29 replies to this topic

[LilysDad]

I had a Maytag washer back when. It died and I got one of these new fangled government mandated washers. Well, it's been 6-7 years and it is reaching it's life expectancy. I'd sure like to find another old style Maytag in  nice shape.

[Kmac1]

I've noticed if it's got a plastic hood it's not as good.  

[Banjopicker10]

I've noticed if it's got a plastic hood it's not as good.  

I love that!!!!! I think I might make a bumper sticker with that on it    

[John Arsenault]

 

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This was my solution

[chieffan]

I am about to go that way with the 782 cub that shucked the Kohler last fall.  Not sure if I want to go Predator and with a used B&S.  Either would be better than that older Kohler.

[classic]

You can't even get a good metal fan rake these days. I broke the springs on two of them, so I buy old ones at yard sales. The new springs look like they are made out of pot metal where they broke. If you want dependable stuff, buy old stuff and rebuild it. You will then get 20-30 years out of what you buy, maybe more. Things they make today are no better than movie props.

Edited by classic, January 08, 2021 - 04:10 PM.

[Kurtee]

I've noticed if it's got a plastic hood it's not as good.  

Really? You are saying that Deere and Company is marketing junk? 

 

 

I only own 3 so that makes my day. X590, X739, 2032R.

Edited by Kurtee, January 08, 2021 - 07:08 PM.

[Kurtee]

John deeres biggest "x700 signature series" is $10,000 and dosent have the frame or driveline of a base model in the 60's-80's! I think someone should make a new well built garden tractor series! Cause i aint paying 10 grand for something that isint even as good as a 100$ barn find! What are your thoughts? you think they are just as well built? Or think they were built better back then. 

How did you form this opinion? Have you actually inspected one? 

[classic]

Cub Cadet 169 with 50" deck, purchase price in 1974 was 2255.00. Today, that would equate to 11,902.00 with inflation. Just something to think about.

[jcp7hp]

How did you form this opinion? Have you actually inspected one?

Yea my uncles buddy has a x738 and I watched their house for a week and cut their grass with it. They actually had a John Deere b rotting out in their Feild. I spent most my time looking at the x700 and mowing with it. The newer ones are always gonna be more user friendly and comfortable.. but I took a good look of it. No where near as heavy duty as the old ones. Frame is like bent sheet metal and just isint all that much. I also own a John Deere x500 and John Deere x320. Just not all that capable!

[jcp7hp]

Really? You are saying that Deere and Company is marketing junk?


I only own 3 so that makes my day. X590, X739, 2032R.

Well I also own 3! John Deere x500, x320, GT235. Gt235 is best built of all. Exept that damn hood! John Deere made a crappy plastic hood those times. Junk! Otherwise the rest of the tractor was fine. I’ve been having charging issues with the 235 and the x320 is having some slight hydro issues. They don’t build them like they used to! Plastic hoods are junk. Most are anyways. Never have good luck with them. The x500 and 320 have already broke the bottom part of hood that goes around the pedals and the gt235 dosent even have one...

Edited by jcp7hp, January 08, 2021 - 10:59 PM.

[John Arsenault]

I am about to go that way with the 782 cub that shucked the Kohler last fall.  Not sure if I want to go Predator and with a used B&S.  Either would be better than that older Kohler.

Yamaha, Honda, Kohler, Briggs, anything but a china clone, I feel if you are going to make a swap that using something of good quality to start with is the best, Predator is on the bottom of the list. 

[Kurtee]

Yea my uncles buddy has a x738 and I watched their house for a week and cut their grass with it. They actually had a John Deere b rotting out in their Feild. I spent most my time looking at the x700 and mowing with it. The newer ones are always gonna be more user friendly and comfortable.. but I took a good look of it. No where near as heavy duty as the old ones. Frame is like bent sheet metal and just isint all that much. I also own a John Deere x500 and John Deere x320. Just not all that capable!

So what are your credentials to say that the newer ones are inadequate? A degree in structural engineering perhaps? Just because something is heavier does not mean it is stronger. Strategic bends and creases add strength to steel. Anyone can build heavier, the challenge is to build it lighter, and maintain the durabilty, plus keep material cost down. We can judge the durabiltiy of these new ones in 10 -20 years. The hard parts will be the easy part, The electronics will most likely out dated and unavailable. You are correct in the statement that they don't make them like they used to, nobody does.  

[Kmac1]

It all depends on what you like, are familiar with and are used to.  My preference is an all metal GT.  There is a John Deere in my barn, (not mine) zero turn with steering wheel and plastic hood which has a hole you could put a soccer ball through. New hood price is what 300-$400 maybe.  I'd rather have a metal hood with a dent than a plastic hood with a hole in it.  I have a BX2360 Kubota with a metal hood and plastic below it that surrounds the engine.  I've had to replace the plastic piece once already because it broke in a couple places.  The hood has some dents and scratches in it but they can be fixed and painted, or left alone.  Plastic has its place but for me its place is not the hood of GT.  My opinion.

[twowheeler63]

My older son bought a CC 1554 Super Lawn tractor 15 years ago, and it's been mowing 5 acres weekly ever since. That being said, it has had the usual parts replaced several times, such as deck spindles, belts(it's very hard on belts) and tires. The plastic hood has a bungee cord holding it down, but it's still mows. It was also $2500.

 

Myself, I have several different makes of older GTs, Sears ST16s, Ford 110, Simplicity 7016, Cub Cadet 129, and AC B110s just to name a few. I mow 2 acres with the 74' Sears ST16, and am happy.

 

My Ford LT110, is technically a lawn tractor, but it's built as heavily as all of the rest of the old ones.