Ground engaging Toro vs JD

[Srgnt Billko]

Follow up from the previous Toro vs JD post:

Neither of those machines ( LX420 and the 125) are suitable for ground engaging (tiller, garden plow, disc harrow etc) implements. They are best suited to be used as lawn mowers. If you want to use the machine as a tractor you would be much better off with a Cub Cadet (MTD) 2500 series which has the cast iron transaxle as opposed to the pot metal trannys used on the HD & Lowes Toro & John Deere. Even to use a dozer blade the pot metal won't stand up. BTW, the Toro dozer blade I have is a lot heavier than the universal blades I've seen at HD & Lowes. The 2500's also have a high backed seat w arm rests that becomes more and more important as we get older or if you are going to spend long periods of time on the machine.

[Garden Viking]

Cub 2500 series straight shaft not belt drive? It needs a cast iron trans because there is no slippage with shaft drive.. HD does not typically "stock" pusher blades as they are special order from the vendor of the tractors and needs a last name (ie. customer name) to get it to the store and be paid for. The arm rests are already falling off in the showroom. Scotts is made by JD, but does not have the JD deck. Its an MTD deck. Green and yellow are all JD.. Their website does list the pressurized oil system and filter in their specs The original poster may be like most "Lawn Tractor" buyers and knows nothing on the matter and some of them only have about 10,000 sqft of lawn but "just want a tractor", they just have to have one. It doesn't matter if they are done in 15 minutes, they have a tractor.. As stated before, most box stores have no one that knows any part of the products they sell. Don't rely solely on them for info unless you find someone at either who can accurately sell you one from anywhere.

[Javier]

I did a fair amount of reading on all the options available, I ended up with a short list of two or three machines based on said reading. I ended up buying the JD 125 yesterday, it's supposed to be delivered today.

My lawn is a lot bigger than 10,000 square feet... pushing a mower, even a self propelled, would be a nuisance. There are a couple of areas where a push mower is needed, between the house and the detached garage, because the riding mower won't fit there. The rest is big, flat and with very few obstacles.

-jav

[Srgnt Billko]

Congratulations - have fun !!

[Javier]

So, I drove it this afternoon after I got home. It runs, it mows, and it mulches. I guess I can't complain too much.

The ride sure is -stiff- though.

-jav

[Srgnt Billko]

Your behind is too sensitive. Check the air pressure in the tires and make sure they were not over-inflated. Might as well check the oil too while you're at it. (just to make sure)

[Javier]

How does the oil affect the quality of the ride?

The tire pressure matches what's printed on the tire sidewalls, so I guess it's OK.

-jav