attachments

[flatheadlake]

As a soon to be owner of a JD 4310 I am wondering if there are specific reasons to by JD attachments (i.e. blades, mowers, etc.) over any other (possibly cheaper)?

 

[Gatorboy]

I can't think of any.

 

[cowboydoc]

Attachments can vary greatly with their attachment points. It can be a royal pain trying to hook up different mfg. implements, esp. if you go with a quick attach system. All of the JD equipment is set up to fit perfectly with the i-match system. This works really nice and makes for very easy and quick hook-ups.

 

[timb]

It appears to me from reading tons of posts here and elsewhere that the JD-labeled attachments are generally well-made and solid examples of their type, but may be priced somewhat higher than equivalent good 3rd-party brands.

To that you can balance the merits of the I-Match compatibility Cowboydoc mentioned if that matters for your situation, the relative availability between brands of parts down the road (maybe way down the road), and possible pricing incentives that narrow the gap.

In addition you need to make sure you're comparing apples to apples regarding possible 'extras' that may come on the JD version standard (or to be fair, vice-versa).

I bought an MX6 rotary with my tractor. The MX6 is a decent medium-duty cutter, but at first looks relatively expensive compared to even a good aftermarket brand. However, there were rebates, discounts, package discounts, JD financing, and included features (slip clutch and full chains) that reduced a lot the initial perceived pricing premium.

As far as maintenance supplies - it seems that every time I see some test of a fluid, additive, filter etc.. the JD labeled choice comes out pretty good compared to 3rd party stuff. It may not be THE best but it will be right up there. And while it is almost assuredly at the high end of the pricing scale, it seems like it's pretty easy to trust if you don't know more about the other brands. Plus it surely can't hurt any warranty arguments you could get into down the road.

 

[Gatorboy]

If I had a JD tractor, I certainly wouldn't buy a JD mower when I could buy much better brand.

 

[cowboydoc]

What are the problems with the JD mowers? I was not aware of any. They make the light duty LX, medium duty MX, and heavy duty HX. I have both an MX and an HX and they have been bulletproof.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> What are the problems with the JD mowers? </font>

I didn't say they had problems, I just know that they aren't one of the better brands. I'd buy a Rhino, Bush Hog and even a Landpride before getting a JD mower.

John Deere is best known for their excellent tractors -- not mowers.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( John Deere is best known for their excellent tractors -- not mowers )</font>

Day before yesterday, I noticed a New Holland tractor with a John Deere mower mowing city property in one of our suburban cities; don't know for sure whether it was a city owned rig or a contractor.

 

[cowboydoc]

Why is JD inferior to these brands then? Not trying to start anything at all just curious why JD would be considered an inferior brand.

 

[Gatorboy]

I believe John Deere buys their mowers from someone else -- I could be wrong. They are not in the mower business, but they mainly carry them for people who buy a JD tractor and want a JD mower.

I'm sure you have read about my father who is a mowing contractor -- he won't even consider using a John Deere mower. Perhaps it is because they don't make one heavy duty enough, I'm not quite sure.

My original point was, when you get a tractor, you can pretty much go with some other brand of attachments. I would prefer to buy an attachment from a company in business to make those attachments. Generally, those will be better items.

 

[beenthere]

I think we can buy a Deere mower made by Deere and equally as good or better quality than any of the others.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jd2210]

From the X series on JD has built their own brushers. Before that they were made for them (I believe POLK but don't quote me). Their finishing mowers are their own. As for finishing mowers they are totally Deere. I have a client who mows the ditches for the government and has used Deeres for 20 years and wouldn't think of anything else (has 10 6420's with 15 foot mowers). With that said, when I buy it will probably be a Buhler, or Schultie or Woods or something not Deere just because of the cost difference and parts availibility (most companies use quite a few gereric parts that be located from sourcing jobbers.)
Most companies carry several lines with several grades, just pick the line that is suited best to the needs. Too many people spring for the cheap line and then try to do 10 hours a week with it.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

All attachments labeled Deere are built by Deere. Any labeled Frontier are built for Deere, many by Woods.

Any that I have used have been excellant, and reasonably priced, when it comes down to it. (like Timb said....) Add the chains and a slip clutch to a KingKutter and it is as much, just rustier...

 

[green4710]

I can tell you that the mx series of mowers at least are made by deere. Funny thing, when i bought mine, it was sitting by a landpride model, same width, my mx made the landpride look pretty cheaply built. Now im sure that the landpride has a few models of this type of mower, but the price was almost the same as my mx8, and wasnt even close to being as solid. Id put this mx8 against any other brand of mower. This thing is heavy duty, and yes deere makes it.

 

[bigpete]

If JD doesn't build a particular implement or piece of an implement themselves, they have spec'ed it out carefully and put it through their own QC filter before having it painted Green. All the major tractor companies do the same, including the one that paints stuff orange. Besides the quality advantage to buying an implement branded by a major tractor company, they typically will treat it as part of the tractor "deal" and back it up accordingly.

There sure are some very high-end implements that are not painted green or orange. Many of them offer different and more ingenuitive features and are used in specialized applications that the tractor companies are not interested in entering. However, I have never heard that JD's mowers and cutters were inferior in any way. In fact, I hear and read the total opposite. Not just here at TBN, either. My personal experience is the same.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I have never heard that JD's mowers and cutters were inferior in any way. </font>

Because I said there are other rotary mowers that are better than JD -- please don't put words in my mouth to mean I said that JD mowers are inferior.

If someone buys a Mercedes over a Buick for example, does not mean the Buick is an inferior car.

 

[Dutch445]

Deere builds their rotary cutters in their Welland Ontario factory, where they build their loaders also. They do make different grades, just like landpride, bushhog etc. From the LX models, up to the HX models, and models like the 609 and 709, which are rated for cutting 4" material.

As far as Deere building everything they label Deere, I don't beleive that is true 100%. I know some of their farm implements were manufactured by others, hay rakes etc. Also, I think the rototillers were made by Howard, but I not 100% sure. For years, Ariens built their snowblowers, along with MTD years back. Current Frontier mowers are MTD built, which is why most dealers took on Ariens for snowblowers.

 

[bigpete]

<font color="blue"> If I had a JD tractor, I certainly wouldn't buy a JD mower when I could buy much better brand. </font>

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[chevy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I have never heard that JD's mowers and cutters were inferior in any way. </font>

Because I said there are other rotary mowers that are better than JD -- please don't put words in my mouth to mean I said that JD mowers are inferior.

If someone buys a Mercedes over a Buick for example, does not mean the Buick is an inferior car. )</font>

You must be in politics.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Just got in from mowing with my "inferior" JD MX6...

All I can say is: it is one awesome mower.