JD quality

[gowitheflo]

I'm shopping for a garden tractor and considered JD for it's rep. But I've been reading some negative things about JD, particularly the 100 series. Now I'm a little nervous about buying JD. How does Husqvarna, Kubota, Simplicity etc compare to JD?

 

[jonyyuma]

You might just need to keep reading about all of them. It take months to digest the data. BUT if I made and sold a stainless steel hammer and sold it with a fiberglass handle, then someone would not like it..JD makes good stuff, some of it is cheaper for a reason...Not as heavy duty as other models...My neighbor uses his MOWER for a bushhog and then complains about it breaking....Of course there are some bad models or designs..Time usually tells----then they change it??

 

[Tenn_Blue]

Deere, like many other manufacturers, makes different levels of product, sometimes to meet price points. No matter what the product is, when you build to compete at a price point, you make compromises and sacrifices.....

The "bottom tier" of Deere equipment has been built to compete with cheap mowers and mass distribution at the "big box stores." Not saying it is necessarily a bad product, but they won't take as much use/abuse as the more expensive models.

Another example is briggs (or kohler, or...) engines. They make a a base model with plain bearings, splash lubrication, aluminum cylinders, etc. Much cheaper than the "commercial grade" product by the same manufacturer, which have ball bearings, iron liners, pressure lube, etc. The cheaper engine would work fine for what many of us would use it for, but don't expect to use it for many years in a daily use mower...

But back to Deere..:laughing:

Personal opinion here, but I don't think even the upper tier Deere mowers are built as well as they used to be. Manufacturers don't overbuild to last anymore! I have 2 older garden tractors, both from the 70's; a ford LGT165 and a Deere 316K. Both lived hard lives before I got them. Both came with heavy(!!!) steel frames and cast iron engines (that can be easily rebuilt). Both still going strong and with moderate care, will outlast me! I don't think a modern Deere product will be around and in that kind of shape in 40+ years!

But depends on what you want, how much you want to pay, what you want it to do, and how long you want it to last....

Read the posts - lots of OPINIONS on here :thumbsup:

 

[s219]

The JD 100 series are a low cost department store tractor. It's intended to meet a certain price point (cheap!), and I think it competes well with other brands in that same low end of the market. But I wouldn't recommend one. Unless price is your only factor, I'd recommend you spend more and get into an X300 or X500, which is a "proper" Deere to me. I have a ten year old Deere "LT" model that is equivalent to a modern X500, and it's been great.

Bottom line is you get what you pay for, and brand is not so important in that low end of the market.

 

[jonyyuma]

Amen, Brother, some of what I was trying to say too. My old jd had a alum engine and no bearings. I replaced with Com. Ind BS engine..The spindles are steel and bearing changes are easy..But i believe it is 1981 model. ALL MFRS are trying to stay in business, and they supply what the market can stand. MY Famous comparison is JD and Kubota Quality againest the cheapies, mainly chinese clones. BUT there are people here Whom love thiers and a totally satified . Opinions.

 

[tractchores]

For what its worth i've got a JD garden tractor from 1986. It's still running strong and it has been very abused (used as a brushog, used to haul stuff, used to skid some logs and a bunch of other stuff). I still use it for mowing and hauling stuff today. In 26 years its never broken down or needed to go to the dealer for anything but a tune up. My parents bought a newer version (it's the biggest garden tractor they make without PTO and a FEL). They like that one far less and it's broken down twice in 2 years with light use (mowing a hilly 3 acre lawn). For whatever reason they're not built like they used to be. Does that make it any better or worse than any other new model out there? I don't know, but I think the quality overall of that class of machine has gone down. When it came time to buy my bigger tractor I went with Kubota because of my personal impressions of quality and because I felt like I got a LOT more for my money. My point is that things change over time and between lines from a manufacturer, so I'd find folks with the exact model you're considering and/or look closely at it to make your own assessment about the quality of the machine.

 

[gowitheflo]

Thanks for your opinions and info.

 

[BobOB1775]

I spent a lot of time looking at all of the riding mowers and lawn tractors and ended up buying a 1987 JD 165 on E-Bay. I wanted something heavy duty but didn't have the budget for one of the more robust mowers. I did luck out and found one locally.

I decided on the older model because I still could find lots of parts, even used ones on E-Bay. I'm on my second motor, but will re-build the Kawasaki this year so I have it for a spare. I use the tractor for mowing, pushing snow and moving dirt. It takes a beating.

