New Deere E150 lawn tractor

[Einthewoods]

My junky old lawn tractor (a three person hand-me-down) that I use for mowing around the house stopped in the middle of the yard yesterday. It seems like I spend more time working on the dang thing than using it so it wasn't a big shock.

I had been doing some casual research on new ones but hadn't planned to buy one for a while. And I couldn't come to a real conclusion on the reviews to pick a real winner for what I wanted.

I was leaning toward a John Deere E150 even though it isn't the right color, and was able to get one at Lowes for a 10% discount along with a free dump trailer. Supposed to get delivered in a week or so.

Hoping it lasts and I'm not disappointed. Anyone have anything good or bad to say about them? It's got to be much better than my last one....if nothing else it has a beer (cup) holder!

 

[tomplum]

Congrats. They are a nice enough ride. Cover the manual so you know what / when to service, where to grease etc. Visit the dealer and get the delete kit for the oil change system.

 

[WranglerX]

Be aware the consumer versions of riding mowers sold at big box stores are not same quality as sold through "brand name" dealerships....

Looking at new mower it seems the are all pretty much the same after you get past color of hood and fenders, it seem the they all come off same assembly line (MTD?), sort of like 10,000 green ones, 10,000 orange ones, 10,000 black and yellow ones and they put B&S motors in some and Kohler motors in some and now probably some chinese junk motors...

Don't want it to be a downer, but the quality just aint there any more...

Yeah, I have a green one (2004) with over 500 hours on it and I have had to rebuild the deck twice on it... You can get spindles and blades for about 1/2 the price through "after market" sellers... I found out on spindles I can replace the two bearing on each spindle for $8 a bearing ($16 per spindle) vs $30 for new aftermarket spindle and of a $50 genuine green part spindle... And Oregon brand seem to be best replacement blades as I get two cutting seasons out of $6.00 oregon blade (e-bay purchase) vs one season with $12-15 for genuine green blade...

Dale

 

[stevem5215]

It should be fine. The Hydro units are usually just the weaker of the manufacturers offerings. But, I have a K46 unit in my Craftsman Pro 24hp and while it did give me some trouble I was able to take the transaxle out of the unit (4 bolts hold them in you know) and you dump out the old oil 5w-50 and add new synthetic oil and it ran like new again. I also replaced the drive belt while I was at it since I was messing around with that section of the mower. I've since put another 200 hrs at least on it (have had it around 10 years now) without further trouble. I did the oil about 5 years ago. It still runs like a top and I balance the deck for height adjustments and have replaced the steering arms on it due to them being bent from hitting things. Also, put new front tires on it this year cause they were bald from use (backs ok still). It's been a good mower and if you can get over the cheap hydro units (which can be rebuilt even though everyone says they can't ... ) then it works just fine.

Long live the K46 tranny.

Steve

 

[WranglerX]

Yes on rebuilds... Did mine a year ago....

COM_Net2

Dale

 

[Deere Dude]

It's got to be much better than my last one....if nothing else it has a beer (cup) holder!

About 25 years ago I worked at a JD garden tractor factory and they did a survey to find what customers wanted most on their tractors. Way above all else was a cup holder. Give me one cup holder and put a tractor under it. You will enjoy the tractor.

 

[Einthewoods]

Finally got this delivered and mowed the lawn with it yesterday.

First the good:

Lots of power. This thing has more power than the old junkers I have had for sure. I wear ear protection while operating just about anything with a motor these days which is good as it is loud and angry sounding.

Lots of speed while mowing. This thing cruises! And the mower can actually keep up with it. Probably mowed the lawn in half the time as my old junker.

Ride is ok, no great. First thing I noticed was that I sit lot taller on this than my old one. My knees weren't up in my chin which is a nice thing.


Now the bad:
Welcome to the land of the mamsy pansy "be safe" world and demise of all that is good in the universe. Stupid reverse safety switch. If you actively have the mower going and dare to want to back up, it will shut the dang thing off. Not just the mower deck, but the tractor too. Total nonsense BS. I am so tired of having my life impacted because some idiot ran over his neighbours foot on accident. The guy shouldn't have been on his property while there was a manly activity going on in the first place. I think if serious research was done, one would find behind every change for the worse in the world could be pointed to the publication of a safety sticker or the like. I bet entire wars could have been avoided if people could have just stopped the safety police.


Do you know how difficult it is to hold a tumbler of bourbon, drive a mower and then have to push this stupid button all the dang time? I need to find a way to defeat that safety switch.

 

[tomplum]

Pro tip: use a sippy cup to keep the grass out of the brown liquor... I'm sure that you'll find a way on the MIR issue. Deere has this philosophy that concentrating on pressing that button (while facing forward) each time is safer than turning your head and watching where you are going. Many others it is a one time thing each cutting cycle. I'm glad that you enjoy the rider.

 

[plowhog]

Congrats on the new purchase!

To keep the blades spinning while in reverse, do you have to push a button and hold it to enable that? That seems klunky.

My Husqvarna has a second key position. Normal key = engine dies if you back up. Alternate key position = it works like you want it to. I agree the safety police are a headache. On my tractor, why even have the safety if it can be so easily defeated?