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is john deere really worth the money ?
#1
C
chuckell
C
chuckell
just bought a deere ,500 series very expensive i thought but heard they were good tractors? any thoughts, ?
#2
reynoldston
reynoldston
Seeing you bought the tractor I would say you are committed to it. I work on a lot of different brand tractors and will say I can't find any fault with John Deere. I do find that parts can be a little on the expensive side and also that they don't make some replacement parts for the older models anymore. I do think you will be very happy with your purchase so enjoy for many years to come.
#3
EngineMan
EngineMan
You just paid more for the name..!
#4
Carscw
Carscw
You over paid just for a name.
#5
reynoldston
reynoldston
The OP bought a new tractor so why in the world are you down talking him that he paid too much? Just because you don't like John Deere? If you can't be positive why say anything.
#6
Carscw
Carscw
He asked what we thought. So we told him.
#7
C
chuckell
C
chuckell
~thank you ,just bought a deere ,500 series very expensive i thought but heard they were good tractors? any thoughts, ?
#8
EngineMan
It is a known fact that people pay more then they should for a green and yellow machine, that is up to them, no one said that they didn't like the make, so what is so negative about the positive answers, and has already mentioned he did ask.
EngineMan
The OP bought a new tractor so why in the world are you down talking him that he paid too much? Just because you don't like John Deere? If you can't be positive why say anything.
It is a known fact that people pay more then they should for a green and yellow machine, that is up to them, no one said that they didn't like the make, so what is so negative about the positive answers, and has already mentioned he did ask.
#9
C
chuckell
C
chuckell
~thank you i know names influence prices but quality is what i was looking for,i'm now 60 and wanted not MTD or AYP products people who actually put plastic bushings on axle shafts come on,deere up to 35 horse are made in japan under strict JD specs,35 hp and up are still assembled here,in usa.i should have asked question in another way are you satisfied with your deere ? THANKS FOR ALL REPLIES ANYWAY,~You over paid just for a name.
#10
B
buzzzmeister
Many folks overpay for red & white ones, for orange & black ones, for yellow & white ones....
B
buzzzmeister
It is a known fact that people pay more then they should for a green and yellow machine
Many folks overpay for red & white ones, for orange & black ones, for yellow & white ones....
#11
Carscw
20 years ago I would agree with you. But now I feel quality is not what john Deere is.
Carscw
~thank you i know names influence prices but quality is what i was looking for,i'm now 60 and wanted not MTD or AYP products people who actually put plastic bushings on axle shafts come on,deere up to 35 horse are made in japan under strict JD specs,35 hp and up are still assembled here,in usa.i should have asked question in another way are you satisfied with your deere ? THANKS FOR ALL REPLIES ANYWAY,~
20 years ago I would agree with you. But now I feel quality is not what john Deere is.
#13
gfp55
So if we use your thinking then, if I paid $10,000 for an MTD Pony from Lowes, you would say I did the right thing, right? Is this forum a conformist forum or can we think for ourselves? If its OK with you and the mods, I would like to put my two cents in. John Deere makes some very good tractors, so does Cass, New Holland, ect. and as for being worth the money, thats a personal choice thing. Some people say yes, some say no. In the car business there is a saying "There is an a-- for every seat"
gfp55
The OP bought a new tractor so why in the world are you down talking him that he paid too much? Just because you don't like John Deere? If you can't be positive why say anything.
So if we use your thinking then, if I paid $10,000 for an MTD Pony from Lowes, you would say I did the right thing, right? Is this forum a conformist forum or can we think for ourselves? If its OK with you and the mods, I would like to put my two cents in. John Deere makes some very good tractors, so does Cass, New Holland, ect. and as for being worth the money, thats a personal choice thing. Some people say yes, some say no. In the car business there is a saying "There is an a-- for every seat"
#14
Carscw
Carscw
This is my Deere.
Very well built.
It's not that I do not like jd
Very well built.
It's not that I do not like jd
#16
djdicetn
djdicetn
I tend to agree that JD makes some of the finest industrial and farm equipment available......but.....their lawn mowers are way overpriced for what you get:0(
#17
Briana
Briana
Welcome to LawnWorld!
We moved your thread to the John Deere forum.
We moved your thread to the John Deere forum.
#18
Nwatson99
I totally disagree with this statement 100%, there is not a zero turn mower I have sat on or driven myself with the functions, equipment, and design nothing made at any dealership is even close to a JD ztrak mower.
The regular mowers also have just as good a track record than others as well, yes you are paying for quality, name, and just remember how much R&D a company like JD puts fourth into making their mowers.
chuckell
Congrats on the JD 500, those are very nice mowers and you did very well getting a good quality mower.
