I'm looking at purchasing a John Deere lawn or garden tractor and need your advice. I've seen the Home Depot models and do like them, however I've also seen some pretty nice, but older models that have been reconditioned (1974 110, and a few others in the early 60's and 70's). Am I better off buying an older model? They seem beefier. If I purchase an older model, is there anything I should be looking for?

I have about 1/2 acre of level grass with few obstructions, and plan on increasing the lawn area. I'd like something that I can haul brush and shrubs with (we have over 100 large trees on the property).

Hi OB. I am a bit biased as right now my herd includes a 1965 110, 1968 112, 1972 140 H-3 and 1978 214 garden tractors, as well as a 1972 70 lawn tractor. Having been through most of these tractors and then looking at what JD sells new, I'd have to go all the way up to the X400/X500 series to get the same level of ruggedness. The only complaints I can give these old tractors is the ride is somewhat rougher than newer ones, as well as the fact none of mine have very tight turning radius' on them. One way around that though would be to find a 316 Onan, 318, 322, 330, 332, 420 or 430. These tractors were all made in the 80's up to the early 90's and combine the ruggedness of the old tractors but have some nice features (all but the 316 Onan and 330 had individual turning brakes and power steering as well as two spool hydraulic lift and the 400's upgraded to having a differential lock and three spool hydraulics). I had the chance to do some service work on a 1989 318 with 50" deck last friday and then mowed half my yard with it to make sure the adjustments I did would work OK. Boy, I got spoiled quick with the wide deck, tight steering, 18hp engine and power steering. It was awful hard to get back on my 214 to mow my roadsides and then load the 318 back up to take back to it's owner. Anyway, I know that it is very doubtful I will ever own anything newer than the 318/420 style tractors myself. Anyway, when looking at an old one, look for the same things you would with a car/pickup/farm tractor- see how the engine runs, tranny works, hyd. lift works (if it has it), steering, etc.

Kent

i have a 1966 110. i got it about seven years ago and use it to mow about 2.5 acres. it isn't the fastest thing, but i have fun. that little 8HP Kohler will blow the doors off almost any "modern" single-cylinder tractor. for the cost of a new lawn tractor, you can get a pretty darn good used one. if you want all the bells and whistles and just want to turn the key for the next five or six years, then a new one may be the way to go. if you aren't scared of maybe having to repace some belts or a head gasket or clean a carb, go for a used one.

andy b.

OB, I've got to add my vote for an older model. I have a 1972 JD140H3 that I bought new. It has been my "best buy" for 32 years. They have very few problems, parts are readily available and they seem to last forever. My wife is a "market gardener" and although I bought her a 4WD Yanmar last spring, she usually grabs the 140 when she heads for the garden. Having looked at the new models, I just can't justify the money. There are great deals on older models. Ebay almost always has a 110, 112, 140, 214, etc. at reasonable prices. Local dealers sometimes have one or two good old ones around back. If I were going to buy another L&G tractor, I'd be looking for another 140.

I mowed my yard with a 112 for seven years. Then in 1998 I got a new LT 166. There is no comparison. The LT 166 has a hydrostat transmission, it turns shorter and uses less gas. It is not built like a tank like the old 112. But I have not had a bit of trouble with it. They do not build LT 166s anymore.I would get one of the new models on the market and not think twice about it. With the new tractor my wife will do the mowing. She would not drive the 112. This comes from a guy that still uses a model 50 for my garden and a 1946 A to mow my meadow with.
Don

Hi Ob
Ive had the opportunity to use and work on quite a few Deere lawnmowers. I have 1975 JD 100 and a 110. My dad had a 318 that he used to mow his yard for years(he recently upgraded to a 345) Ive also used a new X400 series lawnmower. I like all the features of the new lawnmowers but i really dont like the price. New mowers seem rather high priced to me athough they are nice(and fuel efficient). In my opinioin i think the 318 family of mowers is really the best all around value. There built good and have nice features and wont brake the bank either. just my 2 cents
-jordan

I have a 1987 model 332 with the Yanmar diesel. The little guy has about 1000 hrs and really no repairs to speak of other than batteries and regular service. I did replace the bearings in the deck 3 or 4 years ago and they weren't that expensive. I need a new seat, but after 18 years of service, I can spring for that much.

The 332 is basically a 318 with the diesel motor. That yanmar will run several hours on a gallon of fuel. I mow about 1 acre every 4 or 5 days through the summer and usually only use maybe 12-15 gallons of fuel all summer. One years use is around 50 hrs for me. Even 15 gallons of fuel in 50 hrs is great. I think they are rated at 0.5 gallons/hr at full load.

If I had to cover more than 2 acres, I would have a 430 diesel. You can't go wrong with either of those tractors for the $3000 to $5000 that they command these days. I know a commercial contractor that used 430s for years and usually ran them in excess of 4000 hrs before replacing them. He had no repair cost to speak of either.

I grew up on a 110 and a 112. They are dependable and will always get the job done, but not much on creature comforts. For what a new mower costs today, you can buy a nice 300 series and it will still outlast a new one.

I can't bring myself to replace my 318 its been perfect. Tried the guy next doors new 25hp Craftsman and its just not in the same class. Mine has a 3-point hitch and I plow a small garden for my 10yr. old daughter each year with it and cut grass in Florida(4.5 acres) every week.Can't say enough good things about Deere. Mike

I finally found a JD 165 locally, and am dying to try it. It was very hard to justify buying a new JD since I plan on using this to help re-landscape my new property. Once I'm done, it may be time for a newer model. I sure appreciate all your comments and know I made a good decision. For some reason, you can't find vintage JD tractors in the Washington state area. Best wishes to all of you!

