Thread: Importing a ride on mower from the US

Originally Posted by Tote

For what it's worth one of the blokes at work went through the same exercise and came to the conclusion that the X series was much better than the LA. He's very happy with his new toy but only has a couple of acres to mow.
Regards,
Tote

Thats exactly it. I found the same when I test drove them and had them side by side at the JD dealer. Its interesting as the written stats show them as being almost totally the same and even the general design and layout is the same, but the execution is totally different. The X320 started at the flick of the switch, the LA145 had to be cranked for quite a while. The X320 was smooth to drive, the LA145 was jiggly and looking at the construction the X320 was significantly stronger throughout such as in the steering linkages etc. Likewise it had adjustable and stronger wheels on the deck to prevent it from grazing the ground. The dealer also reckons that despite the 2 different motors having the same hp rating, the X320 cuts significantly faster than the LA145 when taller grass loads it all up. He said the LA145 would be a 5 year proposition for me and the X320 would be a 15 year proposition. $4900 compared to $7000.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Thats exactly it. I found the same when I test drove them and had them side by side at the JD dealer. Its interesting as the written stats show them as being almost totally the same and even the general design and layout is the same, but the execution is totally different. The X320 started at the flick of the switch, the LA145 had to be cranked for quite a while. The X320 was smooth to drive, the LA145 was jiggly and looking at the construction the X320 was significantly stronger throughout such as in the steering linkages etc. Likewise it had adjustable and stronger wheels on the deck to prevent it from grazing the ground. The dealer also reckons that despite the 2 different motors having the same hp rating, the X320 cuts significantly faster than the LA145 when taller grass loads it all up. He said the LA145 would be a 5 year proposition for me and the X320 would be a 15 year proposition. $4900 compared to $7000.

Cheaper to buy a tractor & Slasher.
More Flexability
Cheers

Originally Posted by Piddler

Cheaper to buy a tractor & Slasher.
More Flexability
Cheers

Thats true. I guess my needs are to mow around the house paddock and to slash the paddock if it gets too wild. I'm not sure the tractor will do around the house, and thats the main reason for it. When the rest has stock then hopefully they will generally keep things down. I can also keep the mower in the garage where the tractor wont fit with the cars. Interestingly though, you can get buckets and blades for the X320! Not even remotely as HD as the tractor though. There are mini tractors/mowers, but very exy - I think Id prefer the ride on

Slash what you can with the tractor and then finish of with a push mower.

Go the ride on, most farms have them despite having a tractor. The last farm I spent time on did have a ride on but it was such a pain, it kept throwing the belts. I was prepared to remount the belts but the lady that lived on the property ended up using a Honda Buffalo push mower as it was too difficult for her to do the belts on the ride on. Can't remember the brand of ride on but it was a two deck thing.

Noticed these Simon may interest you

John Deere Ride-On Mowers - Brisbane

CHeers

Oh well. The local John Deere shop had a sharp enough pencil for me and a deal was struck. I'm now just waiting for a new X340 to arrive from Melbourne. I look forward to spending many mindless hours on it.

Now you just need a MP3 player and a pair of these:


They make lawnmowing much more enjoyable.

Regards,
Tote

Not wrong! I guess this may be reason to buy one after all of these years.