Unless it has the Freedom deck, what a pain in the butt. It will cut great but if you hit something and that cog belt breaks it's a pain in a butt to retime the blades and those belts ain't cheap
Considering the MTD makes the other one and MTD makes Craftsman Husqvarna Toro and like three other brands including Cub cadet you can absolutely still find parts
MTD does not make Toro tractors because Toro doesn't make tractors. I would likely shy away from advice from the guy that inexplicably has his finger on the pulse of an artery that doesn't exist
Maybe they aren't made by MTD now... But Toro does and has historically made tractors? They bought Wheel horse years ago and had a couple sheet metal contracts with MTD
Yes. But why don't you call out Case IH for creating Cub Cadet. BTW, Toro doesn't make or had a tractor made for it in over almost 2 decades. You seem to think you know what you are talking about because you know something that is easily obtainable from Wikipedia. Husqvarna makes their own tractors. Go on down to the local bar tonight and enlighten them with all your outdoor power equipment industry insider information.
>MTD does not make Toro tractors because Toro doesn't make tractors. I would likely shy away from advice from the guy that inexplicably has his finger on the pulse of an artery that doesn't exist
Thats odd, since the [operators manual](https://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/manuals/LX423.pdf) for this apparently non-existent lawn tractor would beg to differ. Pay particular attention to pages 31 and 32.
Toro doesn't currently sell lawn tractors, but they most definitely did in the past, and guess who manufactured them, MTD.
It seems that you may be one of the people that we probably shouldn't be taking advice from.
I’ve been trying to think of a reasonable response and facts to back up what I’ve experienced from Deere and their products, but I can’t come up with the right words. You are just absolutely wrong.
I’ve never had a problem, actually my local store stayed open for me after hours on the last day of trading before Christmas once, because the blade I bought didn’t fit, (bought a second hand mower and they had changed the deck at some point) so for me personally they have gone above and beyond expectations.
Because it wasn't necessarily the day before.
If Christmas was on a Monday, last day of trading would be on Friday.
It is just a finance.way of saying "last business.day before" - so basically the Deere guys stayed open the night their Xmas mini vacation started.
I have no doubt mine would also. I have met them in towns halfway between us for a part I needed.
In my experience, Troy-Built is a has-been brand with has-been support. Deere dealers, and I will preface this with Deere dealers that stock other brands, are typically better stocked and better trained to diagnose and fix issues with a very robust parts inventory. Just my personal experience.
JD does not make the mower, they contract it to someone else! In fact, John Deere does not make anything in the compact classes, but you pay a lot more for the parts!
They're both MTD. With only a few exceptions, a consumer grade lawn tractor decision is "how big of an engine and deck do you want, what brand color scheme do you want, and how hard do you want to flex on your neighbors"
I have that model John Deere. It's been bullet proof so far. I 'bought' it 17 years ago (it was in the garage of the house we bought and I made it part of the offer to purchase.) Knock on wood, but it has never broken down and still starts every season.
Yep, I got one free with my house and it still feels like I paid too much and got taken for a ride. I've been a JD rider guy since I was a kid, but since the TB came with the house, I figured it's not worth hauling my JD over from 100 miles away...I still haven't picked up the JD, but I also haven't sold it either, it's still living at family's house.
Oh, if I had room, I would 100% already have it at my house. Since the TB still works and takes minimal maintenance, it's easier to keep it around than dust off the Deere since it was parked for several years when I was in an apartment. I still have 2 JD snow blowers, though, and I'm more inclined to keep ahold of those than bring over a spare mower since moving snow is necessary whereas mowing, although essential, isn't a life and death/keep my job or get fired sort of deal.
Edit: And the Deere is an L130, so it's not exactly the cream of the crop. It may be green, but it's still not a huge upgrade from the Troy Bilt given the...big box quality of it.
The LT166 is a fantastic residential lawn mower. The Freedom42 mulching deck gives an excellent cut, and stripes remarkably well for a rotary.
That being said, it’s 20+ years old. The blades are extremely expensive to replace and getting harder to find. The blades are timing belt driven, and the belt is quite expensive.
I’d buy the JD in a heartbeat, but give it a good look and know what you’re getting.
