Help me pick my first JD: LX176, LX178, X300 or GT225

[LakeCarolineGuy]

Hi All -

Been creeping in the shadows on the site for a long time and its finally time for my first question - please be gentle

I bought a house with about 3/4 an acre that needs cutting, gets HEAVY leaves in the fall and has a gradual 5 degree slope to the lawn. Since I need another toy, I've decided its time to get my first JD and was hoping the group could help since my head is spinning w engine specs, trans serviceability info, etc. After watching all my local boards, here is what I think my best options are:

- 1996 LX176 with a 38" deck and bagger. New hood and seat, no rust on the deck and unknown hours for $575

- 2007 X300 with a 42" convertible deck and a dump cart with 315 hours. Very rough seat and hood for $650

- 2001 GT225 with a 42" convertible deck and bagger (missing the chute). Cracked hood and unknown hours for $700

- LX178 with a 38" deck and bagger. Unknown hours for $900

Curious to hear what everyone thinks. On Tractor Data, the GT225 looks like the option that's all around best equipped and can grow with me if I buy more land (which I plan to do). However, the LX176 seems to have the best engine but its also the oldest.

I'm decent with a wrench (not great) but I'm not afraid to get my hands on something and would like a tractor that will last me a long long time since I plan to keep up with it.

Thanks in advance for any intel, advice, etc.

-Charlie

 

[buickanddeere]

GT 225 but they are old equipment. You will be happier with a X380 or higher .
My LX188 has literally had every component worked on or replaced except the frame , transmission internals and engine internals .
Hoods, carb, coils, coil packs , ignition module , main electronic module, starter, pto clutch, steering gears , deck spindles , deck idlers , transmission cooling fan , four tires , seat, lights , over heat detector . Thermostat and water pump are on the shelf and are next .
1100 hours on the unit .

 

[plowhog]

You will be happier with a X380 or higher .

I agree. But having said that, I very nearly bought the X380 but did not. It is a great machine, but it bothers me that Deere purposely excludes a differential lock-- so they don't compete too much with the X5xx series. I don't know if you have any slopes, but I use the diff lock on slopes and when pulling a heavy load of bagged leaves behind.

I bought a Husqvarna mower, with more features at lower cost. An X380 when I was shopping was about $4,500. A high volume bagger option was about $1,200. So maybe $5,700 for both.

I bought a Husqvarna mower for about $3k, then added a Cyclone Rake with 44 bushel bagger for about $1,700. Or, about a thousand less with many more features and more capability.

Now, the Deere cheerleaders will throw tomatoes at me for this post. But my point is to shop around a bit. John Deere products are great-- if that is what you are sold on. I was at first, but after shopping around I went a different route. My Husqvarna mower and Cyclone Rake have performed flawlessly-- I use that extra capacity a lot since I have a ton of leaves in the fall. Good luck with your shopping!

 

[alflen52]

I think you would be better off with a garden tractor type ,they are heavier and can handle attachments better.deere,s are great machines and parts for older ones are easier to find.but definetly shop around and get the most for your money.

 

[LakeCarolineGuy]

From what I can tell the GT225 is the closest thing to a garden tractor.

 

[LakeCarolineGuy]

Thanks for the insight - I致e been looking for JD just to make sure I had something reliable. What Husqvarna did you go with?

 

[plowhog]

I bought a Husqvarna GT48DXLS two years ago. This is my second season with it. Very pleased. Mine has a Kawasaki engine, K66 transaxle, and differential lock. Husqvarna has brought out new models since then. I am not sure of model numbers but it is something like GT238. As many will tell you, best to stay away from anything with K46 transaxle.

John Deere makes a great choice but two things really bothered me: price and features. The high price which was non-negotiable was annoying, but the deal-breaker was the bagger. I have a *ton* of leaves in fall-- measured in feet high while I am mowing and bagging. I needed the large capacity bagger. A 7 bushel bagger on the Husqvarna was about $300. On the John Deere it was about $1,200 because adding that bagger required adding a separate powerflow unit. I found 7 bushel capacity way too small, so I bought the Cyclone Rake with 44 bushel bagger. During leaf season, it takes several fillings/dumpings to do my lawn-- which is not even 1/2 acre. With a 7 bushel bagger that would be about 12 trips instead of two.

The differential lock is a good feature also. I rarely use mine-- but it was sorely needed each time I have used it. Once I was dumping clippings and got onto a slippery surface covered with pine needles. I was slipping all over the place-- one flick of the diff lock switch and I drove out. And just a few days ago, my lawn was a little slippery. I came to a stop with the Cyclone Rake bagger full of leaves (very heavy.) On flat ground, when I tried to go forward the right wheel just spun. Engage diff lock-- and drive away.

If you shop Husqvarna, be aware there are "big box" models sold at Lowe's and Home Depot. These are not the high end models. Then there are "dealer" models, only sold through local dealers but not big box stores. These are more robust units than the big box models.

You might also look at the JD X5XX series, but those are another $1,000 more or so. The benefit of the X5XX series is you can use it more like a mini-tractor. The X3XX are more of a mower.

 

[LakeCarolineGuy]

So I went to check out the GT225 today and everything seemed pretty good mechanically, valves didn't sound bad at all and it cold cranked (with a shot of starter fluid) on a day in the 20s. The owner is at $750 with the some of bagger parts, but its missing the bagger is missing the chute, bagger bags and bag frames. The hood is cracked and the seat is has pulled away from the frame (I know I'm being hypercritical but thats how I'm planning to negotiate) Looks like that would be about $250ish to put replace putting my total spend at $1,000

Alternatively, the LX178 is complete with bagger. The gentleman works on them and this was his son's (or so the story goes....) and put in new filters, mower belt, idler pulleys, deck bearings, blades, fuel pump and a battery. I think I could get that machine for $900 as well.

I'll be primarily mowing grass, cleaning up leaves, pulling an aerator, seeder and maybe pushing a plow from time to time.

I went into the wanting the GT225 but its really starting to seem like the LX178 is the better option for me....

 

[Jchonline]

How much more land are you planning to buy, and how far out is that?

 

[PHPaul]

I have a 1995 model LX178 and have done nothing but the "3 B's" (Belts, Batteries and Blades) and cleaned the carb twice.

Just normal maintenance, garage kept and the deck scraped, wire-brushed and painted before winter storage and it's pretty much like new, except for paint fade and the odd scratch here and there.