Time to buy MY first JD rider, please help

isuhunter · Jul 10, 2011

Well I have purchased a house and have .38 acres and 2 driveways. I grew up on a JD 185 Hydro that's still chugging away for my parents. Well its my turn to buy a mower.

I do not need anything new or fancy. What I'm after is something that I can have 48" or 54" deck for mowing and a blade for snow removal. We live in Iowa so we get plenty of snow. I am looking at a $2000 budget.

What models do you guys think I should look at?

k0ua · Jul 10, 2011

I have a La135se.. hydro, and like it really well, it was $1800 no blade. You might be able to do better on price. I have the 48 inch deck, as I did not want anything wider, due to a lot of trees/clearance problems.

James K0UA

2720wes · Jul 10, 2011

If you will be pushing a lot of snow I would get something with a strong transaxle and with a $2000 budget I think you will need to go used. The GT series from the late 90's-early 2000's can easily handle snow plowing and can be found for under $2000. I'm sure there are geared JD riders that are strong enough for plowing but I don't know the model numbers.

isuhunter · Jul 10, 2011

2720wes said:
If you will be pushing a lot of snow I would get something with a strong transaxle and with a $2000 budget I think you will need to go used. The GT series from the late 90's-early 2000's can easily handle snow plowing and can be found for under $2000. I'm sure there are geared JD riders that are strong enough for plowing but I don't know the model numbers.

That's what I was thinking. As far as hours go on JD riders when would you shy away. A lot were Kawasaki and Kohler engines, right?

Jchuchla · Jul 10, 2011

I have a D140. They changed from the LA series to the D series this year. Similar equipment different body styling. It's been doing very well on my half acre. Home depot has it for $1999, but I used a 10% coupon and somehow got it for $1650. I know the math doesn't work. But I wasn't arguing with a better than expected price.

Don't forget the extras you'll probably want. Ive been wanting a bagger, just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

isuhunter · Jul 10, 2011

Jchuchla said:
I have a D140. They changed from the LA series to the D series this year. Similar equipment different body styling. It's been doing very well on my half acre. Home depot has it for $1999, but I used a 10% coupon and somehow got it for $1650. I know the math doesn't work. But I wasn't arguing with a better than expected price.

Don't forget the extras you'll probably want. Ive been wanting a bagger, just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

Are you able to put blade on yours? Do you get those through HD too?

Jchuchla · Jul 10, 2011

Go to the JD website and take a look at the attachments section. It shows which accessories fit the D100 series. There's a lot of attachments that fit. They do have a front snow blade for it. I'm assuming you're talking snow blade. There's even a front mount PTO powered 2 stage snow blower that looks interesting.

HD doesn't really carry any of the accessories. They do carry the bagger and blades. But that's about it. For everything else you'll need to visit a JD dealer.

mjncad · Jul 11, 2011

Welcome Isu...

I have no idea where you're located; but if you're in the west like me, your choice of used equipment is limited.

In any case, your budget limits you to a BBM (Big Box Mart) grade lawn tractor, which should be fine for your lot size. However; I suggest you go to the dealer and see what they have. They generally sell them for the same price as Home Depot and Lowe's; plus they're the ones who will service anything you can't do. They'll appreciate you buying the rig from them instead of Depot.

In the Denver, Colorado area; Depot and Lowe's will charge anywhere from 8.5% - 11%+ in sales tax depending on the local governing body. Go to an AG dealer and the sales tax is 2.9%. What you save on taxes may allow you move up a model or two or get an attachment, or down payment on an attachment.

suzy · Jul 11, 2011

I have an La135se bought last year from the dealer-they have sales and specials that are definately worth checking out. As they sell the attachments (snow blades or blowers) as well, you might be able to get those on sale if you bought them at the same time.
I don't know what kind of snowfall you guys get down in Iowa, but it must be a lot less than we get up here in BC!