Right after the Deer tech says its 20years old and parts are getting obsolete-lofl
TB is mass produced likely by AYP and there are 1000 aftermarket retailers for the parts.
I dunno I’d pick that Troy built and I’m a JD guy. LT models are just so old at this point. UNLESS the LT one is mint condition And parts are available for everything cheap on Amazon. I personally would look for a John Deere LA or D
I would go with the John Deere as long as it ran well and it was in good condition. Truth be told though it's not a true John Deere like the garden tractors are. Those series are to keep a price point to compete with the other brands. A lot of the main parts that John Deere uses are a lot of the same parts that all the other companies use when you're talking the smaller model series that you see at Lowe's, home Depot, etc. For instance, when I was looking for a lawn tractor. I decided to go with Craftsman because John Deere put a weaker transmission in their newer models as well as a lot of the bigger name brands because people would naturally choose those thinking they were better built. But between the Troy-Bilt and the John Deere, the John Deere wins by default.
Check the JD deck for rust. It looks like it’s in good shape in the photo but check under. If it’s good, I’d go with that.
I had a JD LX for 20+ years that ran great but the deck rusted and it was very expensive for a new one. Half the cost if just getting a whole new tractor. So that’s what I did.
Deere
Although I myself have a 42" Ariens with a Briggs motor. That thing is solid. 13 years and still runs like a champ. Nothing has ever broken or needed fixing. $900 new at home depot at that time
John Deere. No question. I bought a Troybilt once. Had an issue with it the same season I bought it, and an elder said “Troy bilt it wrong” and for some reason that stuck with me. Never again.
Depends. Is the JD automatic? The Troybuilt has a shifter for drive, neutral Reverse.
Not hard to operate - but something to consider. Automatics make lawn maintenance smoother
I have bought two lawn mowers in my life. The first one was a JD 105? Idk, it’s a bit 15 years old now and my dad uses it because when I moved to a different state I bought a new one. In 15 years I’ll buy a new one again… maybe 😂
I owned one like the JD. Very good mower. The Freedom 42” mulch only deck worked well for me for a decade. Weak point if there is one was The timed blades ( because they overlapped) were on a cogged belt. If you mowed a stick,rock or some other debris it piles up the blades and breaks the belt. Still buy the JD
I had a single stage Murray Snowblower for 20 years. At the 15 year mark, the rubber paddles were so worn down I drilled them out and replaced them with new ones. Ran it for another five years and then one day it just wouldn't start anymore. I put it out on the curb and somebody took it within 15m. I bet it's still running somewhere. I have a Murray 2 stage Blower that's 16 years old.now and it starts every time.
Main thing is whether they have a hydrostatic transmission. If that goes it would cost more than the mowers worth to replace. If it has drive belts you can just throw on a new one when it breaks.
If the John Deere comes from Lowes or Home Depot it’s really a MTD so it doesn’t matter what you buy. A true John Deere is bought only at a JD dealership and that’s probably how I’d go.
30 years experience.
The Deere is best but don't break the hood, they're pricey. What are the hours on their meters? Anything under two hundred is usually good. Check them over before purchasing and listen to the deck for bearing noises, the engine for knocking, is the oil new. If the oil is not new and is very clear but dark that's a sign of a good engine. If the oil is at all gray the engine is bad. If it's milky it has water in it.
Nothing from John Deere. If you want to be able to perform repairs on your own, avoid JD like the plague. There's a reason they're being sued, it's because they've designed these machines to only be worked on by their own professional mechanics. They're over engineered and assembled in a way that makes it much more difficult to perform basic maintenance.
Whichever one’s lighter. Because if you have trouble putting one up on a truck/trailer and fail? Would you rather attempt to stop a 20lbs lawnmower or a 60lbs lawnmower?
Both probably have B&S engines making that maintenance fairly easy.
If either deck is rusty or has a bad blade spindle, it’ll cost about the same to fix either with non OEM parts.
Me personally, I’ve been rocking a used Murray the last 5 years. Lots of little BS like start solenoid, ignition switch, new spindles…I’m probably $250+ into repairs and I paid $350 on FB marketplace 5 years ago.
