[davidg]

Well, i went yesterday to one of our tower sites to cut the grass. teh lot is T shaped with the office on teh smaller lot (75x150) and the tower on teh big lot(175x300). i cut the small lot no problem. made the first pass around teh big lot and then started teh second pass. about 1/2 way around i felt a twist in teh mower and i thought "it ain't never torqued like that before?!?". at teh 3/4 way mark i happened to notice that both front tires are almost touching the hood on top and splayed out big time at ground level, yep BROKE THE FRONT AXLE AGAIN!:thSick:

it happened the first time around the 250 hours mark, the 2nd right at the 500 hour mark.

there was a thread a few weeks ago asking was the replacement axle any better than the original and i have to say obviously not!:banghead3 :banghead3 :banghead3

i really have been torn between using the X500 for these sites since it is faster. now i have no choice as i really don't have the money to buy a new axle until i cut a couple more times! i am glad that i took teh L130 yesterday, i was going to take teh X500 btu changed my mind. if i had taken it the next cutting for the L would have been 100 miles from home. at least yesterday i was only 45 minutes from home so the trip back to finish ain't bad.

 

[defcondaze]

axle broke while mowing grass ..... twice ?
how is that not warranty ??????

 

[sadixon49]

Really sorry to hear about your luck with the L130. Having read most of your posts in the last couple of years I know that you have really pushed your L to its limits and beyond, but you have provided a real service to us here by pointing out its strengths and weaknesses, mostly weaknesses. I know the X500 is much better suited to what you do and will I'm sure last quite a bit longer. Just wanted to say thanks for all the help you have given us, even us background lurkers.
steve

 

[davidg]

yeah it has seen it's fair share of work. i can honestly say that most of the parts i hav ehad to replace over the years were cheap in price. never had a major cost repair done to it.

as far as teh axle breaking 2x, the L130 was sold with a 2 year warranty and the first break was in year 3. i also feel that teh combination of a very rough lawn in part of my yard and the fact this machine has probably ridden 60,000+ miles on a trailer have a lot to do with it. the front end jsut can't take the shock/jarring. i strap it on 4 corners, but it gets jarred pretty good since you can't drive a country road without hitting potholes.

i will fix it, the axle ain't that much, my stepdad jsut bought a lot adjacent to his parents' old house and if nothing else it should last him just fine cutting those 2 smooth properties.

ETA: Deere sold this machine for cutting lots up to 2.5 acres. i honestly have to say that i feel if that is all you do with it then it will last years. i have put close to 500 hours on mine over the last 5 years(6 seasons) and for much of that time i used it to cut up to 10 acres most every week! i figure between that and my using it for ground engaging work pulling a disc and cultivator i prematurely aged it by a good 5-10 years. For typical suburbanites wanting to cut their grass, the L/LA/100 series machiens are fine. pricey for what they do, but jsut fine and will last as long as anything else in their class. for folks who work a machine, stay away from them or expect constant repairs like i have/had.