[Uncle Jaque]

We have about a half acre to mow, and I've been doing it with a push mower for years but now my foot is messed up and it hurts too much to walk very far much less push a mower around for 6 or 8 hours every week or so.

Our lawn sits on a side hill and has some terrain to deal with, as well as trees, well, flagpole etc. to go around so a very large unit isn't the way to go.

Budget constraints limit us to under $2K, for which it's hard to get a decent riding mower these days. In new I'm limited to the 100 series, but am open to used as long as I don't have to deal with exploding engines, disintegrating trannies and such on a regular basis.

Found a couple of used LA-105s on the market which seem to have the right combination for our needs. One at a Dealer for $1195 with a dump cart (can probably get it for $1K without the cart) and another on Craig's list asking $1K.

Since these seem to go for around $1500 new, is that a reasonable price?

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The Craigs list unit says it only has 48 hours on it. I wonder if that is total hours or since the last maintenance, as it has a little digital "Service Reminder" window with "48" on it -

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...but can those be re set when maint. is performed?
It looks like there might be a little button top center over the window.

This unit looks really cherry though. It's about an hour from here which is more than I want to drag my old dump trailer to fetch it with. Could beg my Son in Law to go for it with his big pickup truck but would have to get a really good deal on it to go to that extent.

What do you think a "reasonable offer" might be, assuming that it is as nice as it looks?

Does anyone have any experience with the LA 105? Reviews I"ve found on line on it are mainly quite positive. A lot of tractor for the buck, it seems.

 

[Austen]

As long as the machine has been well taken care of and is not used outside of it's capabilities which I don't see happening from what you describe, you should not have any problems with it.

I would say somewhere in the ballpark of around $1k, give or take a little depending on the condition and hours would be a fair estimate for a used L 105. Here are a few others I found for reference: http://www.tractorhouse.com/list/list.aspx?manu=JOHN+DEERE&mdltxt=LA105

Here is info regarding the hour/service meters: https://groundscare.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/117/~/hour-meter-and-service-reminder---100-series-tractors

 

[Uncle Jaque]

We looked at a D100 new at the dealer's today - I drove it around and was impressed. It's just a little putt-putt but probably all we are going to need.

What is the practical diference between the LA105 and the D100?

According to the specs the 105 has 19.5 HP to the D100s 17.5, but it is the same engine type and only a tenth of a CC difference in displacement. What's up with that? Reviews for the 105 were generally great but not so hot for the 100.

Does JD still make / sell the 105 or are they discontinued?

Dlr. quoted $1600 for the D100 - if the guy with the 105 won't dicker down to around $850 it's worth the extra to me to get the 2 year warranty on a new unit and not have to truck an hour to pick the 105 up, not being sure what I'm getting into.

Is it worth holding out to see if a used 105 comes in to the dealer (he just sold the last one they had)?

If there really isn't all that much diffo between the tractors will probably settle for the 100... and mow this darn lawn before the house gets lost in the jungle.

 

[Wayne195]

The LA105 was discontinued when John Deere introduced the new D series tractors.

I'd say there is little or no difference beween the LA105 and the D100; the D100 just has a new design and may have a few minor changes. Both tractors have the exact same transmission. I wouldn't be concerned about the horsepower difference, unless you are wanting to plow or blow snow or something of that sort.

Hope this helps!

 

[Uncle Jaque]

Thanks Wayne.

I find it hard to figure a 2HP difference over 0.1 CC of displacement. I'm hoping that 17.5 HP is sufficient for our needs, and expect that it probably will be.

Some of the reviews I read faulted the gear drive models for having a "herky-jerky" take-off when the clutch is let up. My first couple of starts were a bit of a leap, but then once I figured out where the engagement point was in the pedal arc of travel where I could start slipping it in, it was fine. I drive a standard transmission Toyota which probably helps. I can see where people who have never driven a stick shift might struggle with it.

I also find that the clutch / brake pedal needs to be held down hard in order to shift without the lever binding up. "Shift on the fly" would be nice, but I can live with stopping between gears. It's not like this thing is going 50 MPH.

"Normal" people love those hydrostatic trannies and they are all right I suppose... as long as they work. I get the impression that the gears are a little more simple, durable, and direct; just replace a belt now and then.

The salesman said that as the drive belt wears in, it has less of a tendency to grab and "lurch".

Backing up with the little yellow button is not nearly as awkward as some folks make it out to be; after backing up a couple of feet it can be let up on and it will keep backing up as long as needed - or until it stops. Not a problem.

What?! No "Beep-beep-beep" back up alarm? Is that extra?

 

[Mark / Ohio]

...What?! No "Beep-beep-beep" back up alarm? Is that extra?

I'm sure we could find a way to help you add one if that's what you want.

 

[Uncle Jaque]

Look out!!!

Reminds me of what the little kid screamed when the fat lady ahead of him in line at the grocery store had her cell pone go off;

"LOOK OUT, MA!!!!; She's backin' up!!!"

 

[Austen]

You mean kind of like this?

FRUSTRATING PEOPLE! - YouTube

 

[Uncle Jaque]

Yow!; How much more fun would that be with a John Deere lawn tractor???

Probably wouldn't let me in Wal Mart with one though, would they?

I notice the fake "cripple" didn't mess with that big "Bro" for very long - wasn't worth a serious azz whoopin' I reckon.

Up Heah in Maine we call those ponderous 440 pounder potato-fed mammas in their pink house-coats, hair rollers and bedroom slippers rolling around the stores in the electric carts a "Double Wide". Occasionally the term "Wikkid massive" is heard insensitively whispered.

We try not to get stuck behind 'em while they pay for their whoopie pies, ring-dings, 24 packs of beer, bushel size bags of chips, lottery tickets and other groceries, often with a State welfare card, and you do NOT want to get backed up over by one of 'em.

Come to think of it, the average Maine Double Wide weighs in at about the same as my soon to be new JD D-100. Perhaps they'd be easier to take if they dressed in green.

Those back up alarms need to be taken very seriously!

 

[Uncle Jaque]

Tried Dealer, but Bought From Lowe's

Well, we went to Lowe's and paid for our little green putt-putt (D-100) today. They are going to deliver it Wed..

With my military discount, I got a seat cover, service kit and delivery all for less than what the dealer wanted for base price of the tractor without delivery.

Didn't want to go the box store route but they made it worth my while.

Have been told that they are the same tractor, as it does not pay for them to make a different version for the box store accounts on the lower end units.

I got the owners manual in advance so I can study up on it while I wait for the truck to get here.

Will let you know how it works when it arrives. The grass will be half way up to the gutters by then so it will get a good proof-test!

 

[Uncle Jaque]

So Much for the 105....

Well, we went to Lowe's and paid for our little green putt-putt (D-100) today. They are going to deliver it Wed..

Since the decision is made and we are committed to the D-100, I'm going to open a separate thread which more accurately reflects which tractor we are discussing.

Lowe's just called and my LGP-P will be here between 0900 and 1300 tomorrow!

 

[Mark / Ohio]

For future members ease of reference the story continues here:

http://www.mylawnmowerforum.com/for...pting-lgp-p-d-100-little-green-putt-putt.html