John Deere vs. Craftsman

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LeadMagnet

Platinum Member
Mar 26, 2003
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American Electrolux makes - Craftsman, Poulan, PoulanPro, Husqavana, Weedeater, Ryobi, and many more.

John Deere is better quality and they - make Deere & Saber but comands a 30% - 50% more than the simalry equiped American Electrolux from Home Depot.


Tractor Deal

I had a 20HP Craftsman for 5 years then the engine died, I called Sears / Briggs & Stratton to see how much a replacment cost they said $1200 plus labor!. So I asked if any of the new tractors would accept my $300 bagger, the said no, I need to buy a new tractor and bagger.

Went to Home Depot and all their American Electrolux tractors seemed to be the same style attachemt as my 5 year old Craftsman, I bought a new Poulan 21HP /auto for $1080 delivered with no interest or payments for 12 months from Home Depot, and my old bagger fit the new tractor BETTER than my old Craftsman.


I would have bought a L111 or L118 Deere but couldn't afford it now and I had the bagger from my old mower.
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Originally posted by: Ornery

    • So, what ya buyin'? :confused:

It's gonna be a while before I decide. Probaly going to either try to save up and get a really good garden tractor - JD or Simplicity - or try to find something used.
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Just went to a local Tractor Supply Store and saw one of these. Very impressive for the money. Matches up with JD's and Simplicities costing thousands more.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Snatchface
Just went to a local Tractor Supply Store and saw one of these. Very impressive for the money. Matches up with JD's and Simplicities costing thousands more.
Well, Kohler engines are top of the line... right up there with Honda and Briggs' industrial models.

But I have no idea on the chassis.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Plan on pulling a gang mower with that, or what? How many acres do you actually have to cut?
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
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Originally posted by: Snatchface
Just went to a local Tractor Supply Store and saw one of these. Very impressive for the money. Matches up with JD's and Simplicities costing thousands more.
I think that the Cub Cadets have come down in quality over the past few years, but I haven't really looked at the newer ones too closely, so I could be wrong.

Still, the farmers I know wouldn't be caught dead buying something from TSC (Tractor Supply Company). It's generally considered to be a place for people to buy things that are "good enough", but seldom very good.

ZV
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Well I've never known a farmer who would turn down a good deal on equipment, or overpay for equipment.A comparable JD goes for about $5500. Lots of things I could buy with that extra $2500...including another tractor if the first one doesn't work out. ;)
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
4,741
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Originally posted by: Ornery
Plan on pulling a gang mower with that, or what? How many acres do you actually have to cut?

The mower deck comes with it. I have about 3 acres to cut, all told. Plus I want to start clearing a trail through the forest and want a heavy duty tractor to dig up roots and till. Also need it for snowblowing duty around here in the winter. I have about 1/4 mile worth of driveway.

Oh and it would be real nice to be able to use it to plow the pond in the winter for hockey - pond is about 1.5 acres and a bitch to shovel by hand.
 

The Sauce

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 1999
4,741
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Snatchface
Just went to a local Tractor Supply Store and saw one of these. Very impressive for the money. Matches up with JD's and Simplicities costing thousands more.
Well, Kohler engines are top of the line... right up there with Honda and Briggs' industrial models.

But I have no idea on the chassis.

Yah I have a 13 HP Kohler in my current Husqvarna tractor that's about 12 years old. It has taken quite a beating and still runs like a champ.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
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Originally posted by: Snatchface
Well I've never known a farmer who would turn down a good deal on equipment, or overpay for equipment.A comparable JD goes for about $5500. Lots of things I could buy with that extra $2500...including another tractor if the first one doesn't work out. ;)
Farmers will pay a lot for equipment that doesn't break though. A $5,500 tractor that lasts 20-30 years is a lot better than a $ 2,000 tractor that lasts 5 years.

Honestly though, go into a Simplicity dealership and ask about used models. They should be able to dig up a few 2-3 year old Simplicity models that are the sort that you're looking for and the price will be better.

ZV
 

dannybek2

Senior member
Apr 12, 2005
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I too am in the market for a riding lawn mower for my 5 acres. After reading the posts I realized it is better to buy a small tractor and some attachment to mow the lawn. Can someone steer me in the right direction on this? I've been living in the city all my life and don't have a single clue when it comes to tractors, John Deeres, and what nots.

