High end lawn tractors vs. other brands

C

Ct66957

Joined
Aug 17, 2024
Messages
22
I've read some very informative related posts here. I do think I'm going to need to purchase a replacement, preferably with a 38" deck but they don't seem common these days, so probably 42". I've got 2 older tractors in my garage. I found out the 420cc Craftsman I've been using for the last several years has a Zongshen engine made overseas. Maybe ~180 hours on it. I do believe it has a bad head gasket. The 38" Bolens has a few issues, and is 18 years old. I'm thinking now is the time to spend more for a John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna or other high end (to me) tractor. I'm in my 60s and although I can work on mechanical projects to a point (replaced an engine in an Agway lawn tractor ~35 years ago) I'd like to get something that will more likely be more reliable than the common brands. At this point I'm not so sure I want to be routinely be working on them like I've been trying to do lately.

Reading reviews (for what they're worth) by owners, it seems the high end tractors don't fare much better than lower priced brands. Broken belts prematurely, dead batteries, or even bad engines (on the lower priced models). I know MTD makes lawn tractors for various brands, but I wonder, based on owner's experiences on this forum, has buying a more expensive model with a good reputation in the past resulted in better reliability and performance? It seems so many products have the 'They don't make them like they used to' label.

When searching on automotive questions I've been led to this site and have read some very good information.
 
Ct66957 said:
I've read some very informative related posts here. I do think I'm going to need to purchase a replacement, preferably with a 38" deck but they don't seem common these days, so probably 42". I've got 2 older tractors in my garage. I found out the 420cc Craftsman I've been using for the last several years has a Zongshen engine made overseas. Maybe ~180 hours on it. I do believe it has a bad head gasket. The 38" Bolens has a few issues, and is 18 years old. I'm thinking now is the time to spend more for a John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna or other high end (to me) tractor. I'm in my 60s and although I can work on mechanical projects to a point (replaced an engine in an Agway lawn tractor ~35 years ago) I'd like to get something that will more likely be more reliable than the common brands. At this point I'm not so sure I want to be routinely be working on them like I've been trying to do lately.

Reading reviews (for what they're worth) by owners, it seems the high end tractors don't fare much better than lower priced brands. Broken belts prematurely, dead batteries, or even bad engines (on the lower priced models). I know MTD makes lawn tractors for various brands, but I wonder, based on owner's experiences on this forum, has buying a more expensive model with a good reputation in the past resulted in better reliability and performance? It seems so many products have the 'They don't make them like they used to' label.

When searching on automotive questions I've been led to this site and have read some very good information.
Click to expand...

What is your Budget?
How many years do you see yourself Mowing?
 
I have a Deere X300 that I bought new 17 years ago.
It has over 230 hours on it.
Other than the cheap hoods and seat cushions (both well known issues), it is a stout unit.
I have done the usual maintenance on it: OC's plugs, filters batteries, etc.
Only issue that I have had with it is a couple of years ago I had to take it to the dealer and have the tank dropped because the pick up was clogged.
Green is pricey no doubt. However, I can get it to a dealer within 20 minutes, and have access to a solid parts network.
One cannot necessarily say that about some of the other brands.
My recommendation would be anything appropriate to your needs within the X line. If you can't afford new, (now the X350) look for a lightly used one.
This is a 20 year plus machine if taken care of. Well worth repairing, and well worth the extra money IMO.
 
I am a John Deere advocate. We have oneJD 325 from 1997 still doing work on the farm. I replaced two Craftsman (Husqvarna made) from 1999 with an X300 -48 in deck (2016 model) and an X350 - 42 in deck(2022 model). I had to do more repairs on the Craftsman than I have on all the John Deere's. Still can get parts for the 325, too. We mow 2 acres weekly and the 325 does 8-10 acres in small increments. Wife likes the power steering on the X350.

The X300 was used with 60 hours on it; X350 purchased new. The Craftsman both failed due to transaxle issues and were judged not worth repairing. All have Kawasaki engines and no trans issues so far.
 
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If you go JD buy from a JD dealer because the mowers at the Home Depot/big box stores are not the same quality level- cheap as any other brand IMO.
 
The nicest thing about a JD rider is they are generally very well laid out for the operator and are the most comfortable to operate. Parts network, availability and service are another nice thing about them. I think they're build a bit better than a comparable MTD or Husqvarna group built machine as well.

My next choice would be anything built by the husqvarna group.

Last would be MTD, although some of the higher end MTD / Cub Cadet stuff is nice. I've owned a few of those. A Cub 2544 garden tractor that's still in the family and a Cub Z-Force 44".
 
John Deere or Husqvarna.
Buy your John Deere from a dealer and not a big box store.
Husqvarna lawn tractors must be purchased from a dealer. Lowe’s and Home Depot are flooded with MTD mowers in some form or another.
 
