JD 100 series lawn tractors

[bondslex]

I'm trying to decide on a lawn tractor and have noticed the 100 series at my local dealer. How is the quality and build on these? Also is the Briggs motor as good as the Kohler and Kaw?

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Poor, in my opinion. You get what you pay for.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

These are for folks who have a big yard and would like a green mower instead of a Murray, MTD or YardMan. Comparing them to those products they are pretty reasonable. But they aren't built to the level as Deere's more pricey LG lineup.

With reasonable use and good care they will do pretty well. I have a Scotts unit which is the same class that Deere offered before jumping into this segment with green paint. It has served me very well, but I opted for a Kohler version.

These are also available at Lowes and Home Depot.

 

[sleepy_sleeper]

I have a L111 Automatic with the Briggs engine. I got it on closeout at Home Depot for $1499 a couple of years ago. I has about 80 hrs on it so far and I havent had ANY problems with it. I couldnt find one in my Poor college kid budget at the time with the Kohler engine so I settled for the Briggs. I got the JD because it was just as cheap as the Cub Cadet but green is much better looking. I have 14 acres with a 1 acre landscaped yard. Im supposed to take delivery on a JD790 at the end of the month to take care of the rest of the property. I would recommend the JD of the Cub Cadet because parts are more available if needed. I would also make sure you get a riding mower with a cast iron front axle even if you dont get the JD. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[capt_met]

i have had an L100 for a few years now. it has performed flawlessly. it mows 4 yards through the summer. this past winter took it back to the dealer for the treatment. it is like new again. also, we used it to cut through about 2 acres of very rough stuff when clearing some bottom land. it cleared paths for dirt bikes. it may be cheaply built but i have been very pleased with it.
good luck,
metin

 

[jeepinator]

I have an L130 (w/ the Kohler). I used it prior to relaizing I needed a real tractor. I was essentially using it as a brush hog, mowing over small trees, 7 foot tall blackberry patches, 1" diameter scotch broom, and taller than me grass and weeds. I figuratively beat the crap out of that thing. I even popped both front tires, ran over a few metal fence posts and random fencing with the mower, and hit more rocks than you can imagine. Heavy duty stuff!
...and that was the fisrt 12 hours of it's life.
I changed the oil and filters (the air filter twice; it was comically jammed with biomass), installed a new belt, and put new blades on it.
Mows like new.
My only complaints have been the smoky starts and wiggly steering mechanism.
I don't think I did too bad for going to **** Depot to get remodeling supplies and coming home with a riding lawn mower on a total impulse buy /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bondslex]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking at the JD 145. I've heard so many things about the 100 series. But from what I can tell they are comparable to the Cub1000 series witht the exception of having the Kohler.

 

[osprey]

<font color="blue"> Poor, in my opinion. You get what you pay for. </font>

Do you or have you owned one ??

 

[bondslex]

I don't own either. I will be purchashing hopefully the Deere in a few weeks though unless something changes.

 

[Joe1]

You will really like your 790.