Price Check Not sure if LA135 is a good deal/worth it for me

mringer14 · Jul 16, 2017

Hello,

VERY new to this stuff so please forgive my ignorance on the subject.

My neighbor (who I trust) is moving soon and offered me his John Deere LA135 at what he says is a steep discount from what he paid for it. The mower has less than 40 hours on it, and he just doesn't want to bring it with him to his next home (won't need it, condo). He says he will part with it for $1000. He does all the regular maintenance, etc.

My question is, with my lawn being around a 1/4 acre, would it be worth sinking that kind of money into it? I have always wanted to get a ride on (using a $250 powered push at the time), but cannot get myself to pull the trigger, but I just want to make sure I'm not doing the wrong thing by not jumping on what may be an awesome deal. I do like the fact that it will save me tons of time doing lawn work (that I really don't like doing) and let me spend more time with my family. I also see us moving in the near future to a new house that will most likely have more lawn to mow (prob closer to 1 acre), so it would be more of a necessity then.

Also, how well does the bagger work? I don't like leaving clippings.

Am I a fool for not jumping on this? Should I see if he will go lower? Any advice you all have will be greatly appreciated as this would be a major purchse.

Thanks again for all your help!!!

MitchellB · Jul 16, 2017

TractorData.com John Deere LA135 tractor information
Priced $1899 new according to this and at least 7 to 9 years old now.

fried1765 · Jul 16, 2017

mringer14 said:
Hello,

VERY new to this stuff so please forgive my ignorance on the subject.

My neighbor (who I trust) is moving soon and offered me his John Deere LA135 at what he says is a steep discount from what he paid for it. The mower has less than 40 hours on it, and he just doesn't want to bring it with him to his next home (won't need it, condo). He says he will part with it for $1000. He does all the regular maintenance, etc.

My question is, with my lawn being around a 1/4 acre, would it be worth sinking that kind of money into it? I have always wanted to get a ride on (using a $250 powered push at the time), but cannot get myself to pull the trigger, but I just want to make sure I'm not doing the wrong thing by not jumping on what may be an awesome deal. I do like the fact that it will save me tons of time doing lawn work (that I really don't like doing) and let me spend more time with my family. I also see us moving in the near future to a new house that will most likely have more lawn to mow (prob closer to 1 acre), so it would be more of a necessity then.

Also, how well does the bagger work? I don't like leaving clippings.

Am I a fool for not jumping on this? Should I see if he will go lower? Any advice you all have will be greatly appreciated as this would be a major purchse.

Thanks again for all your help!!!
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That mower is a "big box store" version of the John Deere.
They are built with less expensive components (transmission) than the models sold at a a JD dealer.
That said: I have an LA 115 (also big box model), of similar vintage.
Mine is 9 years old, and I paid $1400 when new. It has only 90 hours, and runs fine.
That mower certainly looks clean, but ........
I would offer your neighbor $800, and decline, if he insists on more.
I do not know anything about the bagger, as I do not have one.

mile9c1 · Jul 16, 2017

If you like it I think it's a fair deal for you. Obviously a lower price is better but 40 hours is nothing! I was just at Home Depot and the mowers in that size/hp range with no baggers were $2,000 plus tax (I looked at every one because my 2 y/o sat on every one). Now if your new yard is going to be rough, I'd probably step up to a larger size. The frames on the mowers at HD look really thin.

k0ua · Jul 16, 2017

Everyone has an opinion. I own one of them, and I paid right at $1800, FROM A JOHN DEERE DEALER. As far as I know, this "big box store" vs. John Deere dealer is just so much internet myth. I don't think anyone has ever proven that the ones from the dealers are better. Mine has the same POS transmission that the ones from the "big box store" has in it. By all accounts it will need rebuilding or replaced by 300 hours. Mine is working perfectly at this time, but it has about 60 hours on it. Yep same wonderful "Tuff Torque" transmission.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/164892-tufftorq-k46-repair-guide-pictures.html

So much for the negatives. Now the positives. The tractor works and mows very well. Best ride on mower I have owned for its size and price. Front axle is solid and strong and greasable. Starts, runs, and works very well. Ergonomic to operate, and has more front end weight than the Cub Cadet it replaced, and therefore the front end does not skid as much when you turn uphill. I just wish the transmission was more durable, but at the rate I am putting on hours, heck it may last me until I am done anyway.

Spanner · Jul 17, 2017

k0ua said:
Everyone has an opinion. I own one of them, and I paid right at $1800, FROM A JOHN DEERE DEALER. As far as I know, this "big box store" vs. John Deere dealer is just so much internet myth. I don't think anyone has ever proven that the ones from the dealers are better. Mine has the same POS transmission that the ones from the "big box store" has in it. By all accounts it will need rebuilding or replaced by 300 hours. Mine is working perfectly at this time, but it has about 60 hours on it. Yep same wonderful "Tuff Torque" transmission.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/164892-tufftorq-k46-repair-guide-pictures.html

So much for the negatives. Now the positives. The tractor works and mows very well. Best ride on mower I have owned for its size and price. Front axle is solid and strong and greasable. Starts, runs, and works very well. Ergonomic to operate, and has more front end weight than the Cub Cadet it replaced, and therefore the front end does not skid as much when you turn uphill. I just wish the transmission was more durable, but at the rate I am putting on hours, heck it may last me until I am done anyway.

Correct info from "k0ua". If you can be bothered check the Part Numbers for each model's chassis, steering etc. Same, same, same....
They differ in engine size, seat (Low/High back, Armrests), Fender extensions etc.

40 Hours :hyper:
$1,000

Is that all??

Run (literally) over there, with a bag of cash and a bottle of wine, and then drive the thing home as fast as you can!!!

You will be friends for life and it's a win-win.

Clean it. Grease the spindles, Drive it and mow, mow, mow...

You will, one day. get bored with the Bagger. It is more efficient (and fun) to mow more frequently and at faster speed and just throw the clippings. Smaller clippings, less mess.

You can always sell the bagger kit later if you decide you don't want/need it. ($200-400??)

Just one thing - The fuel filter is fitted back-to-front. Fit a new one asap.

:wrench:

Texasmark · Jul 17, 2017

Wayyyyy over priced.

k0ua · Jul 17, 2017

Well, I don't think I would take $1000 for mine, because it is the mower I want and need, and it would take twice that to replace it with a newer model which is not built as well. Like I said, everyone has an opinion.

Gary Fowler · Jul 17, 2017

It will require a new battery soon which is cheap to replace. At $1000 and only 40 hours seems a good price. Is his yard so small that it only takes 10-15 minutes to mow. That would equate to about 4 months of mowing with weekly mowing to mount that many hours in 7-9 years.

If you are truly considering needing a ride on mower in the future, I don't think you will find one less than that price even if you go with big box store MTD brands. At 40 hours it is just broken in. I would ask if the owner changed the oil yearly or WHAT. I know 4-5 hours per year doesn't sound like it needs changing but acid builds up in the crankcase over time even if not used much so recommendations from OEM is change yearly regardless of hours.