[kevin37b]

Deere should have there face slapped for even putting these L series mowers out . They proudly proclaim way above the competition . And Deere assembles them , not MTD . I have a 20 year old STX 38 with 780 HRS, on it . This was their first step into affordable LT mowers . Quantity versus quality , $$$

 

[jhonb]

Deere should have there face slapped for even putting these L series mowers out . They proudly proclaim way above the competition . And Deere assembles them , not MTD . I have a 20 year old STX 38 with 780 HRS, on it . This was their first step into affordable LT mowers . Quantity versus quality , $$$

I have a LA120 that I purchased new in 2007. 7 years later and it is still running great. Sorry to hear that others have issues, but I am a happy pup.

 

[tractorshopper]

Have not been very happy with my L118 overall, but it does still run. Paid a fair amount more for it and it's JD name than a comparable Craftsman at the time, but to be quite honest, I should have kept my old Craftsman because it was a better lawn machine in pretty much every way. The only thing that my "trading up" did for me was give me HST, but it is weak and really always has been. I'm assuming the others would have been similar with their HST trannies too. I realize that it is just a lawn mower, but the hype over the name did lead me to believe it would be better than anyone else's lawn mower. My FIL had one from the 1970's that was still running fine, so I kind of expected that kind of quality when I bought mine.

 

[beenthere]

When so many buyers are willing to buy cheap, then JD is only interested in having their market share of the cheapies. I suppose it is their way of staying in business, which they have done well at for a good many years.
I too, don't like to see the Deere name on the cheaper products, but still think of the "cheapies", that Deere holds its own. I thought it was a crying shame when the Sabre line came out. But some of them would seem to run forever. All depends on what a person is willing to invest their $$$ in at any given moment.

 

[Gittyup]

You get what you pay for. My neighbor has one of those LA1xx. It is serving him well. I think he's had it about 8 years now. He mows about 3/4 of acre and pulls light loads on a garden cart. Not a minutes trouble with it. I had to borrow it one day when my 425 went down. It cut the grass, but I hated it. Certainly not what my 425 is (and cost about 5x less too). So you get what you pay for. The OP is expecting too much out of that little mower.

 

[ccsial]

In 1969 I bought a Craftsman tractor, my first, with a mower and blade. I had envisions of using the blade to landscape around my new home. What shock when I tried to use it. Then I noticed the book said for loose materials. Should have said real loose. I thought snow was a loose material. A few inches of powdery snow was about the limit.

After a year I traded it for an Economy Power King.

I don't think they should even sell blades for lawn tractors. It gives a false impression.

 

[Markcuda]

I don't think they should even sell blades for lawn tractors. It gives a false impression.

But, look at all the gullible little souls that have keep them in business.

 

[Don H]

After a year I traded it for an Economy Power King.

Do you still have the PK?
I've owned two and they are great little tractors. Maybe a 2414 PK with a blade and mower would be what the OP needs.

 

[ccsial]

I still kick myself for selling it. I wish I could find a decent one to restore. I sold it and bought the 1910 which I still have.