Comments on: Should You Buy John Deere Mowers at Box Stores? http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box Expert Home Improvement Advice Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:48:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Realslowhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-62977 Realslow Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:57:05 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-62977 I have a JD 214, 160, and a 240. I wouldn't trade either one for 3 boxstore mowers or 2 newer mowers from the Deere dealer. These mowers are anywhere from 30 yrs old to 19 yrs old. I mow approximately 3 acres at least once a week (in summer), rototill with the 240 (30 in mechanical tiller), push snow with the 214. You get the picture. Granddaugher age 9 runs the crap outta the 160, this one I replaced the flathead kawasaki with the overhead valve 14 hp motor. She uses it instead of a 4 wheeler, no deck on it, cleated tires. If I ever need another mower in my lifetime (which I doubt) I'll get one made pre 1994, and tear it down and restore. This is just my two cents worth of information, you can do what you want, it's your money. I'm afraid Deere went cheaper to compete with china products. I totally hate this. I have a JD 214, 160, and a 240. I wouldn’t trade either one for 3 boxstore mowers or 2 newer mowers from the Deere dealer. These mowers are anywhere from 30 yrs old to 19 yrs old. I mow approximately 3 acres at least once a week (in summer), rototill with the 240 (30 in mechanical tiller), push snow with the 214. You get the picture. Granddaugher age 9 runs the crap outta the 160, this one I replaced the flathead kawasaki with the overhead valve 14 hp motor. She uses it instead of a 4 wheeler, no deck on it, cleated tires. If I ever need another mower in my lifetime (which I doubt) I’ll get one made pre 1994, and tear it down and restore. This is just my two cents worth of information, you can do what you want, it’s your money. I’m afraid Deere went cheaper to compete with china products. I totally hate this.

]]> By: Carl Crisphttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-62813 Carl Crisp Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:42:51 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-62813 Bought LA 145 from Lowe's three seasons ago after getting two Craftsman riders from Sears in one month that a: failed to go into reverse and b: began coming apart on first use.The JD LA145 had to have two pullys replaced after first season (mech said water from cleaning gets under spindles and into bearings, causing them to fail. So you can't wash the deck) The grease fitting on those deck pullys that are greasable fit inward and are almost impossible to get to without dropping the deck. The deck paint began peeling away after about one season. JD dealer sent letter to JD hqs. but got no reply. Now, the paint on fenders is peeling off too. This is not from damage. There is no primer under the paint (acknowledged by dealer rep.) The dealer has agreed to repaint the deck at his cost. Would I buy another JD from a big box store? Probably not. Would I buy another JD from a dealer? Don't know if I could afford it. We mow 3.5 acres of rough, unlevel ground when the grass is growing (which due to the drought in Texas has been pretty rare of late.) Bought LA 145 from Lowe’s three seasons ago after getting two Craftsman riders from Sears in one month that a: failed to go into reverse and b: began coming apart on first use.

The JD LA145 had to have two pullys replaced after first season (mech said water from cleaning gets under spindles and into bearings, causing them to fail. So you can’t wash the deck) The grease fitting on those deck pullys that are greasable fit inward and are almost impossible to get to without dropping the deck. The deck paint began peeling away after about one season. JD dealer sent letter to JD hqs. but got no reply. Now, the paint on fenders is peeling off too. This is not from damage. There is no primer under the paint (acknowledged by dealer rep.) The dealer has agreed to repaint the deck at his cost.
Would I buy another JD from a big box store? Probably not. Would I buy another JD from a dealer? Don’t know if I could afford it.
We mow 3.5 acres of rough, unlevel ground when the grass is growing (which due to the drought in Texas has been pretty rare of late.)

]]> By: Glennhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-61249 Glenn Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:35:12 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-61249 So this the basis of the article is incorrect?i.e. "The big box stores have made deals with manufactures to supply exclusive products at attractive price points. I know there are many people who will argue this fact and say there is no difference. However, go to the John Deere site and search for Model BG20444, you will not find it. You will find the LA105 which is a similar tractor but the BG20444 was manufactured specifically for HD." So this the basis of the article is incorrect?

i.e. “The big box stores have made deals with manufactures to supply exclusive products at attractive price points. I know there are many people who will argue this fact and say there is no difference. However, go to the John Deere site and search for Model BG20444, you will not find it. You will find the LA105 which is a similar tractor but the BG20444 was manufactured specifically for HD.”

]]> By: Glennhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-61248 Glenn Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:26:43 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-61248 The starter and alternator are part of the engine. Your complaint would be directed at B&S in this case not JD. The starter and alternator are part of the engine. Your complaint would be directed at B&S in this case not JD.

]]> By: Marcushttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-60846 Marcus Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:39:11 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-60846 I'm in my 4th year mowing 1/2 acre on a L125 and I love it. Been pushing snow with it all winters too. Run's great. If I were needing to cut more than an acre or two, I definately would have bought a bigger machine, but this one fit in my budget, and works great. I’m in my 4th year mowing 1/2 acre on a L125 and I love it. Been pushing snow with it all winters too. Run’s great. If I were needing to cut more than an acre or two, I definately would have bought a bigger machine, but this one fit in my budget, and works great.

]]> By: Chrishttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box/#comment-60693 Chris Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:32:11 +0000 http://localhost/test/2008/06/should-you-buy-john-deere-mowers-at-box-stores/#comment-60693 I bought a Deere LA145 mower in 2009 and have had trouble with it since day one. It is the most poorly designed riding mower I have ever owned an all my 71 + years. I have replaced the mower spindles, numerous blades (it wears out blades 3 to 1 compared to my Toro same size), the wheel spindles have been replaced and the grease fittings are facing the inside of the machine! I have removed the old spindles to put in the new ones and now have the grease fittings facing out however it is a task to get at them. I grease the machine EVERY time I use it but it still wears out. The deck has a hole worn in it to the rear of the shute. The dealer told me that this was due to sand being shot out of the shute but the clippings come out of the front of the shute, not the rear! Further the deck is made in such a way that the grass clippings acumulate in the low areas and further creates heat and makes it difficult to clean and get at mainenence items. Today using the machine the cutters refused to engage and I had to use the Toro to mow! Fair warning to prospective buyers, John Deere mowers are now making junk... do not buy one! I bought a Deere LA145 mower in 2009 and have had trouble with it since day one. It is the most poorly designed riding mower I have ever owned an all my 71 + years. I have replaced the mower spindles, numerous blades (it wears out blades 3 to 1 compared to my Toro same size), the wheel spindles have been replaced and the grease fittings are facing the inside of the machine! I have removed the old spindles to put in the new ones and now have the grease fittings facing out however it is a task to get at them. I grease the machine EVERY time I use it but it still wears out. The deck has a hole worn in it to the rear of the shute. The dealer told me that this was due to sand being shot out of the shute but the clippings come out of the front of the shute, not the rear! Further the deck is made in such a way that the grass clippings acumulate in the low areas and further creates heat and makes it difficult to clean and get at mainenence items. Today using the machine the cutters refused to engage and I had to use the Toro to mow!
Fair warning to prospective buyers, John Deere mowers are now making junk… do not buy one!

]]>