New John Deer D100
- Thread starter tig1
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I think in this case, there is really no advantage to buying "green." It really isn't any better or worse than a Craftsman, Cub, etc at that price point (and you might get one of those cheaper.) When I needed to replace my STX-38 four years ago, I went to the Deere dealer and he asked me what my size of yard was. He then pointed me to the comparable tractor (at that time, I think it was the LA series.) My reaction was that if I wanted Sears quality, I'd go to Sears. Ended up with an X300 (almost 2x the price unfortunately.) However, that is the least expensive model that reflects the quality image that Deere strives to represent.
There are a lot of good lawn tractors, but I would get something made by a better company than MTD. Which makes TroyBuilt, Craftsman. How about a Husky?
Here is a tid bit, when the big box stores do final assembly on items, their own employees do most of the assembly. Except JD tractors, then a local dealer comes in and does a bunch at once. So its done by a mechanic from a local dealer, rather than a store employee making $9.50/hour.
Here is a tid bit, when the big box stores do final assembly on items, their own employees do most of the assembly. Except JD tractors, then a local dealer comes in and does a bunch at once. So its done by a mechanic from a local dealer, rather than a store employee making $9.50/hour.
As has been stated, the D series is their consumer line, and can be matched in other lines.
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
Originally Posted By: Donald
There are a lot of good lawn tractors, but I would get something made by a better company than MTD. Which makes TroyBuilt, Craftsman. How about a Husky?
Here is a tid bit, when the big box stores do final assembly on items, their own employees do most of the assembly. Except JD tractors, then a local dealer comes in and does a bunch at once. So its done by a mechanic from a local dealer, rather than a store employee making $9.50/hour.
One reason I would buy from our local dealer instead of Lowes is the service, now and future. Also the local dealer has the same price and said if the mower had to be serviced and he sold it, the mower would go to the top of the list, where a Lowes mower would have to waite.
There are a lot of good lawn tractors, but I would get something made by a better company than MTD. Which makes TroyBuilt, Craftsman. How about a Husky?
Here is a tid bit, when the big box stores do final assembly on items, their own employees do most of the assembly. Except JD tractors, then a local dealer comes in and does a bunch at once. So its done by a mechanic from a local dealer, rather than a store employee making $9.50/hour.
One reason I would buy from our local dealer instead of Lowes is the service, now and future. Also the local dealer has the same price and said if the mower had to be serviced and he sold it, the mower would go to the top of the list, where a Lowes mower would have to waite.
Originally Posted By: edhackett
As has been stated, the D series is their consumer line, and can be matched in other lines.
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
My lawn just doesn't warant the bigger machine.
As has been stated, the D series is their consumer line, and can be matched in other lines.
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
My lawn just doesn't warant the bigger machine.
Originally Posted By: edhackett
As has been stated, the D series is their consumer line, and can be matched in other lines.
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
Probably a good idea to go with the D130...
As has been stated, the D series is their consumer line, and can be matched in other lines.
I researched these recently, and my JD dealer said to step up to at least the D130. The more powerful, smoother V twin was worth every penny as to the function and enjoyment of using the mower.
Ed
Probably a good idea to go with the D130...
That series is not a real DEERE...deere don't make there own till u prob hit the $4000 mark.. like most have said no better at that price than any other brand really.. they are all made by mtd for the most part at that price point...im not a a Deere fan when it comes to there better models either.. haven't seen that they mow all theat great....also its better to buy froma dealer for any issues u might have...worth the extra 100 bucks. U might pay extra for it to me..it like have a good lawyer or agent if u do have issues...if u only have a 20 min mow with it that unit will prob work out fine for u but if u have a hr worth of mown then spend the extra money on better quality and u can still geta more compact deck on some of them.. will last 2 to 3 times longer than the cheap ones at 1500 bucks.
Originally Posted By: Donald
There are a lot of good lawn tractors, but I would get something made by a better company than MTD. Which makes TroyBuilt, Craftsman. How about a Husky?
At our local stores Husqvarna is not made by them either.
There are a lot of good lawn tractors, but I would get something made by a better company than MTD. Which makes TroyBuilt, Craftsman. How about a Husky?
At our local stores Husqvarna is not made by them either.
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We have a Home Depot John Deere. It is the G110, the slightly larger lawn tractor but not quite a garden tractor version. It is a 2005 model, and considering how much it has been abused, it has worked really well. We use a snow blower on the front of ours as well as mowing/leaf clean up. My dad also pulls a small trailer with it that he fills with firewood.
For about 5 years straight I mowed 4 lawns every weekend with it, each lawn was between 2 and 3 acres. I also cleared 3 driveways with it in the winter. The snow blower is built by craftsman (exactly the same just yellow paint) and has needed some fixing, but sucking up frozen newspapers isn't exactly easy on it.
If you are looking for quality, I'd buy a Simplicity or Snapper machine. However, the box store tractors will work fine as long as they are taken care of.
For about 5 years straight I mowed 4 lawns every weekend with it, each lawn was between 2 and 3 acres. I also cleared 3 driveways with it in the winter. The snow blower is built by craftsman (exactly the same just yellow paint) and has needed some fixing, but sucking up frozen newspapers isn't exactly easy on it.
