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"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 04/27/2019 at 20:06 • Filed to: None

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The last few years, I haven’t owned a lawn mower...usually I’ve got at least one that I’m tinkering with to flip and make a few bucks, but I haven’t really since my kids were born. So tomorrow I’m heading out to Dartmouth (I call it Fartmouth, which works better in print because its pronounced Dartmith) to pick up this project.

A John Deere LX176, which makes it somewhere between 21 and 28 years old because they were made from 91-98. Powered by a single cylinder Kawasaki engine making 14hp, its got a pedal operated hydrostatic trans and had an MSRP just north of $4000 when it was sold new. 38" deck has a rot spot, but whatever, I have a welder now.

It hasn’t run in three years or so, but did run when parked under the seller’s back deck. It looks to be in reasonable shape aside from the hood and seat, both of which I plan to replace. I’m bringing a jump pack and ether, and I’d be willing to bet the purchase price that it fires on the ether and runs on new gas because these Kawasaki small engines, if you’ve never had one, are AWESOME.

I rented a trailer thats almost certainly too small to put it in with the deck on, but Deere decks are easy to remove, so no problem there.

This will be something like my 6th Deere rider. I had a 212 back in the day (too big and too old to use for my lawn, turned like a train), then an LX277 (best tractor I’ve ever had) and a 185 Hydro. I also had an STX38 and an RX75, the former of which is their first ever ‘entry level’ tractor and the second is a rear engine rider. I like my tractors green and yellow, guys.

Because depreciation is my favorite thing in the world, I’m paying $75 for this bad boy...$90 if you count the trailer. If it runs I’ll cut the lawn with it tomorrow, because the landscape is slacking.

TheRealBicycleBuck > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/27/2019 at 20:26

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A riding mower makes a huge difference, especially as I get older. Now I can now, push-now the spots the rider can’t get to, and trim without feeling wiped out for the rest of the day.

You’re going to love it. 

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheRealBicycleBuck 04/27/2019 at 20:56

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Oh yeah. I actually want to find myself a push mower too, just for a little bit of exercise...my lawn isn’t big, but still. I’ve had my share of both sorts, but a rider is a real nice thing to have.

TheRealBicycleBuck > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/27/2019 at 20:58

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Best deal I’ve ever found on a push mower was a $50 return at Walmart. I can’t remember what was wrong, but it cost almost nothing to fix. That thing lasted 10 years. 

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheRealBicycleBuck 04/27/2019 at 21:14

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I rarely spend more than that on push mowers. I usually go for John Deere 14SE/SBs or JX75s...which are just newer 14SEs. 5-6hp Kawasaki engines, super light aluminum decks. I’ve bought three for $35-100 and sold all of them for $250+.

The way I figure it, not everybody buying a tractor or mower knows about tractors or mowers...but they ALL know the name John Deere. Nothing Sells Like a Deere, haha.

lscrx > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/27/2019 at 22:36

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When I first moved into my current house, one of my neighbors had a mid-90's Craftsman riding mower (powered by Kohler) sitting by the road with a "FREE" sign on it.  I snatched it up, diagnosed a burnt connection on the ignition switch, and had it running with nothing but a new battery and a $.03 terminal.  I hate the idea of ever getting rid of it... since I have so little invested. 

Brickman > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/27/2019 at 23:37

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Nice, it’s still green! Wonder what happened to the hood. Looks like the middle of the hood is gone?

I love rescuing riding mowers, somewhat cheap. My Dixon “HotWheels” was the most costly.Rebuilt the engine, carb, new head, muffler, belt, and fuel pump. It’s fast and fun. Thats why I removed the Dixon logo and put a Hot Wheels sticker :P

M.T. Blake > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/28/2019 at 00:23

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Has John Deere ever made their own engines in anything they put their name on?!

LastFirstMI is my name > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 04/28/2019 at 02:08

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I burned a 140 to the ground. My dad replaced all the wiring, repainted it, and that thing is probably still running somewhere. Lesson learned- even though the gas tank and battery are right next to each other, don’t let a 7 year old prop the metal gas can up on the battery while filling it with gas. Lucky I only lost my eyebrows and part of our shop. 

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > M.T. Blake 04/28/2019 at 19:30

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I think they make diesels for some of their heavy equipment. Back in the day their walk behind mowers were basically Lawn Boys, then in the 80s they started doing their own thing. In fairness to them on lawn tractors, Kubota and Honda are the only manufacturers I can think of who really put their own engines in them. Cub Cadet, Craftsman, Toro/WheelHorse all use their Briggs and Kohlers and such.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Brickman 04/28/2019 at 19:32

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These models are known for the hoods being junk. Back with the 210s and stuff they were metal, then the 160-70-80 got nice heavy fiberglass hoods, and then they cheaped out to light, brittle plastic on the LX of this vintage. It doesn’t need a whole hood, just an upper, but it’s still pricey.

That Dixon is super neat looking. Even this with a 38” deck is overkill for my lawn, but I’d love to have something like that to mess with some day.