My opinion on used mowers

Geo-TH,In · Jun 8, 2015

Many ask what's a good used mowe? The other day I picked up a used JD 102, $600,
from neighbor who bought the mower new. He is 70 and hires me to cut his 3/4 acre
lawn, which I do with my Jubilee and RM 660 woods in about 45 minutes.

To my surprise, the JD appears to have an old school rear axle with a built in 5 speed
tranny. It's not hydrostatic and it's not the two belt and variable pulley set up,
it's a 5 speed gear box transmission. I didn't know they made them anymore.

I wouldn't use a 42 inch mower, too small, but my daughter will be using it on her new
place. She is buying a half acre place. Or my daughter will make her husband use it.
He has a wet eye knowing he's getting an early Christmas present, a John Deere too.

Nice mower, nice mower deck design too, has extra idler pulleys and no way for the
belt to jump off. The man always used mobil 1 oil too. Engine is like new, the tractor
is like new. He even gave me the gas can, 2 qts of oil and a bottle of staybil.
Tractor sat for 2 years and it fired right.
JD102

JD Seller · Jun 8, 2015

That is a good price if it is in as good of shape as you say. That JD 102 is JD entry level mower sold at the Box stores. Quality would be equal to TSCs Huskees or Sears Craftsman. The bigger advantage of the JD is that parts are much easier to get. It will last as long s it is treated like a light duty mower should be.

Ken Macfarlane · Jun 8, 2015

I was given a JD L100, a little newer than yours but same base model. Its a cheaply built overpriced light duty mower. Its lasted for several years of large lawn mowing but it won't survive a full decade I don't think. My little 25 year old Kubota T1400 base model is about 2/3 the size but weighs twice as much. Our old Ford 120 from the 1960's weighs 3x the JD.

Robert Major · Jun 8, 2015

Hi
If you want to know the build quality of that mower run it along a slope with some un even bits in it and see if the frame twists. if the steering wheel moves over one way and the seat goes the other it's junk. We had a JD LX 135 or something like that at the seed plant. They laughed at dads 316 type used for $1200. Paid $3500 for that outfit (used) I believe, and the 316 kohler is still going. the Lx is long done and replaced with a zero turn of some sort!!!!!!.
JD told dad last time he wanted parts an equivalent spec to the 316 is 10- $12000 now, so keep fixing it a few more years. If that 316 tipped on you you'd need 3 guys to get it off , it's so well built compared to the mikey mouse box store Deere that proper JD dealers want nothing to do with round here!.
Regards Robert

Geo-TH,In · Jun 9, 2015

JD,
All they have to mow is 1/2 acre of flat land. This mower will last if properly taken care of. It's already cut 3/4 acres for the past 8 years and is like new. The 17 hp briggs is rock solid. He never took a garden hose to it, so no rust. I checked it out and it will last for years if kept out of the rain.
Geo

W_B · Jun 9, 2015

Big box lawnmowers can give good service if you are mowing relatively small acreage and do the maintenance as required. I've had two, the first a real cheapy that lasted 10 years and I'm still using the second after 13 years. I mow about 2 acres once a week in season. If you beat on a machine it won't last, don't care what brand it is or how much it cost.

My opinion on used mowers

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

Ken Macfarlane

Well-known Member

Robert Major

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

W_B

Well-known Member

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