Hey guys. I have an opportunity to buy a John Deere LT150. It has a snow plow, chains,weights,trailer, and a thatcher. Any reviews? How about any problems? Is there enough horsepower? Please help with this!!!! Thanks
John Deere Lt150
- Thread starter JoeyMitch
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Displaced Hokie
Well-known member
I work for JD and know those well. LT150 was a good solid lawn tractor. Plenty of power, but traction is your problem when pushing snow. Weights and chains will do the trick though. I can't remember any real issues with those. Good Kohler engine, sturdy frame, basic 5spd trans. I liked the LT-Series a lot, a lot of value for the $.
What is the price? Those sold new for $1999, 42" blade was @ $350, chains $50, weights $75, thatcher $150, and trailer $150. Probably a good deal at $1000.
What is the price? Those sold new for $1999, 42" blade was @ $350, chains $50, weights $75, thatcher $150, and trailer $150. Probably a good deal at $1000.
mfraser
Member
I had an LT160 a few years back and mine used to eat a lot of belts. Had it at the dealer twice and they had said it was quite normal. Other then that it was an excellent machine. The snow plow worked great with wheel weights as long as the snow wasn't wet and heavy ( worked for top soil also quite well ). Just my two cents.
I've got an LT150. If you are going to work it, make sure it is a manual transaxle. The hydostatics are a weak spot. I got mine used. The deck had a bad vibration, so I picked up another used one that had a dead hydro transaxle. I swapped the decks and found a replacement transaxle. Was hoping to keep the hydro, but it was slower than the gear trans and after reading about the weak points of the Tuff-Torq K46 decided to get rid of it.
Look around at some lawn tractor forums. Consensus is that the hydro gets hot and slows down. Hills are problematic, and any acreage (5 or so) is too large.
I've had the same belts on for the last 4 years. No problems yet. (Now that I mention this, Murphy's law states that they will break tomorrow when I am trying to finish cutting before the 1:00 game)
Look around at some lawn tractor forums. Consensus is that the hydro gets hot and slows down. Hills are problematic, and any acreage (5 or so) is too large.
I've had the same belts on for the last 4 years. No problems yet. (Now that I mention this, Murphy's law states that they will break tomorrow when I am trying to finish cutting before the 1:00 game)
TDLMOMOWERS
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2012
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Buy the kevlar belts. They last a lot longer than the cheaper belts.
Ive had a JD LT155 since 2003 and its been a champ. My folks just picked up a used one and sold their Toro as they were so impressed with mine. Make sure you stick to 10w-30 oil though, the hydraulic lifters will clog up with heavier oils and you can get clatter if you use them...so use only 10w-30 on the Kohler. I would definitely buy it all over again.
JASTECH
Well-known member
I have the L120 Hydro with np so far. Would rather have manual but nobody out here has it. I'd trade straight and the hydro is more.
My Dad has the L150 and it has burnt/blown the second blade engage switch.
My Dad has the L150 and it has burnt/blown the second blade engage switch.
Hello All!
Just bought a very clean 2002 model LT150 auto for $800. Checked oil at the seller's house, drove and cut some around his house, loaded into my truck and home with it - worked great! Went to cut for the 1st time today - oil was full on the stick, so I cut about 3/10 of an acre, it ran smoothly, cut great at about 60% throttle - couldn't be happier. I was just backing up the driveway, and it started sounding like bad valves, then stalled. It still cranks and will run - but it's noisy! I checked the oil again, and it was now just showing on the tip of the stick. The JD dealer changed oil and filter in 2012 (marked on filter), and said they used 10w-30.
My first Deere, and I was thrilled with it. Now not so much. Thoughts, anyone?
Appreciatively, feedman
Just bought a very clean 2002 model LT150 auto for $800. Checked oil at the seller's house, drove and cut some around his house, loaded into my truck and home with it - worked great! Went to cut for the 1st time today - oil was full on the stick, so I cut about 3/10 of an acre, it ran smoothly, cut great at about 60% throttle - couldn't be happier. I was just backing up the driveway, and it started sounding like bad valves, then stalled. It still cranks and will run - but it's noisy! I checked the oil again, and it was now just showing on the tip of the stick. The JD dealer changed oil and filter in 2012 (marked on filter), and said they used 10w-30.
My first Deere, and I was thrilled with it. Now not so much. Thoughts, anyone?
Appreciatively, feedman
fatboyf150
Well-known member
Post video?
carterbeauford
Well-known member
enough horsepower is a relative question, for a 38" deck, yes.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
The oil must have gone somewhere, look for it. If it was burning that much oil I imagine you would have noticed the smoke. It was overdue for an oil change.
Worst case new motor, if the mower is worth it.
Worst case new motor, if the mower is worth it.
No Sweat Photos
Well-known member
Always mow with any adjustable throttle mower a full speed !! It will mow better and run cooler at full speed 
Displaced Hokie
Well-known member
Full throttle while mowing or it could overheat. If the oil got hot and thinned, the hydraulic lifters could be noisy. Hot oil will also go to a vapor and be consumed via the breather system, thus the drop in level.
Drain the oil and replace with any brand 10w-30 100% synthetic. Then run it like you stole it and report back.
Drain the oil and replace with any brand 10w-30 100% synthetic. Then run it like you stole it and report back.
Tarabel
New member
Glad I found this thread..
I received an LT150 with a peice of property I purchased. The owner had it serviced yearly until his death - since about 2010 it has been part of an estate but used regularly for upkeep while this property was for sale.
Last year in the fall when I closed on the property I used it a few times and it worked well.
I'm attempting to start it for this spring - the mower turns over but isn't starting. My husband checked and the spark plug is fine - he removed the oil filter and it looked clean.
Any thoughts?
(Newbie JD owner
~Tara
I received an LT150 with a peice of property I purchased. The owner had it serviced yearly until his death - since about 2010 it has been part of an estate but used regularly for upkeep while this property was for sale.
Last year in the fall when I closed on the property I used it a few times and it worked well.
I'm attempting to start it for this spring - the mower turns over but isn't starting. My husband checked and the spark plug is fine - he removed the oil filter and it looked clean.
Any thoughts?
(Newbie JD owner
~Tara
Displaced Hokie
Well-known member
If it hasn't run in several years, likely the carburetor is a solid chunk of goo by now. Fuel will gum them up in 6 mos these days, imagine it after years. Could verify by spraying some carb cleaner into the carb while trying to start it. If it hits or even runs on the carb cleaner, then you know there is no fuel delivery from the carb. The jets and passages are clogged up.
Pull the carb and clean it and see what happens. I would expect to replace it though. @ $150 I think. Don't forget to drain and clean the tank too. Suction it out.
Pull the carb and clean it and see what happens. I would expect to replace it though. @ $150 I think. Don't forget to drain and clean the tank too. Suction it out.