John Deere Tractor opinions

R

Reggaemon

Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
755
Location
Pennsylvania
I'm planning to get a small garden tractor for grass cutting and some yard clean up.
Been looking at a John Deere S-100, its a single cyl. with a 500cc B&S engine.
Anyone have any experience with these, I have a small area to cut so I don't need something
large and I'm not interested in a zero turn mower.
 
I’ve had many Briggs and never any issues. Others have had Briggs and a ton of issues.

I think it comes down to, treat it right and it’ll treat you right. Change the oil early and often and put on a nice new filter. Change the fuel filter every year and run good fuel. Change the spark plugs yearly, always blow off the deck after mowing (will reduce the deck rusting out over time).
 
MurkyAsparagus said:
I’ve had many Briggs and never any issues. Others have had Briggs and a ton of issues.

I think it comes down to, treat it right and it’ll treat you right. Change the oil early and often and put on a nice new filter. Change the fuel filter every year and run good fuel. Change the spark plugs yearly, always blow off the deck after mowing (will reduce the deck rusting out over time).
Click to expand...
80% of mine were B&S - no issues …
 
FB Marketplace has acres of Riding mowers for much less than the $2300 Home Depot is asking for that one. That is your run of the mill riding mower and there isnt alot special about it imo. If you insist on buying new, HD has the Cub Cadet XT1 at around $2100 which I think is a better value.
 
Stay away from the S series single cylinder. Many have engine failures with less than 200 hours.
If you want an S series, get a twin cylinder.

A better option would be to find a gently used X3 series. If you don't have a large yard, I'd recommend searching and waiting for a good used X310 or X360. Power steering, power deck lift, and serviceable transmission. The other X3 series are also good, but transmissions aren't as good as the 310, 360, 380 or 390.
 
I can't find details on the engine, but B&S single cylinder engines have a well earned reputation for head gasket failures. Some people have great luck and others no luck. Mine made it to about 400-500 hours when the head gasket started leaking and oil consumption went sky high. If possible I would go with a machine with a twin cylinder motor.
 
I always wanted a JD and 15 years ago I finally got one.
They're like BMW cars: high performance, poor reliability, and parts priced like they're made of titanium and inconel.
A wise old equipment sales guy told me "every boy has a model of a JD tractor, the brand is sold to them at an early age, so the green paint is a big sales advantage."
Before this I had a Cub Cadet (back when they were made by International Harvester) and a Wheel Horse (designed prior to being bought by Toro and subsequently going out of business), both of which were far more reliable machines.
 
John Deere’s are best purchased from a dealer, where you will not find a 100 series anything. There’s a reason for that.
 
These larger single cylinder Briggs motors are notorious for head gasket failures. IIRC my MIL paid over $500 to correct such an issue on a mower that was only ten years old. May I suggest that you consider the smallest / least expensive John Deere featuring a V-Twin engine? The Husqvarna machines at this price point seem pretty good too.
 
I would stay away from the L, S, and D series mowers. They are made to a price point, sold at big box stores, and just aren’t built like the mowers found at the JD dealership. I’d go for a used 300x series, or even something like a used GT, GX, or LX series… even older if you can find a gently used or restored example. Kawasaki or Kohler engines. My 1992 240 (bought new by my folks) has the Kawasaki FC420v 1 cylinder engine and it’s been a workhorse for decades. It takes the same oil filter that my ‘03 Corolla specified.
 
Probably you can get the same mower without the green paint for less money. If you really want to get into it, go to a dedicated lawn mower website, and do some research, as JD might spec a slightly better (or worse) HST than the same mower in a different color.
I have a 90's Craftsman LT1000 which isn't a "great mower", no external filters, no drain plug on the HST(there are ways to get around that), but for my hard 30 hrs a year(all hills at my place, bends blades and break spindles often), it just won't die, so getting a "cheap mower" maybe fine for you and last for decades. Not everyone needs a commercial zero turn....
Probably buying a cheap mower at a small engine repair place is the best idea, as they don't sell absolute junk, and can fix the common problems for dozens of dollars, and maybe in minutes too.
 
I had a single cylinder Kohler Courage (not Kohler's best effort).....I got 300 hours/10 years out of it.....No major engine issues
 
IndyIan said:
Probably you can get the same mower without the green paint for less money. If you really want to get into it, go to a dedicated lawn mower website, and do some research, as JD might spec a slightly better (or worse) HST than the same mower in a different color.
I have a 90's Craftsman LT1000 which isn't a "great mower", no external filters, no drain plug on the HST(there are ways to get around that), but for my hard 30 hrs a year(all hills at my place, bends blades and break spindles often), it just won't die, so getting a "cheap mower" maybe fine for you and last for decades. Not everyone needs a commercial zero turn....
Probably buying a cheap mower at a small engine repair place is the best idea, as they don't sell absolute junk, and can fix the common problems for dozens of dollars, and maybe in minutes too.
Click to expand...
Very happy with my Cub and 5400 series motor - but shortly thereafter Cub started to run in house motors - a Chonda most likely.
And yes, there are many who buy ZT’s for lots that really fit an LT better (and half the price) …
I like to send clippings a single direction and that’s another way you lost some romance of the ZT …
 
Reggaemon said:
I'm planning to get a small garden tractor for grass cutting and some yard clean up.
Been looking at a John Deere S-100, its a single cyl. with a 500cc B&S engine.
Anyone have any experience with these, I have a small area to cut so I don't need something
large and I'm not interested in a zero turn mower.
Click to expand...
Deere is generally good value but I tend to steer clear of the bottom-rack products, same goes for Briggs but I also understand keeping within your means.

If you maintain the equipment diligently you should get many years (10-20) from it. The Briggs should easily do 2000hrs if properly maintained. The problems come from abuse and from under-buying or over-loading the equipment. ie. you really need an x300 series Deere but you cheap out on the S100 series and hammer it to pieces.
 
My '96 L100 BS powered is still going. Got it used, free and was a yard ornament for a couple years. 3rd owner.
Other than a deck bearings rebuild, starter, valve cover reseal, belts (JD ones are the only ones that last) and new tires been using it for 5 years now.
 
I have a John Deere L100 too. I bought it new at Home Depot in 2005. It's 20 years old with over 1800 hours on it now.

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