John Deere Tractor Model L130 Review

Review By : Anonymous on 4/15/2010
Price Paid : $2,300.00
Years of Use : 3+ Years
Implements :
Purchased From : Southern Tractor

Comment: Strengths Even though the engine backfires Kohler is a great engine. Transmission so far. Southern Tractor in Canton Mississippi, great service and employees.

Weaknesses The Kohler engine is a plus but it backfires on shutdown, dealer advised to let it idle down 30 seconds and apply full throttle and cut engine off. No more backfires but an awful lot of aggravation. Front end just broke in half this afternoon. The belt gets damaged quite easily, I have to replace at least once a year. Front bushings replaced twice, front spindles replaced twice. Does not steer easily, just noticed the steering gear needs replaced. I have replaced the deck spindles once, thank goodness they have a grease fitting. I also replaced several pulleys on the deck, and a tensioner spring. The steering wheel seems that it is going to break off any day.

Overall I wonder where the materials are supplied to make these lawnmowers, seems to be awful cheap to be american. As with everything that our family has, I repair it myself if not we would be broke. The actual sad thing is this is my 75 year old mothers lawnmower who has put about half the 270 hours on the mower, and she called me quite often to come and fix it. This mower only cuts approximately 2 acres. Last mower was a Yamaha, I wish they still made them. John Deere I say shame on you.

Parts : Performance : 4 Ease of Use : 7 Financing : Reliability : 1 Overall : 4 

Review By : Josh Adword on 4/14/2010
Price Paid : $2,399.00
Years of Use : 3+ Years
Implements :
Purchased From : Home Depot shop

Strengths Kohler Motor has always started.

Weaknesses Like a broken record of all the other reviews. Motor smokes at startup, backfires at shut down. Steering is horrible, have replaced steering column gear and tie arm plate twice. Replaced mower deck spindle for bearing failure. Replaced both front axle bushings, completely worn out. Just yesterday the “Cast Iron” for durability front axle snapped in half. My wife calls it the Lemon. Yes, very disappointed, had a KMart mower before this one for 11 years and NEVER had the problems I have with this mower. No comparison to the REAL John Deere mowers you can buy at the dealers. I am borrowing my neighbors X500 Multi Terrain John Deere for now and there is no comparison in quailty between the two. Parts are not cheap and the mark ups at the John Deere dealer are ridiculous compared to what I can by online.

Overall Not a John Deere………just labeled that way. Very disappointed, makes you think twice about why John Deere keeps selling this junk at Lowes or Home Depot. You dont even get what you pay for with this tractor.

Parts : 3 Performance : 5 Ease of Use : 1 Financing : Reliability : 4 Overall : 3