That’s a pretty tall order. 😀. The best approach would be to go to tractordata.com. There you can find the complete specifications for every lawn and garden tractor JD ever made in an easy-to-read format.

 

They all seem to be the same with minor changes in HP, deck width, and cosmetics. Even the numbering is fairly similar (100, 110, 120, 130, 140).

That's pretty much it. There is very little difference between them. Usually it's something very minor. I believe the "D" machines were the first with the RIO feature (or "bug" depending on your preference!). I believe Deere also changed the mower decks to the new "Edge" decks for the D100 line. In some cases the seats changed.

But none of the changes were major jumps. As you move up the line with any of them to get a few additional features (cruise control!) and some change out of parts (like larger tires).

The only tricky part to some of these is that some of the attachments aren't interchangeable. The mounts for things like the snow blowers and front blades are different over time so if someone is looking for those, they need to be aware.

 

Late year of the Sabre & Scotts JD Lawn Tractor were Built On the same frame that Became the L100 series frame(prior to that the Sabre & Scotts JD Lawn Tractor were Built On the Old STX frame) The same Frame was continued thru today's E100 series Other than cosmetic changes and some transmission changes other than that there the same Tractor. But the Sabre & Scott By JD lawn tractor & the first 3& 1/2 years of the L100 series Lawn Tractors all used K46 Transmissions In all Hydro Models and a Dana Gear transmission In the entry level Model Until they went to a General Trans for the Variable speed entry level Model. Starting during Production of the L111 Deere switched to the T40 series Trans for a Majority of the Lawn Tractor Models except the top two Model which kept the K46

G100 had a K66 Built on the GT242 thru GT275 Frame. PTO tiller available as a attachment
G110 Had a K66 Built On the L 100 series frame with Frame reinforcement at trans mission and rear Hitch so it could still take a sleeve Hitch no PTO tiller available(made 2004 & 2005 Model Years)
190C Had a K62 Use the same Frame as the G110 with frame reinforcement(basically to use up the Parts for the G110 Production and left over K62's from the LX200 series Production)( made 2006 Model year Only) had 23 X rear tires

 

Good info, thanks! Sounds like the D or newer may be the way to go for cut quality with the Edge decks.

 

I think your neighbor will be fine with any of the machines you mentioned (especially because you described his yard as flat)... I would just find the cleanest/lowest hour unit you can and test the transmission by trying to climb a steep hill. IMHO the weak link in these units is the K46 transmission.

I bought an LA130 with a 22HP B&S and a 48" deck in 2007. At the time I lived on a 110 acre farm and mowed about 3-4 acres including a 1/4 mile path to the woods through a hay field. In 2010 I moved to a house on ~3/4 acre with some steep hills. I have a 10 cu. ft. cart that I use to haul mulch, etc. around. I don't snow-blow or anything like that with the machine. In 2013 the K46 transmission stopped working. The dealer wanted $1000 to replace it. I bought a new one on eBay for $500. It installed VERY easily. I have not had any issues with it since then. Frankly, I am just waiting for it to die so that I can justify the purchase of an x300 or x500 series machine. I use the machine hard. I clean it fairly often but not as often as I should. I should blow off the dust and debris after every use but, if I am being honest, only do so about half the time. I change the oil and filters and grease all of the fittings annually. I took the deck off last year, sanded, primed and painted it (I used POR-15 on the underside).

I expected this machine to last 5 years. 13 years and one transmission later, it has definitely exceeded my expectations. I don't know the hours as the original hour meter broke a long time ago.

The LA series may be consumer grade but it still does what it is supposed to do with even just a reasonable amount of maintenance.

Good luck!

-Jon A.

 

I'm the third owner of my 2005 L130 that just turned 600 hours. My FIL bought it new, ran it a couple of years. He then upgraded to an X728 4wd. He gifted it to my BIL. He ran it for a number of years until upgrading just prior to retirement. He gifted it to me. All three of us have been meticulous regarding maintaining our equipment. BUT!: the oil has never been changed in the K46 transaxle in this machine. I have the 5W50 synthetic oil sitting on the shelf, but am waiting for the dog days of August when the grass is brown to change it.

I believe that the generations were: L130, LA130, D130 and then the "E" series.

My L130 has the 48" Edge Deck.

 

I believe that the generations were: L130, LA130, D130 and then the "E" series.

Yup. There are some quirks thrown in there just to confuse things too. Someone previously mentioned the G100 and G110 machines. There was also a "1x5" series that was only made in 2006 that squeezes in between the L1xx and LA1xx machines.

L1xx = 2003-2005
1x5 = 2006
LA1xx = 2007-2010
D1xx = 2011-2017
E1xx = 2018-Current

 

For a good sturdy machine, select a gear transmission. We have a 102 that pulls a leaf vac cart. When full, it's heavy and hard to pull. The gear drive handles it without issue. A hydro transmission would die quickly in this use. Sometimes less is more.

 

They don't make a Gear drive for the E 100 series Just a Variable speed General Transmission(composite Case) Looks Plastic to me Transmission . Supposedly there doing fine In the Entry level Model But I can see that case cracking Badly some day on somebody

 

Well, my neighbor found a good deal on LetGo for a 2013 X300 with ~280 hours. Price? $1100! We went and looked at the machine yesterday and it was solid. Needless to say, it's now sitting in his garage and it also came with a cart!

I gave it a good look over for him. The only thing I could find is that the front tires might need replacing in a couple of years. The guy who had it before really took care of it. He purchased it new and had the front bumper, a 48" Edge deck, and a striping kit added. He mowed a flat acre with it, so the transmission should be in good shape. There was no creep at all. I fiddled with the throttle a bit and the carburetor responded accordingly, with no surging. I think I may need to check the throttle cable for binding, as it doesn't back down to idle right away, but then will if you fiddle with it a bit.

At any rate, he's happy as a clam that it won't take him 4+ hours to mow with a push mower any more!

 

I'm repairing a D100 right now. The deck on it is real thin. The spindle mounting bolts had worked loose and elongated the holes. Had to clock the spindles and drill new holes.
This person also has an LA145 that I work on and it is a whole different machine, much better built!

 

I'm repairing a D100 right now. The deck on it is real thin. The spindle mounting bolts had worked loose and elongated the holes. Had to clock the spindles and drill new holes.
This person also has an LA145 that I work on and it is a whole different machine, much better built!

I remember my L118 had a pretty thin deck. I got it in '04 or '05 and it needed a pretty significant weld job when I sold it with my parent's place in '16. Thank you for your service!


I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with the 48" Edge deck. My neighbor mowed yesterday for the first time. It seems very solid for a stamped deck and the cut is fantastic.

 

What about the difference between these models and the S models I see on the JD website now?

 

The s series is a little up from these base models, but not quite up to the quality of an x350.

 

Hmmm... The S-series now includes the S1xx and S2xx machines.

The S1xx machines are the same machines as the prior L1xx/LA1xx/D1xx/E1xx machines.

 

Just too bad Deere did away w/ their old series of tractors (200,300,400). Anyone could tell what they were and some of the best they ever made IMO. Kinda like their old large tractor 30, 40, 55 series line. Back then I could tell you what each model had for HP. Now, forgetaboutit.