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longbob1108

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey everyone

New to the forum but have been browsing and love it so far. Big fan of JD tractors my whole life. Dad had one growing up and I knew as soon as I bought my house last year I would want to get a lawn tractor of my own.

The time as come to get a tractor and need some suggestions. My property is 1.75 acres and about 1 acre of it is grass, rest is wooded. So I have millions of leaves all fall. Lucky me lol

Not big obstacles in the yard except for a steep hill in their front and side yard. Have been looking at a D140 and D160. The tractor would be used for grass, bagging leaves and soon getting a blade for the front to plow my long driveway.


Can anyone recommend one over the other? Or any other suggestions? New or used are fine. Top budget is about $2000 but rather less

Looking forward to any help you can gives!

Thanks

Bob
 
#6 ·
longbob1108 said:
Hey everyone

Or any other suggestions? New or used are fine. Top budget is about $2000 but rather less

Looking forward to any help you can gives!

Thanks

Bob
Click to expand...
When I first came here asking similar questions, the conclusion I came to was to get a clean, well cared for used GT instead of a shiny new LT. The sturdier/beefier machine will never wear out if well cared for. I am very happy with my 1997 GT 275, which cost me less than a new LT machine. Something such as this GT235
 
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#7 ·
I have about an acre and some steep hills. And I know I wanted to push snow around. I was at Home Depot with my card out ready to buy a D140 for $1950.

I stopped myself and made a couple of phone calls to local dealers for used machines. I tracked down a guy that had a huge farm and got the trade ins from the dealer, fixed them up and sold them. He had a JD 325 with 780 hours in great shape for $1800. Now that's a tractor right there. Once you see how a garden tractor is made vs. a lawn mower, you may not be the same again.

For what you are looking at, the same $2,000 you would spend on a new D series will get you a much nicer used tractor. If you get something newer like a GX3xx or an X3xx, you won't have to do much wrenching and it will last a loooooonnnnnggggg time.

Let us know if you are inclined to go used and the guys here will make recommendations and one guy finds the exact thing you want within 50 miles (it's a gift he has).

Tom
 
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#8 ·
I'm not sure on what tractor would be best for you but with all those leaves you might think about building a compost, it will give you rich dark black dirt, and you don't have to turn the compost over it does it itself.

Here's a picture
Image


Rob
 
#9 ·
Steep hill, long driveway and plow blade sounds like a very early death for a D series. I would listen to the advise offered so far or up the ante and spend alot more money if you want new.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Wow awesome replies . thanks very much. If I can get a stronger better built used machine I'm all for it. I am not how steep the hill is...its enough to make mywalk behind that I have now slide sideways when cutting vertical across it. I think the d series is something I can use for the grass only but i see nothing that stands out with that line. but when doing other things like snow I think something bigger and stronger might be needed?

I'm looking into all of the suggested machines that you guys have posted.
 
#13 ·
Why not wait for Deere's specials and get something that can handle the acreage? If I was to do it all over again I would have an X595 or something of the like. What ever you think you need triple it... You won't be sorry.

I started with an LT166, blew up after 1 year, then a GT275, grenaded the engine 2nd time mowing, now an X324 since 2009. As much as I've spent on these machines I could have had a nice new big machine with a loader, big blower, 4x4 and a cab. You can put $2000 down and make some low payments...but it's your call. Plus you will have a warranty.
 
#14 ·
Tell us more about you. Do you like tinkering? Are you mechanically inclined or interested in learning? Do you like and take pride in your yard, or is it a chore that you just want to get done? All of these things matter when giving advice on what to get. Given what you have said so far, I would stay away from the D series. That means either more money, or used. If you go used, I would definitely move to the gt market.
 
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#15 ·
I wouldn't get to hasty in a purchase.. take ur time.. go to ur local JD dealer all around u & see what they have in the used GT line.. while there ask about addin a blade or a blower to one u get.. some of the add-on's r hard to find for the bigger units..

I'm a guy with great talents I've been told.. but I picked up a Craftsman GT with a 46 inch blower installed.... I had to do a lotta work to it to get it to my specifications.. (I'm a lil fussy) this unit is a designated blowin machine.. that's all she does.. (well... she may tow another mower now & then).. spent bout a grand on the unit & with repairs to it now up to 1400.. but it's a unit that will last me till I can no longer get on it..

ya.. I did take several years to get my unit.. or all of my 45 mowers... lol
 
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#16 ·
You are on the right path looking at the 325, 335, 345, GT235, GT275 ect. Those models are comparable to the X500 - X540 if comparing to new machines. I would skip the D series and the X300 - X360 since they are lawn tractors. The Tuff Torq K70/K71/K72 transmissions are well built and strong.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Yeah I'm not in a rush but am excited to start the searching process. It takes me a while buy anything lol

I am somewhat a tinkerer and enjoy working on my yard. As much as I hate doing the leaves I love the satisfaction of a clean yard after I'm done so I always bust my hump to keep the yard in tip top shape.

I do travel a lot of work and sometimes for months at a time. Having a tractor with a front snow blade would really put me at ease knowing if I'm gone my wife can just start it up and plow herself out of the house and be able to get to work. And she won't use my snow blower, scares her too much since it's so bulky.
 
#19 ·
These guys have summed it up. I was you 10 years ago,but I was the guy that actually bought the "L series tractor" at that time from Home Depot. Tranny went in 4 years and thenI had to start over. Get yourself a nice used Garden tractor and learn to tinker. Or, as suggested take that $2000 and put it down on a nice new GT at John Deere. I can't even tell you how FAR ahead I'd be today if I would just bought that new tractor from a John Deere dealership.

PS - Deere has finance deals all the time. I think one is running now.

Good Luck
 
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