John Deere LA115 Riding Mower

By Brand

By Type

Tips

Subscribe To This Site

John Deere LA115 Riding Mower

by A. Racha Prasavi
(India)

Our lawn mower is a John Deere LA115, riding tractor model with 19.5 HP engine.

Before this mower, we had a Stiga Villa "zero turn-around" mower, so this review will be mostly a comparison of the two.

In general the John Deere LA115 is very simple to operate. The gears and up/down controls are placed very logically, so it does not take long time to get started driving and mowing. The engine is strong enough to handle also high thick grass, even at fast speeds. We have had this mower for 2 years now, and we have still not needed to change or sharpen the knives, nor any maintenance on the rest of the vehicle (except changing oil, which is factory recommended). Very reliable is our impression.

Steering is more natural with this mower than our old Stiga Villa. The front-placed knives were more easy to keep an overview of, and put into corners, but when driving normally, it took some more concentration to steer the vehicle in a straight line.

The tractor-type mower is also very useful for other purposes, it can be used for what any small tractor can do. While we have not tried to remove the knives yet, the manual states that this is possible. Without knives, it comes as a general purpose home-tractor.

One slight annoyance, which I suspect is general for all tractor-type mowers, that you have to speed down while taking corners. If you do not slow down, the two knifes do do not meet, and they make a small line standing in the middle. This was not a problem with the Stiga Villa, where knives were placed so they overlap directly instead of slightly front/behind each other as on the John Deere LA115.

To conclude: We are very happy with the John Deere LA115. It serves good as a strong lawn mower, and can also be used for other home purposes.

Comments for
John Deere LA115 Riding Mower

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 17, 2011
Rating

JD L118 rust problems
by: Maurice

In May of 2006 I purchased a brand new model L118 from my John Deere dealor. I perform all the required maintenance and keep this machine in my barn. Unfortunately, it has been showing paint lifting and rust underneath (the paint) for the last couple of years. I'm talking areas such as on the lip directly behind the seat; the foot boards; and on the sides of the fenders. It lifts off in small sheets. I contacted JOHN DEERE. Their response was "no idea, maybe you should speak to the dealor." The dealor said he would get back to me....that was months ago. I will not buy another John Deere. A $2600 machine, just five years old, and it looks like it has sat outside the whole time.

Nov 15, 2011
Rating

belt jumped off
by: Anonymous

I HAVE A JD LA 115. THE BELT JUMPED OFF THE REAR PULLY OVER THE REAR AXEL. AND IDEAS ON GETTING IT BACK ON?? THANKS TC..:)

Sep 08, 2011
Rating

Paint Peeling
by: Steve

Three summers, and the paint is peeling off. I'll never own another John Deere!

Sep 06, 2011
Rating

LA115
by: Anonymous

After 5 years the paint on the body is either gone or ready to peel off in large sheets although the paint on the mower section is fine. I just recently replace the battery which was to be expected.

Jun 20, 2011
Rating

Paint job
by: Steve

I bought an LA115 in 2008. It is a tough mower and I've had no problems with the machine, but the other evening I noticed the paint chipping on a spot.

May 31, 2011
Rating

Won't start
by: Anonymous

A couple of years ago I bought a new John Deere La115 (plastic hood & all) from a local dealer in Columbia, MO. By the time the mower had 62 hours on it labored trying to start but wouldn't. Checked the battery,spark plug, put in new gas, but there was no improvement. I don't think much of this model.

Mar 16, 2011
Rating

LA 135 Rusting
by: Jon

Overall satisfied with performance, but after only 2 years after purchase every factory hole that was placed in the body of this mower is rusting and paint is now coming off in sheets.My father has same mower and has done same thing as well. I know rust is somewhat normal,but after what i paid for this thing and only 2 years before whole thing is going to have to be repainted, i'm really disappointed with it. I also have a Huskee that is 10 years old and shows no sign of rust at all,a little wax twice a year and shines like new. As for this family ,i think we are done with John Deere! You can get better quality for alot less money,especially in this economy!

Feb 23, 2011
Rating

JD LA 115 want start
by: B. Bryant

My John Deere LA115 is 2 yrs. old. Replaced battery yesterday but engine still will not turn
over. Any suggestions on what may be wrong.
B. Bryant

Jan 27, 2011
Rating

John Deere Warranty denied
by: Anonymous

I got a LA115 2 years and 3 days ago. Right at 6 months the paint was peeling off in sheets and they said it was enviromental corrosion and would not do anything about it. This mower is garage kept and now I have started the restoration of it because it is rusting so severly that the only way to save it is to take it all apart and grind it down to metal and repaint everything. It is a big mess and you can bet that I will never own another JD product again!.

Aug 15, 2010
Rating

Excellent! I'm Very Happy!
by: Nathan

I just bought a used John Deere LA 115 from the local John Deere dealer. I got a heck of a deal on it, as it was traded in. I paid $500.00 for it. Lowe's and Home Depot sell this exact same mower for close to $1700.00. I mowed with it this weekend and it runs and mows like a dream--Absolutely no problems! Starts right up. The mower is a 2008 model, with less than 50 hours on it. Needless to say I'm very happy, and very pleased. It mows nice and evenly, and runs excellent! I have nothing but good things to say about this mower--I absolutely LOVE it!

May 18, 2010
Rating

new 2 me
by: Ray

After wanting one for 25 years I finally bought my first John Deere today. I purchased it from a local dealer, who was very competitive in price with the big box stores. He also delivered it for free, and I felt secure to know that my LA115 was serviced by the guys who work on the John Deere farm equipment too.
Being from a small farming town, my tractor was delivered to my home about an hour after purchase. On delivery I not only received full operating instructions by the tech that delivered it, but he stood around to watch while I mowed the lawn, to make sure that everything was working fine and that I was operating correctly. The tractor drove like a dream, no chugging or bogging like I was used to from day one with my old tractor. Everything appears to be solid, and I'm really impressed with the smooth even cut. Glad I bought it!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to RIDING mowers - John Deere

John Deere LA115 Riding Mower

Comments for John Deere LA115 Riding Mower

Comments for
John Deere LA115 Riding Mower