If you are looking for quality, I'd buy a Simplicity or Snapper machine. However, the box store tractors will work fine as long as they are taken care of.
The John Deere D series are an equal to any other mower in their price class. If you like it and the JD brand is convenient to purchase, there is no reason not to do so. The D series is considered to be a 5-8 year tractor. The X series is designed to last 10-18 years.
The universal advice that I got was to buy at least one larger than you think you need. You'll appreciate that if you have to deal with tall, wet grass at any point. My suggestion of the D130 was based on the fact that it isn't physically any larger, but offers a lot more power and features. My early research lead me to believe the D130 and D150 were the "value" points in the line.
Ed
The universal advice that I got was to buy at least one larger than you think you need. You'll appreciate that if you have to deal with tall, wet grass at any point. My suggestion of the D130 was based on the fact that it isn't physically any larger, but offers a lot more power and features. My early research lead me to believe the D130 and D150 were the "value" points in the line.
Ed
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
If you are looking for quality, I'd buy a Simplicity or Snapper machine. However, the box store tractors will work fine as long as they are taken care of.
This is exactly why we bought our 54 inch Craftsman. All the components are name brand: Platinum Briggs, Tuff Torq Hydrostatic drive, etc.
I spent a half hour checking it out before I rode it and it has 14 hours of flawless operation on a 3 acre lawn that is challenging topographically.
Most of the big store mowers are all the same pieces.
If you are looking for quality, I'd buy a Simplicity or Snapper machine. However, the box store tractors will work fine as long as they are taken care of.
This is exactly why we bought our 54 inch Craftsman. All the components are name brand: Platinum Briggs, Tuff Torq Hydrostatic drive, etc.
I spent a half hour checking it out before I rode it and it has 14 hours of flawless operation on a 3 acre lawn that is challenging topographically.
Most of the big store mowers are all the same pieces.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: amm95
That series is not a real DEERE...deere don't make there own till u prob hit the $4000 mark..
That's not true.
Even the ~$2000 home/hardware store Deeres are indeed made by a John Deere owned manufacturing facility, just like they were when they were "Scotts" branded machines years ago.
Obviously they're not built to the same specs as the X-series or beyond.
A nice feature of these machines is being able to walk-up to a JD parts counter for parts should you need them.
You can do that too with MTD or Sears products, just not as easily.
I dunno about 2012 models, but years past, the steering, decks, deck hardware and transaxles (they used Tufftorq) were better on the cheapy Deeres than they were on cheap MTDs.
I would take a cheap deere over an MTD any day.
Joel
That series is not a real DEERE...deere don't make there own till u prob hit the $4000 mark..
That's not true.
Even the ~$2000 home/hardware store Deeres are indeed made by a John Deere owned manufacturing facility, just like they were when they were "Scotts" branded machines years ago.
Obviously they're not built to the same specs as the X-series or beyond.
A nice feature of these machines is being able to walk-up to a JD parts counter for parts should you need them.
You can do that too with MTD or Sears products, just not as easily.
I dunno about 2012 models, but years past, the steering, decks, deck hardware and transaxles (they used Tufftorq) were better on the cheapy Deeres than they were on cheap MTDs.
I would take a cheap deere over an MTD any day.
Joel
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JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: tig1
I also noticed the front axle on the D100 was a heavy cast piece, unlike some cheaper mowers that use a fabricated axle.
Yep, not only that, but in the past, the steering components and deck hardware tended to be better designed than a comparable MTD. I bet you'll find these JD's to be more comfortable at the controls than a low-end MTD as well.
I always preferred Tufftorq (what JD uses) over Hydro-Gear when it came to hydrostatic transaxles, but HG has really made some improvements and basically taken over the market lately.
I'm not partial to any one brand. I've owned several different brands. My latest being two different Cub Cadet (MTD) higher up models.
Joel
I also noticed the front axle on the D100 was a heavy cast piece, unlike some cheaper mowers that use a fabricated axle.
Yep, not only that, but in the past, the steering components and deck hardware tended to be better designed than a comparable MTD. I bet you'll find these JD's to be more comfortable at the controls than a low-end MTD as well.
I always preferred Tufftorq (what JD uses) over Hydro-Gear when it came to hydrostatic transaxles, but HG has really made some improvements and basically taken over the market lately.
I'm not partial to any one brand. I've owned several different brands. My latest being two different Cub Cadet (MTD) higher up models.
Joel
Likewise, no brand loyalty here.
Note that every 54 inch mower we shopped had a cast iron front end and ridiculously heavy duty decks. Most have been radically redone in the last few years and are greatly improved over just a short while ago.
Note that every 54 inch mower we shopped had a cast iron front end and ridiculously heavy duty decks. Most have been radically redone in the last few years and are greatly improved over just a short while ago.
I can't speak for the box store type mowers, but when it comes to John Deere's commercial line, I have been very impressed. Their "7 Iron" deck doesn't care if the grass is tall or wet, it cuts it clean and blows the clippings 10+ feet out the discharge chute.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Yep, that 7-Iron stamped steel deck is legendary indeed. Much better than your typical fabricated deck even.
A 7-iron replacement deck alone probably costs more than a new JD D100 rider.
Joel
A 7-iron replacement deck alone probably costs more than a new JD D100 rider.
Joel
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