John Deere LA105 Mower

Telenator · May 11th, 2008, 10:12 AM

I just bought one and was wondering if all the negative press is from lawn pros who need high quality gear, or if they really are the trash that some claim they are.

Apparently they're made by a different company for John Deere.

For $1500 it appears to be a decent machine. It's much more than I actually need to cut my 1/2 acre lot but hey, it takes all the pain out of mowing the lawn!

My previous MTD riding mower lasted 22 years and was a pretty cheap machine.

You guys have any experience?

Guitarzan · May 11th, 2008, 04:28 PM

JD has a line made in China that is sold at box stores, not at regular JD dealers. They are generally reputed to cost more than they are worth.

Fatmanstratman · May 11th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarzan

JD has a line made in China that is sold at box stores, not at regular JD dealers. They are generally reputed to cost more than they are worth.

Are they string-thru or toploaders?...

Telenator · May 11th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Well, I at least had the presence of mind to buy it from a John Deere dealer instead of the big box. At least it will be properly prepped and I'll have some recourse should there be a problem.

Anyway, I can't imagine it being that horrible. Besides, I'll be the envy of every guy on my street!

Murphy Slaw · May 11th, 2008, 06:48 PM

You'll be the envy, because of a lawnmower?

You might want to move.

Murph.

studio1087 · May 11th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

You might want to move.

That's pretty nasty. He has enough lawn that he needs a big machine. I'll bet it's beautiful.

I love cutting my lawn on the weekends. I cut about 5 acres with this.....

I know that JD is trying to hit a lower price point with some of the Sabre/import line but I don't think that JD has any bad offerings. The engine in my tractor is imported; it's a 22 horsepower Yanmar diesel. I've put 820 hours on the engine since 1994 using a shaft driven snow blower, belly mower, brush cutter and wood chipper. I also have a Yamaha side mount 6 horsepower vacuum & hopper.

Both engines have been bulletproof. The tractor has been bulletproof.

When I was 16 I mowed lawns for gas money. Now I'm 44...I mow lawn to get my head out of the office. I still like lawn mowers.

Grab your ipod and mow Telenator. The neighbor guys will envy you.

John

ASAT-Sean · May 11th, 2008, 07:24 PM

I have the 145 and it's a great machine. Great service, and I cut 3.5 acres and I am the envy of my whole street, and I have no intention of moving.

cotecj · May 11th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studio1087

That's pretty nasty. He has enough lawn that he needs a big machine. I'll bet it's beautiful.

I love cutting my lawn on the weekends. I cut about 5 acres with this.....

How's that snowblower work on the grass?

Just kidding. That's a heck of a nice machine!

Telenator · May 12th, 2008, 07:58 AM

Wow! Nice machine ya got there!

In my little suburban neighborhood where we all have small 1/2 acre lots and the manual push mower is the weapon of chioce, I am the only one on my block with an old, riding mower. Now that I have stepped up to a new John Deere, that is way overkill for the size of my yard, I'm sure to take some good natured ribbing from the neighbors. I do already for my old MTD mower.

Anyway, I'm sure it's just the guys with the real JD equipment that have such a low opinion of the LA105 and I honestly can't blame them. It's like our music gear. Some of it is great, and some of it is adequate.

AnthemBassMan · May 12th, 2008, 02:10 PM

-I use a J.D. X475 to mow my Mother-in-law's yard. She has about 4-4 1/2 acres. It's a pretty nice little tractor. It has a 23 hp Kawasaki V twin and a 54" deck. That little engine has some grunt to it. I also used it to pull out a couple 7 foot shrubs with a logging chain. It took a few pulls, but those suckers popped out.

L8R,
Matt D.

superchicken_VI · May 12th, 2008, 02:42 PM

I mow with a SCAG TigerCub commercial mower, and would never go back to mowing with a steering wheel. Commercial ZTRs are the way to go, as they're very quick and durable. However, if I had to get a lawn tractor again, John Deere would be the top of the list. We've had several different brands around here, from low-end to high-end, and the John Deere lawn tractors were reliable machines. The best cut was the cheapest machine, and I literally spent more time repairing it than mowing with it during the last two years I owned before getting the SCAG. I've had to replace a spring and a belt on the SCAG in 5 years. Pretty solid.