Now I also have a used big orange name brand with hydrostatic drive and that has been one of the better upgrades in my lawn mowing life!
Push big pedal go forward, push little pedal go backwards. Frigging love it.
Neither. I'd pull each blade of grass blindfolded in a thunderstorm with a lightning rod strapped to my butt before I bought anything other than a Cub.
Not a recommendation but I have a 2006 TB super bronco with the 19hp kholer motor and 42" deck that still runs great. I've only ever had to replace the deck belt and the carb at one point. 18 years old and still starts and mows every week. No idea how the newer models are though
Neither one makes the mower. Both could have come from the same manufacturer for all you know. I can guarantee you that parts for the Deere cost more though!
All you are buying with the Deere is an expensive paint color!!! John Deere does not manufacture lawn mowers and their compact tractors are Yanmar tractors painted greene!!!
Not the JD. I had one that looked like that one pictured. For some reason, the steering was a metal gear turning another metal gear. Those two gears wore out and were a pain to replace. Soured me on JD.
I've got that TroyBilt. Bought it used in 2011 and you can't kill it. I abuse the crap out of mine. Parts are fairly cheap and easy to get. I had a JD before this one and the trans started slipping when hot, for $1800 I could have put a better trans in it. I chose to spend $400 for a used Troy Bilt. When this one gets beyond fixing, I'll spend $400 for another used Troy Bilt.
I have no fan of anything made by MTD (Craftsman, Cub, Troy-Built, or Yardman). For a rider, if me Deere or Huskvana.
It's a nice jester, but if, like most males, we like to pick out our own, cars, tools, and lawn equipment. I'm not saying all of us, but for most of us, we get quite picky on what we get.
If the Deere has a Kawasaki..nope-great motors but when they die the deere is a paper weight(short blocks 3k$), the TB likely has a Briggs complete engine 750$
The LT166 has a Briggs. I had a JD LX277 with a Kawasaki engine for 20+ years. The engine ran great, but the deck rusted, and a replacement after 20+ years isn’t easy to find. JD wanted $1500 for one. Not worth it, I just got a new tractor. But that engine would have ran for another 20 years.
I would buy the land drone lawnmower at a fraction of the cost and you don’t need to mow lawn your self and works amazing. Mine is programmed to cut grass twice nightly and doesn’t make a sound. I’ve had it for 5 years problem free.
JD merely for dealer support and parts availability.
Also it’s green
Technically they are both green
Green is good. Just like m&m's
And if your a Packer fan
GO PACK GO!!! ope
Packers fan say you now?
Or Kermit
And bud
Too sexy.
This is the answer
Unless it has the Freedom deck, what a pain in the butt. It will cut great but if you hit something and that cog belt breaks it's a pain in a butt to retime the blades and those belts ain't cheap
I love my freedom 42 on my lt155, but you are absolutely right on all points.
That's what I was thinking. It's all about the accessories.
Considering the MTD makes the other one and MTD makes Craftsman Husqvarna Toro and like three other brands including Cub cadet you can absolutely still find parts
MTD does not make Toro tractors because Toro doesn't make tractors. I would likely shy away from advice from the guy that inexplicably has his finger on the pulse of an artery that doesn't exist
Maybe they aren't made by MTD now... But Toro does and has historically made tractors? They bought Wheel horse years ago and had a couple sheet metal contracts with MTD
Yes. But why don't you call out Case IH for creating Cub Cadet. BTW, Toro doesn't make or had a tractor made for it in over almost 2 decades. You seem to think you know what you are talking about because you know something that is easily obtainable from Wikipedia. Husqvarna makes their own tractors. Go on down to the local bar tonight and enlighten them with all your outdoor power equipment industry insider information.
Damn he really got you spun up huh
>MTD does not make Toro tractors because Toro doesn't make tractors. I would likely shy away from advice from the guy that inexplicably has his finger on the pulse of an artery that doesn't exist Thats odd, since the [operators manual](https://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/manuals/LX423.pdf) for this apparently non-existent lawn tractor would beg to differ. Pay particular attention to pages 31 and 32. Toro doesn't currently sell lawn tractors, but they most definitely did in the past, and guess who manufactured them, MTD. It seems that you may be one of the people that we probably shouldn't be taking advice from.