Nwatson99
I tend to agree that JD makes some of the finest industrial and farm equipment available......but.....their lawn mowers are way overpriced for what you get:0(
I totally disagree with this statement 100%, there is not a zero turn mower I have sat on or driven myself with the functions, equipment, and design nothing made at any dealership is even close to a JD ztrak mower.
The regular mowers also have just as good a track record than others as well, yes you are paying for quality, name, and just remember how much R&D a company like JD puts fourth into making their mowers.
chuckell
Congrats on the JD 500, those are very nice mowers and you did very well getting a good quality mower.
#19
Ric
I have to agree with djdicetn, JD makes some of the finest industrial and farm equipment available but there lawn mowers not so much. You say or think there the greatest thing since popcorn and if they build such a great mower how come Wright builds there Standers and if there that good why aren't the pros using them in lawn care business, all I ever see in the field is Exmark, Toro, Scag, Hustler and I'm even seeing some World Lawn mowers and Encore Mowers now but one I don't see is JD.
Ric
I totally disagree with this statement 100%, there is not a zero turn mower I have sat on or driven myself with the functions, equipment, and design nothing made at any dealership is even close to a JD ztrak mower.
The regular mowers also have just as good a track record than others as well, yes you are paying for quality, name, and just remember how much R&D a company like JD puts fourth into making their mowers.
chuckell
Congrats on the JD 500, those are very nice mowers and you did very well getting a good quality mower.
I have to agree with djdicetn, JD makes some of the finest industrial and farm equipment available but there lawn mowers not so much. You say or think there the greatest thing since popcorn and if they build such a great mower how come Wright builds there Standers and if there that good why aren't the pros using them in lawn care business, all I ever see in the field is Exmark, Toro, Scag, Hustler and I'm even seeing some World Lawn mowers and Encore Mowers now but one I don't see is JD.
#20
Nwatson99
Well here JD and grasshopper are the main ones you see here with a few toros thrown in.
But to answer your question, the answer is very common and stated daily on this forum PRICE is the main reason you pros don't use the JD and it being deep south more than likely the lack of JD dealers.
Yes I stand by my statement about JD from riding different zero turn mowers and examining different mowers at the dealerships, but for some reason unless you are a JD owner here JD is the black sheep.
Half the mowers I have seen photos of I would not even park in my garage, but I don't make statements on how crappy they look or how the functions and features are crap with crappy design, but everyone not owning JD wants to pick on JD.
Nwatson99
I have to agree with djdicetn, JD makes some of the finest industrial and farm equipment available but there lawn mowers not so much. You say or think there the greatest thing since popcorn and if they build such a great mower how come Wright builds there Standers and if there that good why aren't the pros using them in lawn care business, all I ever see in the field is Exmark, Toro, Scag, Hustler and I'm even seeing some World Lawn mowers and Encore Mowers now but one I don't see is JD.
Well here JD and grasshopper are the main ones you see here with a few toros thrown in.
But to answer your question, the answer is very common and stated daily on this forum PRICE is the main reason you pros don't use the JD and it being deep south more than likely the lack of JD dealers.
Yes I stand by my statement about JD from riding different zero turn mowers and examining different mowers at the dealerships, but for some reason unless you are a JD owner here JD is the black sheep.
Half the mowers I have seen photos of I would not even park in my garage, but I don't make statements on how crappy they look or how the functions and features are crap with crappy design, but everyone not owning JD wants to pick on JD.
#21
Carscw
I own 12 Jd riding mowers. And still would not buy a new one.
Carscw
Well here JD and grasshopper are the main ones you see here with a few toros thrown in. But to answer your question, the answer is very common and stated daily on this forum PRICE is the main reason you pros don't use the JD and it being deep south more than likely the lack of JD dealers. Yes I stand by my statement about JD from riding different zero turn mowers and examining different mowers at the dealerships, but for some reason unless you are a JD owner here JD is the black sheep. Half the mowers I have seen photos of I would not even park in my garage, but I don't make statements on how crappy they look or how the functions and features are crap with crappy design, but everyone not owning JD wants to pick on JD.
I own 12 Jd riding mowers. And still would not buy a new one.
#22
Ric
Actually price has nothing to do with the fact the pros don't use a JD because if someone is serious about mowing professionally price really doesn't matter that much, but I'm like everyone else that believes the JD isn't worth what there asking. The lack of dealers does have a lot to do with though, in the past few years I've seen at least 3 different JD dealers here in this area close there doors because they could make a go of it. The reality is you can buy a pretty serious commercial ZTR from Toro, Exmark or Hustler and have more mower for less money than you can from JD that's why the pros don't use JD.
