LX277AWS JOHN DEERE

H

hlw49

Lawn Addict
I acquired a John Deere LX277AWS (All Wheel Steer) with a FH500V 17 HP engine 38inch cut deck. Got it running, engine runs sweet. Deck was noisy, rebuilt the deck, mowed with, mows nice. Only problem with it, it has no hood. Not looking to spend over $400.00 not sure I can recoup my money after buying the hood. Not sure I can get my money out of it now. Sure, does run good and cut nice. Looked it up and sold new for over $5000.00. Do you guys think it will sell with no hood if so, how much do you guys think it should bring.
 
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Hello H.,

As long as there is easy credit card financing, the used mower market is in the dumps. You would really need to find a buyer who is a "collector nut" type.

This was a new model in 2001, it's now mid 2026. AWS was a novelty back in the day before homeowner zero turn mowers really gained momentum in the market.

Even finding a decent used hood for this would be a challenge because that was the first thing to break on many of these mowers.
 
And the hood is just not one piece it is multiple pieces. So if no hood at all then there is lots parts to buy.

And JDs are green and gold for a reason. It cost a lot to maintain them.

It is bad when a commercial operator will not even spend $300 to replace the deck height adjustment system that he abused on a Z915B. I can't he was constantly changing the deck height settings. Didn't even want to spend the money to replace the worn out carburetor. I just cancelled that order. So he can just go buy a new machine.

Btw any piece of equipment will need repairs or it just gets replaced. People think when they something it never cost a thing and last forever.
 
Auto Doc's said:
Hello H.,

As long as there is easy credit card financing, the used mower market is in the dumps. You would really need to find a buyer who is a "collector nut" type.

This was a new model in 2001, it's now mid 2026. AWS was a novelty back in the day before homeowner zero turn mowers really gained momentum in the market.

Even finding a decent used hood for this would be a challenge because that was the first thing to break on many of these mowers.
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Yes, you are right this has been a slow year for used mower sales unless it is a Zero Turn. Have able to get my hands on two and they lasted two days. Have 4 in the works now. A CZ4817 Husqvarna a XW2002 D/C and 2 D/C I don't recall the model numbers. The JD and a YTH 24V48 Husqvarna built in 2016 that had a broken frame that I put the frame kit and the axle mounting kit on. They want a $300.00 to 400.00 mower. That would be the cheapest lawn tractor on the market.19 to 20 hp 42-inch cut that sold for $2200.00. What I have had were 26 & 24 hp mower with 54 inch cut that sold for around $3000.00. They want to pay $300.00 to $400.00 for them how do we even sell a mower for that price, not happening.
You are right about the JD 2001-year model, but it sold for $5000.00 then.
 
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The illusion that comes with buying a new mower is the (often worthless) warranty. Even better is when they are suckered into buying an "extended warranty" and think they have coverage for stupidity.

Like most of us know, 90% of all initial warranty claims usually involve fuel contamination which is not covered by the manufacturer.

A used mower seldom has any warranty because buyers typically abuse and break them and then demand their money back.

For the ones I do sell, I have a customer operate them for 15-30 minutes while cutting grass at my property. If they are satisfied with how it operates, that is all the warranty they get.
 
Had a customer bring one by the other day wanting me to do something about because it would not start. Said he bought it last year and only used it one time. I check it over. He stated it had fuel in it. I hit it with carb cleaner, and it started but would not keep running. I looked at the fuel tank and could not see any fuel in it. Put fuel in it started it with carb cleaner and it kept running. Tried to blame the no fuel on his neighbor siphoning the fuel out of the tank. While trying to get it started found where a mouse had chewed the foam wrap on the air filter. I replaced the air filter. He stated he had no money and he would have his wife stop by and pay for the filter. He must have gotten a divorce since she never showed up.
 
Hello H.,

That is why I now charge an "evaluation fee" up front before I will even begin inspecting or testing anything. I got tired of the "I just paid someone else" or "I don't have any money" stories.

The worst ones are, "I will pay you when I get my check". They never seem to get paid so they can pay me.

Sorry, it's just business and my knowledge, tools and years of experience did not come free to me.

I work strictly by personal references these days and most customers already know ahead of time that my time is not free.

This approach culls out the pretenders and self-proclaimed poverty cases most of the time and it makes it clear to the ones that think they are a "privileged customer" think twice.

I am not swamped with deadbeat "free" work now, thankfully, but I keep steady and get paid as I go.

Any good experienced small engine or ATV mechanic in my area is rare and most of the dealer shops are only hiring breathing bodies with no experience and very poor reading comprehension skills. All of the independent shops have basically closed down. All that is left are the retired mechanics or disabled vet types like me who still want to be active.

For the few that have tried to do the "leave a note", then drop off equipment and run on me, I just stack them up out back and wait for a phone call. Thay have to come back for their equipment or play by my rules.

If they pay for an evaluation, I evaluate the problems, work up and estimate and have them pay for the recommended parts before I proceed further. They need to spend their money, not mine. They are much more attentive when they have their money (skin) in the game.

I quit doing exploratory teardowns just to satisfy a customer's curiosity, then they bail on me and stick me with their torn down junk.

The old days of the blind drop off and "call me when it's ready", and I will settle up with you then are gone.

Did I lose some "customers"? Only the self-entitled ones I could stand to lose anyway.
 
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