Is the LT woth the extra cash over the HD L serie

[cavaselis]

I cant figure out the search option on this forum so here goes nothing.

Im looking for a tractor for my house, I have to mow around 3/4 acre and plow snow with it. Some people have told me that the L series in a re-badged murry??? Anyways I want to purchase something that is gonna last a good 10-15 years and be able to handle up to 3 acres if my next house calls for it.I really like the Kubota BX series but is out of my price rangeand probaly more than I need.I really would like to spend no more than 3-4k for a gas 2wd John deere.The LT 170 or LT 180 looks pretty nice and is what im leaning towards.

Oh yeah we dont pay MSRP do we what would a good price be for a LT 170?

Also the G 100 is that pretty much the same as a l series?
Thanks

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I have a LT166 from spring of '98 and have used it for
mowing a half acre and pulling a dump cart around. It's
been flawless. No obvious wear except for the usual
maintainence

I also have the 42" freedom deck which I find truely stunning.
I can plow through 6 or 8 inches of mixed oak and maple
leaves and it mulches the result into fine flakes and pushes
them into the grass. ("Honey, I'm going out to mow the
leaves again.") I don't bother to rake anymore.

Don't know about the L series or current prices.

Cliff

 

[timb]

Not quite a direct answer to your question but I went down that same slippery slope last year picking out a new "mower". Started at "L", went to "LT", then the "GT" 200 series and still wasn't real impressed with the "stoutness" having been used to an old (International Harvester era) Cub Cadet. Rather than push the new $$$ any higher I went used - with an '87 318. It ran all last year well enough until the last cutting of the year when a minor oil leak I was planning to fix over the winter cut loose. (minor gasket).

It does not appear to have any other real issues - and I do believe it will far outlast anything new anywhere near the price I paid, especially on my very rough "lawn".

If your budget is pretty rigid and you want to last that long and handle that big a yard - you might want to look at some quality used garden tractors (and include a worst-case contingency plan of buying a new motor if/when needed).

Taken care of, the combo should last you your 10-15 years.

Tim

 

[bontai_Joe]

The Deere "L" series is a Deere manufactured product and not a rebadged Murray. They are built in Tenn. where the Scotts tractors were built (also a Deere product) They are what Deere came up with to compete with Murray and MTD in an effort to increase sales and it has worked so far. I would not recommend the "L" for 3 acres and an expected life of 15 years. It's just not heavy duty enough for that. It will work nicely cutting grass on your 3/4 acre, but again is a bit light to move serious snow. The G100 was the entry level garden tractor, but is discontinued for 2004 and replaced by the G110 which from what I have read is a lighter duty machine than the G100. (I have not yet seen one myself) The LT 170 and 180 are better machines than the "L" series and will cut your 3/4 acre for many years. I don't know how long a driveway you have to clear or what kind of snowfall you get in the winter to say how well it will do at that job. It is a lawn tractor and by definition is lighter duty than a garden tractor. A snow blower is easier on the tranny than a plow, but more expensive to buy up front. I hope this helps you out a little.

 

[cavaselis]

Good info guys keep it coming please.I have about 70' of driveway to plow and I live in baltimore so the weather can vary this year we have had about 10" of snow and last year we had more than 40" of snow.

 

[DAP]

I have an LX288 (18hp 2wd gas). This is a HD machine and it does way more than I should ask of it. A contractor friend calls this class of deere mowers "80 hour machines" and the new L series he refers to as "10" hour machines.

I asked him what he meant by this and he said you can run the HD machine 80 hours a week and it won't break.

You get the rest of the picture. In summary, the L machines are rebadged Sears class machines. This line being as new as it is, the jury is out on their durability, but some assumptions are safe to make sometimes. The L series price out at less than half of the bigger JD HD machines.

I have a lotta of grass and it needs mowin often. I chose not to skimp here.

My dos centavos.

 

[SteveM]

I dont know why you are set on Deere, you should really look at the new expanded Cub line, especially since you want to plow snow. Cubs have a heavier frame and tranny in the 2xxx and 3xxx series, may be in your price range. Bang for buck, the best heavy cheap tractor in my opinion is the Husquvarna GT for sale at dealers or Lowes - about 2600 for the hydro, 48" deck, bumper etc. This is made by the same parent company that makes the Craftsman GT, but the Husq version has a powder coated deck, better deck hardware, and that nice orange paint. For the money the best tractor available.