I have five riding lawn mowers that I've bought and used over the past years. The best by far is my 1987 JD 318 with the Onan engine, power steering, hydraulic deck, and a wide array of attachments available from 3 pt hitch, dual hydraulic snow blade, snow blowers, rear pto with tiller, etc. I took my wife to the Lowe's store and told her to pick out any John Deere (Scotts made) she wanted. They took it outside to test drive. As soon as they started it and it did the smog coughing routine and when she drove it we had a deal breaker. It is tinny and nothing more than a glorified Murray which are great mowers (have one) but not on par with the older John Deere's. I did buy her a new Husqvarna (made by Electrolux for Sears, Poulan, etc) to use around the house as it does ride softer and she also likes it. I will never buy another new rider...I'd look in Ebay for a good shape 318 or 420 and if the Onan is suspect be prepared to put a new Honda or Kholer (20-24hp) in with a kit....then you have a rugged and dependable rider. John Deere does have some great top of line mowers in the dealerships but they are very expensive.

Sorry...I said Lowe's but it was Home Depot for the test drive. But it looks like Lowe's will also be selling the lower priced John Deere's. I agree everyone can't spend thousands on mowers but I'd only wish they would not put the John Deere logo and paint on them. I believe the JD logo and color stands for durability and quality that will give you years of service. In addition to the JD 318, I kept my first lawn tractor I ever bought. It was a 1966 Cub Cadet with a 10 hp Kohler that still will outcut many of the new Cub Cadets...same issue. Older John Deere and Cub Cadets have full frames, cast iron front akles, roller bearings on wheels, differentials, band or disc brakes, etc....Economics and the EPA has trashed the quality of discount store riding mowers. I can buy a field ready JD 4020 cheaper than a top of the line diesel powered JD garden tractor at the dealership...great machines but I don't buy $85,000 cars or $15,000 garden tractors. Guess I'm stuck in a time warp or just plain cheap.

I was able to find a very nice 1987 JD 165 on E-Bay and can't believe how well the unit was maintained. The owner delivered it and fine tuned it so that it ran perfect. My first experience with mowing was great, but went too fast. I'm used to spending a couple hours cutting, dumping the bag, etc. This unit handles nice, cuts clean and has plenty of power. I can see why all the people posting comments about vintage JDs prefer the older tractors. JD makes some pretty good stuff!

#1, stay away from home depot fake mowers
#2, stay away from the 317, engine is the worst
#3, nothing that looks like it has been setting outside all its life
#4, finally, buy one with a 48-60 inch mower- you'll never get done with a 39 inch!

hi i have a jd 70 lawn tractor that bought for 20.00 sure it needed to be rebuilt but **** only 150.00 to have it rebuilt. anyway it kicks but i push snow banks twice its size it the winter. for a pancake engine it does rellly good it mows like no tommarow to. but it is only a 3 speed but still fast for a 3 speed. overall i would go with a 70,110,or 140 i would never trade my little deere for a new tractor never. ooooo yea this little the pulled a 14 hp new tractor around like a rag doll(hooked back to back) 1st gear baby got to love it.

I have a 140H3 amd its been very Durable when I started to have trouble a few years ago I got a 335 to replace it ,, but kept the oldone for the ditches and the area arround the roadway where there are rocks the 335 has a lot more features but they are both top of the line performers,,, though not easy on gas who cares if it costs fifteen bucks to mow a week????? My neighbor buys a new one every few years and junks it when he has trouble with it,, I perfer to spend a few bucks and keep the ole deeres going and going. I mow better than three acre a week including an orchard for personal use,,, my vote is a Deere and the new ones at the dealer are good as U can get these day's. The power features sure make life easier.

Mike

I have tried both new and old. Have a 1966 110, a 212 and a 2005 G110. The older ones are definately built better. My father just doesn't like old equipment. I own the '66 110 and the 212. My dad has the G110. The G110 is one of those ones from homedepot. It is definately cheap and plastic. If you want something for comfort, buy a new one, if you want something that lasts, buy an older one. I still laugh when i remember how my dad's G110 died while snowblowing and i just chugged on by with the ole' 110 and snowplow. Things are sure made cheaply today, can't even buy a good car. The only way you can get a truck as tough as an old one is to buy the top of the line diesel dually. Keep them old Deere's runnin!!

I love my 322. I wish it was a 332 diesel, but I got this one for a heck of a price, and it has been a good one. My ole 210 does a heck of a job as well. I moved a couple of years ago and this place has a lot more trees than my old place. So the ole' 210 was going to be a pain switching gears all the time. Now that I have the 322 with the hydro, I am spoiled, but now I want a Zero turn mower, but what a price they come with.

I'm surprised people are still responding to my first posting! I did get good advice and am happy with an older unit. Yes the new ones are pretty, but I'll take my 165 any day. The tractor came with all original paperwork, and I'm surprised that it costs as much as the new zero turn units.

Now that I have had the older Deere for about a year, I really appreciate the way it is built. I had the front plow blade on all winter and only used it for moving dirt, rather than snow, but it is pretty impressive how much work this little maching can do.

My only gripe with Deer is, their user manuals are pretty weak. I have all the original manuals and the brochours (its amazing what you can find on e-Bay), and purchased the front plow document from Deere. The pictures are so small, that its hard to make heads and tails out of many of them and the instructions were a bit lean for us new-bees to figure out. Point being, it was not fun switching from the blade to the mower deck. I'm sure once I do it again, it will be easier.

I constantly review the messages on this web site because there are plenty of good nuggets and good people sharing their information. What a great place to network!