John Deere Engines

[Matagonka]

Hi all,

My dad was looking to buy a riding mower and asked me for advice. The consensus is that John Deeres are some of the best. He was looking at the model D105. After some research, I found that many have issues with transmission locking up on reverse and oil leaks in the engine. That's the model with a B&S engine. The next model up, D110 had many positive reviews. It also comes with a John Deere brand engine.

Did John Deere decide to implement their own engines after issues with other brands? I've seen mixed opinions on B&S and Kohler.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

John Deere doesn't make any of their own small engines. The D110 has (I think) a Briggs Intek engine.

Quite frankly, before I'd buy a box store model I'd look at one of the X300 series from a dealer. They're light years ahead of the box store models.

 

[Alfred_B]

When I was researching mowers, saw that the lower priced models have John Deer branded G&S intek engines. Not sure if they are any more reliable than the B&S branded ones, or is it simply a different color label on them.

 

[JTK]

While I do believe even the box store John Deere riders are better than a comparable MTD or Husqvarna group built machine, I too would recommend a X-series or higher.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: JTK
While I do believe even the box store John Deere riders are better than a comparable MTD or Husqvarna group built machine, I too would recommend a X-series or higher.


This.

The best machines are really the X-series or higher Deeres. They come with Kawasaki engines. A bit pricey new, but they are extremely well built and last a long time.

A used X-series is also one of the best values out there, so it doesn't hurt to check out a lightly used machine. I just went with a family member to purchase an X500 series off Craigslist. It was a great tractor and he saved a ton over a new machine. The guy was moving out of CT and didn't want the hassle of taking it with him, the machine was garaged and well cared for.

 

[Bgallagher]

To be honest most ride on mowers are standard in terms of their engines and functions. I had a Husqvarna with a basic kohler engine which lasted over 16 years of hard service and have a craftsman with a B&S gold engine which has been flawless for 4 years now. The biggest thing with small engines is the upkeep. Make sure the plug and filters are clean and the oil is changed seasonally. Long story short is if you take good care of anything it will last for many years without issue.

 

[jeepman3071]

Avoid anything with the Kohler Courage line of engines. They are made in China. They have plastic gears inside the engine which come apart, the blocks are thin and crack, head gaskets leak, valve covers leak, bolts come loose and hit the flywheel etc.


I just repaired a Husqvarna rider for a customer. It had just over 200 hours on it with a 24hp Kohler Courage V-Twin.

It needed:
-Head gasket was blown on one side
-Both valve covers were leaking severely, enough to drip on the exhaust pipes and smoke
-Carburetor needed rebuilding, I had to search high and low for a $40 rebuild kit. Most places only sold the whole carb for $130 straight from China.
-Starter came apart inside, the magnets came off the inside and went around a few times destroying itself ($60)

All this on a machine that was a few years old with 200 hours. The owner is a family friend who takes good care of it and stores it inside a garage.

His previous tractor was a Craftsman that had over 900 hours on a Kohler Command single cylinder. All it needed was basic maintenance and a few mower deck pulleys.

 

[Matagonka]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Avoid anything with the Kohler Courage line of engines. They are made in China. They have plastic gears inside the engine which come apart, the blocks are thin and crack, head gaskets leak, valve covers leak, bolts come loose and hit the flywheel etc.




Holy smokes! Thanks!

 

[fenixguy]

I like the box store models just fine. Unless you're making a living with it or using it on a very large property, I don't see the value in paying 2-4x more for an X series. They are super nice machines but probably more than overkill for most homeowners, especially if your dad is already looking at the D105s and 110s. Good luck finding a deal on a used mower this time of year.

I bought a Craftsman (made by Husqvarna) in 2015 and it has the same single cylinder 19 hp Briggs as my grandpa's 2010 John Deere LA105. I've used both machines and I can attest that the Deere is the better built unit. My Craftsman does the job just fine but the Deere is higher quality. Those engines will last longer than the deck and transmissions as long as you use good gas and keep the oil topped up. My grandpa had to replace a carburetor on his due to using E10 with no stabilizer.

 

[Trav]

Have you considered a zero turn model?

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: fenixguy
I like the box store models just fine. Unless you're making a living with it or using it on a very large property, I don't see the value in paying 2-4x more for an X series. They are super nice machines but probably more than overkill for most homeowners, especially if your dad is already looking at the D105s and 110s. Good luck finding a deal on a used mower this time of year.


This is very true, but you've got to understand the limitations as most of us here do, but John Q Public does not. With the half acre I now mow, I use a Craftsman LT2000 I bought locally off CL for $300, 4-5yrs ago. It still looks/runs new. If I'm not working 60hrs that week, I'll use my 21" Snapper run behind.

 

[Matagonka]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Have you considered a zero turn model?


No. He likes the tractors more. Zero turns are also out of the price range.

He already bought the John Deere D110.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Matagonka

He already bought the John Deere D110.


It will be fine with good care. The simplest stuff you can do is make sure you mow with the deck set so it doesn't bounce around on the ground. Give the deck a good reach-under with a stick to knock off any damp clumps, blow the whole machine off with a leaf blower after each use (don't use hose/water), keep it out of the elements and use clean/fresh gas. You'll always be good to go given those.

 

[dwendt44]

Actually, the higher levels of JD tractors are much better products.
The 300 series have stronger frames and stronger transmissions.
Consumer Reports likes the 300 series and they are only a few hundred $
more that the cheapo 100 series.
As to engines, my opinion, for what it's worth, is don't get the highest
rated of any series. By that I mean the highest powered single or the highest powered
twin.

My 2¢

 

[Eddie]

I run a JD L111 series with a B&S INTEK TWIN and it runs like new at 150 hours. I paid ~ $1700 new at Lowes. A very good 42 inch mower for the price IMO. Ed

 

[Astro_Guy]

Avoid the single cylinder JD 100 Series if you can; they just don't seem to have enough power to do the job. My in-laws have the D110 while I have the D140. There is a huge difference. Have your dad look at the smallest V-Twin equipped model he can buy. That might be the D125 or D130.

 

[csx7006]

get a deere with the kawasaki engines

 

[Kruse]

While the Kawasaki-engines are good, they are not perfect.
Last year my brother bought a zero-turn John Deere mower with the Kawasaki engine right from the dealer floor. About 10 hours after, the engine destroyed itself.
I will give them credit. John Deere picked it up and put in a new engine, under complete warranty.

 

[csx7006]

Dont get me started on their loaders though..... Deere 774K loader that dosnt have a radio plus fuel filler in a bad spot to get stuck closed

 

[fenixguy]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
I run a JD L111 series with a B&S INTEK TWIN and it runs like new at 150 hours. I paid ~ $1700 new at Lowes. A very good 42 inch mower for the price IMO. Ed


Exactly. For most people, those Lowes JDs will do just fine. The equivalent in an X series is MSRP of $2,999. That's $1,299 or almost another mower more.