5 Reasons to Avoid a John Deere Lawnmower at All Costs

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Updated: November 2, 2023
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John Deere lawnmowers are often considered one of the best lawnmower brands out there. However, they aren’t the best choice for all homeowners. They can be exceptionally expensive, for instance. There are several reasons you may want to avoid a John Deere lawnmower.

If all you’ve ever heard is how great John Deere lawnmowers are, then you may be surprised by some of their downsides. We’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons we recommend not getting a John Deere lawnmower below.

1. Expensive

John Deere JS63C lawn mower

If you’re on a budget, you’ll likely get more from a different type of lawnmower.

©Hyena, Public domain – Original / License

John Deere lawnmowers are some of the most expensive out there. While there are some cheaper models you can select, most are much more expensive than the competition. They are not a budget option.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll likely get more from a different type of lawnmower. They simply aren’t the best choice for those looking to spend a relatively small amount of money.

Furthermore, you may not need a John Deere lawnmower if you have a smaller yard. Sometimes, the added features that make these lawnmowers more expensive aren’t particularly helpful for your situation. In this case, the added price may not make much sense.

2. Repair Difficulties

John Deere lawnmowers may need to be repaired by a professional.

Often, John Deere lawnmowers are expensive machines. They aren’t usually designed with ease of repair in mind. Therefore, it can be challenging to repair even simple problems yourself. You may need to take your lawnmower to a professional mechanic, even if you’ve repaired your own lawnmowers in the past.

That said, there are more repairmen for these lawnmowers than other brands, as they are quite common. While this means you can get your lawnmower repaired, it doesn’t mean that it will be cheap. Getting a professional to repair your lawnmower can be costly!

3. Plastic Parts

Recently, more and more John Deere lawnmowers are being made with plastic parts. These parts may be more prone to breaking than metal parts, though they can be inexpensive to replace. Either way, plastic parts are typically seen as one of the worst options.

We usually recommend avoiding plastic parts whenever possible, especially if you’re already paying tons for a John Deere lawnmower. However, if you want a cheaper John Deere, then you may end up having to deal with the plastic parts.

Furthermore, it can be hard to figure out which lawnmowers have plastic parts and which don’t. In many cases, you may think that a more expensive lawnmower doesn’t have plastic parts, only to find out that it does.

4. Not Fuel-Efficient

John Deere
John Deere lawnmowers are a popular brand, but they can be expensive and aren’t fuel-efficient.

John Deere lawnmowers aren’t typically made with fuel efficiency in mind. In many cases, power and other features take priority, while fuel efficiency is an afterthought.

Of course, many people prefer fuel-efficient lawnmowers because they are better for the environment. Usually, using less fuel also means that the lawn mower doesn’t give off as much pollution. Therefore, they are better for the environment and you (since you breathe in the pollution).

However, this also means you have to buy more fuel. Of course, this means spending more money over time. If you’re already spending more on a lawnmower, then you probably don’t want to spend more on fuel, too.

5. Proprietary Parts

It can also be challenging for licensed mechanics to fix the lawnmowers.

©Visitor7 / CC BY-SA 3.0 – Original / License

John Deere often uses a lot of proprietary parts. These can be harder to find than aftermarket products, as you might guess. It can be difficult and expensive to find these parts unless you’re a licensed dealer. It can also be challenging for licensed mechanics to fix the lawnmowers.

Of course, many other companies also use proprietary parts, so this isn’t an uncommon problem. However, larger brands like John Deere tend to use more parts than others.

Alternatives

Some other brands of lawnmowers may make more sense for more individuals. In the end, it largely depends on what you’re looking for.

  • Cub Cadet: Cub Cadet is a popular brand that offers various lawnmowers at various price points. They tend to be less expensive than other options.
  • Troy-Bilt: This brand is also popular and offers a lot of value. They are a solid option for those looking for a budget option.
  • Honda: Honda lawnmowers are known for their fuel efficiency and durability. They are a solid option for those looking for a dependable lawnmower.
  • Toro: Toro is a well-respected brand that offers a wide range of lawnmowers, including zero-turn mowers.

Summary of the 5 Reasons to Avoid a John Deere Lawnmower at All Costs

Reasons to Avoid a John Deere Lawnmower
1Expensive
2Repair Difficulties
3Plastic Parts
4Not Fuel-Efficient
5Proprietary Parts
Summary Table of 5 Reasons to Avoid a John Deere Lawnmower at All Costs

The photo featured at the top of this post is © africa_pink/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

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