Has anybody had any problems with John Deere Riding mowers? (farmers, tractors)

[HappyTexan]

I have a 4100 and a riding mower both JD and have had them for over 10 years.
Regular maintenance and swear by them.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by Giesela

I think that the new 100 type models sold at big box stores tend to have a lot more trouble - in some ways they arent as John Deere as John Deere if that makes any sense.
they are mass produced to lesser standards for mass consumption.
Go to an actual JD dealer and chat them up and see what they recommend.

That is true. I got my riding mower at the JD dealer and recall they told me the JD's sold at HD and Lowe's were not the same as the ones sold by the JD dealers. The outside may be JD but the inside isn't.

[SD4020]

Steer clear of the LA Series. John Deere in paint only.

It might be a bit more money but look at an X300 or up series mower.

[John1960]

I might buy a used X320 JD from dealer for 3500.00 It's a 2009 model.


John

[SD4020]

Originally Posted by John1960

I might buy a used X320 JD from dealer for 3500.00 It's a 2009 model.


John

That would be a great choice. From a dealer you get the support that don't always get from the big box retail stores.

[marmac]

Originally Posted by rjl78

That would be a great choice. From a dealer you get the support that don't always get from the big box retail stores.

My son ( retired Navy) works at a " big box store" part time and attends college.

He was a lawn dept manager before going part time and entering college.

He stated they soild 4 different brands of lawn mowers/lawn tractors including John Deere.

On the John Deere ones, they would do the final assembly and when a group were ready a representative from a nearby John Deere dealership would come and inspect them before they were available for sale.

After his inspection, he would put the John Deere dealer's sticker on them and customers were told that was their place of service/warranty work.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by John1960

I might buy a used X320 JD from dealer for 3500.00 It's a 2009 model.


John

Bought this exact same model with the dual grass catcher bags for just a little less late in 2007 and have put about 150 summer hours on it since than. Not a bit of trouble, it's quiet, rides great and is very manuverable. Takes me about 3 hours to mow the yard and one chore I don't dread. I also bought mine from a local JD Implement Dealer. Got a free hat too.

[rrtechno]

We were walking around at the county fair last night and walked past the local John Deere dealers booth. They had a couple of the lawn tractors sitting there that they sell. Sitting right next to the X300 was an LA125. They sell them both.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by rrtechno

We were walking around at the county fair last night and walked past the local John Deere dealers booth. They had a couple of the lawn tractors sitting there that they sell. Sitting right next to the X300 was an LA125. They sell them both.

There's no doubt the dealers sell them both. I think the main point that's being made is that the ones sold in the big box stores (made particularly FOR sale in those stores) is cheaper monetarily and quality-wise from the other JD models. As such, they are often called "not real" JDs.

Someone else can probably tell whether this is true or not, but I've understood that the LA series is not actually made by JD, but made for them by another manufacturer.

[John1960]

My local John Deere dealer has told me the LA 115 is made MTD and not John Deere.

John