John Deere JD140 Reviews
Best Tractor I Have Owned
Model Year: 1968
I purchased this 140 with a Johnson bucket loader and mower deck in 1968. I used to use it for mowing about 2 acres and would switch to the loader to do lifting when I was building a stone wall. Now I have a John Deere S240 for mowing, but I still use the 140 with the bucket for other work around the yard. Also, the only things I have ever had to replace on this 140 are filters and batteries. I keep up on maintenance and just love this tractor.
Pros: Great machine
Cons: None
Model Year: 1968
I purchased this 140 with a Johnson bucket loader and mower deck in 1968. I used to use it for mowing about 2 acres and would switch to the loader to do lifting when I was building a stone wall. Now I have a John Deere S240 for mowing, but I still use the 140 with the bucket for other work around the yard. Also, the only things I have ever had to replace on this 140 are filters and batteries. I keep up on maintenance and just love this tractor.
Pros: Great machine
Cons: None
Still a Work Horse 4+ Decades After Being Made!
Model Year: 1974
First off, let me say this is a 1974 (original) 140-H3. There are a few confused individuals that group the D140 or LA140 in with this machine. Those two are FAR inferior machines. This is the first hydrostatic lawn tractor that John Deere introduced in 1968 to handle a wide variety of tasks with numerous attachments. It is an absolute work horse. I bought mine a little under a year ago and just love it. I have used it for mowing, tilling, snow blowing, and moldboard plowing. It performs all of these very well and looks good doing it too! It is a VERY tough little machine that handles more than any 14 horsepower lawn tractor should. I have three gripes about it, but they are minor and to be expected in a tractor produced over 40 years ago. The first is that the fuel tank is under the hood, next to the battery, and small. This is remedied in later series tractors. The second is that the hood is fiberglass. I would prefer a nice steel hood, but it is more aesthetic than functional anyway. The final is that if your have a lot of forward/reverse tasks coupled with hydraulic actuation, it would be more beneficial to have foot hydro, which is also remedied with 90s and newer models.
Pros: Built very well. It was way ahead of its time compared to other machines of the era.
Cons: Fuel tank location/size, fiberglass hood is not as tough as a steel would be, and lack of foot-actuated hydro.
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Model Year: 1974
First off, let me say this is a 1974 (original) 140-H3. There are a few confused individuals that group the D140 or LA140 in with this machine. Those two are FAR inferior machines. This is the first hydrostatic lawn tractor that John Deere introduced in 1968 to handle a wide variety of tasks with numerous attachments. It is an absolute work horse. I bought mine a little under a year ago and just love it. I have used it for mowing, tilling, snow blowing, and moldboard plowing. It performs all of these very well and looks good doing it too! It is a VERY tough little machine that handles more than any 14 horsepower lawn tractor should. I have three gripes about it, but they are minor and to be expected in a tractor produced over 40 years ago. The first is that the fuel tank is under the hood, next to the battery, and small. This is remedied in later series tractors. The second is that the hood is fiberglass. I would prefer a nice steel hood, but it is more aesthetic than functional anyway. The final is that if your have a lot of forward/reverse tasks coupled with hydraulic actuation, it would be more beneficial to have foot hydro, which is also remedied with 90s and newer models.
Pros: Built very well. It was way ahead of its time compared to other machines of the era.
Cons: Fuel tank location/size, fiberglass hood is not as tough as a steel would be, and lack of foot-actuated hydro.
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Poor Hydrostatic Transmission
Model Year: 2012
Hydro-static transmission degrades quickly over time. I could mow the uphill grades when I first got the D-140 in 2012, but now it won't pull the grades. These transmissions are not built heavy enough to handle these tractors. I wasted $2000 buying this JD 140 at Lowe's.
Pros: Cuts evenly.
Cons: Can't pull grades.
Model Year: 2012
Hydro-static transmission degrades quickly over time. I could mow the uphill grades when I first got the D-140 in 2012, but now it won't pull the grades. These transmissions are not built heavy enough to handle these tractors. I wasted $2000 buying this JD 140 at Lowe's.
Pros: Cuts evenly.
Cons: Can't pull grades.
John Deere 140
Model Year: 1972
This is the best purchase I have ever made. The 140 is a tank. Last re-power I went with a 18 hp Vanguard Engine from Briggs & Stratton. This is my go-to mower. I have a compact tractor and another John Deere Garden Tractor, but I like to use the 140 the best. Excellent cut, steers like it has power steering, and with the bump from 14 to 18 hp, the mower is very powerful.
Pros: John Deere quality, parts are still available at any dealer.
Cons: Parts can be pricey.
Model Year: 1972
This is the best purchase I have ever made. The 140 is a tank. Last re-power I went with a 18 hp Vanguard Engine from Briggs & Stratton. This is my go-to mower. I have a compact tractor and another John Deere Garden Tractor, but I like to use the 140 the best. Excellent cut, steers like it has power steering, and with the bump from 14 to 18 hp, the mower is very powerful.
