Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

There appears to be new models in the 100 series line............Deere 100 series

It looks like they also added some new models to the LT, LX, and X series.


Snowshoveler of MissSnowshoveler, did Husqvarna add any new models or have any upgrades for 2005?

Marshall wrote:

No - they upgraded a year or two ago but, I haven't seen the 2005's yet, so I can't be 100% sure.

But what we have found with the smaller Deeres around here is that they aren't all they're cracked up to be.  High price and not the quality that you think you are getting.  The smaller Deeres aren't made by John Deere - they're like all the others, Husqvarna has their tractors around here made by AYP, and smaller Cubs are made by MTD.  (AT least as far as I know - still not quite into the lawn mowing yet).

Sherri

Marshall,
Am I missing something?  It all looks the same to me? The thng still says 2004 Competive Comparasion Guide?
Last year the 118 was a limited edition at the Home Depots that I saw.
And no one, for the most part had the G series, because they were so expensive, you might as well have gotten a LT.
Am I loading the same page you are?

Oh I see. I don't remember the 111.

And it looks like some of the engines were rebadged

MSS, who is making the L-100 Series Deere?

L100 series lawn tractors are made in the John Deere Power Products factory in Greeneville, TN.    However, I agree they are no better than comparable Husq, Craftsman, or Cub Cadets and  are considerably more expensive.  The L111 is new this year and my local Home Depot has a display model with a transparent hood.  Too bad they don't sell them that way. The clear hood is pretty cool.    -Bob

hey guys...

some years ago JD bought out some of what was left of homelite.

i beleive they got the tractors assembly plant.

now if you put JD cash into the plant then you could get a pretty decent tractor if you wanted to.

i think this is where the low end john deeres come from.

there too costly here but in the states they should be competive.

later chris

Bob, thanks.

That's what I thought too. I figured maybe something had changed that I had not heard about yet, that's why I asked.

Bob,
Here's one with a "clear" hood. Does not seem to be too much trouble to make the modification on any machine.

robmints wrote:
Rob, is that what they mean by "sticker tires"?

MissSnowshoveler wrote:
Well w/ all due respect Sherri, I dont think John Deer is that proud of the 100 series, but in this WalMart age we are in, people will line up to buy junk, at a low price.  Remeber the Cadillac Cimarron????   JD certainly noticed the nitch in the market  of people willing to buy a "big name" tractor for a crud brand price.  Blame it on what ya want, but peeps will always buy a $1,000 Sears 28HP tractor thinkin they got the baddest boy on the block.  Parlay that oversized engine w/ a wimpy frame, and wimpy all around build, gives ya what one would expect , a couple years of service.  JD didnt put itself on the map makin crap, but we have shown them a profit can be made offering a crap line.  If you want a tractor that will last 20+ years look at the LT series JD tractor at least.  If you want some $899-$1499 piece of crap, buy a Sears, MTD, or 100 JD riding lawn mower. IMHO, the JD 100 series is comparable w/ what it was marketed to compete w/, crap.  I've bought the piece of crap in the past, only to buy a new tractor a few years later.  Stretch for what ya can initially, as ya dont want to make the "I wish I bought" mistake.  

Bill_D wrote:

Alot of people make that mistake around here.  But they learn the hard way on what to look for in a quality tractor.  After learning the hard way they look hard at the OPE in general, be it a tractor, lawn mower, tiller, snowblower whatever. 

Then there are the people who learn from their neighbors mistakes and go right for the quality even if they can't afford it.  They know they won't be throwing their money away.

Sherri

I will go with the L118 if you don't mind...whata great machine

I find this one interesting, but here is my take on this issue if the L-series are junk how do you explain my 2 year old L-120,  This tractor has taken all the abuse that my rough yard can give and the only warranty issue on the tractor has been the rib nut on the hood fell off and sheared the hood pins on the right hand side of the hood.  A new hood and I was back in operation mowing yard.  My dealer has been excellent in the turn around of the unit in the fact he had the new hood and tractor back to me in 3 days and it has kept my over 2 acres of lawn mowed and looking like a professional has maintained my yard.  I finally had to replace the blades on the tractor after 2 full seasons of mowing the grass this spring.  A funny thing is if this is the POS that everyone claims how come are the tractors are flying off dealer and Home Depot sells areas?  I think that the update to the tractors is a good thing.  The L110 is discontinued and the L-111 is replacing it.  The L-111 has the same engine as last years L-120 and the 42" deck(basically the same as last years L-118),  The L-118 this year has the Briggs and Stratton 22 HP engine 42" deck.  The L-120 has the new 22 HP engine and the 48" deck and the L-130 remains the same except the L-120 and L-130 has a hundred dollar increase in price.

It seems to me that the people that own them like them.

Marshall--I notice the John Deere dealer here in Ferriday, La. has a lot covered with new mowers.   They really sell some John Deeres in this part of the country, mainly because they have service and parts.  Also, the Deere is a good mower.  Had thought about buying one myself a few years ago, but I am happy with the Murray built, Stanley,(Murray 52", GT  Rail frame)   My wife is cutting grass at this moment---she loves that foot operated Hydrastatic, also she loves the power of that TVT-691 Tecumseh. Have a good day Marshall and may the Lord bless us with some communication tomorrow, etc. ---Your friend--Will

"Murray built, Stanley,(Murray 52", GT  Rail frame)"

Will, with that description, I want two! Sounds like a dragster.

I want to try one of those engines out sometime, maybe I'll run across someone locally with one that will let me use for a few passes.

Glad you're feeling better Will!!! 

I never tell folks that the Deere "L" series is junk. But I DO tell them that these machines were introduced to allow Deere to sell a discount priced machine at Home Depot to compete with Walmart, and Lowes. There is nothing wrong with that, but folks should know that they are not going to get something built like the legendary Deere 318 for $1499. That is the one thing about Deere's marketing that bothers me. They built their reputation on tough, over-designed garden tractors from the 1960s- 1980s that were among the best garden tractors ever made. The machines sold at Home Depot, especially the G100 (now the G110) are not built the same way, do not offer the same variety of awsome attachments, and are less likely to last 40 years. That said, they will cut the average suburban lawn as well as other machines in their price class, and they have Deere's dealers and Deere's world class parts distribution system to back them up. If I had never owned an older Deere, I'd probably be very happy with a new one, and to tell the truth, it would do all I need done except the heaviest snow removal. But after owning (2) Deere 316s that in "winter dress" go over 1000 pounds BEFORE I plant my 300 in the seat, I don't think I'd feel right on a 500 pound machine.

bontaiJoe wrote:
Said well and right on the money!

There is a clear hood for the L111's on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CLEAR-John-Deere-Hood-Grille-L-series-Very-Hard-To-Get_W0QQitemZ7538020540QQcategoryZ41482QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That was a very cool idea.  Makes me kinda want to buy it for my custom tractor.  I guess they would paint or power coat them some way? 

They're used for display models. The molder just runs a clear material instead of the usual resin. They're not super-clear because they've not been polished as much as would be necessary.

These clear hoods are not listed on Deere parts, so you can't just order one from Deere as a replacement. I'd be curious as to how this one became available.

The buyer says they were being sent to the crusher and he happened to snatch it up.  A member said that they saw these hoods on a tractor at HD one time.