Cheesehead · May 12th, 2008, 06:05 PM

I got the X300 with a 42-inch deck - a step up from the big box machines. I tried the two side by side and the X300 just seemed like a lot more substantial machine. My understanding is that the box store machines use a plastic bushings and other parts that don't last as long. I think if you take care of the machine it should last a long time for you though.

Murphy Slaw · May 12th, 2008, 07:37 PM

It was a joke. Sorry. Hope you like your Deere.

I have 30 acres AND a house in town with 2 lots, which by itself is over a half acre. I'm a big fan of Grasshopper. And Kioti tractors. Deere stuff is very overpriced IMO..... If it's imported, it's a matter of your local dealer. If they take care of you, you are good to go.

God bless.

Murph.

WisconsinStrings · May 12th, 2008, 08:47 PM

I have the L110 which is probably a slightly older version of the one you have. This is its fourth summer, and it's been a good mower. That 42" deck doesn't to a great job on anything that isn't perfectly flat, but it gets the job done quickly.

CatfishStudios · May 12th, 2008, 09:04 PM

Ive got a really old..TORO two stroke push mower..damn thing weighs 3.4 pounds..runs at 57,000 rpm at idle, it will cut through 2.5 foot tall wet grass at 8 mph... burns .3 gallons per 24 hours run time, and spanks all the competition. If Im not careful and get too close to that little sprinting rabbit, the damned beautiful thing hovers 3 inches off the ground. You cannot have it.

AnthemBassMan · May 13th, 2008, 05:56 PM

-My Dad still uses his old Cub Cadet lawn tractor. I think it's a 1969 model and about 5 years ago he had to rebuild the engine. He uses it mainly for mowing his 2 1/2 acre yard and plowing snow in the winter. It isn't anywhere near as nice as my Mother-in-law's Deere, but that thing cannot be killed. I'm not sure about the Cub, but the Deere has a solid cast iron frame and rear axle. But if I had it my way, this would be my lawnmower.

1952 Ford 8N with a Woods belly mower attachment. I grew up driving my Grandpa's 1951 8N and 1949 Ford-Ferguson. The farmboy is still in my blood!

L8R,
Matt D.

May 11th, 2008, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,296	John Deere LA105 Mower I just bought one and was wondering if all the negative press is from lawn pros who need high quality gear, or if they really are the trash that some claim they are. Apparently they're made by a different company for John Deere. For $1500 it appears to be a decent machine. It's much more than I actually need to cut my 1/2 acre lot but hey, it takes all the pain out of mowing the lawn! My previous MTD riding mower lasted 22 years and was a pretty cheap machine. You guys have any experience? __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

May 11th, 2008, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Guitarzan Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hotlanta, GA Posts: 831	JD has a line made in China that is sold at box stores, not at regular JD dealers. They are generally reputed to cost more than they are worth. __________________ Set an eye on 'em Amos. Make it count, son.

May 11th, 2008, 06:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,296	Well, I at least had the presence of mind to buy it from a John Deere dealer instead of the big box. At least it will be properly prepped and I'll have some recourse should there be a problem. Anyway, I can't imagine it being that horrible. Besides, I'll be the envy of every guy on my street! __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

May 12th, 2008, 07:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,296	Wow! Nice machine ya got there! In my little suburban neighborhood where we all have small 1/2 acre lots and the manual push mower is the weapon of chioce, I am the only one on my block with an old, riding mower. Now that I have stepped up to a new John Deere, that is way overkill for the size of my yard, I'm sure to take some good natured ribbing from the neighbors. I do already for my old MTD mower. Anyway, I'm sure it's just the guys with the real JD equipment that have such a low opinion of the LA105 and I honestly can't blame them. It's like our music gear. Some of it is great, and some of it is adequate. __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

