My cheap L100 that I bought used a few years back gave up the ghost, and I'm trying to figure how to get the most bang for buck on one of the used ones that are better built than this line. I like the stronger, heavier steel in the older ones, but don't know all that much about the various models.

I'm trying to find the best combo of really well built, but not so old that it has a zillion hours and is worn out.

I've found a couple of mid to late 90's 425's that a couple of retired guys have restored for $2900-3500, but that's a lot to spend on a used one which may have seen lots of use.

Is there a best built/bang for the buck in a 42-48" or so rig that I will try to maintain well for the long haul?

What are the newest ones that were built old school tough?

What about the new 300 series that are around $2800?

Thanks,

DJ

Ask Kraky111. He was a JD dealer

Thanks, Ken.

DJ

The older John Deere 318 and 425 are excellent machines with far more capability than they're given credit for. They are garden tractors though and cost more than a lawn tractor or riding mower. That's the difference in price you see even in the used market.

Most anything you can get a a box store is in the same quality class no matter who made it.

Guess you need to decide if you're looking for a tractor or just a mower. Also need to know what terrain you're going to use it on. Big difference between the 2 in price and construction.

I have rolling terrain and a 48" deck, wouldn't want to be any wider as the deck will hang up on the steeper inclines.

The neighbor's..

Thanks!

I'm in the Texas Hill Country - and not in town.

Lots of rocks, stumps, trees to navigate, tight turns to make, etc. - but enough to mow to want a 42-48" deck.

Plus - the kids may help me, and I need something with a deck tough enough it doesn't bend when the miscalculate a turn and catch a tree or stump, and which is setup so that it doesn't crater if the boys last rock chucking contest or bailing wire/bailer twine creation doesn't get spotted and I run over it, or if someone runs up on a stump.

I know anything can break, but some stuff takes lots more than others...grin.

I take care of stuff, but use it and would be accused of abusing it by many...

DJ

I got a new JD 125 'automatic' riding mower a few years ago.

The steering is too heavy because its too 'fast'. In other words the ratio of steering wheel turns to front wheel turns is low.

I had a Sears before that which was much easier to steer.

You can try them with out starting them. Just climb on one and turn the wheel back and forth. Of course the surface its on and the tire pressure matter.

Otherwise it runs ok and is fancy looking. They all are too noisy.

Thanks, 99.

The non-greasable spindles on the lower end mower decks are sure loud, and all you can do is replace them after listening to them until they go, I guess.

I've had an STX 42 that's still going, but the L100 threw a rod after a few years with me and a few with someone else. It was well maintained, but the rev limiter/governor failed and it flew apart in seconds...

The B&S engines are prone to do that, I've since learned.

DJ

DJ if it is as dry where you are as it is here you ain't going to need no mower. I haven't had to mow my yard since the end of March. If it weren't for weeds I wouldn't have no yard at all.

BCR

Yep - weeds & KR Bluestem are the tallest - but my wife waters it some, so it keeps me mowing some grass, too....grin.

DJ

The mid 90's 300 series are good mowers. I have a 1996 J.D 318 with a twin cylinder Onan engine with nearly 1000 hours on it. It has given me no problems at all. In all those years of service, I have only replaced the drive belt 3 times. I am very happy with it.

PaPa260

If they're still going, you're lucky. The sealed spindles have been replaced with "greasable" ones. The only problem is that you're supposed to give them like, ten-to twelve shots (IIRC) to start with. Then you don't know where you're at. If they're so delicate that they can't be just packed with grease, they're gonna go out pretty soon anyway. I've replaced a bunch on my L series.

My recommendation is to not get a John Deere. The low end ones are junk and the high-end ones are too high. I second the 318 thing. Dad's got one that's over twenty years old and is still going strong. I expect most used ones you'd get are wore out by now though.

My L series is a 2003 or 2004. I spend a bunch of money on it every year. If I see a good 318, I'm gettin' it.

I bought a 420 in the early 80's that is still running great.

