Many have seen them on the shelves at major stores like Lowe's, Home Depot and other places. People often get hooked by the name "John Deere." While these tractors are made in the USA, many folks could swear they aren't. The lack of quality and the constant headaches they cause can only raise an eyebrow to these tractors.
Their brothers before them the L and LA series lawn tractors were thought by Deere as a competitor to such brand names as Craftsman and MTD. What they have put out is a tractor series that has let down many people and is ruining the reputation of John Deere and the consumer equipment division.
Issues range from the construction of the deck and the gauge wheels, which seem to lack the sturdiness to mow large yards. To the pulley system on the mower deck and the bearing housings for the blades, which often fail. The most promising thing about these tractors is that the parts are relatively cheap and are always available at your local John Deere dealer.
If I was going to purchase this a lawn tractor I would go with the X300 series of John Deere. They are more heavy duty and have stronger components for working a longer and larger amount of ground. My dealership I work for doesn't even stock the D series mowers anymore and suggest that their customers move up to the next size up just for the fact of the quality.
When you travel to choose your new lawn tractor this spring make a look at both series and you will see the difference.
