Is the lightning snow plow blade for john deere riding mowers as flimsy as the customer reviews say?

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2 Answers

Merlin Paine Profile
Merlin Paine answered
I would say it probably is. I have noticed that John Deere has not been building the type of quality that has served them so well in the past. Especially in the non-commerical non-industrial products. More of a name than anything these days not worth the money. Not that much better than the low end products especially in riding lawnmowers. In this market you will pay double the price without getting double the quality.
thanked the writer.
John
John commented
Actually the john deere model is 150 dollars less than the other brand snow blades.but the other brands will not work with the john deere mowers while the john deere blade will work with 3 different brand riding mowers. Anyway thanks . I was hoping someone who has one could tell me if the blade is worth the price. I found one for half price in my area,but if it is just going to fall apart in a couple years it is just not worth spending 150 dollars. I can't rate your answer rating limit reached.
Merlin Paine
Merlin Paine commented
That is fine nomad I don't care about the ratings ....I wish I did have first hand knowledge of the product. I have 18 years experience working in all kinds of different types of machine shops and working with engineers in manufacturing parts. Naturally I would over engineer a part as I have done for some products that I have modified for my own use. If I find any information on it I will give you a shout.
John
John commented
Socrates63 -that's what i was looking at, the design needs a little more structure to the blade at least what i have seen on the net. They look like they need a little more bracing out towards the left and right ends of the blade so it won't fold/bend when it hits a bump in the road so to speak. The county snow plow driver likes to bury the end of everyones driveway around here so as the homeowner you either have to hand shovel it or have a heavy enough piece of equipment to clear it off.
dan cooper Profile
dan cooper answered
I have not seen one, but I would say that a snow blade would last quite awhile since it really isn't used that often. If you buy one that is really heavy duty, make sure your model mower can handle it.
thanked the writer.
dan cooper
dan cooper commented
A few years back John Deere started making some cheaper model mowers in order to compete with sears, home depot, ect. However, they still make great products with awsome features. I have two x320 mowers (one used and one brand new) ( "real" john deere's) about $3700 or so new. When the sears top of the line is about $3000, deere blows them away with heavier gauge steel, better engines (kawasaki) and overall quality. I mow 2 1/2 acres and a sears would never hold up for very long
John
John commented
Your mower is my mower basically : ) -what i mean is my 48" cut john deere L130 is basically the same mower. I bought mine for 1500 dollars at a year end model sale at a independent dealer. My first mower lasted me for 8 years then i gave it to my niece since she just got into her first home then i bought my second one in 2002. The only thing i have had to replace on it is the belt for the deck and a set of blades. So i can't complain their riding mowers seem to last forever. : ).
John
John commented
If i still had access to some fabrication equipment /machine shop and scrap metal i could try to copy/build one for my mower.

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