Craftsman yt 4000 or John Deere LA135 se

[robin640]

The Craftsman is about $300 cheaper than the Deere.

Craftsman:
Exclusive 24 hp Briggs & Stratton Platinum V-Twin Engine with full pressure lube
Exclusive 42" precision cut mowing system with 4 adj. gauge wheels
Spring loaded deck lift system
Premium hydrostatic automatic transmission
Foot pedal drive for added convenience
Handy cup holder
Wider step thru area
Automotive type slide seat system
2 Year Full, 5 Year Frame and Front Axle Warranty
Engine power values are as rated by the engine manufacturer



Deere:
Engine is powerful and smooth-running V-twin design... more
Frame made of full-length welded steel for reliability... more
CargO Mount system... more
Cast-iron front axle will not bend... more
Hydro/automatic drive gives an infinite choice of ground speeds... more
Hood will not dent or rust and includes quality headlights for good visibility... more
Operator station designed for comfortable operation... more
Translucent fuel tank with sight gauge for ease of checking fuel level... more
RIO (Reverse Implement Option)... more
The Edge Cutting System gives superior performance... more

 

[two_bit_score]

Go with any JD over any Craftsman. You won't regret it. The 300 is a good place to start.

 

[mjncad]

Welcome Robin:

Get a Deere and the neighbors will be "green" with envy.

Seriously I suspect the Deere uses a BS engine too; but with a Deere you have a dealer network to repair the rig if need be, along with readily available parts. Otherwise I'd bet these two units are relatively similar.

If you get the Deere, please buy it from a dealer instead of Big Box Mart (e.g. Depot & Lowe's) as the dealer will charge the same as the big box stores. Also, if you buy it from Big Box Mart and the tractor pukes, they will palm off the problem on the nearest dealer.

A friend of mine bought a small Deere mower like you are looking at, and I talked him into going to the dealer. The dealer gave him the same price as Big Box Mart; but charged him 2.9% sales tax instead of 8.55% at Depot. The tax savings allowed my friend to move up one model. Also the Deere dealer took the time to explain the tractor, let my friend test drive it, and delivered it for free. Let me see the pimple faced kid at Depot do that.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I went through a similar process in spring 2006 and ended up purchasing the Craftsman GS6500 with 54" deck. At that time there was way more than $300 difference between the comparable green model in the 100 series. Even the JD dealers didn't want to sell me a 100 series - instead kept pushing at least the 3XX or 4xx line at approximately double the cost. I've had no problems with the Craftsman, however other posters have encountered bad experience. Not sure about the current Craftman, but mine is Husqvarna with a different paint job. I don't recall who actually makes the current JD 100 line.

Based on MSRP if you add another $100 you could step up to the L145 with 48" deck. All things considered, if you buy the JD from a nearby dealer, the larger deck and not having to deal with Sears service would be well worth the extra $$$. Taken at full MSRP the difference is only $40 per year over say 10 years.

 

[robin640]

I live in New England and there is still snow on the ground. There is still time to decide what to get. I will just keep saving my money and try to sell my 10 year old craftsman.

 

[LBrown59]

I went through a similar process in spring 2006 and ended up purchasing the Craftsman GS6500 with 54" deck. At that time there was way more than $300 difference between the comparable green model in the 100 series. Even the JD dealers didn't want to sell me a 100 series - instead kept pushing at least the 3XX or 4xx line at approximately double the cost. I've had no problems with the Craftsman, however other posters have encountered bad experience.
1*Not sure about the current Craftman, but mine is Husqvarna with a different paint job.
2*I don't recall who actually makes the current JD 100 line.
Based on MSRP if you add another $100 you could step up to the L145 with 48" deck. All things considered, if you buy the JD from a nearby dealer, the larger deck and not having to deal with Sears service would be well worth the extra $$$. Taken at full MSRP the difference is only $40 per year over say 10 years.

1*Both are the same pretty sure.
2*I thought JD.

 

[wilson-nate]

i would personal buy the John deere. but the craftsman does make a good mower. but theres nothing like a john deere and thats usually right. unless you dont want to spend as much then the crafstman would probably be better for the price. if you can afford it then get the deere. Husqvarna also makes a good mower that is cheaper than john deere

 

[greenmule]

I just got done with some lawnmower research my self,I ended up buying a snapper LT 200,for 3,050 dollars,taxes and delivery included.

If you want the cheapest,its easy,buy the cheapest,if you want the best,thats a little harder but for 7-8,000 you can get a good one,no doubt.

But if you try and get a middle one,than it gets hard,[if you know what I mean].

 

[LBrown59]

Welcome Robin:

Get a Deere and the neighbors will be "green" with envy.

Seriously I suspect the Deere uses a BS engine too; but with a Deere you have a dealer network to repair the rig if need be, along with readily available parts. Otherwise I'd bet these two units are relatively similar.

If you get the Deere, please buy it from a dealer instead of Big Box Mart (e.g. Depot & Lowe's) as the dealer will charge the same as the big box stores. Also, if you buy it from Big Box Mart and the tractor pukes, they will palm off the problem on the nearest dealer.

A friend of mine bought a small Deere mower like you are looking at, and I talked him into going to the dealer. The dealer gave him the same price as Big Box Mart; but charged him 2.9% sales tax instead of 8.55% at Depot. The tax savings allowed my friend to move up one model. Also the Deere dealer took the time to explain the tractor, let my friend test drive it, and delivered it for free. Let me see the pimple faced kid at Depot do that.

Both are low end entry level Big Box Store lawn tractors but like you say there are several advantages in dealing with a dealer over a BBS.

 

[pitt_md]

I made the mistake of buying a GT5000 Craftsman 25 hp mower a couple of years ago. The mower deck had many show stopping failures the first year. At the end of the second year the motor started to smoke very bad. Took it in to a servce place and was told it could be fixed for $1200. Parked it and bought a Cub Cadet which does not seem to be made very well. I have never had a deere lawn mower but they could not be much worse than what was mentioned above.