Goodbye Kubota, Hello John Deere

SevenWonders · Jun 14, 2004

Quick background info:
Had an '88 Kubota G6200H which I loved -
always cared for - 530 hrs, exc condition...
but I wanted a tractor that could mulch, as I am
doing lawncare on the side, and no mulching blades
exist for this deck that I am aware of. IF you know this to be incorrect, do me a HUGE favor and just keep it to yourself at this point /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Sold the Kubota for $1850. the first day I showed it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
and needed a "replacement" (ans I use that term VERY loosely) for about $2k.
Considered JD L118, CC LT1018, and Troy-Bilt
Horse or Super Bronco.

Well, decision has been made...
and I will get my SECOND new JD in a few days /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Went to the only dealer within 100 miles who had L118s in stock - the first one had 10 hrs, and LOTS of scuffs on the body and hood. Also, it would not idle well, and had WAY too much vibration.

They went to the back and pulled out a nice fresh one -
no gas smell in the tank even. Purred like a kitten!
Then, I noticed that the seat frame had been scraped down to the metal under the paint... not the end of the world.

However, on the rear fender, there were about 15 chips ranging from tiny to over 3/8". Then on the back behind the seat there were 3 "chunks" missing (literally) from the edge of the body -metal gone - obviously something nailed it - it was rusted, and deformed. They offered me a $50 discount and a bottle of touch up paint. I laughed, shook his hand and went to Home Depot.

The one out front had a ton of scuffs and scratches,
so I opted for the one in the store. It had serious scuffs on the hood, as well as a chip in the paint on the body - but no smell of gas in the tank. I asked if they had more in stock. Yes, they said, but they won't be prepped for several days. "Can I take this one now, and come back in a few days and switch hoods for one that is not scuffed up?"

"No way - I am not butchering my tractors,"
said the Department Manager /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Is there no way I can convince you to do that -
it is only 4 bolts and I will be glad to do it myself while you watch. NOPE, he said. I responded: "OK, I will buy this one today and return it in a few days to get one that looks New."
He was shocked, but said "OK - If that is how you feel" (Yep.)

As it turned out, we gassed it up, and it wouldn't crank...
dead battery. Then they put a new battery in, and to my surprise, it had 25.5 hours on it... obviously someone left the key on until the battery gave out. Then, it still wouldn't start...
after playing with all of the controls, the PTO cable must have gotten bumped while they changed the battery - after I engaged it and disengaged it, it started.

Guess what - it has a HUGE miss - idles worse than the one at the dealership. (Yes, even after it is warmed up... shakes my 1000 lb trailer as if I were bouncing on the seat. But by this time, I was so frustrated, I just took it and left and said "See you in a few days."

First lap at a customer's house I TOTALLY scalped a section that the Kubota never even cut unevenly... and I had the deck set at 3.5 inches! ($#!^) Just realized, the Kubota had FIVE anti-scalp rollers, and my new JD has... two /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Well, guess it is time to search the aftermarket for some addl rollers, and find a local welding shop to add them to the deck -
on the replacement tractor that is - not gonna keep this scuffed, chipped one that doesn't run close to right.

However, I noticed that I can drop the 2 existing rollers down a little... that will help some at least.

Well, it did cut very nice on the level areas...
now I just need some neon lights to put under the frame to match these wide rear tires /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

But I gotta say, I REALLY miss my Kubota.

In fairness, if I had $5k to spend, it wouldn't have been an issue with either brand I am sure.

Well, I will update this if I get any more surprises,
or when I get my next new JD in a few days!

Henro · Jun 14, 2004

I know it is not really related...but when I read the title of this thread all I could see in my mind was a mental image of CowboyDoc grinnin' ear to ear... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jun 14, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know it is not really related...but when I read the title of this thread all I could see in my mind was a mental image of CowboyDoc grinnin' ear to ear... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

Henro, as I read the post above, I think it goes to prove that choosing to join the green team is not always what it is cracked up to be!

I'm still trying to figure out why the Kubota went away, it seemed to work fine, sold used for a high price in comparision to this new JD, and gave a superior cut. Other than keeping the Kubota, I think a little "residential" grade ZTR might have been an even better choice, the deck would have been smaller, but I'm sure it would cut faster and probably better (less scalping). Cub Cadet makes small units, and I think (but I'm not sure) they start just over $2K, which is a bit over budget, but not much?

tough451 · Jun 14, 2004

Sorry to hear about all the trouble hope things work out. I went through similiar things. But I finally bit the bullet and bougth a commerical Toro walkbehind. I have a 3 Honda wheeler to pull the areator. If you ever can afford it buy commerical for mowing.

Ledgemere Farm · Jun 14, 2004

Hmmmn. I wonder if there IS such a thing as a GOOD tractor for less than 2K? I don't think you get into a nice Deere for less than $2500...Unless, you go used.

BotaGuy · Jun 14, 2004

From the title it sounds like you were a dis-gruntled Kubota owner, but in actuality it seems as though you are a happy Kubota "Former" owner, and a now disgruntled, but resigned John Deere owner. Sorry for the tractor hassle. And let me be the first to say that you probably could have adapted some mulching blades from another machine.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif J/K

frank_f15 · Jun 14, 2004

SOUNDS like u are having more problems witht the new ones than u did with the old one. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

SevenWonders · Jun 14, 2004

Thanks for all of the replies!

