[Innocent Bystander]

I am looking at purchasing a lawn tractor in the next couple of days. I have been looking at getting a John Deere, but have noticed that Sears has their Craftsman tractors marked down by 300.00, making them about 700.00 cheaper than the John Deere with the same horse power and cutting deck size.

Can anybody in here give me a reason to justify the price difference of the Deere? Any input would be appreciated...well, any relevant input would be appreciated.

[Fumblerooskies]

I would go on-line and look at reliability ratings. Sears usually puts out a good product.

[4everfsu]

I was going to buy a John Deere last year, they look nice, but I went with a MTD rider from Lowes, saved me about 1000. Basically as long as you maintan it, it should last. I mean all I want to do is cut grass with it. Now would I want want to cut on a dime, sure, but I rather have that $1000 for something else

[Sly Fox]

You are paying for the John Deere name and potential resale value with green tractor. Check the Craftsman tractor and see ... it may have the exact same engine as the Deere. If so, that should answer your questions. If not, then check Consumer Reports.

John Deere is the status line of lawn tractors. If that appeals to you knock yourself out.

[kel varson]

John Deere = Cadillac

Sears = Chevrolet

Oh, and John Deere tractor's are more fun to drive.

[LUconn]

My dad has had a Craftsman for probably the last 12 years. No problems at all with regular maintanance.

[Innocent Bystander]

You are paying for the John Deere name and potential resale value with green tractor. Check the Craftsman tractor and see ... it may have the exact same engine as the Deere. If so, that should answer your questions. If not, then check Consumer Reports.

John Deere is the status line of lawn tractors. If that appeals to you knock yourself out.

They both have a Briggs and Straton Engine. I was just wondering if there was something else I was missing. Personally, all things being equal, I would rather buy from Sears. I made a bad decision when we bought our minivan by taking the "good deal" on a Dodge instead of spending more on a Honda. Now that I am on a first name basis with the service writer at the Dodge dealer, I am leery of making the same mistake twice.

[Sly Fox]

Just avoid the Murray.

[LUconn]

Plus craftsman is a quality name brand. All of their tools have a lifetime warrantee. Obviously a machine like this wouldn't, but it's not like we're talking Sam's Choice/Great Value Lawnmowver

[mrich]

You know your a redneck when...

[JDUB]

get a craftsman, change the oil every year, do whatever other mainence your supposed too, and you'll be good.
if you decide you want a deere, get some green spray paint and turn it into one

[Libertine]

Consumer Reports Best Buys w/ scores: *

Craftsman 27690 -- 74 -- $2,000

John Deere 102 -- 67 -- $1,400

John Deere 125 -- 76 -- $1,800

* courtesy of consumerreports.org

[FlameDad]

MTD made on same line as JD

My old Craftsman 12-horse lasted 22 years through 3 owners.

[PAmedic]

I consider myself the authority on Craftsman lawn tractors

not really- but I do have one.

BYSTANDER is correct- most DO use the faithful Briggs and Stratton motor- which mine has.

they will also throw in a Kohler in the bigger ones (18hp or more)

My Craftsman (16 hp automatic trans, 42" cut, cost me 1100 bucks) is 6 yrs old and I am possibly the WORST owner out there. Nearly NO PM and I smash it into things every week. (trees, stumps, rocks)

you can't kill the thing.

Here's the only weakness on the tractor: MOWER DECK

spoke to several repair guys- its the problem on EVERY lawn tractor unless you buy a freakin' Kubota or something. Light gage steel- they just don't hold up. So I'm going to have to get it adjusted this spring so it cuts level (as opposed to the 30 deg angle it currently cuts on)

other than that- ZERO complaints. Save your pennies and buy the Craftsman. Accessories are cheap and easy to find as well

[Libertine]

Addendum:

John Deere had the lowest repair/serious problem rate at 14%. Craftsman came in at %18. *

* ConsumerReports.org

[Fumblerooskies]

These guys are good...
...I have one friend in particular who I should get to ask for advice on how to find a WIFE!

[Innocent Bystander]

These guys are good...
...I have one friend in particular who I should get to ask for advice on how to find a WIFE!

You're right. These guys are good.

If one of them do find you a wife, just make sure you treat her better than Medic treats his lawn tractor.

[Libertine]

If one of them do find you a wife, just make sure you treat her better than Medic treats his lawn tractor.

Oh, there's a joke there, I just know it.

[El Scorcho]

If one of them do find you a wife, just make sure you treat her better than Medic treats his lawn tractor.

Nearly NO PM and I smash it into things every week. (trees, stumps, rocks)

you can't kill the thing.

What? Sounds like a perfectly acceptable "Mrs. Management Strategy" to me.

[LUconn]

ha shield your eyes children.

[Purple Haize]

STAY AWAY FROM THE CRAFTSMAN -------- I repeat ------ STAY AWAY FROM THE CRAFTSMAN.
Don't be fooled with the price. I have owned 2 (ok I gave them a second chance, very Christian of me) and had NOTHING but problems with them. My second one they came out 10 times and no I do not exagerate, 10 times to fix the same problem. Eventually the mechanic askec me if I wanted it fixed to specs or to have it work. I told him to have it work. He ended up bending something in the drive train and it fixed the problem!!!
I bought a Craftsman weedeater. I now own another brand. Ditto Chain Saw. The Craftsman name USED to be great, now it is crap. (Insert Mike Myers from"So I married an Axe Murderer)
Last year, about this time I went through the same thing you are going through. I was TEMPTED (Get behind me Satan) to buy ANOTHER Craftsman b/c of the cost. The John Deere was too expensive for what I wanted. I talked to my brother who was an assistant Greenskeeper, no not named Carl, at a golf course. He said that TORO had just come out with a home line and they used Toro's at the course with great success. Plus, it was at Home Depot and I got 10% when I signed up for a Home Depot card, and 24 months to pay it off (I took .
IF you can afford it John Deere is the way to go. If not, look elsewhere but stay away from CRAFSMAN (And Cub Cadet for that matter)

Hope that helps

[JDUB]

you can find a bad story for every brand. i know a guy who has had a terrible time with john deere. but that doesn't mean its a bad brand.
there is always a chance of having a bad experience, but i would go with what consumer reports says.
personally, we have a craftsman and it is fine. i would buy another one. but it is your decision. you may wanna get a warranty no matter what you get just in case.

[SumItUp]

I'm cancelling my Consumer Reports subscription and asking for help on this board. I save the $20 each year and this is definitely more entertaining.

[givemethemic]

My dad bought a used JD like 7 years ago and it runs like a champ... Go with the JD, plus they look better

[Purple Haize]

JDUB I agree, but it happened twice with the lawn tractor, once with the weed eater and once with the chain saw. To me that is a trend. If you look other places than Consumer Reports you will see that Craftsman doesn't get great reviews. Also, the tricky thing about CR (And I LOVE the magazine) is to make sure you match up the specific model tested and not extrapolate to the other models.

Also, a KOEHLER engine is a better way to go than a Briggs and Stratton. A B/S is ok, but a KOEHLER is much better and worth the money.