Need a new lawn tractor

[cbelt3]

Eh, you guys are wimps !

[DinerDave]

pdq wrote:
Just looked up Consumers Reports on riding mowers the other day, and they didn't like Cub Cadet's reliability.

On the other hand, when I look at the $1500 John Deere, (which CR didn't review), I see a lot of low ratings due to problems, too. I've read the 100-series John Deere mowers are "not real John Deere" - rebadged MTD mowers? - but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much on a 300-series JD.

IDK about the rebranding, maybe JD raising volume sales by supplying MTD?
Anyway my John Deere 100 series has been flawless for over 12 years now. It starts, it mows. MUCH better than the Sears Craftsman is replaced. I service it basically ever other year, with the relatively short season in Western Mass, it gets used, but not overly so. Glad I bought JD.
Really, really wanted the next size up JD, so i could get the snow thrower add on, but I would not have an indoor storage space, and I didn't want it outside all the time.

Dave

[Grateful11]

pdq wrote:
Just looked up Consumers Reports on riding mowers the other day, and they didn't like Cub Cadet's reliability.

On the other hand, when I look at the $1500 John Deere, (which CR didn't review), I see a lot of low ratings due to problems, too. I've read the 100-series John Deere mowers are "not real John Deere" - rebadged MTD mowers? - but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much on a 300-series JD.

Cub Cadet was bought out by MTD years ago and are nothing like you Father's Cub Cadet.

John Deere bought a factory in TN. There's not an MTD on the market that has any resemblance to the JD.
We had a 100 series for a short while and it started and ran just fine but it appears they cheapened up on them some.

[OWC Jamie]

DinerDave wrote:
[quote=pdq]
Just looked up Consumers Reports on riding mowers the other day, and they didn't like Cub Cadet's reliability.

On the other hand, when I look at the $1500 John Deere, (which CR didn't review), I see a lot of low ratings due to problems, too. I've read the 100-series John Deere mowers are "not real John Deere" - rebadged MTD mowers? - but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much on a 300-series JD.

IDK about the rebranding, maybe JD raising volume sales by supplying MTD?
Anyway my John Deere 100 series has been flawless for over 12 years now. It starts, it mows. MUCH better than the Sears Craftsman is replaced. I service it basically ever other year, with the relatively short season in Western Mass, it gets used, but not overly so. Glad I bought JD.
Really, really wanted the next size up JD, so i could get the snow thrower add on, but I would not have an indoor storage space, and I didn't want it outside all the time.

Dave
http://netvaly.org/news.php?article=55
http://charlesandhudson.com/john-deere-greeneville/