Pros: John Deere quality, parts are still available at any dealer.
Cons: Parts can be pricey.
PTO Shorting Out 20 Amp Fuse
Model Year: 2007
I bought a John Deere LA140 to mow about 3.5 acres. It was reliable and made a very nice cut. In 2012 things started going wrong. The front wheels are pointing out about 5 degrees a side, wearing out the steering gears. The electric clutch blew out the bearings, I understand wear but after only 250 hours. Now when the PTO is engaged it blows the 20 amp fuse, shutting down the tractor.
Pros: Very nice cut and very good on hills and rolling yards.
Cons: Once things start to go, they snowball. $2,400 for 250 hours of work.
Model Year: 2007
I bought a John Deere LA140 to mow about 3.5 acres. It was reliable and made a very nice cut. In 2012 things started going wrong. The front wheels are pointing out about 5 degrees a side, wearing out the steering gears. The electric clutch blew out the bearings, I understand wear but after only 250 hours. Now when the PTO is engaged it blows the 20 amp fuse, shutting down the tractor.
Pros: Very nice cut and very good on hills and rolling yards.
Cons: Once things start to go, they snowball. $2,400 for 250 hours of work.
John Deere 140
Model Year: 1968
I bought this from a good friend and found it to be a nice garden tractor. I am currently fixing it up for more work around the yard.
Pros: Built solid and will last if maintained.
Cons: Hard to find parts sometimes and when you do they are expensive.
Model Year: 1968
I bought this from a good friend and found it to be a nice garden tractor. I am currently fixing it up for more work around the yard.
Pros: Built solid and will last if maintained.
Cons: Hard to find parts sometimes and when you do they are expensive.
Older Tractors are Worth It
Model Year: 1974
Just bought this JD 140 from a dealer in Indiana that refurbishes them and other JD machines. As an older tractor it was built well and is not falling apart. In my opinion it still operates as new. However compared to a new tractor there are differences in it's ability to navigate a lawn as compared to a modern lawn tractor or mower. But with it's Hydro and ability to add "Real Tractor" implements it is great. Forward and reverse are controlled with a lever instead of your foot and the Hydro is better than shifting gears. As I use it more I will get used to it.
Pros: Build quality is great. Works as a farm tractor and is compact.
Cons: Cannot get parts local, but they are available. Does not have zero turn.
Model Year: 1974
Just bought this JD 140 from a dealer in Indiana that refurbishes them and other JD machines. As an older tractor it was built well and is not falling apart. In my opinion it still operates as new. However compared to a new tractor there are differences in it's ability to navigate a lawn as compared to a modern lawn tractor or mower. But with it's Hydro and ability to add "Real Tractor" implements it is great. Forward and reverse are controlled with a lever instead of your foot and the Hydro is better than shifting gears. As I use it more I will get used to it.
Pros: Build quality is great. Works as a farm tractor and is compact.
Cons: Cannot get parts local, but they are available. Does not have zero turn.
Solid tractor for home use
Model Year: 1974
I bought this tractor for home mowing in a hilly yard, as well as some hauling with a small trailer. I put a ball hitch on it. Very happy with it, this is an honest simple machine designed to last with chassis made of thick steel plates. Service and operators manual are well written and I'm confident with proper care it will last another 36 years. My model is H1, with more limited hydraulic options than the H3. Many attachments have been made for this tractor.
Pros: Good quality, rugged, and maintainable.
Cons: Due to vintage, compatible attachements may be hard to find.
Model Year: 1974
I bought this tractor for home mowing in a hilly yard, as well as some hauling with a small trailer. I put a ball hitch on it. Very happy with it, this is an honest simple machine designed to last with chassis made of thick steel plates. Service and operators manual are well written and I'm confident with proper care it will last another 36 years. My model is H1, with more limited hydraulic options than the H3. Many attachments have been made for this tractor.
Pros: Good quality, rugged, and maintainable.
Cons: Due to vintage, compatible attachements may be hard to find.
Restoration for LGT collection
Model Year: 1972
I purchased this LGT to restore for my collection. It is very heavy duty built & has a full complement of features & options. I tore it down to the individual part level and made all new or as new. I did not have any trouble finding parts for this 35 year old machine. I think that is remarkable. I plan to enjoy it for many years & plan to do a little sport plowing with it as well as light chores around the yard and displaying at shows.
Pros: Features & servicability
Cons: Higher cost, they really hold their value,
Model Year: 1972
I purchased this LGT to restore for my collection. It is very heavy duty built & has a full complement of features & options. I tore it down to the individual part level and made all new or as new. I did not have any trouble finding parts for this 35 year old machine. I think that is remarkable. I plan to enjoy it for many years & plan to do a little sport plowing with it as well as light chores around the yard and displaying at shows.
Pros: Features & servicability
Cons: Higher cost, they really hold their value,