I hate my Sears tractor.... John Deere anyone

[Fermion]

Is anyone having a problem with the ethanol in gasoline destroying parts? Or is that a thing of the past?

How long is that supposed to take? I have been using 10% ethanol gas in my lawn tractor engine for 15 or 16 years with no problem.

 

[ERD50]

Is anyone having a problem with the ethanol in gasoline destroying parts? Or is that a thing of the past?

How long is that supposed to take? I have been using 10% ethanol gas in my lawn tractor engine for 15 or 16 years with no problem.

We've had ethanol here in IL (corn country) probably longer than anyone. I'm not aware of any problems in my lawn mowers, ever, that could be traced to fuel.

There are people who will swear that ethanol is the work of the devil, but then I don't understand how so many people can go so long w/o problems. It can't be 'luck', chemicals are not selective.

I do start & run my mower a few times over winter, just to get some fresh fuel flowing through the carb. I noticed my newer mower has an EPA sticker on the tank, looks to be sealed, somewhat like a simpler version of the auto fuel systems?

-ERD50

 

[travelover]

Re ethanol, I've noticed an increased propensity for my tractor to vapor lock on really hot days.

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[Ronstar]

I'm on my 2nd John Deere. Had the first one 17 years. 2nd one is 3 years old. First one was a lighter weight L110 that I used to mow, haul mulch and gravel, landscaping boulders.I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. It just wore out. My new one is an X300. Runs great so far. They will last a long time if used and maintained properly.


As for ethanol, here's a pic of my boat's clogged fuel line after 10 years of buildup.

 

[Fermion]

re that boat fuel line

How do you know that clog is ethanol deposit related? It would seem you should have run another engine side by side with that one, but fueled for 10 years on non ethanol gas, then compare the two lines.

 

[Ronstar]

When I need an answer, I go to youtube

And I'm not about to run engines side by side to prove my point

 

[MRG]

Good info. I am in the market for a new mowing device. I have 3 pasture acres here with some grade and we get snow so something to remove snow would be good. I am considering. Just a cheap Used garden tractor to start and then hit the end of season sales for a ZTR. Zero turn radius mower -

As for attachments etc, not sure how to go.

Budget around 2K or less. . Please your advice. Am in a very rural setting after 45 years of mega- city living.

It's hard to find a good ZTR for the money you're talking. I had a 42" Gravely ZTR for 3 years. Great machine, probably a little over 2k today. I mowed a little over a acre, part pasture without any problems. That said I'm so happy with the 61" Scagg Wildcat for the hilly rough pasture we have for a yard I'd never go back. I can mow three rough acres in 1.5 hours. The machine would do it faster, my body won't.

There is no comparison between the two ZTRs in toughness or quality.

Here's a link to a new one, they are difficult to find on the used market in decent condition, as commercial cutters love them. I paid 3k less than the price listed 9 years ago, bought a new 2005 at the end of 2006, they wanted it gone. Pretty much the same machine as listed. Looking at used '05s on several sites they seem to hold 90% of their value.

http://m.tractorhouse.com/ListingDetail/Index?industryName=tractor&listingId=8987415&categoryId=1170

 

[ERD50]

When I need an answer, I go to youtube ...

And I'm not about to run engines side by side to prove my point

I don't see how that video 'proves' anything or provides any answers, other than he had a clogged fuel line. How is it attributed to ethanol?

There was a comment that the old fuel line material was not compatible with ethanol, and flakes off and swells like that. So in a way, you could say that ethanol caused this problem. But that has no relevance to purchasing new equipment which has components that are compatible with ethanol.

-ERD50

 

[Ronstar]

I could reference lots of info regarding ethanol effects on small engines, but I'm willing to keep the thread centered on John Deere tractors


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[John Galt III]

How long is that supposed to take? I have been using 10% ethanol gas in my lawn tractor engine for 15 or 16 years with no problem.

Don't know. I had to replace a carb gasket on my push mower Briggs and Stratton after about 10 years of ethanol. Bought the mower new in 2000. The gasket formed a crack in itself somehow, and lost its seal, around 2010. Maybe would have happened even with non-ethanol gas?? No sludge at all, just the gasket deterioration.

 

[splitwdw]

Good info. I am in the market for a new mowing device. I have 3 pasture acres here with some grade and we get snow so something to remove snow would be good. I am considering. Just a cheap Used garden tractor to start and then hit the end of season sales for a ZTR. Zero turn radius mower -

As for attachments etc, not sure how to go.

Budget around 2K or less. . Please your advice. Am in a very rural setting after 45 years of mega- city living.

Don't think you can plow snow with a zero turn, at least you can't with mine. I can vouch for their hauling ability. Our small bridge got caught in flood water and wedged across our creek and was partially submerged. This caused a dam and was forcing water over the embankment. We couldn't get our trucks near the location. I thought my husband was crazy but we tied off to the bridge and the zero turn pulled it out. I was worried that the bridge would fly forward once it was released from the force of the water but my husband was able to ease it out. Score 1 for the zero turn and smart husband! You may want to look for a small tractor not a lawn mower and be prepared to spend more money.

