What is the life expectancy of a John Deere mower?

Question

We are looking at a 717a commerical zero turn and a residential zero turn. We mow about 4 acres, slight hills, some trees to go around. How long would we expect either of these mowers to last with regular maintenance and upkeep? Would we be better off going with a lawn or garden tractor?

Answer 1

If you are really going to mow 4 acres regularly, choose the commercial mower. They are made for mowing lots of land and for many more hours of usage. They cost more but last a very very long time with regularly scheduled maintenance of engine and equipment. There are commercial zero turn machines that have attachments if you want that type of machine. "Walker Mowers" make residential mowers to commercial spec. Go check them out, there are about 5 or six different attachments, even front loaders! Check out your warranty time periods, also. That is very important, especially with 4 acres!!!

Answer 2

well their is really no telling how much work and pressure you will really put it under. but i we had a john deere riding mower when i was a kid and it still runs to this day. and we put that thing under unbelievable pressure and work loads that small tractors should only be able to sustain. now don't get me wrong it was broke down and about 10 years old when we got it but we would fix it and one time we put a bigger motor on it cause the original one got messed up cause we over did it. me and my father would do really crazy stuff with it we would hook it to another lawn mower back to back to see if we could pull it. we did allot of modifications to it and it was very powerful but hard to steer. it was made with a 11 hrs power moter and we put a 10 hrs power moter on it and removed the mower on it and locked the transmition and used it for a while and we decided it needed a bigger motor so we put a 12 hrs power briggs and straton engine on it. we also put chains on the back tires the steering was so hard to turn from locking the the transmition in that we broke the steering wheel and put a mercury topaz steering wheel on it and welded it to it we played around with it and we could pull a brand new 16 hrs power hydraulic lawn mower around with it while the other lawn mower was pulling in the opposite direction. i am i firm believer in the john deere if you put time and effort into it it will serve you well that lawn mower still runs and its probably 30 years old now or older. the motors aren't that hard to fix and locking the rear end in like i said is just so that both of the back wheels turn at the same time. well anyway i would recommend john deere. i would say as long as you take care of it it will last a long time. oh and the reason the motor quit was because the oil was ran out by accident. i know stupid but not really the motors fault. oh and gas being drained out for the winter and the rest of the gas in the system being ran out will save your engine.

Answer 3

With proper maintenance, they will last for many years. The advantage of a tractor is the accessories you can use with it. Snowplows, trailers, any number of things. The zero turns are easier to use as you sit lower and can use them on slopes that tractors get tippy on. If you want a multi purpose machine the lawn tractor would be best. If not, get the mower.

Answer 4

With commercial zero turn mowers you have the added expence of the hydrolic system. I'd stay with a lawn and garden tractor simply because there are more attachments and jobs it can do. Aerating, fertalising, towing, hauling, seeding, raking, de-thaching, etc. You cant get some of those on a zero turn.

Answer 5

stop driving for refills ,get a can Otherwise make sure you have no leaks, has the mower been tuned up , are the gas lines good , ETC as far as driving onto truck Make Ramps. You have not told us how far the service station is or the land you are mowing so this is the best I can do

Answer 6

I have a jd L130 with 700 hrs on it. But its starting to break down a bit.

Answer 7

You should talk to my cousin. Her Deere John dies on an annual basis. I bought a Cub Cadet. We're on 8 acres. What "Piper" the cub cadet can do is yet to be seen. She only has 6 hours on her 52" cut, but, from what I see, she's sweet. Forget the zero cut, no available attachments for additional work (plowing, tilling, towing....) What are your applications?

Answer 8

Bought mt Lt133 in 1998...it's running fine...no reason it won't run another 10 years, I will likely upgrade tho. :)

Answer 9

Hi there, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this discussion. very valuable replies

Answer 10

my murray lasted 4 eleven yrs & then i sold it take decent care of it & it will last