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- Comfortable ride and handling
- Cast-iron axle, full-pressure lube
- Strong bagging performance
- Lots of attachments available
- Not suited for larger lawns
- Complaints about reliability, durability
- No front bumper
- Weak performance on hills or rough terrain
The 42-inch John Deere LA115 is the budget automatic transmission model in John Deere's 100 series of lawn tractors. Reviewers say it is a good buy for homeowners with relatively small, flat lawns of up to 1.5 acres, and they praise its even cutting. It also mulches and bags well, though the kits cost extra. The tractor's automatic transmission, adjustable seat, headlights and washout port add to its ease of use.
Some owners disagree with professional reviewers, however, complaining about uneven cutting, poor bagging and especially problems with parts breaking. For larger lawns or lawns with more obstacles, reviews prefer the 42-inch John Deere X304 (*Est. $3,600), which has a sturdier build. The X304's four-wheel steering and 15-inch turning radius make it easy to maneuver around obstacles.
The best review of the John Deere LA115 tractor is available from ConsumerReports.org, where it's put through exhaustive objective tests and ranked in comparison with 21 lawn tractors. A single-product review at ConsumerGuide.com provides more details. We also found useful owner-written reviews at Lowes.com, HomeDepot.com, CompactTractorReview.com and GardenWeb.com forums. John Deere lawn tractors are also discussed in forums, and complaints about durability and customer service are published at ConsumerAffairs.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
This review compares the John Deere LA115 with 22 other lawn tractors across a wide price range. All 23 lawn tractors are ranked based on weeks of objective mowing tests. The resulting ratings chart shows each model's ratings based on six factors. Reviews and ratings from owners are also published here.
Review: Tractors and Riders, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2010
This detailed expert review recommends the John Deere LA115 lawn tractor as an excellent buy for all but heavy-duty lawn maintenance. The LA115 is said to cut less evenly on tall grass and tough weeds.
Review: Expert Review: John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, April 7, 2008
3. Lowes.com
More than 50 owners give the John Deere LA115 fairly high average ratings for its design, value and ease of use. One enthusiastic owner says, "I bought the LA115 2 weekends ago and I cannot wait to cut my yard again." Another says, "What a dream!"
Review: John Deere 19.5-HP Hydrostatic 42" Cut Lawn Tractor, Contributors to Lowes.com
4. CNNMoney.com
In this brief article, West Palm Beach, Fla., horticulturist Mike Page recommends a John Deere model that is one step up from the LA115 -- the John Deere LA125 (*Est. $1,800), which works well for lawns of half an acre or more. Page doesn't compare mowers or recommend any others.
Review: Gardening Gear, Charles Passy, April 19, 2006
A handful of owners review the John Deere LA115, noting its limitations and highlighting some problems -- for example, the front wheel alignment can't be adjusted. Several report problems with belts coming off or breaking. One owner says it's fine for flat lawns under an acre.
Review: John Deere LA115 Reviews, Contributors to CompactTractorReview.com
The handful of owners reviewing the John Deere LA115 lawn tractor here are enthusiastic about it, but they haven't been using it long.
Review: John Deere 42 In., 19.5 HP, Exclusive John Deere Engine by Briggs & Stratton, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
7. SSB Tractor
This long discussion covers a lot of details about the John Deere LA115, but the discussion also wanders off track at times.
Review: John Deere LA115 vs. Husqvarna YTH20k46 Help Plz., Contributors to SSBTractor.com, 2008-2009
This forum discussion highlights differences between the John Deere LA115 and the sturdier John Deere X300 series, with some debate about which model uses which transmission. The transmission on the less expensive LA115 isn't rebuildable. You can find other discussions about John Deere LA115 lawn tractors in this forum.
Review: John Deere LA115 vs. John Deere X300, Contributors to GardenWeb.com, June 2008
This site publishes feedback from users and is organized by brand and manufacturer. Almost every manufacturer receives complaints here, but we were surprised to find about 50 new complaints regarding John Deere lawn tractors since our 2009 report -- added to dozens from previous years.
Review: John Deere, Contributors to ConsumerAffairs.com
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