John Deere X series tractor is the one that will last and last. I have an upper end X series with about 1,350 hours on it. I have only ever done routine maintenance. It is actually cheaper in the long run. You can search for a low hours used one or of course buy new.
 
All good information - thanks. How long I'll be mowing - I'd like to be optimistic and say at least another 15 years! But there's other factors that would come into play. Interesting that a big box store selling the same brand doesn't mean it's the same mower at a JD dealer. I've heard that more than once. I did look for some used, unfortunately John Deeres seem kind of rare, or they sell fast. I've heard an older model with a Kawaski engine would be a good bet.

Wow - some still in service from the late 90s! As for my budget, just based on what I've read here so far I'm going to raise the bar to at least $2600 - but that may not get me into the X300 series.

Good to real authentic, worthy reviews. Many of the box store reviews complained about the store itself - delivery issues, dead battery or missing manuals etc. This definitely will have me reconsider the $2k range of Troy-Built, Craftsman, Murray, etc. When I searched on JD dealers, there's only one somewhat near me. but the website has no prices. Along with box stores, it listed an Agway near me, same thing as a Lowes I guess.

Just saw this:
walterjay said:
John Deere X series tractor is the one that will last and last. I have an upper end X series with about 1,350 hours on it. I have only ever done routine maintenance. It is actually cheaper in the long run. You can search for a low hours used one or of course buy new.
Click to expand...
That's impressive! The fact mentioned a few times that parts are available is a big factor as well. I did see the thread: 'Need opinions on a new riding lawn mower' - good info there too. I think these posts have really promoted the John Deere brand in my mind.
 
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Ct66957 said:
All good information - thanks. How long I'll be mowing - I'd like to be optimistic and say at least another 15 years! But there's other factors that would come into play. Interesting that a big box store selling the same brand doesn't mean it's the same mower at a JD dealer. I've heard that more than once. I did look for some used, unfortunately John Deeres seem kind of rare, or they sell fast. I've heard an older model with a Kawaski engine would be a good bet.

Wow - some still in service from the late 90s! As for my budget, just based on what I've read here so far I'm going to raise the bar to at least $2600 - but that may not get me into the X300 series.

Good to real authentic, worthy reviews. Many of the box store reviews complained about the store itself - delivery issues, dead battery or missing manuals etc. This definitely will have me reconsider the $2k range of Troy-Built, Craftsman, Murray, etc. When I searched on JD dealers, there's only one somewhat near me. but the website has no prices. Along with box stores, it listed an Agway near me, same thing as a Lowes I guess.

Just saw this:

That's impressive! The fact mentioned a few times that parts are available is a big factor as well.
Click to expand...
15 years, how long does it take you to mow your yard? If this is a flat yard you can get a cheaper mower. I am guessing you mow about 50 hours a year. There are lots of John Deere riding mowers for sale on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

My neighbor picked up a Mint Condition John Deere LX277 that has a Kawasaki Engine on it 2 years ago, for $700.00
This was like a $4200 mower back in 2003. There are deals out there, and these mowers are better than the new ones that you are looking for in the price range you stated.
 
Ct66957 said:
All good information - thanks. How long I'll be mowing - I'd like to be optimistic and say at least another 15 years! But there's other factors that would come into play. Interesting that a big box store selling the same brand doesn't mean it's the same mower at a JD dealer. I've heard that more than once. I did look for some used, unfortunately John Deeres seem kind of rare, or they sell fast. I've heard an older model with a Kawaski engine would be a good bet.

Wow - some still in service from the late 90s! As for my budget, just based on what I've read here so far I'm going to raise the bar to at least $2600 - but that may not get me into the X300 series.

Good to real authentic, worthy reviews. Many of the box store reviews complained about the store itself - delivery issues, dead battery or missing manuals etc. This definitely will have me reconsider the $2k range of Troy-Built, Craftsman, Murray, etc. When I searched on JD dealers, there's only one somewhat near me. but the website has no prices. Along with box stores, it listed an Agway near me, same thing as a Lowes I guess.
Click to expand...

You can buy any Deere that you will find in a box store at a Deere dealer.
The catch is that those are made to compete with the MTD's, Troy Bilt, etc.
So IMO, the only real difference is green paint.
You won't find one of the X series at a box store.
Those are dealer units only.
$2600. won't get you into a new X350 (the newer model.) With some shrewd shopping, you may be able to find a used X300 for that price.
 
I've worked on small engines now for 15+ years. I've seen pretty much all the brands of mowers and riding tractors. I do think Deere is the best as far as riding tractor quality. With that said if I had to purchase one tomorrow, I'd either be looking at an X-series tractor, or a used older John Deere with a Kawasaki engine. The new ones are still better than anything else, but they do have a lot of electronics the older models didn't necessarily have. My neighbor has an X394 with the 4-wheel steering and already has ~500 hours on it. All it has required is yearly oil changes, air filters, spark plugs, blades, and a battery.
 
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