Grunt0311
Bronze Member
Hello to all. I am new to the site, but have been reading a lot on here lately. I am looking a getting my first John Deere, after many years of mowing with subpar mowers. I have just under an acre, mostly wide open. The only hill I have Is in the front going from the road, through the drainage ditch (that doesn't have water). This hill is very tame. I can transverse it easily without any feeling of tipping or leaning.
I had looked at and almost pulled the trigger on a new X300 in the fall, but I was scared off by the fact that they only put a K46 transmission in them. I got lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it as I did not get a brand new mower), and now found out that the boss i.e. Wife has a bun in the oven. So now, no new mower as I have diapers to buy. I have done hours of research on all brands of used mowers, and I think I have talked myself into a little older mower with a good reputation. My local dealer, who is very reputable, has probably spent close to 2 hours sitting down with me and answering questions when I stop in, knowing that I wasn't going to be buying anything right away. I was impressed with that.
They have a 1998 LX188 for sale with a 48" deck. The mower looks to be in great shape, especially considering it is now 16 years old. The seat is not cracked, hood is not broken, and front bumper cover is not broken. These seem to be the most common cosmetic issues on these tractors that I have noticed. The deck looks to be in great shape, with no dents or abnormal scrapes/rust. They claim that before they resell anything they go through it and service it, change fluids, grease, level deck, and repair anything they notice that is wrong mechanically. They are asking $1195. I'm not sure what etiquette is when buying a new mower, and if you can hagle at all. The tires look like they are worn some, so I was considering offering about $1100 cash and asking if I could get the tires at cost. Does this seem reasonable? I don't want to offend them either, as they have been extremely helpful and patient with me while I have been looking.
My other question is are these mowers as well liked and respected as they seem to me to be? I know I am buying a 16 year old mower and that there will eventually be repairs that need to be made. I take very good care of any equipment/vehicle that I have. I love the thought of the Kawa liquid cooled engine, and the beefier K61 trans. Will I be able to service this transmission, meaning change the fluid regularly like the other fluids to try and prolong its life? I dont use implements, but do tow a 300-400 pound poly roller once a year around the lawn. Will it handle this? I see they do have a 38" or 42" blower for this model, and I have toyed with the thought of using that for my driveway which is about 2 car lenghts wide by 3-4 car lengths long, with a gradual hill. Would it handle this ok with weights/chains, that is to say would the mower hold up to it? I know that just because you can attach a blower/blade, it is not always a good idea to for longevity on some models (D1xx for example.)
I know this is a long post with a lot of questions. From what I have read on this forum, the members are knowledgable and honest, so I hope you will respond with any thoughts or advice you may have. I know a GT would definately be beefier, and is a great mower too, but they also have the air cooled motors. The liquid cooled I've been told is a great motor, and like I have said, I have diapers and daycare to pay for soon haha. And I do like the LX188 as long as it will do what I want which is mainly mowing, and hold up in the process. The same dealer does have a couple of GT235's but they are almost $1000 more, and to be honest do not look to be in as good of shape as the LX188.
Thank you in advance for responding.
I had looked at and almost pulled the trigger on a new X300 in the fall, but I was scared off by the fact that they only put a K46 transmission in them. I got lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it as I did not get a brand new mower), and now found out that the boss i.e. Wife has a bun in the oven. So now, no new mower as I have diapers to buy. I have done hours of research on all brands of used mowers, and I think I have talked myself into a little older mower with a good reputation. My local dealer, who is very reputable, has probably spent close to 2 hours sitting down with me and answering questions when I stop in, knowing that I wasn't going to be buying anything right away. I was impressed with that.
They have a 1998 LX188 for sale with a 48" deck. The mower looks to be in great shape, especially considering it is now 16 years old. The seat is not cracked, hood is not broken, and front bumper cover is not broken. These seem to be the most common cosmetic issues on these tractors that I have noticed. The deck looks to be in great shape, with no dents or abnormal scrapes/rust. They claim that before they resell anything they go through it and service it, change fluids, grease, level deck, and repair anything they notice that is wrong mechanically. They are asking $1195. I'm not sure what etiquette is when buying a new mower, and if you can hagle at all. The tires look like they are worn some, so I was considering offering about $1100 cash and asking if I could get the tires at cost. Does this seem reasonable? I don't want to offend them either, as they have been extremely helpful and patient with me while I have been looking.
My other question is are these mowers as well liked and respected as they seem to me to be? I know I am buying a 16 year old mower and that there will eventually be repairs that need to be made. I take very good care of any equipment/vehicle that I have. I love the thought of the Kawa liquid cooled engine, and the beefier K61 trans. Will I be able to service this transmission, meaning change the fluid regularly like the other fluids to try and prolong its life? I dont use implements, but do tow a 300-400 pound poly roller once a year around the lawn. Will it handle this? I see they do have a 38" or 42" blower for this model, and I have toyed with the thought of using that for my driveway which is about 2 car lenghts wide by 3-4 car lengths long, with a gradual hill. Would it handle this ok with weights/chains, that is to say would the mower hold up to it? I know that just because you can attach a blower/blade, it is not always a good idea to for longevity on some models (D1xx for example.)
I know this is a long post with a lot of questions. From what I have read on this forum, the members are knowledgable and honest, so I hope you will respond with any thoughts or advice you may have. I know a GT would definately be beefier, and is a great mower too, but they also have the air cooled motors. The liquid cooled I've been told is a great motor, and like I have said, I have diapers and daycare to pay for soon haha. And I do like the LX188 as long as it will do what I want which is mainly mowing, and hold up in the process. The same dealer does have a couple of GT235's but they are almost $1000 more, and to be honest do not look to be in as good of shape as the LX188.
Thank you in advance for responding.
