Are the Scotts tractors as reliable as the John Deere?

44132 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Sergeant, Apr 30, 2016

Klayfish

Discussion Starter · Jul 12, 2009

Forgive me if that's a really stupid question, but I don't know much about tractors. I know a lot about cars, but mowers...not so much. Were the Scotts simply rebadged John Deeres, or were they actually mechanically different?

I'm looking for a new tractor to mow my property. I have 3.5 acres, of which I need to mow roughly 2.75. The land is basically flat, pretty much like open field, but it's not super smooth (has some bumps). I'm on a tight budget...i.e. sub $1500. There is one locally that has a 25hp motor and 54" deck. He said it was bought new in 2003, but I'm not sure what model it is (I left a message for him to call me).

Steve

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CUMan

· #2 · Jul 13, 2009

The Scotts machines of the 2003 era were the same as the John Deere models, albeit with orange paint. They used the same engine, a 2 cylinder 25 HP Kohler.

I bought a used Scotts S2554 several months ago. I have been very impressed with it. I had owned a Scotts 17.542 model for about seven years and put over 600 hours on it. The S2554 has really cut down on the hours I spend cutting grass.

The Scotts I bought is actually a 2001 model. It is a bit different from the 2003 model, but the engine is the same.

This is likely the model you are looking at:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/products_non_current/scotts/scotts_models.html

This model Scotts (GT2554) should be equivalent to a John Deere G110.

If it has reasonable hours on it and has been maintained properly, I think it would be a good buy.

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Sergeant

· #3 · Jul 13, 2009

JD made Scotts lawn tractor were made on the STX frame except last year of JD Scotts production was on the Current L and LA frames.
The JD made Scotts Garden tractors were made on the GT262 thru GT275 frames included the last year of the JD Scotts Garden tractors.. The Scotts GT2554 would be equivalent to the G100 which was the same frame as the GT275 which was also the same frame for the sabre Garden tractors not the G110. The G110 was built on the Same frame as the L120 and L130 But had a K66 transmission. :thThumbsU

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Klayfish

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 13, 2009

Thanks for the replies. Would the Scotts tractor be able to stand up to years of use (I will have it serviced regularly) mowing 3.5 acres of field land? If I'm shelling out this kind of money, I want to make sure I don't have to replace the tractor in 2 years.

Steve

x595

· #5 · Jul 13, 2009

The picture in CUMan's link is identical to the old Sabre Garden Tractor series ... Steve how many hours are on this 2003 model ??? If it looks to be in good shape , (not all beat up) and fairly low hours , I think it would be fine ...

Later,x595

Klayfish

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 13, 2009

CUMan said:
The Scotts machines of the 2003 era were the same as the John Deere models, albeit with orange paint. They used the same engine, a 2 cylinder 25 HP Kohler.

I bought a used Scotts S2554 several months ago. I have been very impressed with it. I had owned a Scotts 17.542 model for about seven years and put over 600 hours on it. The S2554 has really cut down on the hours I spend cutting grass.

The Scotts I bought is actually a 2001 model. It is a bit different from the 2003 model, but the engine is the same.

This is likely the model you are looking at:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/products_non_current/scotts/scotts_models.html

This model Scotts (GT2554) should be equivalent to a John Deere G110.

If it has reasonable hours on it and has been maintained properly, I think it would be a good buy.

Yep, that's the one. The guy said it's a GT2554. Not sure how many hours are on it. I forgot to ask. So is it a rebadge of the G100 or G110, or 275? I'm a bit confused? Also, for the same price, a local dealer has a Cub Cadet LT1554. It's got a 27hp Kohler motor and 54" deck. Trying to decide between the two.

Steve

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Sergeant

· #7 · Jul 13, 2009

The Scotts GT2554 is Built on the JD GT275 frame which is the same frame for the Sabre GT's and the G100. But is not the same as a G110 which is built on a diffrent frame all together. :thThumbsU

CUMan

· #8 · Jul 14, 2009

I stand corrected. Sergeant is right. The GT2554 is the equivalent of a G100, not a G110.

What led me astray was the picture on the link I posted. The top picture shows the L series frame, and the GT2554 is shown with that picture. I made the wrong assumption that it used the L series frame.

AJB

· #9 · Apr 29, 2016

Saw this one on the side of the road this week. Any good? and whats a good price? How does it compare to a Crasftman GT? from 1999?

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Michael

· #10 · Apr 30, 2016

I hate to say this but it always a crap shoot whether the tractor is long lasting. Just remember at the age of these tractor it all depends on how they were maintained. Or lack of maintenance. I have a buddy that will blow thru a new lawn and even garden tractor in a season. He just buys the cheapest thing on Craigslist and pounds the thing into the dirt with no maintenance and at the end of the season (sometimes sooner) hauls the tractor to the scrap metal place. I actually think that with the age of the tractors you are looking at that as long as you stick to the GT2554 you probably be good to go. So long as it has been maintained and you do the same

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AJB

· #11 · Apr 30, 2016

Thanks for the response. I am wondering if this might be an upgrade over the Craftsman I have now. Plus this one has a slightly large desk than my 50" and 5 more HP.

Justy37

· #12 · Apr 30, 2016

Find out hours on it. Sad to see a faded scotts. I usually pass on tractors that spent their life outside, unless I'm using it for a parts machine.

Plastic hoods hold their color for a very long time. But if stored outside, they fade quickly.

ggsteve

· #13 · Apr 30, 2016

Klayfish said:
Yep, that's the one. The guy said it's a GT2554. Not sure how many hours are on it. I forgot to ask. So is it a rebadge of the G100 or G110, or 275? I'm a bit confused? Also, for the same price, a local dealer has a Cub Cadet LT1554. It's got a 27hp Kohler motor and 54" deck. Trying to decide between the two.

Steve

With your terrain I would skip the Cub Cadet LT. I don't think it would be as rugged as the Scotts GT.

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2015 MTF Holiday Decoration Contest Winner
ggsteve
80 Cart
78 JD 316K 49 blower

81 JD 317 Onan 54" 4-way blade weight box 46" deck
86 JD 318 JB Sr. 3pt weight box
05 JD x585 54" deck Femco Cab Cat1 3ph Johnny Bucket Sr. w/custom frame squeezer
07 JD x748 48" deck mulch kit 14 cuft powerflow bagger 47 snow thrower Click-n-Go Cat1 3ph OTC cabWoods box blade
12 cu. ft. poly cart, JD rear dethatcher, plug aerator, drop spreader, broadcast spreader, sweeper
integral hitch attachments: box blade, 10" bottom plow
3ph attachments: Woods 4' box blade
08 Craftsman Pro w/42" deck, Berco blade and blower, OTC cab, model 80 cart given to son
84 JD 214 w/46" deck, 43 blade and blower, model 50 cart given to SIL
[SIGPIC]
https://www.mytractorforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1742785&d=1469767994[/SIGPIC]

Ledwyn329

· #14 · Apr 30, 2016

ggsteve.... you do know you just replied to a post made in 2009? lol.

Sure he made his mind up by now. :sidelaugh :drunkie:

Sergeant

· #15 · Apr 30, 2016

AJB said:
Saw this one on the side of the road this week. Any good? and whats a good price? How does it compare to a Crasftman GT? from 1999?

Basically a Deere GT 275 with a Tuff-Torq K66C & a Different Hood & Color Scheme which it eventually became the G100 Model as well:thThumbsU

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