Power Flow Bagger for 100 series mowers

[jgl478]

I have to replace a craftsman garden tractor this spring. I would love to step up to a Select Series but right now a 100 series is more in line with my budget. I was looking around on the Deere website and noticed that the power flow bagger is available for the D170; has anyone had any experience with this setup?

 

[JDTank]

I have to replace a craftsman garden tractor this spring. I would love to step up to a Select Series but right now a 100 series is more in line with my budget. I was looking around on the Deere website and noticed that the power flow bagger is available for the D170; has anyone had any experience with this setup?

I've heard the Power Flow is a great system.

The obvious downside is that it's belt driven, so installation and removal can become a pain if your doing this very frequently. I wouldn't invest in this system unless you intend to bag every time you mow. Power Flow is pricey, I believe it's just over $1,000 for the system. If your just looking for something that bags once in a blue moon, just buy a lawn sweeper instead.

This isn't any of my business as it's your lawn, but I always try to discourage people from bagging. If you keep the underside of your deck clean to maximize airflow, and use the right blades, you won't even be able to tell you didn't bag the clippings. It's much healthier for the lawn to feed off the nutrients and moisture in the clippings. With a bagger, your effectively sucking up mother natures free fertilizer.

 

[jgl478]

I usually try to mulch but more often than not I let my grass get away from me. I thought about collecting the clippings for compost.

 

[js5020]

One of the reasons I bought the x300r,, the "powerflow" is always on and not hanging off the side of the deck. I also have the rear deflector for times I dont want to bag. Good setup but it also has drawbacks, like,,, the powerflow is always on so it always wearing, the machine itself is spendy, though bout the same price of a regular 300 with the additional powerflow attach and bags. It "sucks" the grass up very well,, I always bag outback and we use to drag clippings into the house and pool, with the 300r there is no grass in either.

 

[jinman]

I have to replace a craftsman garden tractor this spring. I would love to step up to a Select Series but right now a 100 series is more in line with my budget. I was looking around on the Deere website and noticed that the power flow bagger is available for the D170; has anyone had any experience with this setup?

Save yourself a lot of grief and look on craigslist for a used X300 or other similar lawn tractor that somebody is selling at a decent price. I've seen two X300s with less than 100 hours selling on craigslist for around $2500 recently. I have a 100 series riding mower that only cuts my grass and it has been a high maintenance mower. I have 170 hours on it and just hope it will last to 250 before I have to scrap it. I think the same dollars spent on a good used Select Series Lawn Tractor will easily be a better decision than spending that money on a new 100 series.

 

[jgl478]

Are you able to tow a garden cart with x300r?

 

[jgl478]

The X300's are starting to look better and better. Also the more I consider it a DR vac or the Cyclone rake are not that much more than the power flow

 

[JDTank]

The X300's are starting to look better and better. Also the more I consider it a DR vac or the Cyclone rake are not that much more than the power flow

it might seem this way, but cheaper..that is up for debate.

If your running something like a DR Vac or a Cyclone rake, you have to figure into your math that you now have 2 engines using gas, at the same time to boot. 2 engines that need oil changes, spark plugs, and an air filter at regular intervals. Add up maintenance plus fuel costs, and it kicks up the cost of bagging solutions with there own engines. Suddenly, the cost isn't so close together anymore.

I tend to tell people to skip right over 100 series machines as they are just a "in" for John Deere to sell to the uneducated masses at the big box stores. X300 series machines are better, but I still see a lot of posts regarding problems. If your looking for trouble free running, I wouldn't go any less than the X500 series machines. Even if you just get an X500 without the extra goodies like power steering and such, your still getting a much better transaxle and frame, and that's what matters most.

 

[jgl478]

I consider the x500's my dream machine.

 

[JDTank]

I consider the x500's my dream machine.

Yep, I agree. What John Deere charges for it's machines, you would think the seat is made of solid gold. I bought an X748SE last year, and while I love the machine, I still kick myself for how much I paid for it. I am in the process of selling it now, and going to pick up one of the newer X700 series coming out soon. I will likely go 2WD this time. I haven't found one time where I needed All-Wheel Drive, and I likely never will. Even if I did get stuck once or twice a year, I have a full size truck, I can pull it out anyways.

2WD diesel is in my future, way less maintenance than the all wheel drive system.