JD LT180 or LA145

microcosm · Jun 10, 2010

I am looking to get a new/used mower and have narrowed it down to 2 options and would like to hear opinions on which one to pick.

1. LT180 2005 w/150 hours, bagger and 42" deck. $1950 out the door

2. LA145 new w/0 hours, no bagger and 48" deck. $2000 out the door

Thanks in advance,

Mike

ctlguy · Jun 10, 2010

Unless you feel that you have to have the warranty the lt180 is twice the machine. The kawi powered units are so much nicer as well as a longer life machine. New a lt180 with a bagger should have been $3,000 so nothing wrong with trying to get them to 1/2 of new.

jinman · Jun 10, 2010

I'm a LA145 owner. The deck on mine is not what it should be. I just had one of the main spindles crater (as in the aluminum casting broke in half). I grease spindles every 8-10 hours and I only have 90 hours on my mower. Also, the engine carburetor has had terrible problems with ethanol and bad seals and needle valves going bad. For $2000, I find it just barely acceptable. I would have to recommend the used LT180. I can no longer recommend the LA145 in good faith. Sadly, it requires lots of skill and spare parts to keep running.