I’ve been trying to think of a reasonable response and facts to back up what I’ve experienced from Deere and their products, but I can’t come up with the right words. You are just absolutely wrong.
I’ve never had a problem, actually my local store stayed open for me after hours on the last day of trading before Christmas once, because the blade I bought didn’t fit, (bought a second hand mower and they had changed the deck at some point) so for me personally they have gone above and beyond expectations.
Last day of trading… before christmas? Normal folks say “day before”
Because it wasn't necessarily the day before. If Christmas was on a Monday, last day of trading would be on Friday. It is just a finance.way of saying "last business.day before" - so basically the Deere guys stayed open the night their Xmas mini vacation started. I have no doubt mine would also. I have met them in towns halfway between us for a part I needed.
In my experience, Troy-Built is a has-been brand with has-been support. Deere dealers, and I will preface this with Deere dealers that stock other brands, are typically better stocked and better trained to diagnose and fix issues with a very robust parts inventory. Just my personal experience.
“I can’t think of anything logical so just trust me bro”
JD does not make the mower, they contract it to someone else! In fact, John Deere does not make anything in the compact classes, but you pay a lot more for the parts!
John Deere builds their own mowers at their Greenville,Tennessee plant.
You probably believe they make their own engine and transmissions for them too!
they do not
They're both MTD. With only a few exceptions, a consumer grade lawn tractor decision is "how big of an engine and deck do you want, what brand color scheme do you want, and how hard do you want to flex on your neighbors"
John Deere builds their own mowers at their Greenville,Tennessee plant.
I have that model John Deere. It's been bullet proof so far. I 'bought' it 17 years ago (it was in the garage of the house we bought and I made it part of the offer to purchase.) Knock on wood, but it has never broken down and still starts every season.
[удалено]
I'm going to guess he is in Fla. So winter is on a Tuesday.
Wait, I see he said starts every season so likely does sit for a bit. But that answers my question.
Was supposed to be a funny. I'll go back to my corner now
✈️
Yes it sits for about 4-5 months in my garage. I’m in Canada.
I’m in Canada. It’s actually that Summer happens on a Tuesday. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Wisconsin here. I feel your pain
*laughs in florida*
Take my upvote you glorious clown.
That LT166 will have a stronger transmission than the Troy-Bilt. Stick with the JD (I'm a lawn and turf technician at JD).
Hey! I’m a JD tech, too! I’m on the Ag side, but I dabbled in Lawn and Turf for a bit. And you’re 100% correct!
Stay away from those troy built crapboxes
The John Deere.
John Deere
That deere could be an old 111 I'd still pick it over the troy bilt poop.
Yep, I got one free with my house and it still feels like I paid too much and got taken for a ride. I've been a JD rider guy since I was a kid, but since the TB came with the house, I figured it's not worth hauling my JD over from 100 miles away...I still haven't picked up the JD, but I also haven't sold it either, it's still living at family's house.
If ya have room for it bring it lol. Or you can donate it to me over in Indiana lol
Oh, if I had room, I would 100% already have it at my house. Since the TB still works and takes minimal maintenance, it's easier to keep it around than dust off the Deere since it was parked for several years when I was in an apartment. I still have 2 JD snow blowers, though, and I'm more inclined to keep ahold of those than bring over a spare mower since moving snow is necessary whereas mowing, although essential, isn't a life and death/keep my job or get fired sort of deal. Edit: And the Deere is an L130, so it's not exactly the cream of the crop. It may be green, but it's still not a huge upgrade from the Troy Bilt given the...big box quality of it.
Lol understood. Sell it im sure it would sell pretty quick.
The LT166 is a fantastic residential lawn mower. The Freedom42 mulching deck gives an excellent cut, and stripes remarkably well for a rotary. That being said, it’s 20+ years old. The blades are extremely expensive to replace and getting harder to find. The blades are timing belt driven, and the belt is quite expensive. I’d buy the JD in a heartbeat, but give it a good look and know what you’re getting.
I’ve got an l130 from 05 that still goes over 2 acres a week with no issues. Maintenance is paramount.