If I ever break it, I'd go for one of the 300 series tractors. I would not buy one at the big box stores. I've read many comments regarding big box stores and agree, you will get much better results and people that know the product.

Do your homework. This forum is a great place to get answers. I've had great results from many fine members. Let us know what you end up with. Best wishes!:thumbsup:

 

[Bryan59EC]

I have 2 Lxxxgarden tractors.

Mypersona opinion is that there is nothing wrong with the tractor or engine,
but the transaxles suck.
Too small a transaxle for what people want a garden tractor for.

I live in a hilly sandy area (3 acres)and that will take a toll on the tractor.
Sand gets everywhere and does some damage.

Last year I ha to replace the deck as the sand had blsted right thru it and you could see the blades a spinnin' (350hours on this tractor--2002---L120)

Bought a another (L130) last year with 100 hours on it, and this spring---both transaxles failed.

Put a bigger and better trans in the L120 this lat week, and will attempt to rebuild he trans in the L130 here in the near future..

They both have really paid for themselves, and it ias still less money to repair than to replace, so I will keep them going 'til they rot away.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think it depends on what your expectations are, lots of people want a garden tractor for the price of a riding lawn mower. Many of these people buy the riding lawn mower and try to use it in roles that require a garden tractor and these cheaper lighter built models can't take the abuse. They then complain here.

From what I see the better Deere riding mowers start with the x310 and up, the garden tractors start with the x700 series. The x500 series are more capable than the x300 series on rougher terrain, they are stronger with a better transmission, larger tires and can pull much better.

At any rate which one to buy depends on your planned uses, simply mowing can be done with the x310 and up with a good life expectancy.

 

[rgs03833]

I was in the Big Box Stores... HD and Lowes and I saw a few JD. I LOVE JD's but dam.... they are making it cheaper and cheaper . I was Shaking all of them as a Shake test, lol... It was crazy, they Shakes like Crazy...

The only one that I think it good is Husqvarna. Looked well made, although I haven't tried it. But looks better than other brands...

If I were you, I would spend two hours looking at all the nooks and crannies before I'd buy it. But I like the Husqvarna model :thumbsup:

Good luck with your search!

 

[mjm1]

Go to your John Deere dealer. He is the most knowledgable and will steer you in the right direction once he determines your needs. After the sale he will support your product for as long as you own it. He is running a small business and employing local professionals. He will probably come in after hours or on a Sunday if you need a part.
Deere makes the best garden tractors once you get to the X300 and up series. Anything less from any manufacturer is a waste of money.
I am not affiliated or receive compensation from Deere, just my two cents.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Last fall I upgraded my 2520 which had been serving as my lawn tractor to a 3320 cab so I needed a garden class tractor to cut the 2 acres around the house. I could have used the 3320 but with all the plantings we have, it would have been a nightmare getting that large of a tractor around them. So, I started searching for a garden tractor. We live on a mountain, my lawn is brutal on lawn equipment transmissions because of the slopes. The Compact utility tractors have no issues whatsoever with it but lawn tractors are a different story, the hydro on the cheap stuff are lucky if they last 2 seasons.

Last summer I looked at Simplicity, Husky, Cub and Deere.

The Simplicity dealer said that the Conquest should be the minimum I should look at because of the slopes and he was pushing the Legacy but 10K is a bit much.

The Husky dealer said they wouldn't sell me a tractor as the drive system on either the regular or high speed models wouldn't last on my property.

The Cub 2000 series was nice but expensive and the dealer wouldn't budge off of list, I didn't want to deal with that.

The Deere dealer said I should look at the x500 or even the x700 series because of the slopes. More than I wanted to spend.

I ended up finding a 1988 318 Deere locally, The Onan runs like new and that bulletproof hydrostat will tow a large trailer full of cordwood around like nothing. I asked the Deere dealer what the 318's were like and he said they are the same level as the X700 series.

The point I'm trying to make here is if you really talk to the dealers, be honest with your needs, they will give you good advice. If you want a garden tractor but only have the budget for a lawn tractor, look used and you may find a good deal.

My 2 cents,

Tom

 

[sriddle1ny]

TOMD999,

I'm with you, in 2002 I purchased a used (1993) JD425 with 895 hours. Since that time I've probably spent $1,300 on various parts and it runs great. The hydraulic deck lift is a great feature as compared to cheap manual types. I keep up with all the maintenance myself & 've been running Mobil 1 in it since that original purchase. The older models can be purchased at a good price and JD keeps parts for those older models available. JD's "after purchase" Support Services with its on-line Parts Catalog is great for anyone considering a new/used model.

