John DeereL LX172

[coop402]

I am about to buy a John Deere LX172.

It needs some help, but I can do the work.

It has a 14 hp overhead valve Kawasaki motor. I think these are pretty solid.

I have heard that the newer John Deere yard tractors are not built that well.

What do you folks think about the ones built in the mid 90s like this one.

It has been garaged and I am only paying 125 for it. Looks clean. Needs motor work.
for the price I will probably go through the motor, at minimum a valve job. Rings. Not sure until I get in there.


Opinions are welcome.

 

[Carscw]

I am about to buy a John Deere LX172. It needs some help, but I can do the work. It has a 14 hp overhead valve Kawasaki motor. I think these are pretty solid. I have heard that the newer John Deere yard tractors are not built that well. What do you folks think about the ones built in the mid 90s like this one. It has been garaged and I am only paying 125 for it. Looks clean. Needs motor work. for the price I will probably go through the motor, at minimum a valve job. Rings. Not sure until I get in there. Opinions are welcome.

It being a mid 90s model I would get it fix it and sell it to a john Deere fan.
Check the blade spindles make sure the housings are in good shape. They can get a little pricey.
The big plus on this model is the engine and the deck.
A big minus is the steering gets sloppy

 

[coop402]

It being a mid 90s model I would get it fix it and sell it to a john Deere fan.
Check the blade spindles make sure the housings are in good shape. They can get a little pricey.
The big plus on this model is the engine and the deck.
A big minus is the steering gets sloppy

You might be right about that.
I am going to perform a leak down test, I figure it will need a valve job minimum.
If I can get away with that, breaking the glaze and a set of rings, I will be very happy.

Seems as though the motor in great running condition is worth quite a bit.

I may part this thing out? Not sure.

 

[Carscw]

You might be right about that. I am going to perform a leak down test, I figure it will need a valve job minimum. If I can get away with that, breaking the glaze and a set of rings, I will be very happy. Seems as though the motor in great running condition is worth quite a bit. I may part this thing out? Not sure.

This is how I look at it if all you use is the tires off it you saved money.
I don't like junk deere but but I will buy them for parts for other mowers or to sell the parts.
The engine running will bring about $150 to $200 The rearend $100
They are worth more in parts.

I would buy it and maybe use it a few times. The mid 90s and earlier were good mowers.

 

[briggs]

This is how I look at it if all you use is the tires off it you saved money.
I don't like junk deere but but I will buy them for parts for other mowers or to sell the parts.
The engine running will bring about $150 to $200 The rearend $100
They are worth more in parts.

I would buy it and maybe use it a few times. The mid 90s and earlier were good mowers.

yes i do agree there ...I don't like the newer (box store) ones myself they are a MTD product with a John Deere sticker on it and there junk same with the Cub cadet ..Wish they would have left them alone ......But i will say there easy to get parts for

 

[coop402]

This is how I look at it if all you use is the tires off it you saved money.
I don't like junk deere but but I will buy them for parts for other mowers or to sell the parts.
The engine running will bring about $150 to $200 The rearend $100
They are worth more in parts.

I would buy it and maybe use it a few times. The mid 90s and earlier were good mowers.

I lucked out, the thing had over 100 pounds compression cold.
Fuel was garbage.

Rebuilt the carb and found out that the fuel shutoff valve was stuck. cleaned it with pb, tested with a battery.
Put it back together.....

The darn thing started in like 10 seconds. No smoke, no valve noise, nothing weird.
It runs as good as any Kawasaki I have ever heard.

Checked the charging system, I am getting 14.2 volts at the battery while running. So that is good.

Gearbox works great. Cuts grass.

I think it is time to part it out.

 

[Carscw]

Sounds like you got a good deal.
Now you have a good spare engine