I bought an X-720 about 2 years ago that I really like too.

about 30 year old 420..



New X-720..

Neat rigs!

You know you're getting old when pictures of riding mowers get you all fired up...grin.

How many hours on the 420?

Wondering how many is too many when looking used - of course I know it's all about maintenance and how one is used, but wondering if there's a rule of thumb on engine overhaul at 2000 hours, etc.

Appreciate the info, everyone.

DJ

No rule of thumb on engine overhaul- the 2000 hours works good for aircraft recips.
Onan engines can easily run this long, but the parts for them are now exorbitantly expensive, and you won't find too many young ones out there. I'm still running a couple of Sears/Roper SS16 tractors with twin-Onans that were made in the early 1970's, never overhauled.
Kohlers are great, as are the Kawasaki-powered Deere's. A guy down the road has one of the Kawi-powered models (not sure of the model number) but it has close to that many hours, if not more. He bought the machine used from a lawn maintenance outfit, and then added some accessories like a blower, plow, and rear tiller. All he's changed is a couple of belts. He won't sell it for a newer one.

Don't worry too much about rebuilding the original engine if you get one of the older John Deere's. They are popular for repower kits, the new B&S Vanguards bolt right in.

Right around 2000 hours on the 420. Engine has never been rebuilt, I'm almost 100% positive it's a Kohler.

I have the grass cutter, snowblower, and front loader for it, it gets used a lot.

Now I only use it with the front loader for yard work. The 720 does the grass, and the snow removal.
That 720 is a nice ride. My wife sometimes gets mad when I cut the grass !!

my john deer dealer told me there are 2 types of jd lawn movers. the top quality models you can only get at a jd dealer (the most expensive and best made in the opinion of the dealer) OR the models one finds at lowes, home depot, and other big box stores. he said the ones from the big box stores are intentionally made cheaper, and you can't get their parts from a jd dealer, but rather have to get them from or through the big box seller. i live in farm country and see lots of farmers using the expensive jd models on their yard. drive in to town and one sees lots of town-folk using the big box jd models. for the man who can afford it, i'd say get your next mower from a jd dealer. ymmv.

DJ, FWIW, I have a 445 w/ a 54" deck that I bought new in 2000. It only has 248 hours on it! I love that machine, and like you said I must be getting old! Well, OK, I AM old! I am presently in somewhat of a conundrum, as I want to upgrade to a front-wheel assist model for blowing snow, but want to keep the 445. But I don't have the room to store another machine, plus that 445 would provide a healthy trade in. What to do? Been eye-balling JD sub-compacts lately. This is dangerous! Those JD 2520's and 2720's will make your d**k hard!!

IMO, the JD 455 is one of the best out there. It may be because I own one, but it's a tank for sure. Built in 1993, it has 750 hours on the 22 hp Yanmar diesel, which is lightly used, and a 60" mid mount cutter. It burns about .75 gph with a 6G tank, has an HST tranny and hydrostat power steering, will take a Cat 0 3 point hitch, and has the hydraulic output connections for a front end loader or blade. There's also a retrofit kit from JD that you can purchase that will allow a power take off to be installed so that bush hogs etc. may be run. Overall, it's one of the best garden/lawn tractors ever built. I bought mine for $4000, and have never looked for another one.

Yeah, the 445 and 455 are twins, except the 445 is gas and the 455 is diesel. At the time I purchased, I went gas because I was concerned about cold-weather starting. Wish I had gotten the 60" deck.

That would be a concern in the Dakotas to be sure. The 60" deck cuts mowing time by quite a lot, even if it is somewhat more cumbersome around trees etc.

I can't believe I'm struggling so much not to covet y'all's mowers!

I felt my pulse speed up at the thought of a diesel 455...grin...but I'm not coveting yours, just one like it.

I think those 455's are rare as hens teeth, though.

What do y'all think a nice, well maintained 445 with hours in the 600-700 range should run a guy?

