[dan1101]

I'm looking at low-end John Deere mowers, I have about 1.5 flat acres of grass to mow. $1500 is the high end of what I want to spend, and I don't really want a used mower.

It seems only the LA105 has a manual transmission, all the higher models have hydro. For just plain mowing wouldn't I be better off with a manual transmission rather than the complexity of a hydro? I'm planning on keeping whatever new mower I get as long as possible.

 

[PygmySurfer]

My X300 is the only tractor I've ever driven with a hydro (When I was growing up, we had a Ford LT110, and later some model of John Deere that I can't remember, both had manual transmissions), and I really like it. It's really easy to control the speed when you're trying to mow around obstacles, edging, etc, and you don't have to stop and change gears when you want to speed up for the long straightaways. It also makes backing up easy (even with the damned RIO). Hydrostatic transmissions have been around for awhile now, the technology is proven.

 

[Grasshopper67]

Although hydros are proven for the most part, I would go gear if you didn't have many obstacles and alot of straight shots. I think they last longer and take more abuse.

 

[sproulman]

as said, if not many things to cut around, go with MANUAL .

 

[FrankMA]

I've had 4 tractors - 2 manual gear shift & 2 hydro's. Once you get used to (spoiled) using a hydro it's tough to go back to a manual gear tranny. It's just so much easier to maneuver around the typical obstacles found on most properties (flower beds, well caps, decks, trees, etc..). Farming type duties (wide open areas) are another story - put it in a gear and go, kind of like cruise control. JMHO

 

[dan1101]

Thanks for the input guys. I ordered a LA105 from my local dealer last night. Hopefully since I had to order it, it won't have sat outside like all those other tractors on the lot.

I did like my Cub hydro when it was working well, but after being short on time and mowing several times at 1.5 MPH it got old pretty fast. I like things to either work or not, and a hydro system and fluid is just one more thing to maintain, when I all I wanna do is get the mowing down so I can get to more interesting things!

From what I read, the reverse lockout button can be bypassed by connecting the 2 terminals on the switch together with a wire. That's gonna be one of the first things I do.

 

[davidg]

for just mowing the hydro vs manual debate really just comes down to personal preference. if you were going to do steep hils or haul a bunch, then the manual starts to win out.

i have and use both regularly. i much prefer the easy speed changes that my hydros give me when cutting. but when spraying/spreading/tilling/etc i prefer teh consistant speeds of the gear tranny.

 

[stanleyjohn]

Good luck with your new LA105.I bought the LA100 three years ago which became the LA105!Dont really know why JD keeps changing the L series numbers though.I mow around an acre of mostly flat with some small sloping and i havent had any problems so far with it.I also prefer the gears over the hydro which is why i got the la 100 in the first place.The reverse button becomes second nature after awhile!Its not really a pain to use.

 

[sproulman]

RIO button is not a pain in a.like said,after you do it few times, its second nature.that button has saved me a few dents also.the delay made me take look back and i saw i was to close to stuff or dog was behind me or left a ball behind me.

i would never disable the RIO ,its really not much of a thing overtime.

 

[Tom White]

Good luck with your new LA105.I bought the LA100 three years ago which became the LA105!Dont really know why JD keeps changing the L series numbers though.I mow around an acre of mostly flat with some small sloping and i havent had any problems so far with it.I also prefer the gears over the hydro which is why i got the la 100 in the first place.The reverse button becomes second nature after awhile!Its not really a pain to use.

Isn't the RIO a bit more of a pain with a gear transmission? Maybe I just don't understand how it operates on those. Do you shift to reverse, then push the button before letting out the clutch, or is it the opposite of that?

 

[KeithB78]

Good lock with the new LA105

 

[stanleyjohn]

Isn't the RIO a bit more of a pain with a gear transmission? Maybe I just don't understand how it operates on those. Do you shift to reverse, then push the button before letting out the clutch, or is it the opposite of that?

Apply brake to stop tractor then Press button and hold!Shift into reverse then release button.You can turn off blades then shift into reverse but i prefer using the button.

 

[Tom White]

Apply brake to stop tractor then Press button and hold!Shift into reverse then release button.You can turn off blades then shift into reverse but i prefer using the button.

What a pain. It wouldn't be so bad if you could just push and release the button, then do the shifting. No, wait, I take it back. The whole ordeal is a flying pain. Let's hope that someday Deere uses a system like so many other brands that allows for a key position control.

 

[2008 Impala]

That doesnt sound too hard. My craftsman has the key position one and the John Deere doesnt have that since they didnt have that in 1986. Good luck with the LA105.

 

[dan1101]

For you guys that have bought low-end JD tractors, did you get the dealer to deal with you at all? I bought mine in a small town, and the dealer didn't want to budge any on MSRP. Claimed the margins on the low-end tractors were very small.

Might see if I can talk them into throwing in an extra deck belt and/or mulching plate.

 

[poncho62]

I love the hand controlled Hydro in my JD STX38........especially around obstacles etc........I also have an older Ford with a foot controlled Hydro......It's a pain to operate...especially backing up......in my opinion anyways. Maybe, just not used to it yet.

 

[stanleyjohn]

For you guys that have bought low-end JD tractors, did you get the dealer to deal with you at all? I bought mine in a small town, and the dealer didn't want to budge any on MSRP. Claimed the margins on the low-end tractors were very small.

Might see if I can talk them into throwing in an extra deck belt and/or mulching plate.

I have also heard that the profit margin is small.Bought mine at lowes for around $1495 plus tax.There are times that lowes or other box stores may sell for 10% off.

 

[sproulman]

I have also heard that the profit margin is small.Bought mine at lowes for around $1495 plus tax.There are times that lowes or other box stores may sell for 10% off.

i got 10% off my LA145 and free 220 dollar jd dump cart and 47 dollar seat cover at LOWES over memorial day weekend.they sold all of their LA145 mowers but had a lot of the others.only 145 sold good that weekend.

 

[randyjerry]

Isn't the RIO a bit more of a pain with a gear transmission? Maybe I just don't understand how it operates on those. Do you shift to reverse, then push the button before letting out the clutch, or is it the opposite of that?

The RIO button is a pain in the butt. I disabled mine and now it is a pleasure to mow. My son owns a 105(gears). I bought the next model up with Hydro. After my son tried my tractor with hydro and disabled RIO, he said he had made a big mistake not buying the hydro.