John Deere L130 3.60 star(s) (10)

Decent Lawn Tractor
Model Year: 2004

I read mostly bad reviews for this mower and don't understand why. I've used mine for just about everything from mowing about 2 acres and snow blowing nearly 400-feet of driveway. It mows nicely and starts first time every time. The snow blower beats pushing snow! I have had to replace starter batteries, and the transmission failed about 30 hours ago after 11 years. There is a history of that problem with just about everybody's lawn tractor. I did not help dragging my large Craftsman leaf vacuum or hauling some pretty heavy stuff when I dug out for the patio. Seriously, this is a great little tractor! More than enough power and it is actually quite reliable. I do wish it were a bit bigger.

Pros: Power, Kohler Engine, reliable, and easy to operate
Cons: You really wouldn't expect the folks at John Deere to use an ordinary run of the mill transmission

John Deere L 130
Model Year: 2004

The John Deere L130 has performed well. It been reliable and for what I have put it through it has performed very well. The Ennis Texas John Deere dealership has not. Half the advise I get from those guys is wrong or incomplete. It to bad that their support staff is not as knowledgeable and reliable as their product.

Pros: This drive mower runs well, performs in all type of conditions.
Cons: The front grill and hood are cheep, so if you do not have a push guard, be prepaired to replace their cheep parts in front.

Okay Lawn Mower, Nothing More
Model Year: 2005

I purchased this lawn mower with snow blower from the local John Deere dealer at the beginning of winter, a few weeks before moving to a 2 acre property with a large driveway. I was in a rush to get something to clear snow from the driveway before moving and this is what the dealer directed my towards. I didn't do my homework and the dealer saw me coming. From the first day the drive torque was barely adequate for blowing snow and the trans axle would whine on my slight inclines while mowing or pulling a small trailer of firewood on flat ground. The hydro-static drive became weaker as time progressed, after about 4 years I replaced the oil in the sealed unit with thicker synthetic oil which allowed limping the tractor along for another year. Eventually the differential failed (broken gear teeth) and I installed a K66 trans-axle. The K66 is what this tractor should have come with from the factory. The tractor no longer strains on moderate slopes or blowing snow. There was always plenty of drive torque available for the weight of the tractor. Installing the kit from RJR Tractor was an easy afternoon job with great instructions. If my only use for this tractor was mowing my 1.5 acres of lawn and I didn't mind it taking 2 hours, I'd be completely satisfied with the L130 + K66. With a smooth lawn and the slight speed increase (from the K66), it is probably capable of mowing an acre per hour or slightly more. On smooth sections of lawn with thick grass, I can still mow at full speed without losing much RPM. The Kohler twin has plenty of power for the 48" deck. Other than smoking on start up, the engine has been flawless. I also need a machine capable of clearing snow. Like mowing, engine power is never an issue with the 42" blower. The blower itself is another story, at least for the snow we get near Ottawa (ON, Canada). The impeller is too small / slow to move much volume of snow and you must slow to a crawl in any more than a couple inches of light snow. I've consumed several snow blower belts, a set of bearings + intermediate shaft and broken the input shaft between the impeller and auger gearbox. Overall the tractor feels like John Deere engineered a 14 or 16 HP lawn mower and someone decided to stick a 23 HP engine into it at the last minute. I'm now in the market to replace the L130 with a SCUT or small CUT. I initially wasn't even willing to look at or read about the JD offerings but will most likely end up with a 2032R. Due to less than satisfactory experiences with both the initial purchase and attempting to buy parts, I won't be purchasing from the same dealer.

Pros: Lots of engine power, cuts grass well.
Cons: Lightly built, undersized hydro-static transaxle.

JD: Bad Customer Service. L130
Model Year: 2009

Hello All, Here is my John Deere story. I bought an L130 the first year JD started selling garden tractors at Lowes. I bought my L130 at a JD dealer. After 1 year, I noticed while mowing that I was losing power. Long story short: so was everyones else's L130. JD admitted they put way too small of a transmission in these tractors. This was Moline headquarters that told me they made a mistake with the trannys. However, they are not under warranty (lol/haha...serious?). They were. So for $900, JD put a new and improved tranny in my tractor. In one years' time that tranny started to go to the local dealer felt horrible for me and other customers whose 2nd tranny burned up. At this point I contacted JD head quarters. After getting tossed around from supervisor to supervisor, all I got from them is "yes, we realize that our tranny suck but we will not help you". That is great customer service isn't it (grr)?

