JD lx178 vs lx277

Casey in Ky · Aug 10, 2014

I've not been able to get ahold of the guy with gravely, so I'm going to look at one of these mowers tomorrow and if they are in as good as shape as they appear, buy one.

The lx 178 is liquid cooled 17hp v twin Kawasaki, 42 inch deck, and the tuff torq k61 hydro. Mower looks excellent and has no broken plastic. Guy says it runs good and is tight. He's not had it long and doesn't know the history of the mower. $1000 bottom dollar on it.

The lx277 is a newer, air cooled 17hp v twin, aws, 48 inch deck, with the tuff torq k62. It looks just as good except newer. But I don't know a thing about the aws, how much of a maintenance item can it be?? Any difference in the k61 vs the k62?? What about the air cooled vs the water cooled v twins?? Again, owner hasn't had it long and doesn't know the history. $1300 is the bottom dollar on the lx277.

Thanks again and I promise I'm buying a mower this week, even if it's a box store piece of crap.

JD Seller · Aug 10, 2014

Casey: You keep talking about 42 inch decks on models of JD mowers that would not have had 42 inch decks unless they where a 42M mulching deck. That deck does not work well on large yards.

The LX178 would have come with a 38 inch deck.
The $1000 is on the high side for it unless it is a total creampuff. $500-750 catches the average ones. Good mower for smaller yards.

Possible mower decks for the LX 178/188: 38 inch deck with two blades, The 44 inch Piranha mulching deck with six blades- Two per spindle, Then the 48 inch deck with three blades on grease able spindles.

The LX 277 AWS with a 48 deck is high at $1300. The AWS hurts on resale. There is extra linkage to wear and maintain. The AWS is only an advantage if you have a lot of things to trim around. Then it is a plus.

The water cooled is better if you mow for longer than an hour at a time. If you can mow your yard in less time that that then you will gain nothing from the water cooled engine.

Casey in Ky · Aug 11, 2014

Yeah, apparently the deck on the lx178 has been changed for some reason, if it's truly a 42 inch deck. It's not the 42 inch mulch only deck, might be capable, but it does have the grass shoot on it currently. I think the question is did someone size down from the 48, size up from 38, or just wear the original out. The mower doesn't look like it's been used that much.

I wish I could find mowers in that price range. Those deals are not in this area. To give you an idea, local dealer has a 265, asking $2600, lx172, asking $1295, lx176, asking $1595. And he's not very willing to move on any of those prices.

Thanks for the advice, especially on the aws. Guess I'll skip that mower and probably go look at the lx188.

Fawteen · Aug 11, 2014

My LX178 has been bullet proof. Not sure which deck is on it, I'd have to go look.

I'd for sure go with water cooled over air cooled, but that's just me.

JD lx178 vs lx277

Casey in Ky

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JD Seller

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Casey in Ky

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Fawteen

Well-known Member

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