John Deere LX277 4.00 star(s) (4)

4 Wheel Steering ++, Plastic Hood --
Model Year: 0

I bought mine used to mow three acres. My wife has many garden plots and mowing around them (and 20 100 year old oaks) requires a lot of tight turns. This mower cut my mowing time from 2.5 to 1.75 hours. Yay! On the downside, the plastic hood developed a crack right at the indent for opening it. I riveted some brass strips, reinforced with industrial glue, which held until my grandchildren climbed on the hood. Then I fiber-glassed the entire center of the hood from the inside. That's holding fine. I did always store it inside. It has easy to do routine maintenance. I change the oil and filters annually and grease all fittings. The mower deck belts last 2-3 years. I had to have the drive belt replaced by the dealer because I couldn't get the replacement belt around the clutch housing. Maybe with tools designed for this I could have, but while my tool collection is comprehensive, it is not extreme duty. I also involved the dealer to replace the cruise control lever, which broke off just after I bought it. I suspect abuse from previous owner, since it hasn't given the slightest wobble since the repair. Both repairs were expensive (200-300), but not outrageous. I don't know the hours (no meter) and I bought it used, but I've put at least 1,000 on it and I'm not gentle in mowing (maintain some trails involving saplings on occasion). It never failed to start, runs fine, plus a 900 pound roller (not at the same time as mowing) and it does not smoke, hiccup or complain. I paid 2,000 for it 10 years ago. I am very satisfied.

Pros: 4 wheel steering, reliability
Cons: Plastic skin

LX277
Model Year: 2003

Inherited this tractor when bought the property. It's got a Kawasaki engine, 17hp and a mower deck. I'd like to rig up a disc harrow to it, that I got at a yard sale. The disc is 3 point, and this tractor does not have those attachment points. I can weld, so I'll make some piece for connecting the harrow. Also have the cart. Haul compost out of the woods with the cart. It's a useful tractor for transplanting trees to a new location. Just hook a chain in the back and tie a rope to the chain and then around the small tree.

Pros: Pretty strong engine; starts up fairly quickly, easy to service.
Cons: No sleeve hitch available, or ground attachments.

John Deere LX277
Model Year: 2002

Have had trouble with the tractor just about since I owned it. Most of my complaints are with the dealer. They don't like DIYers! I like the LX277 until you need help or parts. The parts are incredibly expensive and the only real help is from forums like this.

Pros: Strong.
Cons: When things break, VERY difficlult to fix yourself.

Just Good Enough
Model Year: 2000

This unit was a hand me down from my mother-in-law's estate. While it has the power and reliability, the mowing quality is poor. Changing the mowing height properly is a chore. It's more than just turning a dial, but you should adjust the anti-scalping wheels on the deck as well. This involves pulling four clips, pulling four pins, moving the wheels then reinserting all the four pins and four clips. It probably would be a good mower if your were mowing a billiard table lawn, but if there are any irregularities or you on a hill of even moderate slope, you find the anti-scalp wheels digging into the lawn. Also, there's no fuel gauge. To check the fuel you have to look under the left wheel well. It had a cup holder that didn't hold anything well. It then fell off. No loss there. The tow hitch in the rear is just an extension of the frame sheet metal. There is no reinforcement. It is subject to excessive wear and elongation if you tow any thing of weight. Like a lawn roller.

Pros: Good strong power.
Cons: Poor mower deck - hitch not reinforced.