Pros: John Deere are professional junk sellers.
Cons: Bumper to bumper junk! That JD agrees is junk.

John Deere L130
Model Year: 0

I own a john Deere L130 riding lawn mower. I along with thousands of other L130 owners have found the transmission in this model is sealed and fails! All failing the same way: loss of drive power and heats up and won't move particularly in reverse! This is happening to so many L130 owners that a class action law suit is being formed! BTW repair cost for this runs between 1200-1700 dollars! Stay away from John Deere!

Pros: Few.
Cons: Transmission does not mow ever. Terrible mower stay away.

You Get What You Pay For
Model Year: 2004

For those planning on buying the lower priced John Deere "D" series models. You get what you pay for. I purchased the L130 model from Home Depot in 2004. At $2,499 it was the highest price point of the "low-end" L-series. The PTO clutch self-destructed at 200 hours-fortunately under warranty. The hydro-static transmissions used in these entry-level tractors are the cheapest models. My 1-1/4 acre property has some fairly severe (40-degree) slopes. After 6-years and 450-hours of use the K-46 transmission burned out. Rather than buy another low end model (good for 5-6 years), I decided to buy a transmission upgrade kit for $1,200. The transmission is a K66 which was the transmission used in John Deere tractors in the $9-12,000 price range. This transmission has performed flawlessly. If you are buying a low end John Deere, at about 400 hours be prepared to spend $200-300 annually on replacement parts. Belts (normal), pulleys, blade spindles, front axle beam, drag links, PTO clutch, bearings, springs and tires. At 625 hours, I just rebuilt the mower deck and steering linkage---hoping to make it through the mowing season. Next year looks like something new and better built. I'll consider a higher end Deere, but only after a lot of research. Those "Big Box" low end models are only good for small, flat yards. Maximum 400 hours use without major mechanical issues.

Pros: Better than the "Off Brands".
Cons: Don't expect more than 400 hours use without major mechanical issues.

L130
Model Year: 2003

I have a L130 with approx. 550 hours. The first year all of the blade spindles went out. They were replaced under warranty with spindles that have grease zerts. The K46, Am131580, Tuff Torg transaxle went out. I had a Sears cheap-o lawn tractor for 20 years that I never had any troubles with and was expecting the same out of a JD product. I took the tranny out, drained the oil, replaced it and still it would not work. Do I replace it for $700 plus from JD or look for a different tractor? I have grass catcher new in box. I have the snow blade that I have used quite a bit and not sure what if any other model they would work with.

Pros: Able to get parts locally.
Cons: Tranny should last forever.

John Deere L130 23hp Kohler
Model Year: 2006

This is a great residential mower that I'd recommend for .25-2.5 acres. In my opinion it is a well rounded machine that will last for many years if it isn't abused and accurately maintained per the schedule. As with any tool, if you purchase one that isnt big enough for the job or you do not follow the advised maintenance, it will fail at an advanced rate. Unfortunately that is how 95% of products get a bad rep. All enterprise level companies spend serious money on research to make sure there product performs as listed and not a lick more, like back in the olden days.

Pros: John Deere Green!
Cons: Money doesn't shoot out of the mower deck.

L 130 -Transaxle from Hell
Model Year: 2004

My L130 has served me well for 7 years, even though I noticed the the tranny getting sluggish around 300 service hours. I now have 423 service hours and the K46 transaxle just died. I have read many reviews on the poor quality of the transaxle and can't agree with them more. John Deere knew they had a lemon with this trannny and has not done a thing to rectify the issue. So much for "Nothing runs like a Deere".

Pros: Kohler CV23S engine.
Cons: K46 transaxle.

Good Mower Cheap Transmission
Model Year: 2005

I would rate this tractor about a 4 star if they had put in a strong enough transmission. I started have problems with reverse after about 6 mos. and it has been getting worse ever since. I now can not go up even the smallest hill. At first I thought is was the drive belt. When this had little effect I went to a dealer who was well aware of the problem and said, "most of those transmission fail after a couple of years and a new one is $1500". For that money I just continued to use it until it stopped and it now sits.

Pros: Does an acceptable job.
Cons: Cheap transmission.