Thanks,

DJ

Here...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/grd/2309901809.html

Thanks! I think...grin.

DJ

Have heard the same but I call BS. On the tractors at Lowes it says plainer than day on a sticker "take to _____ John Deere", for repair or service.

A good friend is a master small engine repair man and works for a company that repairs most of the commercial equipment in the area. He said unless your talking about the $3500 and up model John Deere's, they are all the same. Of course, John Deere doesn't want you to know this.

Bill

You're pretty much right. I bought mine from a John Deere dealer and I very much doubt it is any better than a Lowe's bought model.

Top quality John Deere's are still available and will run you about 8 grand.

I spent years calling on dealers when I sold tractor/skid steer attachments. After too much time waiting in showrooms, I came to the conclusion that most mfgrs would try to build to a price point. The 445's & 455's stood out like a sore thumb, and not just for their price tags. Still, many dealers (especially those closer to population centers) would have several of the "less exensive" mowers on the showroom floor. When I see the Green-n-Yellow offerings at Home Depot these days, I just have to laugh.

The way I see it, you kind of have to buy a mower by-the-pound. They can put a pressure lubricated Kohler engine in a crappy frame that totes a paper-thin deck, and get it to sell. If the paint color is right, & people see a somewhat serious-looking engine, they'll think they're getting a serious machine. When you start getting into beefy frames, decks, and transaxles, the price goes up quickly. If someone's fastidious about maintenance, and is a careful operator, they can get nearly any mower to last quite a while. When you start putting offspring or hired help into the equation as operators & maintainers, mower life will fall off quickly.

I'm on a � acre in suburbia, so I don't concern myself with mowers too much. I grew up cutting 8 acres every week, though, so I know the routine. If I were to buy something just for mowing, I'd check into professional equipment by Exmark, Scag, Ferris, Grasshopper, Dixie Chopper, etc. You'll be giving up the attachment options of a garden tractor, but you'll get top-notch mowing capability, components built to withstand the lowest-paid laborers available, and probably save a buck or two.

Now you can take my $.02, pair it with $1.48 of your own, & go get a cup of coffee!

Good Luck,

FC

You should be able to find a JD 430 for around $3500. They are diesel and are extremely well built.


I've moved up to a larger Kubota and sold my 430 to my brother. He had over 3,000 hrs on it when he sold it for $3,500 but it still ran like new. He had over 2 dozen calls on it.

(not my picture)

I owned a '95 425 AWS for around 10-years and used it to cut 3-acres of grass, maintain a mile or so of trails year-round, blow/plow snow, etc. It's a helluva tractor, but if you're just looking to cut grass the 425 is probably overkill.

BTW, the larger the deck the tighter the trim radius. Go with as big a deck as you can.

I cut 2-3 acres and have for a number of years. I'm careful and good about maintenance, but my JD is still effed. I think about everything you said was pretty accurate. John Deere dealers will sell you just about the same mower that Home Depot will. Both suck.

A friend of mine is a commercial lawn care dude out in Wichita. He's mentioned most of the brands you did.

This is the one I use, a 1964 110. I should get some pictures of it since I painted it last winter. This thing is built hell for stout! I don't think there is a single piece of plastic on it.

Would love to find a good clean one!

The 455 in the link was long gone!

They are in plenty high demand - both from folks who want to use them and folks who enjoy both collecting and using them.

I'm trying to be patient. I looked at a 445 this morning - and all I can say is...WOW!

They are in another league from the L100 I was running, but of course they were around $10k new, so they should be.

If I can find something built like that in the right price range, I think it would last near forever with good maintenance.

Do the 430's have plastic on them?

DJ

I don't believe they had plastic but I honestly can't remember. From how much the darn thing weighed, I'd doubt it.



I know they were built from the mid 80's to early 90's and were the model before the 455. Had the Yanmar 3 cl diesel and had hydrostatic transmission though it was only hand controlled. No foot controls.


I remember the mower deck alone weighed almost 400 lbs. It was a beast.