Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: cronk
Wrong!
John Deere builds all their own lawn and garden tractors!
Their factory in Greeneville Tennessee builds the light duty models like 100 series you see at Lowes/Home Depot.
Their factory in Horicon Wisconsin builds the garden tractors like the X series along with other lawn and garden equipment.
http://blog.machinefinder.com/25536/john-deere-factory-locations
It's that much more embarrassing then!! I have a 2008 LA125.....What a piece of junk! Their X-series may be the greatest but my next mower will be a Kubota as I will never spend another dime on a John Deere product!
OP....I used 15w50 Mobil 1 in my K40 Hydro, The cooling fan is very fragile so be careful when removing the unit. Keeping the top of the Hydro free of debris goes a long way!
The 100 series machines are built to a price point. There is a reason they are cheap at Home Depot. I see it all the time and find it interesting when someone buys a 2000 dollar 100 series and expects it to measure up to a 5-6000 dollar dealer machine.
There is a reason the dealer machines are more expensive, heavier decks, tougher transmissions, better engines.
With that said, most of the 100 series machines are pretty good compared to other brands in that class of equipment. Look at the comparable Cub Cadet, MTD, and other junk sold at big box stores.