I have a friend that has a smaller John Deere riding mower (picture attached). Do they still make this kind? It is not on the John Deere website, and I heard it was recalled a while back.
Sadly, JD does not make rear engine riders anymore. Seems the SUV Generation want their riding mowers to look like full size tractors to match their monster trucks. I have a John Deere Model 68 RER from the 1980s, I believe, and it's great for mowing a 1/2 acre lot. I can't tell from the tiny picture what model that one is, but JD made several different models of that style. Unfortunately, many parts for these are no longer available.
#3
lawn mower fanatic
That stinks. I wish they still made a rear-engine rider like Snapper and Troy-Bilt.
Snapper still makes them. I've also seen 2 or 3 other brands. However, using SUV logic, it doesn't look like you get as much machine for your money compared to the cheapest tractor-style mowers.
My neighbor has a J.D Model R72 for sale. Its rough but does run. It had an 8 horse Briggs that coughed up a valve seat so I replaced it for him with a 12 Horse Briggs. Has sat for a year and now it needs a battery. Mowin little thing tho, he helped me mow my yard once last spring after it was running and it mowed just fine. I think he was asking 200 bucks for it but will check to be certain. Its here at my house right now in sunny central Ohio. Oh yea, reverse is a little lame....
Those JD rear engine riders are solid, reliable machines. I agree on the transmission. It's the most awkward shifting box I've experienced. I mostly only use 3rd and Reverse. I can't miss reverse because it's at the end and 3rd seems to be the only gear with a detent, but then the gate is really worn. Those old Deeres will run forever. Even when you can't find parts, you can fix them with a welder and a hammer. 12 hp is what they really need. My 8 hp bogs down in heavy, tall grass.
Tell ya what tho, After looking at the clean sexy lines of my 1969 112:licking:,and 96 STX38 (Special John Deere Motorsports Edition) Its an ugly little b^*%&, but I am impressed for the shape its in It was a mowin fool. im gonna drag it out in the next week or so and get it fired up, Well after I mow the yard with "Hoss" (2007 LT180):thumbsup:
