John Deere LA115 Reviews

Solid investment
Model Year: 2008

For 14 years, with regular maintenance, the only repair was replacing one spindle. At the end of the 15th season, the deck gave out at the thin metal piece below the discharge, where the chute mounts and applies stress. $700, delivered, for a complete deck - 15 minute swap - and it’s like new. Maintenance as factory specified, and deck removed every 2nd winter to scrape/prime/paint, along with the body. Rustoleum makes Deere green and yellow sprays.

Pros: Durability, cut quality
Cons: I also had problems with the chute plugging until I replaced the blades. No problems now for 13 years.

Grass Chute Plugging Problem Solved
Model Year: 2010

Bought it used in December 2013, so reviewing it now won't be too meaningful. Everything works fine, except the grass chute would very often plug. Replaced the blades with high lift cutting blades and the chute plugging problem was solved.

Pros: Seems very reliable and easy to use.
Cons: Grass chute plugged very often until high lift blades installed.

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Broken Deck Issue
Model Year: 2010

I've had this LA 115 for four years. Overall, it is excellent mower for our 2 acre, mostly flat, lot. I have bagger for fall leaf pickup and have replaced blades each year. I do own maintenance since I enjoy it and it is 10 miles to closest JD dealer. It has been very reliable. At 190 hours though, the mower deck where the right side spindle goes through, broke. I was surprised how thin the deck was there but it cracked and pieces fell out. Being thin, it could not be repaired by welding. A new deck cost ~$650 but included all components. Just remove old one and slide out, slide in and re-install hangers.

Pros: Good value for price.
Cons: Thin metal on mower deck.

A Great Tool
Model Year: 2011

After reading the different reviews, I have to agree with all that the LA115 is a fine tool. Mr. Roberts mentioned a problem with getting off the unit for gates etc. Unless you disconnected it, when you engage the parking brake, the engine should stay running as long as the PTO isn't engaged. I like the idea of painting with a rust proofing under the deck. And I also agree that the mulching isn't too good unless you slow way down. All in all, great comfortable unit. You know, I believe the units need to have the mulcher included when you purchase a mower/mulcher. Just sayin'.

Pros: Comfortable, power is good.
Cons: A little slow if not mowing and mulch issues.

Review of My LA Automatic 115!
Model Year: 2006

Aloha you all! And a Happy New Year! Well this is my second John Deere lawnmower. My first one was a stx38. Great machine. Had it for 13 years until the deck handle broke from rust, so I gave it to my friend and he just welded it and it is still working hard at a farm. Well I bought my a115 from Lowes in 2006. It has only had 1 problem. It was with the idler pulley that broke due to it being plastic. It only cost me $12.00 to fix, praise the Lord. Other than that, I keep the battery charged with a battery trickle charger sometimes. Only 74 hours on it. I keep it covered up in my garage. Looks and runs brand new. I also bought new blades after sharpening the old ones myself for six years. I would advise anyone that is buy a new mower to paint under the deck with rust proofing paint. That will help very much if you wash your mower with water after use. I blow my mower off with air so that nothing gets wet. John Deere service over the last 13 years, was not to good due to there location. I hope that I never have to take my mower in. I do all my service myself. If you take care of your mower it will take care of you. Just keep the battery charged up. That is the main complaint that I read. Change the oil and the filter, it is so easy to do. Grease all your fittings also. Well that is all from Hawaii. We can mow all year long. God bless you all! kalaukia37!

Pros: Good looking!
Cons: None!

Quality by Deere
Model Year: 2008

This is a great performing tractor and fairly priced. I've had no problems with it. The only complaint I have is that in the mulching mode it leaves clumps of grass in the lawn, which I later have to pick up with my "lawn-sweeper" attachment. It has a water-hose deck clean out nossle, which I don't think works that well. The engine and transmission is very smooth. At 19-1/2 HP I have all the power I need and then some. With the 42" deck I can get my lawn cut in about 45 minutes (1/2 acre).

Pros: Quaulity built.
Cons: Not a good mulcher.

Great Little Machine
Model Year: 2009

I have had the mower a little over a year and she has performed well until a month ago. Now I have mis-firing when the engine warms up. I am in the midst of researching what to do to get it back to its usual operating mode. It has some safety features that I could do without even though I understand why they are there. For instance, I would like to get off the mower without the engine stopping. This happens even when the blade is NOT engaged. Since I pull a little garden cart around behind the tractor, this means I have to start the tractor every time I stop to put something in or out of the cart. I have another problem with the grass discharge chute becoming clogged when the grass is a little wet. Since I live in a high humidity area, this is a recurring problem. Overall, I have been very pleased up until the mis-firing began last month. Our mower repair shops are full up and the waiting time for a repair is awesome. That's why I'm trying to fix it myself.

Pros: Starts up quickly.
Cons: Stops when I get off. Discharge chute clogs.

What else can I do?
Model Year: 2010

I have been a huge fan of the Green & Yellow since my father took me to my first tractor show. Well, I currently do not own a multi acre farm, but I do have an acre and a half of highly landscaped property. I currently have the LA115 with the Y10 poly-cart and wish list full of attachments. The mowing performance is top notch. Nice, smooth even cut at any speed on any terrain. I personally have mowed up steep hills and have also towed 300lbs.up the same hill. One wheel slips but eventually grips. Have also pulled a sand loaded basketball goal out of a muddy ditch (don't ask). Anyways, the LA115 mows great, the deck wash port is handy, bright lights, pulls hard and most of all.... It's a Deere.. This tool is invaluable. It leaves me thinking, "What else can I do with it?".

Pros: Great cut, Comfortable, User friendly, Attachments galore, Healthy power, Cuts close to obstacles, It's a Deere!
Cons: Zero as of yet