Most exciting thread of the year? Let’s chat Ride On Lawn Mowers!

[67since67]

As I stated early in this thread, Deere mowers never die.
I ran a 185 for 20 years, my only gripe was it steered hard. My BIL is still using it.

Bill W

[njsteve]

Yeah, they steer hard. That 160 is an full upper body/arm workout - I guess that's why he added that official John Deere suicide knob on the 160's steering wheel.

On my 185, I had disassembled both front spindles and the steering column several years ago and greased the hell out of them. It's a night and day difference now. You can drive the 185, one-handed now. Unfortunately they don't have a grease fitting for the steering column or gear so that is the major part of the problem once dirt and rust get in.

Update: I just spent a couple hours tinkering and pulled the 38" deck off the 160. It is in really nice shape. Like a B+ condition versus the D+ my 185 deck is in.

Before and after cleaning:

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by 67since67

As I stated early in this thread, Deere mowers never die.
I ran a 185 for 20 years, my only gripe was it steered hard. My BIL is still using it.

Bill W

Huh, my X540 has hydraulic power assist. My, new to me, Honda CR-V steers harder than the Deere.