Which LT?

[mrfritz44]

Just bought my first real house with my first real yard and now I've got some real work to do. To cut my 1.5 acres of relatively flat and obstacle strewn grass, I've tentatively chosen an LT180.

However, I can't decide on my mower deck bagger configuration. The previous owner kept a beautiful lawn that I want to keep up too.

What should I get? My options, of course, are the mulching deck, the 42" with non-blown bagger, or the 48" with the option to get a blowing bagger that I can't afford right now. I'm leaning towards the mulcher, but I'm hesitant not having ever used one. I hear they can be troublesome. The 42" with bag seems nice, but how often am I going to have to unload over 1.5 acres and a typical eastern PA weeks worth of growth? I'd hate to spend the $450 only to find the interruptions too troublesome.

Any advice from you veteran mowers?

Thanks,

Fritz

 

[FordTruckGuy]

I currently own a LT160 and love it. Great little tractor that can take a beating. If the primary function is going to be mowing grass and maybe pulling a cart for brush, etc. on flat ground, I don't think you will need much more than the LT180, and would even suggest the relatively new 100 series that they have at THD or the dealer, although they will be redesigned next year. Either the L120 or L130. They are a fine tractor, and if you take care of it, it should last you just as long. And it will save you some money. Some say that the L100s are a Scott's lawn tractor painted green, but this is not true. It is a more robust lawn tractor.

I would go with the the mulching deck, and maybe the 48", depending on how quickly you wish to mow. If you enjoy mowing your lawn, then there is no need to get the 48". The 42" on a 1.5 acre lot saves you at most 15 minutes [again, at most, as I'm assuming the 1.5 acres doesn't factor in the space on your lot taken up by the house]. Also, I think bagging is overrated, and with today's cutter's, is hardly necessary, plus a big pain in the butt to empty, like you say.

If you are brand loyal and set on a Deere, great, welcome to the team, but Cub Cadet also makes a very nice product, in their 1000 series and also the 2180, I believe, is a very nice little tractor for the money. Generally, Cub Cadet [MTD] and the Sears Craftsman have tried to out-do the Deere L100 series by offering superior specs [namely, hp, deck size, and engine brand] for about $200 to $300 less.

 

[mrfritz44]

If I'm leaning towards a mulching mower, can I get a list of pros and cons regarding the mulcher that woul dbe on the LT180?

I like the idea of grinding everything to a pulp, but I hear the mulchers may pose more problems than they're worth.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Fritz

 

[mrfritz44]

Also.........forgot to ask. When they say 48" convertable mower deck......what do they mean? Convertable to what?

 

[DJLX]

means-converts to mulching with an expensive plastic attachment. It cost $110 from JD. It is a s shaped peice of plastic that bolts up under the deck and comes with high lift blades. I bought a set for my 48C deck and only used them acouple of times before I traded the tractor in. I still have it collecting dust in my garage as it won't fit my 54C.

 

[mrfritz44]

Ok, so which deck would be better suited to mulching and not leave clumps, the 42" Freedom or the 48C converted to do mulching?

I'm leaning towards the 48C, but I don't want to have to run around raking up grass balls or have to wait until the grass is bone dry to cut. I live in a valley and the morning dew can get pretty thick.

Thanks,

Fritz

 

[RodgerF]

Hi,

I don't have any Deere products just some thoughts in general. At a previous house I used a bagger. I personnally don't want to do that again because of the constant emptying of the bagger. Also you'll need to plan on how to dispose of the clippings. No big deal just some extra steps.

I currently mow just about an acre. I have a Craftsman with the 42" mulching deck. My next mower will be at least a 48" deck. Not so much to save time but to allow me to get closer to trees and landscaping. The deck on mine is only maybe an inch or so past the tires. To get the deck close to something means you almost have to tun over it. A bigger deck means you face is farther away from the tree branch. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As far as mulching, if you mow once a week, you shouldn't have any problems. You may want to wait until the real heavy dew burns off a little but I don't have any problems with it. If I do get any clumping, after I'm done I just run over the thick stuff again.

Good luck with the new house.

Rodger

 

[bigpete]

The 48C with the Tri-cycler kit will provide you with the best options. As previously mentioned, you will need to cut on a consistent and more frequent schedule. I have been mulching with the larger JD decks for over 5 years now--same principles, though. You will need to commit to cleaning the deck of the big chunks more often along with the commitment to more frequent mowing. It is definately worth it. My lawn needs less fertilizer and stays greener and healthier than my neighbors' lawns during tough weather patterns. See attachements:

 

[FordTruckGuy]

Great looking lawn!

 

[BoneheadNW]

I routinely mow 3/4 of an acre, some of which is flat, some hilly with obstacles. I live here in the northwest which, contrary to what some believe, requires me to mow under wetter than ideal conditions. I have a JD LT160 with 42" freedom deck. I am completely satisfied with my JD and glad I didn't spend more money for the LT180. The extra hp is only necessary if you want to pull ground-engaging implements (like an aerator). My LT pulls a cart filled with firewood, boulders, kids, etc effortlessly.

I am not sure what problems you have been talking about with regard to the freedom deck. If the deck is clean and conditions are right (grass not excessively long and wet) than you will not see the clippings. If it has rained several inches over the past few days and the lawn has not been mowed in 11 days, than you will get some clumps, which can be removed by mowing over them. Note that the clippings are good for the lawn and bad for other parts of your garden if you discard them in piles. Why would you want to exert effort to do that?

Just my $0.02. See attached photo of the corner of my yard. More rain due in tonight!

Bonehead

 

[green1]

Last Christmas I was at Disney World and I happened to talk to someone who designed lawn tractors. I had some of the same question you have. I was looking at Home Depot for a lawn tractor to replace my Simplcity. He told me to take a pass on the cheaper Deere tractors and buy a LTR180. I love it!!!!!! It has a 42 deck that throws the clipping out the rear and it spreads them better then I could have imagined. The thing also bags like nothing I ever seen. AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET OFF TO DUMP THE CLIPPINGS. He said the tractor was originailly designed for the Euro market. Anyway I looked at the LT line and LX and this thing is sweet. The guy said not to wait to long to buy one of the currently built Deere tractors. I guess there redesigning the whole lawn tractor line. Which means ??? Maybe more cheaper tractor, he wouldn't say much about it, but didn't seem to impressed. This guy actually owns one of the first LTR's and said he'd part with it when he dies or can afford an X tractor which ever comes first..

 

[mrfritz44]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm going to order an LT180 with the 48" deck, the mulching conversion kit, and the plastic cart this week. I was quoted a price of $3894 for everything (that's with the $250 off accessories offer currently being run).

What do you think about that price? I hope this grass cutting fever doesn't wear off, although it probably will.............

Fritz

 

[mrfritz44]

It is done. On May 31 at 2:30PM a John Deere LT 180 with a 48C deck, mulching conversion, and plastic cart will be dropped off at my new doorstep.

May the grass gods shine brightly upon my yard and I............

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[DHennet]

Good choice. I think the LT line will serve you well. They are a good solid tractor for the money.

 

[mrfritz44]

I got the mulching conversion kit, but they didn't come with Gator mulching blades. In your opinions, would it be worth getting the Gators? Do they perform well enough to warrant an upgrade or will the stick JD mulching blades do fine?

Thanks,

Fritz

 

[DHennet]

I've never used the Gator mulching blades. I just keep the JD blades sharp. I have three sets and just rotate through those as needed. Usually after kicking up some gravel on the road or topping a stump. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
From my use the JD mulching blades don't leave any noticeable trace of clippings.