JD LX176 questions

[nyacres]

Hello,
Great site you all have here. Recently purchased a used LX176 that came with a 48" deck a snowthrower attachment and a dump cart that had two rotted flat tires. The upper hood was taped together with aluminum tape, and the machine was filthy. After some epoxy for the hood and a good wash, she looks pretty sharp I must say for a 10 to 15 year old tractor ( I don't know the year). I have a series of questions. This is my first lawn tractor, really wanted a JD 2305 with backhoe loader box blade tiller and all the goodies, but it was not in the budget or even close this year (new house). The LX176 is a definate upgrade from my toro push mower, we have 6 hilly acres, and I'd like to mow about 2 acres of it. Ahh well maybe next year or the year after for the 2305.
My questions----
I paid $650 for the whole package, did I get a deal or no deal?
Is this a machine with a good history, powerplant, transmission?
What should I look out for maintenance wise?
I changed the oil and filter, spark plug, fuel filter and dumped out the old gas. anything else I should do to ensure proper operation?
The drive belt underneath looks slightly cracked, worn, and dried out, how difficult is it to replace this belt, should I bother?
Will this machine tow a 600-850lb. lawn roller on a 10-15% grade, I know it will, but is that bad for the machine?
I have a plow truck and don't need the snow thrower, what is the value of the snowthrower attachment?
Most of our land is currently field with lots of rocks, ruts and other thick clumps of grass, my question is, what will happen if I keep mowing it this season, other than damaging the blades on the deck, will the field turn into something resembling a lawn?
Again great site here, I appreciate your insight.

 

[shot_gun]

The drive belt underneath looks slightly cracked, worn, and dried out, how difficult is it to replace this belt, should I bother?

If it 's the transmission drive. you won't go anywhere when it breaks. If you have hills and are pulling things it's probably only a matter of time till it breaks. If I remember right that has a 14hp kawasaki. Good motor and also a good trans mission. As far as a good deal, it would cost 4k to replace just the tractor. I think you shoul dwait till you get a bigger tractor to pull that lawn roller. Sounds like a beast shure to kill your tractor in a hurry. It should get you a couple of years till you get your dream tractor.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Your snowblower is worth around $200 to $300 in good condition, more if you sell it during a snow storm. Obviously now is not a good time to sell it, try to hang on to it untill around December.

 

[Shimon]

That's a pretty good price. It's a very good machine.

Check the hydo fluid. The manual says not change it (they are worried about getting dirt in there) but I would. At least make sure the level is ok and that non of the seals are leaking.

I have the LX178 which has the water cooled engine but otherwise they are similar machines. It's worth it to get the shop manual...you can get it on CD. Parts manuals can be had online.

Enjoy.

 

[nyacres]

Thank you very much for the repies. I got the transmission belt changed, and glad I did, it was in terrible shape, nearly cracked through in several spots. Thanks again this site is the best spot for anything tractor related!!!!

 

[Doorkeeper]

The snowthrower.What is the price of it?

 

[BruceWard]

Will this machine tow a 600-850lb. lawn roller on a 10-15% grade, I know it will, but is that bad for the machine?

The LX176 has a Tuff Torq K61 transaxles. The K61 can handle around 200 foot pounds of constant torque. The John Deere GT models have K7X transaxles which are designed to handle twice as much torque. I have a LX279 with the same K61. JD says that you need the GT series to use ground engaging attachments. I would not hesitate to pull the roller on flat ground but those hills may put too much stress on it.

Personally I have found that rollers are much more effective when the ground is moist and that you need 4WD to pull one in the wet. I borrow a friends 4WD 4 wheeler to pull a roller.

my question is, what will happen if I keep mowing it this season, other than damaging the blades on the deck, will the field turn into something resembling a lawn?
Again great site here, I appreciate your insight.

Could you hire someone to bushog for you before you go after it with the mower?