May 12th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cheesehead Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Age: 44 Posts: 921 6 Photos	I got the X300 with a 42-inch deck - a step up from the big box machines. I tried the two side by side and the X300 just seemed like a lot more substantial machine. My understanding is that the box store machines use a plastic bushings and other parts that don't last as long. I think if you take care of the machine it should last a long time for you though. __________________ "This is blues power!" Albert King

May 11th, 2008, 06:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Murphy Slaw Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Joppa, Il. Age: 50 Posts: 439	You'll be the envy, because of a lawnmower? You might want to move. Murph.

May 11th, 2008, 07:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
ASAT-Sean Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ozark,MO Posts: 133	I have the 145 and it's a great machine. Great service, and I cut 3.5 acres and I am the envy of my whole street, and I have no intention of moving.

May 12th, 2008, 02:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
AnthemBassMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio. Tuscarawas County Farm Country! Age: 41 Posts: 268	-I use a J.D. X475 to mow my Mother-in-law's yard. She has about 4-4 1/2 acres. It's a pretty nice little tractor. It has a 23 hp Kawasaki V twin and a 54" deck. That little engine has some grunt to it. I also used it to pull out a couple 7 foot shrubs with a logging chain. It took a few pulls, but those suckers popped out. L8R, Matt D.

May 12th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 35 Posts: 1,087	I mow with a SCAG TigerCub commercial mower, and would never go back to mowing with a steering wheel. Commercial ZTRs are the way to go, as they're very quick and durable. However, if I had to get a lawn tractor again, John Deere would be the top of the list. We've had several different brands around here, from low-end to high-end, and the John Deere lawn tractors were reliable machines. The best cut was the cheapest machine, and I literally spent more time repairing it than mowing with it during the last two years I owned before getting the SCAG. I've had to replace a spring and a belt on the SCAG in 5 years. Pretty solid.

May 12th, 2008, 07:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
Murphy Slaw Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Joppa, Il. Age: 50 Posts: 439	It was a joke. Sorry. Hope you like your Deere. I have 30 acres AND a house in town with 2 lots, which by itself is over a half acre. I'm a big fan of Grasshopper. And Kioti tractors. Deere stuff is very overpriced IMO..... If it's imported, it's a matter of your local dealer. If they take care of you, you are good to go. God bless. Murph.

May 12th, 2008, 08:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
WisconsinStrings Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arcadia, Wisconsin Age: 37 Posts: 636	I have the L110 which is probably a slightly older version of the one you have. This is its fourth summer, and it's been a good mower. That 42" deck doesn't to a great job on anything that isn't perfectly flat, but it gets the job done quickly.

May 12th, 2008, 09:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 32 Posts: 713	Ive got a really old..TORO two stroke push mower..damn thing weighs 3.4 pounds..runs at 57,000 rpm at idle, it will cut through 2.5 foot tall wet grass at 8 mph... burns .3 gallons per 24 hours run time, and spanks all the competition. If Im not careful and get too close to that little sprinting rabbit, the damned beautiful thing hovers 3 inches off the ground. You cannot have it. __________________ “Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”-Jerry Garcia

May 13th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
AnthemBassMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio. Tuscarawas County Farm Country! Age: 41 Posts: 268	-My Dad still uses his old Cub Cadet lawn tractor. I think it's a 1969 model and about 5 years ago he had to rebuild the engine. He uses it mainly for mowing his 2 1/2 acre yard and plowing snow in the winter. It isn't anywhere near as nice as my Mother-in-law's Deere, but that thing cannot be killed. I'm not sure about the Cub, but the Deere has a solid cast iron frame and rear axle. But if I had it my way, this would be my lawnmower. 1952 Ford 8N with a Woods belly mower attachment. I grew up driving my Grandpa's 1951 8N and 1949 Ford-Ferguson. The farmboy is still in my blood! L8R, Matt D.