Just bought my first JD lawn tractor

I should also add that the Husqvarna I replaced the K46 transaxle in this year had 440hrs on it. Husky says the transaxle is lifetime filled with oil, it needs serviced. I think JD says every 200hrs. If I had one I would probably service it every 100hrs. You have to remove the transaxle to do it but it is not very hard. If the K46 ever goes look for a K66. You can find them new for $300. You will have to change your wheels and do some minor fab work. The K66 is what is under the JD X540. I would have gone this route on the Husqvarna but he needed the limited slip differential that his k46 had. The cheaper K66 are jsut a locking differential If this guys K46 had been serviced a couple of times it may still be running.

 

The old Craftsman GT with Briggs 18hp Opposed Twin II will last you. Bought this one in 2007 that needed little things. The engine is 1989, so I figure tractor is close to that. Keeps on chugging along but it is a thirsty beast.

 

If you can't cut 3 acres of grass including mild hills when it's 96F outside it's a useless machine??

 

I have changed to the synthetic oil 5 w 50 sounds right. A year or so ago i tried to find a rebuild kit but could not find any one who sold them. Are they still available? The mower is great no problems other than the trans issue and occassionaly the stearing plate and gear. She runs and cuts so well I hate to give up on her.

 

That's why I'm really happy I got my dad's Ariens GT 17 garden tractor. That thing is solid. My mom just got a couple year old Ariens mowing tractor with a 23 hp Briggs v twin for mowing up north by the camper. It seems pretty nice, but I don't think it will be usable in 33 years like my old GT17 is.

 

17 years old, 813 hours, got the tractor, 60" deck, John Deere 15 wagon and Fimco sprayer, installed new battery, new set of glow plugs, new fuel filter housing, complete fluid and filter change. All in for right at $650. Been wanting one for years, just happened to be at the right place at the right time with cash in my pocket....

 

Deal of the year right there.

 

Wow that 455 is a beaut. I am still waiting for the right deal to come along, I'd like to get my hands on a vintage late 60's or early 70's heavy garden tractor, for woods work and pulling a small trailer around the property. Don't really need one but it would be a fun project.

My Dad still runs the very first garden tractor he ever bought - a 1971 Bolens Husky 1254 with a 48" belly deck. Thing is still pretty mint, I don't think it's ever been even rained on once. All original except for the muffler, that was replaced about fifteen years ago. He still mows about four acres with it every week. Slow, loud, heavy and reliable with the Wisconsin engine.

 

That old and 4 acres a week!!! they sure don't make them like that anymore!

Not rained on once. I try not to let stuff get rained on either but I often forget after going inside and getting sidetracked doing something else or playing with my son.

 

That diesel will run forever. They still go for 3500 to 5000.

I just missed a deal on one for 2k about a month ago. I'm still pizzed. Illegal Mexicans bought it on the spot. My parents new neighbor inherited it from the previous homeowner and didn't know what they had.

60 inch cutting deck, plow, wheel weights for 2000. Baaaaah

 

That's a solid mower right there. Bought one new. Put 900+ hours on it and only replaced the deck belt, battery and one spindle. Great mowers! My one complaint is reverse speed was dismally slow. Plus side is that you can reverse without a safety switch.

 

Those reverse safety switches are eas to defeat. I bypassed the one on the troy built Bronco I was given. I kept cutting mower off trying to mow in reverse

 

I got the old Craftsman welded up last week and put back together on the weekend. I'll use it on the more brutal areas of the lawn and for shuttling the woodsplitter around.
I defeated the backup switch and seat switch on the JD also which will make my life much easier. The seat switch was a sneaky one but thanks to the internet the dirty deed has been done successfully.

 

I am on my 3rd summer with the D140 and it's been great. Mowed an acre with an LA100 for 9 years before it. Not a single problem from either. I think keeping them out of the rain and the basic maintenance are key to keeping these mowers working as they should.

Enjoy your new mower and the old workhorse