Buying Advice Need help deciding on used JD garden tractor

mikefrommichigan · May 31, 2018

Looking for a used JD lawn/garden tractor for a ｾ acre lot and maybe pushing/blowing snow in winter.
I have been searching the local craigslist classified but do not know much about small tractors, so what should I be looking out for and what should I be avoiding.
Below are some tractors currently for sale, and any advice would be much appreciated. My budget is approx $1,000. I will contact the sellers once I have narrowed it down to find out more info.
Thanks in advance

JD 155 42 deck (no other info listed) $500
JD L130, 23 HP Kohler Commander Engine, 710 Hours, 46 Deck, 46 Plow. $650
JD L120 with bagger, (no other info listed) $900
2007, JD LA 120 42" deck, B&S 21hp, 200 hrs, $1,000
1989, JD STX 38,12.5hp Kohler, yellow deck version, not used & been stored for 15 yrs in barn $650
2010 JD D150, 48" deck, Bagger included, regularly serviced by dealer. $1,600
JD LA135, bagger, 255 hrs 22 hp B&S (no other info listed) $1.200
JD 260, 46" deck, Kawasaki 17hp, 6 speed, $800
JD GT242, 48" deck, 14hp Kawasaki, 6 speed, $695

mercdv · Jun 1, 2018

K7LN said:
Avoid the D, L and LA series tractors as they are bottom of the line big box store models built for a low priced market. Many have the low rated K46 transaxle that is very poor in reliability. The STX is probably a little small. Many of the very old 100 series were good, but low on power. I personally wouldn't consider anything less than the 200 series units you have listed. If you look around, you should be able to come up with a few 318 models. They're popular and quite good, but not much demand for them due to age. You should be able to find a decent one with a 50" deck that you can negotiate with.

Some good advice in this one...Only thing I would add is to make sure that if you are buying a machine that has an hour meter to make sure the hours match the wear and tear you see on the machine. More wear and tear than the hours on the meter, is usually not a good sign. Also, if you are buying used be prepared to buy a machine a little below your max allowance because you will want to spend a little on maintenance when you first get it (change all fluids, air filters, oil filter, grease everything, ...). You might also have to replace some parts.

zzvyb6 · Jun 1, 2018

Ann Arbor Craigslist has a JD 318 for $650. If you can get a little more budget room there is also a JD F-935 diesel for sale there. I have one of these and it's a pretty nice machine. Diesel, sips (off road) fuel), steering wheel, and 72" front mower deck.