John Deere or Club Cadet

[18 inch Crappie]

So many choices, John Deere is like a lund boat. Everyone know the name, But Cub Cadet has some nice stuff out there now with a longer warranty,Kohler motors and bigger decks for about the same money. What do you guys think?

[harvey lee]

Tough choice.My parents had a Green one when I was mowing the lawn and it was good.I owned a Cub cadet for 11 years and it never failed me.I dont believe you can go wrong with either.Happy mowing.

[The_Duckslayer]

Every time I mow the lawn I kick myself for not buying the John Deer that my neighbor was selling. I don't know may just be me but when the job is done the one done with the JD just seems to look a lot nicer. No doubt they will all run a long time. Have a good one././Jimbo

[lawdog]

I wonder if both brands didn't cheapen up their units to sell them in the Home Depots and the local hardware stores. You still won't see any John Deeres in the local stores, but those models they have in Home Depot can't be there high end stuff because the box stores want to sell everything cheap. The Cub Cadet until the last year or so wasn't in any of those stores either so I wonder if they didn't make cheaper models to get into them???

In the past, both brands have been good. My grandpa had a Cub and it ran forever, my dad always runs JD's and they are darn nice too!

I'm running a Dixon ZTR Ram 50 and it cuts grass like crazy but it can't do some of the other things a lawn/garden tractor can... Just something else to think about with the zero turn units if that's what you are looking into.

[Tyler Holm]

I just had to make the decision. I was between JD 125 and CC 1042 and I went with the CC. I think it was $200-300 cheaper, but that's not why I bougth it. On paper the CC looks like a better mower. 3 year warranty instead of 2. Many more features that the JD. The bagger was nicer with the CC (in my opinion). Deckwash, nicer seat and steering wheel to name a few features that I can remember. I feel like I did my homework between the 2 and in the end I'm happy with my decision. I'd have more pride on the JD, and I did like the V-Twin option (but not Briggs & Stratton). The Kohlers in the CC's are better motors according to the educated people I've talked too.

[treble]

It depends on what you will be using the mower for. JD did come out with a less expensive series for this years arsenal marketed to compete with the cubs and even the craftsmen. The 100 series (ranging from $1400 to $3000) was designed mainly for residential use or for a lawn that is fairly smooth without too many obstacles. Also they were not made to a lot of other work such as tilling, although you can buy a snowblower for them. If your yard is like this, yes you can get away with pretty much any brand of mower and the main advantage that JD has in this area is their after market service, which you will not get with many other brands. If you have a bigger yard and some obstacles or if you just want to buy a mower that is built to last for years and years, you are going to want a John Deere. They have nearly everything anyone could want from tractor style to front mount to commercial to wide area mowers and i would put them side by side any other mower on the market for any purpose. An extra year of warranty is also available but needs to be purchased.

[treble]

Tyler did you compare the 1042 against the John Deere 115?? They are pretty much the exact same. Same HP, deck size, SAME price! Just wondering if you knew about the 115 at all?!?!

[Tyler Holm]

Kyle,

Yep, I did consider the JD 115, but given my hilly yard, I would have opted for the 125 for the motor. I was between the JD 125 and the CC 1042 and went CC. It was a tough call, but I did countless hours of homework on the decision and went CC and don't regret it.

[treble]

I see just wondering if you had looked at the 115 cause its very similar to the one you got.

[burl]

The units sold in home depot are lower end units to compete cost wise.I purchased my 318 jd in 1984 for about $6000.00 and it is still in pretty good shape.The engine uses a little oil and smokes some but still runs great.In the long run if you can aford it the higher end units would cost you less money per year based on getting more than double the years of use.Even under normal use it would suprise me to see more than ten years of life out of these units.Burl.

[buzzsaw]

I have the JD L120 and it is sweet, I have only had to sharpen blades and change oil and filters. I'm certain Cub Cadet and others are good as well, but JD is and has always been the leader in lawn equipment right?

The only thing that might be nicer is having that zero radius turning unit that some offer (I think thats what it's called).

[Marmot]

Quote:

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I wonder if both brands didn't cheapen up their units to sell them in the Home Depots and the local hardware stores.

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I know this to be true for brand name push mowers (Honda, Toro, Lawnboy).

I was considering buying a Honda push mower from HD. I did some research (mostly Consumer Reports) and found out the Honda motors from HD are not the good Honda motors you can buy from dealers.

Instead of buying a new mower, I bought a JD push mower (model SB14/42 or something like that) at an auction. I got the JD for $120 and it probably had only a couple years of light use on it. I asked the local JD dealer the new price of that mower and they said 7 or 8 bills.

[IFallsRon]

A friend's brother sells at Mies in Watkins. He suggests buying a JD this year as the overall quality of the riding models for next year isn't nearly as good.

[treble]

The John Deere models that are sold in Home Depot are the same as what are sold at the dealerships. Same price too as far as I know. I think they are selling them there just to have some side by side comparisons cause you normally dont get in the dealership. As far as next years riding mowers being of less quality, I really question that. Most of the models offered this year by John Deere (100 Series and X Series) were just introduced this year and i believe most of them will go unchanged for at least a couple of years. When you buy JD you buy a quality machine with a promise of great service to back it up.

[Tyler Holm]

The JD 100 series tractor is the same price at JD dealerships as it is on the floor at Home Depot. Home Depot CANNOT adjust this price as it is set by JD. The only thing HomeDepot can do is offer you incentives such as a free cover, financing, etc... The mowers are EXACTLY the same at HomeDepot as they are from any JD dealership. Yes, the 100 series is a cheaper grade of JD tractors, but its the same exact machine no matter where you buy it. The reason its a cheaper grade of tractor is to compete other residential tractor mowers.

You might benefit from buying from the dealership in terms of service work. If you buy from a dealership that also does the service, you'll likely get your machine fixed much faster than the alternative.

[wingnutken]

I know people in the lawn care business who are familiar with both brands. I could connect you with him if you are interested. He probably has something used he would sell so he could upgrade. Hope this helps, Ken

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