Simplicity vs. Deere

17 years ago

Just some random thoughts after using my neighbor's John Deere "L" series tractor:

I have a 3 year old Simplicity Broadmoor. My neighbor has a new (last Fall) JD that he bought at Lowes for ~$1,700. I was using my push mower the other day since my tractor blades were at the shop getting sharpened. My neighbor comes driving over with his "L" and smugly says with a "green" grin "what's the matter...your tractor not working?" I politely told him "no" everything's OK, I'm just getting the blades sharpened professionally like I usually do at the beginning of each season (I'll do minor filing of the blades myself throughout the year). He replied "oh, I should probably do that, but I don't know how to take the mower deck off". Then he offered to let me use his tractor so I'd finish faster. I said no several times, but he was so insistent that I finally caved in.

1 - The "L" is LOUD compared to my Simplicity.

2 - The steering is slow and heavy.

3 - The hydro tranny & pedals are no where near as smooth.

4 - The ride is rough even over small bumps in the lawn.

5 - The seat is not very comfortable.

6 - It has that stupid "mow in reverse" button to push.

To be fair, the mower deck was OK in cutting my lawn.

Now, I know some people will say that I'm not comparing apples to apples since the Simplicity cost twice as much as the "L". But here's the kicker...this is my neighbor's SECOND "L". The transmission died last year on his first "L" that was a few years old. The quote to fix the tranny was almost $800, plus the mower deck was really rusting, so he bought a new one instead. He got the new one at Lowes, the first one came from HD (yeah, that will make a big difference). Plus, he had already complained in the past that the local JD dealer had put him at the back of the line when he needed service because he hadn't purchased the tractor from the dealer. I certainly don't blame the dealer for that...I would do the same thing, especially since he could have purchased the "L" from the dealer for the same price.

My intent of the post isn't really to bash the "L", rather to reaffirm the old sayings that "you get what you pay for" or "penny wise and pound foolish". And I'm sure I will be quietly enjoying my Simplicity for years to come while others are on their third, fourth, or fifth "L" series tractor...ultimately having paid much more than I did.

I'm definitely NOT green with envy.

-Dave

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Comments (11)

wolfe1
17 years ago
I totally agree with you on this. Thats why I bought a X485 John Deere after testing the Broadmoor.

"My intent of the post isn't really to bash the "Broadmoor", rather to reaffirm the old sayings that "you get what you pay for" or "penny wise and pound foolish"."
jopopsy
17 years ago
You are comparing vastly differnt classes of tractor. The Broadmore is a superior machine to the JD 'L' series in every way. Its not a fair comparison. I would expect your opinions to be thus founded, and would assume you were crazy had it not been otherwise.
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dave_ma
Original Author
17 years ago
jopopsy,

I know it's not a fair comparison. I stated as much in the original post. Just like wolfe1 is trying to compare his X485 to the Broadmoor. He should be comparing that to the Prestige or Conquest.

My main point was that my neighbor has now spent about as much money as I did and he still has an inferior tractor...yet he rides around with that green grin that so many JD owners have. In addition to the free hat, JD must also give out green Cool-Aid.
wolfe1
17 years ago
I totally agree with you on this.
aesanders
17 years ago
Yeah, but that $1700 Deere is far superior to the MTD machine sitting right next to it for a few dollars less.

That said, you really do get what you pay for wether it is green, orange, blue or whatever color. I had enough of the 1500-2k machines. Not that they were terrible but I do really like a better built maachine.
butchs_hobby
17 years ago
My old Massey Fergusons are thirty some years young and all still work like champs. I looked at the new garden tractors in their catagory, the new ones had cup holders and mine don't, I made a cup holder myself--hardly ever use it. I kinda had the same experiance when the brother-in-law insisted I try out his new L series. I liked my old Massey way better but again that's comparing a lawntractor to a garden tractor, not a fair comparison. My brother-in-law seemed to think because his is 17hp and mine are 14-16-18hp the rest should be equal. I smiled and told him he sure has a nice mower!
broncosfan
17 years ago
announced April 19 that it is closing its plant in Rolla, Mo., and moving production to China.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...0/daily25.html
aesanders
17 years ago
"announced April 19 that it is closing its plant in Rolla, Mo., and moving production to China.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...0/daily25.html";

What does this have to do with this post broncosfan???
lb59
16 years ago
A simplicity prestige will eat any JD garden tractor for lunch.
greenhobby
16 years ago
Only then will the simp truly understand what a real garden tractor is...

-gh
yetty734
16 years ago
This is worse than soccer mom's argueing at 6 year old soccer games. Both company's make great machine's.....yes me a hardcore jd guy just said that. They both make amazing machines but jd has features simplicity doesnt and vice versa. As many have said of course the jd 1700 dollar tractor doesnt compare to ur wat 3 grand, 4 grand broadmore. The big box store john deere's mine as well be mtd(speaking of personal experience of driving both an L,LT, and GT John Deere). my LT will be five years old this fall and the only problem it has had is a giant slab of ice from a leaking gutter that cause the the 3rd gear key to be "shared" and even that is only a problem if i try to pull anything in it...i can mow forever and it'll be fine. What it comes down to is who cares if its red/orange or green there all good machines, get the brand that has the best service, convenient location and features for u.

Simplicity vs. Deere

Comments (11)

wolfe1

jopopsy

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