Tom, On another subject you had me going for a moment. My wife and I purchased 14 acres in NH last summer. I had to look-up where "Manchvagas" was only to find it's slang for Manchester..... another tid-bit only learned on TractorByNet...........

 

[rubadub]

I have 3 John Deere garden tractors, a 111 I bought about 4 years ago, and really like it a lot, it doesn't have a mower deck just hauls a cart and gathers leaves and what not.

I have LT155 that I bought new 11 or 12 years ago, it has a 38'' mower deck and it has never had to be worked on or fixed, just oil and filter and grease, even has the original belt on it, but I don't mulch with it. I really like that one also.

The 3rd one I have is a X728, it only has 18 hours on it, because I don't cut the grass with it, just snow blow and till a pretty large garden.

The X728 has not been used much so I can't give an assessment of how it will last.

But I would like to like to say a few things.

Please understand up front I'm not trying to say I'm the last word on these tractors, because theres a whole lot more of you tractor guys that have forgot more then I'll ever know.

I'm just going to give you some background on me.

I'm 70 years old and still able to still take nourishment and get around and do some things around the house and back yard.

I was a real tool and die maker for a few years, did some welding and fabricating, retired out of a Nuclear power plant.

For the most part I would call my self a laborer/ whatever came along I could make a buck at I would work at it.

I was barely able to hold a C average through high school and have been a slow learner but I have the ability to retain quite a few things.

Throughout my years I built a couple of garages around 30' x 50' and I made one of them into my hobby shop, and still use it yet today.

My son moved up here a few years ago and him and I fixed some cars and pickups and what not for extra cash so I accumulated a bunch of tools.

I like to fabricate things in my shop and have the ability to do the mechanical and body end of a lot of projects.

Heres a website my wife of 50 years made for me that shows some of the stuff I putz around with. Just click on this.

CHEVELLE

Now to the point of JD quality.

I'm pretty impressed with the old 111 and LT155 I have, but the X728 is a whole nother story.

I have been under it several times looking it over, and kind of all over it , just kind of looking at how its made. I have had a few new cars and appliances in my life time but never anything like this X728, its a little tractor as tractors go but its very powerfull and starts instantly and will till virgin sod in one pass.

When I'm under this tractor it reminds me of the days as a tool maker when I had a micrometer in my hand a lot, I feel like this tractor, its hard to explain, like every part on it was well engineered and held to some good tolerances, as well as the paint work is really nice.

The four wheel drive in this little bugger just goes through the snow and dirt like it isn't even there.

My wife and I each had a mini stroke about 4 years ago and I was using a walk behind blower and it was beating me up, after a stroke a man doesn't have the energy he used to, I would get tired pretty easy.

So after the last snow storm was cleaned up, I walked into the living room and said Shari, were getting a bigger garden tractor or were leaving.

Thats when the decision was made to get the X728.

Folks, that was one of most intelligent decisions I have made in my 70 years of being here, and that was a ton of money for us.

We love this little tractor, and I really should put this on paper, you working guys at John Deere, I'm talking the guys that run it, the engineeres that designed it, and you guys that do the work on the line, down to ones that sweep the floors, you people pulled out all the stops on this beautifull machine. Yessir we still have some people in this country that can get it done and get it done right, I'm truly impressed with the workmanship on this little bugger, its an outstanding machine.

Rob Milks.

 

[jimbo64]

I'm shopping for a garden tractor and considered JD for it's rep. But I've been reading some negative things about JD, particularly the 100 series. Now I'm a little nervous about buying JD. How does Husqvarna, Kubota, Simplicity etc compare to JD?

i know a guy who has a gt245-he bought it new in 2002 -has about 700 hrs and he says all he's ever changed are the belts one time- i know he cuts his yard and 4 acres of fields with it plus he's always hauling something- has a 7 cu ft wagon with a 55 gal drum mounted on it that he pulls around watering trees-this thing is used a lot and never been back to the dealer- he is a stickler for maint though- does it on time every time=rugged little toy- so go see your dealer not your box store----he'll help you

 

[buickanddeere]

My boys both have 110 Deeres that are older than thier Mother. Tractors work just fine.