Ric
Well here JD and grasshopper are the main ones you see here with a few toros thrown in.
But to answer your question, the answer is very common and stated daily on this forum PRICE is the main reason you pros don't use the JD and it being deep south more than likely the lack of JD dealers.
Yes I stand by my statement about JD from riding different zero turn mowers and examining different mowers at the dealerships, but for some reason unless you are a JD owner here JD is the black sheep.
Half the mowers I have seen photos of I would not even park in my garage, but I don't make statements on how crappy they look or how the functions and features are crap with crappy design, but everyone not owning JD wants to pick on JD.
Actually price has nothing to do with the fact the pros don't use a JD because if someone is serious about mowing professionally price really doesn't matter that much, but I'm like everyone else that believes the JD isn't worth what there asking. The lack of dealers does have a lot to do with though, in the past few years I've seen at least 3 different JD dealers here in this area close there doors because they could make a go of it. The reality is you can buy a pretty serious commercial ZTR from Toro, Exmark or Hustler and have more mower for less money than you can from JD that's why the pros don't use JD.
#23
B
buzzzmeister
Interesting. We have a very strong JD dealer network here in NEWI. I'd guess maybe 75% of the pro guys are using JD, 20% using Kubota and the rest using whatever the cat coughed up. Its actually quite noticeable when the pro's aren't using JD because they're so common here.
B
buzzzmeister
Actually price has nothing to do with the fact the pros don't use a JD because if someone is serious about mowing professionally price really doesn't matter that much, but I'm like everyone else that believes the JD isn't worth what there asking. The lack of dealers does have a lot to do with though, in the past few years I've seen at least 3 different JD dealers here in this area close there doors because they could make a go of it. The reality is you can buy a pretty serious commercial ZTR from Toro, Exmark or Hustler and have more mower for less money than you can from JD that's why the pros don't use JD.
Interesting. We have a very strong JD dealer network here in NEWI. I'd guess maybe 75% of the pro guys are using JD, 20% using Kubota and the rest using whatever the cat coughed up. Its actually quite noticeable when the pro's aren't using JD because they're so common here.
#24
Ric
Having a strong dealer network in the North really doesn't surprise me, there's more farming and agricultural needs up north than down here so it would be reasonable to assume they would be selling more mowers there than here. The faults with JD for me is #1 Price #2 their weight and #3 the stamped deck, with that combination there's no way I'd buy one.
Ric
Interesting. We have a very strong JD dealer network here in NEWI. I'd guess maybe 75% of the pro guys are using JD, 20% using Kubota and the rest using whatever the cat coughed up. Its actually quite noticeable when the pro's aren't using JD because they're so common here.
Having a strong dealer network in the North really doesn't surprise me, there's more farming and agricultural needs up north than down here so it would be reasonable to assume they would be selling more mowers there than here. The faults with JD for me is #1 Price #2 their weight and #3 the stamped deck, with that combination there's no way I'd buy one.
#25
Nwatson99
Oh now I do not believe that at all, the Ztrak is a serious mower and built like a tank, matter of fact the weight alone will prove how strong they are built. I have been a member less than a year here and I can assure you 7 maybe 8 out of 10 topics when purchasing a mower is all about price, then 2nd is quality.
Me personally to heck with the price, I am a firm believer in Buy Once or Cry Once and I buy the best when I purchase and with the functions I need and like hence that is why I am purchasing another JD.
Did I look at other mowers before the 960r was ordered, yep sure did, my family has always been huge gravely people, I drove 50 miles of country roads to check out the big new gravely 400 especially with the new air ride seat system and sad to say that was a wasted trip.
Got a toro dealer not 11 miles from me, they are pretty color but where all the functions are located to set it up, just not my cup of tea.
Same with the all within 13 to 15 miles of me are hustler, grasshopper, husq, and one or two more while on the road trip.
The only ztr I have seen that is close to functions and features like the JD is the Altoz "which I learned about on this very site" and that is only brochure study.
Anyway between my immediate family and I we have owned
Gravely
Craftsman "multiple units"
Murray
Snapper
Troy Built
John Deere
But we are all own and operate strictly JD now, so not all JD owners can be wrong that JD's quality is not there.
Nwatson99
Actually price has nothing to do with the fact the pros don't use a JD because if someone is serious about mowing professionally price really doesn't matter that much, but I'm like everyone else that believes the JD isn't worth what there asking. The lack of dealers does have a lot to do with though, in the past few years I've seen at least 3 different JD dealers here in this area close there doors because they could make a go of it. The reality is you can buy a pretty serious commercial ZTR from Toro, Exmark or Hustler and have more mower for less money than you can from JD that's why the pros don't use JD.
