john deer LT 118 series

[wooferlove]

It is difficult to keep the LT118 in the running after the last post, yet would like to for I have a local JD dealer that is recommended. I am also very new to the Lawn Tractor purchase experience. I have narrowed the selection to the following four mowers - 1) John Deere LT118 2) Craftsman 26 HP ELS #27607; 3) Husqvarna LTH2042 or 4) a used Husqvarna YTH1542 XP (72 hours)

My concern is with durability - even though the JD can be serviced by a dealer that is only 2 miles from my home and the Husky dealer is less than 15 minutes, yet the local Sears store is a 30 minute drive. I do not want to be spending my time servicing a mower if at all possible. I will be mowing up to 1.5 acres primarily flat land.

I would love opinions on the mowers listed. The other thing - some mention test driving the mower - it has yet to be offered to me at any of the dealers I have visited and many have the mowers inside or still crated such as L118 which would prevent this. How do you typically get to test drive - not being stupid but I guess I could say get the mower outside for me and let me test it out or do you relay on a return policy.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

A few people have referenced consumer reports. This is some personal opinion, but I don't believe a work they say. They make themselves out to be an objective source but they are not. If you do a few internet searches for different products you will find that they do tend to favor a product based on some corporate preasures and public influance. Case in point, I am an electronics nut, Bose speakers are consistantly ratted as some of the best that they review. Anyone who does some real homework knows that Bose makes some of the worst over hyped crap in the world. There is nothing to it but marketing, infact, they Sued consumer reports and several other magizines after they gave marginal reviews to some of their products. Guess what, not a sour review since.

I don't trust them in the slightest...

End of Rant.

 

[Bird]

I dropped my subscription years ago, Neil, because I agree with you. I actually think they do more harm than good.

 

[wooferlove]

I have seen little on this board in regards to the Husgvarna mowers and I am unsure of since they are the least expensive of the mowers I am looking at - would like to know where to find unbiased reviews of them. Thank you!

 

[yellowsocks93]

I went to go look at them the other day and they don't have as thick of frame as the higher priced JD's or adjustable drag links on the steering. The plus is that most models feature a Kawasaki V-Twin and the price is dirt cheap. I would buy one and in fact I am just about to order in my new Husky articulating rider. I may be one of the only ones in the US with one but that's ok. If I could afford a new JD front mower I would buy one from where I work! I looked at our new JD garden tractors and they are not built as well as my GT 242 and 320 so I'll keep them and the new Husky.

 

[bontai_Joe]

The thing with the Deere L100 series is that they are designed to compete with what is available at Walmart, Lowe's, etc. They are built for their low price and as mentioned above, compromises are made to keep the price low. If you figure that the motor represents roughly $1000 of the price and the whole machine is sell ing for $1799 including profit for the store, profit for Deere, shipping costs, etc, there isn't much money left over for the rest of the tractor. Since the original poster was cutting only an acre of lawn, I think the L118 will do that job fine. It is when he mentions blowing/plowing snow and tilling a garden, that the machine becomes a little light in design. Unfortunately, good tractors cost good money. There is no equalivalent to a Deere 318 available today for under $2000, or $4000 for that matter. What I need to know is how much tilling is planned? What kind of snow is he dealing with? The typical 3" Virginia snow? Or the 30" typical Buffalo NY snow?

 

[slammer]

Hey Joe, to further illustrate your point, the trannys in the hydro models are around $450 so what do we have left? A $200 tractor? Scary!

Slam

 

[bontai_Joe]

I've posted this comparison before on other forums. I bought my Deere 316 new in 1979 for $2850 and a new Ford F-150 in 1978 for $4800. So if a new Ford F-150 sells for $18,000 then the equal value tractor should cost around $10,600, assuming my ratio of truck to tractor value is correct. That $10,600 will buy a REAL nice machine of any of your favorite colors, but the market seems to have $2000 as a price point for machines. And for $2000 and under, there lots of choices, but ALL are light duty lawn tractors, which isn't a bad thing, but not designed for large snow removal, large tilling jobs, or other hard work requiring frame/axle strength. Most are great at cutting grass and that is they primary design function.