Edit: I've got about 1700 to spend.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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$1,700 to spend? :laugh:

OMG, you're a "city boy" alright! I doubt that would even pay for the gang mower you need, let alone the tractor to pull it. Unless you want to spend all your free time cutting grass, figure on making a sizeable investment in the right tools for the job. You got a long drive that needs snow removal? How about leaves? The machine that handles the snow and leaves could also be used for the grass cutting, but maybe not. Zero turn mowers are awesome for cutting grass, but you'd be screwed for those other chores. Shop long and hard and be prepared to spend serious money.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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A guy I worked with did just that. He purchased a Ford, but I have no idea what it cost, or what mowing deck is with it, but he's THRILLED that it "only" takes a couple hours to mow with it. Talk to your neighbors, and see how they handle these chores.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
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15 acres with a push mower? Good lord you are a masochist.

When I was little my mom used to help my grandmother mow they were CONSTANTLY mowing only 5 acres. By the time they finished it was time to start over again. They finally got a riding mower & now it's an easy afternoon job.

Riding mower (at minimum) is absolutely essential if you have any decent amount of land.

Viper GTS
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
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ugh I have owned Deer, Craftsmen and now a weedeater. the Deer i got was just a rebaged deer (got a friend that works for Deer. Said the small homeowner ones are all rebaged) and it died in 4 years. Teh craftsmen died in a year. The weedeater i got is 11 years old (baught it used for $100) but the deck is busted and NOBODY is selling them.

I called Craftsmen (same deck) but they will not sale me one since its a weedeater. So i been in the market myself for a new mower.

Was thinking simplicity myself. but with only 2 acres to mow dont know if i really want ot spend 3k+ on a mower heh.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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So Erich, when you total up what you've spent so far, for all those mowers and repairs, where are you at? Wouldn't it have been better to pay the freight for the quality machine in the first place? You'd have had a good cut, quickly, all these years, plus you wouldn't be looking for a replacement right now, and the resale value is excellent if you happen to move.

Hope you're taking notes, Danie...
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
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Originally posted by: Ornery
So Erich, when you total up what you've spent so far, for all those mowers and repairs, where are you at? Wouldn't it have been better to pay the freight for the quality machine in the first place? You'd have had a good cut, quickly, all these years, plus you wouldn't be looking for a replacement right now, and the resale value is excellent if you happen to move.

Hope you're taking notes, Danie...

yeap.

If i would have just baught a 6k mower about 8 years ago i would still have it and would have spent the same.

pity i didnt. back then i was working and makeing enough to blow 6k on a mower. NOw that im retired and on a budget its a little rougher. But i might break down and spend around $5k anyway.

I really like those Toro Zero turn mowers. I dont need any attachments. Though a snow blower would be nice.

With only 2 acres (used to have a farm. so had a LOT more land) i do not need anything large either. the weedeater (before the deck fell apart) was only 41inch cut. wich was fine. i dont mind takeing time mowing. i use the slow speeds anyway. Just wish i could find a deck for it heh.

 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
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Originally posted by: fiasco
Really? So its basically like buying a car? But what about a used one?
A used Allis Chalmers or Ford or Deere about the size of the Allis in Ornery's link would be fine. Most of the farmers I know have a tractor about that size for light stuff and they're usually 40-50 years old. Those things run forever.

ZV
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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...before the deck fell apart...

Everything is fixable... everything! Between your local machine shops, auto repair, lawnmower repair and welding shops, somebody's got to be able to help. What specifically is broken? Pics?
 

shilala

Lifer
Oct 5, 2004
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I own a Deere GT 262 and a mid-range Cub Cadet (can't think of the model offhand).
They are both standout machines of extremely high quality.
I've had the Deere for 10 years and see no reason why I won't have it 20 more.
The Cub is very well built, but I have doubts on how long it'll hold up.
The neighbor has been through 3 riding mowers in the last 8 years. One was a Craftsman that lasted about a year and a half and literally fell to pieces. Another was one of those "Yard Boss" make-believe tractors. The third was some off-brand mtd made POS that fell apart in the same fashion.
You'll pay good money for a Deere, but it'll pay you back.
I bought the Cub in a pinch because my Deere dealer was on vacation and my wife broke the deck on my Deere.
Had he been around, there'd be two Deeres in the machine shed.