Oh now I do not believe that at all, the Ztrak is a serious mower and built like a tank, matter of fact the weight alone will prove how strong they are built. I have been a member less than a year here and I can assure you 7 maybe 8 out of 10 topics when purchasing a mower is all about price, then 2nd is quality.
Me personally to heck with the price, I am a firm believer in Buy Once or Cry Once and I buy the best when I purchase and with the functions I need and like hence that is why I am purchasing another JD.
Did I look at other mowers before the 960r was ordered, yep sure did, my family has always been huge gravely people, I drove 50 miles of country roads to check out the big new gravely 400 especially with the new air ride seat system and sad to say that was a wasted trip.
Got a toro dealer not 11 miles from me, they are pretty color but where all the functions are located to set it up, just not my cup of tea.
Same with the all within 13 to 15 miles of me are hustler, grasshopper, husq, and one or two more while on the road trip.
The only ztr I have seen that is close to functions and features like the JD is the Altoz "which I learned about on this very site" and that is only brochure study.
Anyway between my immediate family and I we have owned
Gravely
Craftsman "multiple units"
Murray
Snapper
Troy Built
John Deere
But we are all own and operate strictly JD now, so not all JD owners can be wrong that JD's quality is not there.
#26
Carscw
Carscw
What oil should I use.
#27
Nwatson99
Ahh the stamped deck you do realize a stamped one piece part is more structural sound than a multiple part welded together right?
You take two objects rather it square or round with the same thickness of steel, you stamp out one with a press, then you weld multiple parts to make the same structure the stamped piece does not have seams, welds protruding, nor do you have the risk of welds cracking or the metal around the welds cracking away from undercut.
Same principle of a "clipped under carriage on a vehicle" that is why new production cars are not made that way anymore they break into from impacts, you press out the under carriage in one piece, yes it might be layered which they are, but you do not stamp out the front, mid, rear, then weld them together and expect them to be a strong as the one piece stamped out, it does not happen nor does it work that way.
Yes JD weighs a flat 1 ton "with oil, gas, and 200+ lb operator" or just a few pounds under a ton, but that just goes to show you how sound they are by the weight, you look at a JD there is not unnecessary weights or anything hanging off of them, it is pure strength with the same engines and trannies on most other mowers, so the structural integrity is higher.
Nwatson99
Having a strong dealer network in the North really doesn't surprise me, there's more farming and agricultural needs up north than down here so it would be reasonable to assume they would be selling more mowers there than here. The faults with JD for me is #1 Price #2 their weight and #3 the stamped deck, with that combination there's no way I'd buy one.
Ahh the stamped deck you do realize a stamped one piece part is more structural sound than a multiple part welded together right?
You take two objects rather it square or round with the same thickness of steel, you stamp out one with a press, then you weld multiple parts to make the same structure the stamped piece does not have seams, welds protruding, nor do you have the risk of welds cracking or the metal around the welds cracking away from undercut.
Same principle of a "clipped under carriage on a vehicle" that is why new production cars are not made that way anymore they break into from impacts, you press out the under carriage in one piece, yes it might be layered which they are, but you do not stamp out the front, mid, rear, then weld them together and expect them to be a strong as the one piece stamped out, it does not happen nor does it work that way.
Yes JD weighs a flat 1 ton "with oil, gas, and 200+ lb operator" or just a few pounds under a ton, but that just goes to show you how sound they are by the weight, you look at a JD there is not unnecessary weights or anything hanging off of them, it is pure strength with the same engines and trannies on most other mowers, so the structural integrity is higher.
#28
Nwatson99
:laughing:
I give what do you like, I run Castrol since my cousin was motor pool involved in all that testing for the military and that is what he says is the best so that is what we run.
Others around here like Lucas oil.
Nwatson99
What oil should I use.
:laughing:
I give what do you like, I run Castrol since my cousin was motor pool involved in all that testing for the military and that is what he says is the best so that is what we run.
Others around here like Lucas oil.