 

[Walt34]

Is anyone having a problem with the ethanol in gasoline destroying parts? Or is that a thing of the past?

I haven't notice any issues. I have three walk-behinds (one we kept at FIL's for DW before he moved) string trimmer, edger, backpack blower, and hedge trimmer that gets used about twice a year. I do drain the fuel and run them dry before storing for the winter and change oil when applicable (some are two-strokes).

 

[stephenson]

Hmmm ....Sears doesn't actually build lawn mowers or tractors or tools ...another company does ...so, question is what company built the garden tractor you have?

John Deere builds most of their equipment ...except the lower end models at HD, etc ...I think. Advantage to JD is they have a parts network they manage and support for their equipment. They do use other company parts ...for example, my GT275 garden tractor has a single cylinder Kawasaki engine. It's about 17 years old - have replaced blades and belts, one spark plug, and filters, and anti-scalp wheels on the mower deck, and change oil once a year - mows about two acres, once a week, 30 weeks a year. But, have not replaced any engine component, or bearing, or fuel component, or electronics.

It was much more expensive than Sears sold when new, but probably has been a reasonable cost vs quality trade.

On the ethanol issue ...when first introduced it posed only a threat to the fuel lines and o rings in direct contact with the fuel ...but, that was 20 years or so ago, right? Every engine manufacturer has been using ethanol resistant components for about as long. Never heard of ethanol causing blockage ...could be if very old fuel lines that it deteriorated front the inside?

On the buy or not the JD 300 ...depends on condition and hours ...don't know if the newer 300s are actually core JD products or if they farm them out.


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[Bamaman]

The best L&G equipment comes from a dedicated L&G equipment dealership. They have the parts inventories and talent to keep what they sell working. Many are also Stihl dealers and sell premium brands of zero turn mowers like Skag, Hustler and many other brands of commercial mowers.


Tractor and equipment dealers can deal with real tractors, but they don't do such a good job working on "small equipment" lawn equipment. Their talents and trucks are best served hauling around and working on 50 hp tractors and more.

 

[ERD50]

The best L&G equipment comes from a dedicated L&G equipment dealership. They have the parts inventories and talent to keep what they sell working. ....

I'm sure that's true, but I've never had any problem getting parts for my Sears lawn tractors (whoever makes them - this new one is actually a Husquvarna, not sure of the previous one). I order on-line, or go get the part the same day at a Sears parts center about 20 minutes away, open on Saturday too.

I've always done the repairs myself (basic stuff), so I can't comment on the Sears repair team.

-ERD50

 

[MRG]

JD outsources all home and garden mowers and IIRC about 10 years ago started with the compact tractor line. I got that from a tractor forum back then. Have no idea what forum but I do recall some upset posters. Obviously if you're outsourcing you have the ability to qc all products. Since JD backs the product I'm not sure I care who makes it.

Edit to add: Yanmar makes the small diesel engines in JD compact tractor line. I believe that is also the manufacturer of the JD compact tractors. Don't know about H&G.

 

[jazz4cash]

The local Ace Hardware is a JD dealer. They have a good ol boy mentality there. As the neighborhood has suburbanized, descendants of the long time families around here get the good ol boy treatment while us newcomers get "the look". I buy mower repair parts, misc. odds and ends there as well as Stihl equipment and would honestly prefer going there instead of a big box store....except for their mentality. I really just need a small lawn tractor to replace my 25 yr old Wheelhorse riding mower (8 hp Briggs) but they practically laugh at you for looking at anything less than the JD 300 Series. The ol' timer that sells the tractors actually told me if I was going to buy a JD 100 Series, I may as well go to Home Depot...so that's exactly what I will do and get the 24 months no interest deal. As I understand it, JD originally created the Sabre line to be sold outside the JD dealer network but there was still tension when the equipment showed up at the local dealer for repair. Now they have a contract with the regional Deere Authorized Distributor to assemble the mower kits....I would not buy a tractor (or a grill or wheelbarrow) assembled by Home Depot!

As for Craftsman, Sears used to design their own equipment and have it built to their specifications but now I believe they just have warmed over versions of MTD equipment like practically every other brand on the market. This particular segment of the market is a classic example of planned obsolescence IMHO as most people would rather have shiny new. A good buddy of mine has had at least 6 Craftsman tractors in the space of my 1 Wheelhorse.....and Wheelhorse is out of business.

 

[Telly]

snip... The John Deere's sold at big box hardware stores are not even made by John Deere (MTD)--

No. The 100-series JD Lawn Tractors ARE made by JD. And they are sold also at JD dealers, where I bought mine in 2006. The "they are made by MTD or made in China or by prison labor or whatever" internet stories that keep going around and around are just that - stories.

