1. I've found that cruise control on a hydrostatic machine is just plain dumb, useless, non issue. You'll get used to the forward/reverse pedals quickly and it's no different than driving your car/truck, speed control is simply automatic due to the nature of the beast.
2. Today's engines are wonderfully quiet and smooth and I would suggest you splurge for the v-twins. They are so much smoother, fantastic power, easily started, reliable.
3. I ran a LA145 for about 8 years, loved the 48" deck and the power of the 22hp v-twin. That'd be my suggestion. Modern equivalent is the D140?

 

In general a twin should vibrate a bit less, and I bet it's quieter than your 22 yr old machine. Wow, you sure got your money out of that! As for the cruise control, I have yet to use it but it's not really needed on a 1/2 acre. It's really a personal decision as to whether you want/need it or not.

 

You will have a better time with an X300, than a D series but the X300 is a lot more than what your looking at and Deere has no other alternative anymore.. 1 Acre is what the D series is rated to cut so you can certianly use one. But with that said, your STX 38 was a better machine than the current D series. The STX 38 was the cheapest JD you could buy until the mid 90's when the LT series replaced it. The STX chassis design became the Scotts and Sabre tractors until about 2001 but they were cheapened versions.. The current D series, turn hard and have weak trans axles.. They are of no better quality than a comparable priced Husquvarna, Cub Cadet, or other machine..

If your looking at another 20 years, you need an X320 or better if Deere, or a higher priced Cub or Husquvarna ( or Craftsmen equivlant )

 

a hydro transmission alone is worth upgrading!

cruise control is great when using the snow blower, I have a long driveway...


.

 

I have an LT133, which I think was the follow-on equivalent of the STX38, which I generally use to mow my landscaped 1/2 acre lawn. Since I have another 2-acre irrigated pasture, I have a 318, a 330 (both with 50" decks), and a Husqvarna 2348LS. So I've mowed the lawn area with all of them and can compare. Plantings on my place were positioned to allow mowing with a 42" deck.

The LT133 is a "keeper," largely because of its small size, but also because it is a far better built and more rugged machine than the Husqvarna (which is now looking for a new home). If I were looking to replace the LT, I'd probably pick an X310, to get power steering. Pinion-and-sector steering turns into a wrestling match. But that's all that's offered in lower-end tractors, Deere or the big-box "price" stuff. I don't think the current Deere D100 series are "genuine Deere" the way even the LT133 is.

Dash hydrostatic vs. pedal hydrostatic vs. 5-speed shift? I can maneuver much more precisely, doing the lawn, with either of the 300's than the Husqvarna pedal hydro. And "cruise control," which I only use if I mow the pasture with the Husqvarna (400-foot runs) is no more precise than with the 5-speed manual. While the dash-mounted hydro control means busy hands, it leaves one foot free to mash the brake (and kick the hydro back to neutral) for precise stopping. Trying to use a similar technique with a pedal hydro on one side and a very-long-throw brake on the other makes me feel like a bronc rider at a rodeo.

Hank

 

I'll have to look at the X300 tractors. So far I've just picked up a brochure at Lowes and looked online. I plan to hit the Deere dealer as soon as I can to see what they have.
For the extra $1000 I would expect some heavier duty construction. I only use the tractor to cut grass, although using a small cart to haul might be in the future. At this point I use a stand alone snow blower.

 

I would NEVER buy another chain store machine or a newer briggs engine again........do yourself a favor and go for the true JD and you will probably never need another, even if it's older and used...... I just had to learn this lesson for the 3rd time !

Sent from the MTF Free App

 

I retired my STX a couple of years ago for an X300. I love my X300 but I still use the STX to help bag leaves in the fall. (The bagger for the X300 was in the $500 range!)
I used to have an LA135, but the X300 is a far nicer piece of equipment.

 

So davkir, what size did you go with?
I see the X300 has a 38" and 42" and up. While the 38" was okay with the STX, the 42" would work with most of the beds I have, but if I need to adjust beds I will. The 48" might be nice, but the extra cost may not be worth it.

 

My X300 is a 42". I have a lot of narrow places to mow including about 300' between a pasture fence and the woods. For me, the 42" with two blades fits better, is easier to maintain and has fewer parts to go bad.
(NOTE: Some years, J.D. puts their mowers on sale in the fall)