#29
gfp55
gfp55
I agree with you. There is a night and day difference between a John Deere and a Craftsman. The Deere is way better then the Craftsman, by a long shot. Regards
#30
R
Ridin' Green
Sorry, but that is not true at all. You can't make a blanket statement like that. It all depends on what part of the country you live in as to whether or not "pros" use JD, or whether or not JD is more expensive. Go to lawnsite and ask or read. Lots of pros use them. I use one. Does that mean I am not a pro? There is no better cutting deck for any part of the country than the 7 Iron Pro deck (the MOD is another story IME). Rain or shine, long or short, weedy, or lush. Doesn't matter. The deck cuts clean, and doesn't clump. The Velocity + is an excellent deck, but leaves longer clippings behind than the 7 Iron. The Exmark needs dry grass or it clumps like mad. The VX4 is having all sorts of issues on 60" decked machines. As far as the stamped deck issue, that's a bunch of BS. I guarantee you if more of the mower manu's could actually afford the enormous press it takes to make a stamped deck out of a single sheet of 7 gauge steel, they do it in a heartbeat since it is stronger and faster to produce once you have the expensive press and dies it takes to do it. They can't, so they knock it to sell their welded decks. Think about it....thousands of years ago the Romans were smart enough to now that a radius/arch was a lot stronger than a square corner. Are you going to try to tell me that that has all changed in the time since?
Here, Exmark rules as far as numbers. Why? Because back when lawn care was nowhere near as common as it is now, now that the economy is crap and everyone and his brother has a mower and trailer here (there are more LCO's here than you could ever believe unless you came here and saw them for yourself), Exmark and Toro were about it for commercial mowers here. If you wanted to be considered a "pro" you had to have an Exmark since that's what the other pros (who hadn't had much choice here previously) always used. It also happens that Exmarks is far more expensive than JD, Scag, Hustler, gravely etc etc here, and I mean by far.
As far as JD lawn, or L&G tractors goes- no one should judge them based on the entry level machines sold at Lowe's, HD, or dealers. They were designed to compete with cheapy machines like MTD/AYP products. Move into the 500 series like the OP bought, and it's a totally different world.
In ten years, how many MTD/AYP machines will be worth anything? Not very many, if any. The JD 500 and up series? Plenty as long as they were taken care of.
Most guys who claim that you are just paying for the paint on aJD are either jealous because they can't afford one themselves, or too cheap to spring for one.
R
Ridin' Green
Actually price has nothing to do with the fact the pros don't use a JD because if someone is serious about mowing professionally price really doesn't matter that much, but I'm like everyone else that believes the JD isn't worth what there asking. The lack of dealers does have a lot to do with though, in the past few years I've seen at least 3 different JD dealers here in this area close there doors because they could make a go of it. The reality is you can buy a pretty serious commercial ZTR from Toro, Exmark or Hustler and have more mower for less money than you can from JD that's why the pros don't use JD.
Sorry, but that is not true at all. You can't make a blanket statement like that. It all depends on what part of the country you live in as to whether or not "pros" use JD, or whether or not JD is more expensive. Go to lawnsite and ask or read. Lots of pros use them. I use one. Does that mean I am not a pro? There is no better cutting deck for any part of the country than the 7 Iron Pro deck (the MOD is another story IME). Rain or shine, long or short, weedy, or lush. Doesn't matter. The deck cuts clean, and doesn't clump. The Velocity + is an excellent deck, but leaves longer clippings behind than the 7 Iron. The Exmark needs dry grass or it clumps like mad. The VX4 is having all sorts of issues on 60" decked machines. As far as the stamped deck issue, that's a bunch of BS. I guarantee you if more of the mower manu's could actually afford the enormous press it takes to make a stamped deck out of a single sheet of 7 gauge steel, they do it in a heartbeat since it is stronger and faster to produce once you have the expensive press and dies it takes to do it. They can't, so they knock it to sell their welded decks. Think about it....thousands of years ago the Romans were smart enough to now that a radius/arch was a lot stronger than a square corner. Are you going to try to tell me that that has all changed in the time since?
Here, Exmark rules as far as numbers. Why? Because back when lawn care was nowhere near as common as it is now, now that the economy is crap and everyone and his brother has a mower and trailer here (there are more LCO's here than you could ever believe unless you came here and saw them for yourself), Exmark and Toro were about it for commercial mowers here. If you wanted to be considered a "pro" you had to have an Exmark since that's what the other pros (who hadn't had much choice here previously) always used. It also happens that Exmarks is far more expensive than JD, Scag, Hustler, gravely etc etc here, and I mean by far.
As far as JD lawn, or L&G tractors goes- no one should judge them based on the entry level machines sold at Lowe's, HD, or dealers. They were designed to compete with cheapy machines like MTD/AYP products. Move into the 500 series like the OP bought, and it's a totally different world.
In ten years, how many MTD/AYP machines will be worth anything? Not very many, if any. The JD 500 and up series? Plenty as long as they were taken care of.
Most guys who claim that you are just paying for the paint on aJD are either jealous because they can't afford one themselves, or too cheap to spring for one.