I bought a used 1991 John Deere 322 back in 2001. 18Hp, Yanmar 3-cylinder liquid cooled beast. Great on fuel. Came with 50" optional deck (46" standard) and full hydraulics, including power steering, hydraulic lift and hydrostatic tranny.

I had to make a decision between a new top of the line Craftsman or a 10 year old John Deere. After talking to several people as well as using my own judgement based upon my farm upbringing and what I know about JD quality, I went with the Deere. For only $3,500, I got the tractor, 50" mower deck, and a fully-hydraulic front snow blade.

It's the end of 2009 and she's still running strong after all these years and over 2,500 hours. The JD is just plain better in every single way than ANY AYP (Craftsman) or MTD (Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, and almost every other name out there).

I will never look back. Anything else is junk. The only thing even remotely close to a John Deere these days is a Kubota, and why support the Japanese? Don't believe me about how good a JD LGT is? Buy one and run it. I guarantee you'll never go back to anything else.

Also, so you aren't disappointed, remember this... the best Deere's ever made were the 300 and 400 series machines. Even the new LGT's that they build nowadays aren't as good, but they still reign supreme over any of the "throw-aways". Avoid the 100 series JD lawn tractors, as they are "throw-aways" as well. They aren't any better than the Craftsman's or Cub Cadet's.

Quit wasting money on the "throw-aways". They just aren't worth it, and you will never be truly happy. Also remember... brand new isn't always better.

Peace out!

Popcorn.....check.
Butter......check.
Beer........check.

OK, now I am ready.

They just won't stand up like my Kenny will and that includes the offerings from companies like Toyota and Honda....even though those brands are made right here in America....by Americans.

Wheelyboy, I'm on my way to your place for some of that popcorn and beer. LOL

not picking but "Used and abused by the school district"? Bet the district had a mechanic that fixed things? what do you think?

This always comes up and always inferior cheaper AYPs or MTD's are the comparsions. Why arn't they compared to something in there price range and quality? Like KUBOTA for one? or IR or WH?

Yah kompressor. How about Ingersoll Rand?? (heh heh, I know I know;o)

We'll be OK in the roast as long as we don't get back into the discussion about the Craftsman front end spindles. :)

More Butter Please

"Everything else is junk." Really? Maybe Deere should adopt that as their new slogan.
"Why support the Japanese?" Uh.. before you poke your eye out with that little American flag, realize that Yanmar ain't made in Moline.

Maybe he's just moved on or maybe the responses he read were like a dose of penicillin that took care of this STD once and for all. LOL

'stroke, I'm pretty sure he was talking about the later model L-100 series box-store (and also JD dealer) lawn tractors. Your LX series was a top of the line lawn tractor in its day and still well respected. There's a late model ('05 I think) LX 280 w/ 48C deck at our local JD dealer showroom floor that's never been sold. Would like to have that one in my shed.

The same thing was said about the JD/Scotts series of tractors when they were introduced at Home Depot 10 years ago. I'm almost ready to put mine away for the winter after 9 years and 403 hours with only minimum repairs and normal maintenance.

funny, btu the parts for both my X500 and my L130 are 1/2 or LESS the cost of teh same part for a craftsman. or at least everythign me and my buddy compared. my front axle for teh L130 is 38.50, the same style CI axle for his old Craftsman(meaning his previous tractor he scrapped) was nearly 80.00. deck spindles for mine run about 35.00 each, his were 60+, blades about 30.00 a set, his nearly 50.00.

folks assume that JD parts are higher, when in reality MOST of them are equal or lower price. naturally some things will cost more, but no matter what machine you buy it will have some expensive and some cheap parts.

as to the OP, i agree that the box store models are crap. just like the box store machiens they "compete" with, they do have a use. but they ain't made for acreage or abuse.

it is a common misconception that Deere charges a premium for their parts, in reality they are about the same or less than others. i can buy oil/filter/plugs cheaper at the dealer than at the autoparts stores around here. i usually don't since the price is only about a dollar or two cheaper than Autozone which is right next door to my office and the dealer is about 5 miles away. so it costs me just as much for the gas/time to go there.

Of course a John Deere might be 8 times higher if your comparing a new one.To a used set out at the curb MTD.Just like your comparing John Deere parts from a John Deere dealer to used MTD parts!New parts compared to used?Of course the MTD used parts will be cheaper YA THINK DOH!

The thing that gets me about John Deere bashers like your self.Bashing the cost of John Deere parts is you do not have a John Deere you have a MTD or Sears or what ever brand.So why would you be looking for parts for a John Deere and why would you even have a clue what John Deere parts cost?Its just a way for the Cheap arses to justify why they are so cheap and why there trying to make someone believe there POS lawn mower is better then the guy down the roads John Deere that there Drooling over but will not admit it.

Im not sure what brand you have that is so fast you can mow 5 acres before I can mow 1/4 but I take it must be a Zero turn?

Dont hold your breath with John Deere about to be going bankrupt.Surely you do not believe that honestly?Do you have a clue what John Deere bring in with there Ag line alone?They have that market wrapped up.Lawn mowers are just a sideline for John Deere.

I only bash the John Deere bashers who think they know it all.Most are simply to cheap to pay more for quality.Thats fine but why bash John Deere because of it?Maybe they were denied that John Deere credit?Maybe Mama said no you only have an allowance for a Sears or MTD?But saying John Deere parts are to high priced or there going bankrupt.Just because you need an excuse?

Rdaystrom hang in there maybe someday you will be able to afford a John Deere and then you will not be so bitter toward a John Deere owner and Deere&Co.

For the right person buying a used machine can get you more bang for the buck. And if you do you will find that for a given amount of $ you will see better machines than old - the wimpier machines will have been weeded out, or will be well below you amount you care to spend.

SO buying a bigger/better machine used makes a lot of sense for SOME people.

As a part time job, I service, on average, one machine every day of the year. 90% are Sears, or MTD. I really have to do almost no repair on the bodies, mostly routine stuff on the engines.

I always loved my Wheelhorse 312A, non-Toro, but when I bought a used JD316, I have to honestly say that JD has it all over my Wheelhorse. Neither one has nickeled and dimed me, but my Eaton hydro pump did fail on the Horse after about 1000 hours. That set me back $800 for the part.

Kompressor:
Maybe you should look at a bigger GT. I am sure this forum will be of help!

As much as I love my Case and Ingersoll GT's, I certainly respect the qualities that are found in other brands. Since I haven't had the opportunity to experience many of the brands and models made by those brands, I certainly wouldn't dream of posting anything remotely similar to the rants by STD in about a half-dozen archived threads plus this one.

STD is a troll. He came here, stirred the stagnant manure pile and then sat back to watch the fun as the fan began to spin up to speed.

Did I mention that Craftsman riding mowers have a warning under that seat:

To prevent premature failure of the engine and drivetrain, it is recommended that riders weigh less than 90 pounds.