Here are a few links:

John Deere Shows Off 'Made In Greeneville' Mowers - The Greeneville Sun: News

John Deere Factory & Test Site in Greeneville, TN

http://shingo.org/profiles/10-JohnDeereGreenevilleTN.pdf

Granted, the 100 series isn't for everybody. It's a lower-price point product, and there is quite a bit of range in it, from a single-cylinder manual trans, through V-twin's, hydro, 3 blade decks, etc. For the mowing I do, and I only use it for mowing, I don't need a $8,000 tractor to do it. For the 9+ seasons I have had mine, the only failure has been the original battery which croaked at 1 year, I carried it in and it was replaced by warranty swap-out with a made-in-the-Philippines (!) battery, which lasted 7 years. Other than that, just blade sharpening/replacing, oil and filter changes, greasing, air cleaner, just normal maintenance stuff, which of course I do myself, so simple.

 

[tmeeker]

Is anyone having a problem with the ethanol in gasoline destroying parts? Or is that a thing of the past?

Ethanol in our gas engines hardens rubber parts and ruin parts before they should be giving out. Ethanol also burns hotter so you are better off buying medium grade gasoline than the less expensive 87 octane regular gas.

 

[tmeeker]

I've got a ten year old Sears tractor...although we've got an acre with the woods my lawn is just barely big enough to warrant a tractor. The trouble is the day the warranty expired it has been a continual source of repairs
Year 5 new cam shaft. $500 - after 5 years this just was not right...
Year 7 starter $300
Year 9 new magneto. $100
Year 10 new coil (like 2 weeks ago) $230
A coupe of new batteries ....
Now it won't start ...I've been really good about oil changes and biannual servicing (not enough hours annually to warrant it)

My neighbors mom is selling her immaculate 8 year old John Deere 300 with hydrostatic trans asking $1300. They are $3000 new.

I am tempted to offer a $1000 and not repair the Sears... I enjoy mowing and I use that tractor to mow up leaves in the fall.


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If you are ever able to afford it I love my Kubota 2320 diesel powered 48" mower with all the goodies except adjustable steering wheel. It is 4-wheel drive, has 23-HP, loads of torque, hydraulic power steering, full suspension seating, shaft-drive from engine to rear axle and shaft drive to the mowing deck. And, it uses lots less fuel to get the same job done. I usually cut about 1.5 acres or less weekly.

For the bigger jobs I use my new Kubota B3300SU tractor with the front end loader and additional backhoe. For smaller jobs I use my older John Deere 670 compact tractor with front end loader and lots of 3-point attachments. We grow some really nice vegetable gardens and always have some heavy projects to work on.

A friend of mine has a John 300 lawn tractor and seems to like it.

 

[rayinpenn]

Update Thursday July 9th. I cut the lawn last night with the John Deere- OMG there is no comparison to the Sears. It turns better, is more comfortable, cuts faster. And quieter. That Kawasaki engine is like a race cars engine in comparison I kept it on about medium. It feels so much sturdier...

I'll never go back. Yikes is that me raving about a lawn tractor....

Since this is a mulching tractor I'll have to figure out what I'll do with the leaves in the fall.

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[Ronstar]

Update Thursday July 9th. I cut the lawn last night with the John Deere- OMG there is no comparison to the Sears. It turns better, is more comfortable, cuts faster. And quieter. That Kawasaki engine is like a race cars engine in comparison I kept it on about medium. It feels so much sturdier...

I'll never go back. Yikes is that me raving about a lawn tractor....

Since this is a mulching tractor I'll have to figure out what I'll do with the leaves in the fall.

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Excellent news! Now you'll need a John Deere lawn sweeper for the leaves.

 

[Omalley]

Can always just mow the leaves in the fall. Been doing if for 15 years after getting sick of spending money on giant paper bags, and the time spent raking!

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

JD outsources all home and garden mowers and IIRC about 10 years ago started with the compact tractor line. I got that from a tractor forum back then. Have no idea what forum but I do recall some upset posters. Obviously if you're outsourcing you have the ability to qc all products. Since JD backs the product I'm not sure I care who makes it.

Edit to add: Yanmar makes the small diesel engines in JD compact tractor line. I believe that is also the manufacturer of the JD compact tractors. Don't know about H&G.

Not sure how all-encompassing your outsourcing statement is. Here's a 2013 video of production work at the Derere factory in Horicon, Wis. Looks to me like lawn "tractor" parts being made.

My Deere X304 came from the Horicon plant -- it says so on the machine (the engine is a Kawasaki). Not one of their big-box models, but not top end, either.

 

[MRG]

Not sure how all-encompassing your outsourcing statement is. Here's a 2013 video of production work at the Derere factory in Horicon, Wis. Looks to me like lawn "tractor" parts being made.

My Deere X304 came from the Horicon plant -- it says so on the machine (the engine is a Kawasaki). Not one of their big-box models, but not top end, either.

I gave what I recall of the source but obviously something changed in 10 years. Perhaps they brought it back or the source was incorrect. As I mentioned it wouldn't matter to me if they outsourced as JD stands behind the product, that said I'm glad they are making them here! Thanks for the information.