Small world here folks...
I see people from NC and PA -
I am from OH, about an hour from Pitt,
and I am in Raleigh, NC now!

I really did try to find mulching blades for my Kubota...
even had a post here, but we found nothing.

Speaking of the Honda 3 wheeler to pull the aerator...

Ya know, you have me thinking -
a big reason I did not seriously consider a rear rider,
or cheap ZTR is that I also do a lot of aerating, dethatching, removing trees and shrubs, hauling pine bark mulch, etc...
BUT I have been ignoring an important consideration -
I own a 2003 Yamaha Grizzly 660 4x4 /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
That will do a helluva lot better job at all of that stuff than
ANY new mower in my price range! Of course, that would require multiple trips if I need both machines on site, but I work pretty close to home.

Well, I guess I have 29 days left to sort this out.

Any recommendations for a good $2k ZTR?

Should I consider a 33" Snapper rear rider???

yellowsocks93 · Jun 15, 2004

If you want good mowing equipment it does not come cheap. I can say the nicer JD's like the GT and GX series will cut a lot better than your L series but they are more money. A good JD ZTR will run like 6 grand but it has the good 7 Iron deck which is awesome. I had a 7 Iron and loved it.

_RaT_ · Jun 15, 2004

I have a 1988 14 HP Kohler Snapper 33" mower. I know of no other mower that will suck material off the ground better. It will easily move wet grass up the chute and bag it. Downside is the drive system is not nearly as good as many others. That may have changed since 1988. I also have a JD 510 ZTR which does a great job of manuvering, great moving power, weak blade power and pretty bad grass catching ability. It has a 14 HP Kawasaki. The Kohler and Kawasaki are easily comparable.

Kevin37 · Jun 15, 2004

I'm no expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night so here's what I know (or have been told):

The John Deere L100 series tractor came about strictly as a price-point competitor. JD had no model to compete with the Sears and a few of the other "inexpensive" makes, so they signed on with someone to produce that series to fit that particular price range. You get what you pay for, and if you compare the "L" frame and construction to the other series, you will see everything is much lighter duty then the next series up. Probably all in all a good mower for what they sell it as: a small home-owner seasonal mower for smaller lawns.

A ZTR for less the $2,000??? I haven't seen any of those, but I must agree with what someone else posted: if you can, commercial is the way to go. The ZTR I priced was about $5,000. Out of my price range, but I'll bet a sturdy unit.

Just my thoughts!

Kevin

Dave___in___CT · Jun 15, 2004

Hi...

Have you considered a zero-turn 36" or 48" walkbehind mower ?

...like Exmark... Toro... the low-end ones are about $2,400... or move to a commercial grade one...

They'll outmow any tractor...

Dave...

Kyle_in_Tex · Jun 15, 2004

Its hard to walk behind a mower and carry a cold beverage simultaneously.

DCRC · Jun 15, 2004

That's why they make that hat with the cup holders and straws.

Daryl

tough451 · Jun 15, 2004

A walkbehind with a velkie will cover some serious ground. And believe it or not standing is actually eaiser on you back than bouncing on a ZTR seat at 5mph. I recommend Toro there T -Bar steering is easy on the hands and the eaiset to use. Get at least a 48" deck and you want believe how mowing you can do. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

SevenWonders · Jun 16, 2004

Thanks for all of the replies!

I am still considering, but did lower the rollers yesterday,
and although it wasn't a very challenging lawn,
it seemed to help. Have a good test lawn in a day or 2.

KAB · Jun 16, 2004

I just talked to a Cub dealer for my in-laws and the low end riding mowers are designed for smaller yards. Look at the thickness and design of the frames and decks. Is it shaft driven or belt driven? Is there a filter for the tranny? As you step up in price you will see more of the better features. They had a 38" riding mower for ~$2400. It had some of the better features. I asked about the lower priced ztr and he did not recommend it for heavy use (In-laws mow about 3 acres.)

As for JD I looked at a few of them the other day and you would need to step to the L130 48" deck @ ~$2400 to get some of the better features.

I would try going to a regular JD, Cub, etc. dealer explain your needs and budget and see what they put you into and why. Locally for me the Cub dealer has been the best. In your area that could be different.

Good luck.

Kurt

SevenWonders · Jun 28, 2004

Sorry for the delay...
I've been very busy.

I did talk to some local dealers,
but coudln't find anything in my price range
that was any better, or that made more sense
for me at this time, so I went back to HD and traded
it for a new L118.

This one looks better, runs better, and for whatever
reason, it leaves a cleaner cut while mulching -
I have no explanation for that, but can't complain.

Perhaps in a year or 2 I can afford something better,
but for now I have to look for the best way to add a few
more rollers on the deck to lessen the chance of scalping.
Dropping the front (only) rollers down did help,
but it is still far from the 5 rollers that I was used to
on my Kubota.

Thanks again everyone!

Dave