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Most are great at cutting grass and that is the primary design function. )</font>

You give the sub 2K mowers more credit than I do. The real bottom of the barrel types (Murray, MTD) typically only cut nice for about 2 seasons. Then it seems like the decks paractically self destruct. Pre-1990 editions of these same tractors seem to be of much higher quality than the new stuff being offered today.

Slam

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Joe,

Another good comparison would be the value today of these 25 year-old pieces of equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[yellowsocks93]

I don't know if you were replying to my message but I was comparing the Huskys to the JD's in my last post. The L series don't have adjustable steering but wear is built into them so in a few years they will work properly. The did this by messing with the toe in from the factory.

If I were Deere I would not have even entered the market of lower priced econo tractors (starting with the Sabre line in 1998 I believe) that have a life span of 5 years according to my supervisor. But I would take one over a Murray for parts support and dealer support. I talk to a lot of people that would not buy them because they are so cheap. A lot of people still run 316s and 318s in my area and they are still going strong and would not trade them for a new JD so they tell me.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Well, the old Deere stuff was so over designed that it is nearly indestructable. I just bought a 1980's vintage Deere 210 on July 5th in very good condition for half of what a Walmart special sells for and 1/4 of a new Deere L110 costs. And I would not hesitate in using this tractor to plow or blow snow, or run a tiller. I'd like to buy new, but the stuff I like starts at $5000 and goes up quickly, in any color. (Cub, Deere, Ingersoll, Simplicity, Wheelhorse, etc.)

 

[yellowsocks93]

Sweet. Great machines. We got my grandpa's 1975 JD 214. All original and runs good for being just about 30 years old. Hope the new stuff lasts that long. I know your new mower will last a lifetime. Tip: If the trans oil has not been changed, change it to normal Hy Gard. Mine was the original and very milky looking.

 

[wooferlove]

Just a quick update - we purchased the L130 this weekend. We have a local dealer within a few miles and sort of got a deal when the manager wrote down the wrong price for it. My husband used it this weekend and it did fine - we have about an acre of not so good area - rough some weeds etc. We did consider the L118 and the dealer even had a used one with only 2 hours on it - supposedly previous owner said it was not large enough for what he needed to mow. Went with L130 for the engine, tire size, and yes the convenient discount. We do have a steep incline which we do not mow but must go up and down to get to the area which is to be mowed. The man at the dealer stated you could liquid fill the tires for more stability- what do you guys think?

 

[slammer]

You can certainly do that will no ill effect. Detachable wheel weights might also be an option. BTW, I am glad you went with the 130, as far as the 100 series goes it's a good machine for your needs. Keep the maintenace up on it and you should be fine and dandy.

Slam

 

[mwood]

I have a 1982 JD 216 mower to mow 3.5 acres in the summer and I use in the winter to power a 38inch blower. This machine has been abused so hard and yet is still runs like a top. In fact, I just noticed that the rear axle housing is cracked on the left side. Looks like it's been that way for close to the 2 years we've owned it. (It came with the house) Now i've put about 150 hours on this mower that way -- summer and winter. After taking off the part and looking at both it and the axle, it looks like all it needs is a good welder!

I guess what i'm saying is that you get what you pay for. I have the reciept from the original owner in 1982 which has the price at $2400. This includes the 46" deck -- which by the way is made of such thick steel that it is actually very difficult for me to lift by myself. These machines have quarter inch thick steel frames and cast iron trannys and axle housings.

The only models comparable to these now are in the GT 3xx series and up. If i were anyone looking to buy a mower for $2000, i'd go try to find an old JD 240 or other common mid eighties model. These tractors have lots of life in them and are built to take a beating!

Just my $0.02.

 

[KubotaBling]

they made around 2K LT118's this season as overflow for the greeneville plant any with serial number H or something instead of GX being the greeneville plant

 

[KubotaBling]

Most componets on the LT118 are same as u'll find on there premium line i remember seeing the G series and LT-LX transmissions and even the new X series there all based on simular construction and the same engineering group is responsable so if ones junk baby there bout all junk..