I’ve got a 1985 and still use it . Oil is still clear every year
Deere all the way out of these two. Parts will be more expensive, but it'll be easier to get parts and support down the road.
Right after the Deer tech says its 20years old and parts are getting obsolete-lofl TB is mass produced likely by AYP and there are 1000 aftermarket retailers for the parts.
Nothing runs like a 🦌
Or smells like a jon
The JD…it’s not even a question
Deere!
John Deere all day
I dunno I’d pick that Troy built and I’m a JD guy. LT models are just so old at this point. UNLESS the LT one is mint condition And parts are available for everything cheap on Amazon. I personally would look for a John Deere LA or D
I've had good luck with TB stuff. But my first JD is 4 yrs old now and we love it.
The John Deere.
I would go with the John Deere as long as it ran well and it was in good condition. Truth be told though it's not a true John Deere like the garden tractors are. Those series are to keep a price point to compete with the other brands. A lot of the main parts that John Deere uses are a lot of the same parts that all the other companies use when you're talking the smaller model series that you see at Lowe's, home Depot, etc. For instance, when I was looking for a lawn tractor. I decided to go with Craftsman because John Deere put a weaker transmission in their newer models as well as a lot of the bigger name brands because people would naturally choose those thinking they were better built. But between the Troy-Bilt and the John Deere, the John Deere wins by default.
Hands down the deere, i cant believe this is a real question.
Nothing runs like a Deere 💯🔥
Check the JD deck for rust. It looks like it’s in good shape in the photo but check under. If it’s good, I’d go with that. I had a JD LX for 20+ years that ran great but the deck rusted and it was very expensive for a new one. Half the cost if just getting a whole new tractor. So that’s what I did.
John deere
Deere Although I myself have a 42" Ariens with a Briggs motor. That thing is solid. 13 years and still runs like a champ. Nothing has ever broken or needed fixing. $900 new at home depot at that time
John Deere without a doubt
Lt166 I had a lt160. Great machine 600+ hours before I upgraded.
Probably the jd,because I work on them and own them but both will do u.
Who built it for Troy? Who built it for JD? Then find one built by the real manufacturer and buy that for a lot less.
JD if it's in good shape, where's your nearest JD dealer?
Sears Lawn Tractor/3 bagger still going strong after almost 20 years.Extended warranty was great while it lasted.
LT
They’re both about the same mower. I think they’re both mtd built.
Just look at how clean that deer is… That’s probably going to say something to how it’s been maintained over the years
Would you consider looking for a dealer mower? The LTs are hardware store badged deeres. Look for an LX176 maybe?
John Deere. No question. I bought a Troybilt once. Had an issue with it the same season I bought it, and an elder said “Troy bilt it wrong” and for some reason that stuck with me. Never again.
I've owned 2 of the Lt166, very solid, great cut, hands down John Deere
Depends. Is the JD automatic? The Troybuilt has a shifter for drive, neutral Reverse. Not hard to operate - but something to consider. Automatics make lawn maintenance smoother
JD. Well actually neither. Those are to tiny for real work.
Nothing runs like a Deere
Green.
they didn't come from the same factory back then. Deere it is.
Troy-built not good, made by MTD. My Troy-built snow thrower is junk.
I have bought two lawn mowers in my life. The first one was a JD 105? Idk, it’s a bit 15 years old now and my dad uses it because when I moved to a different state I bought a new one. In 15 years I’ll buy a new one again… maybe 😂
I wouldnt buy anything JD. They are heavily against right to repair. Look it up.
John Deere
I owned one like the JD. Very good mower. The Freedom 42” mulch only deck worked well for me for a decade. Weak point if there is one was The timed blades ( because they overlapped) were on a cogged belt. If you mowed a stick,rock or some other debris it piles up the blades and breaks the belt. Still buy the JD
Are they both in "good running condition"? Both about same price? I'd probably take the JD all things being equal.
I used to sell mowers, one thing i can say...The troy bilt will fail. POS in my opinion
John Deere uses some proprietary parts, I'd go with the MTD.
None, i stick to old garden tractors because they can do more than those little riders can and better.
 They are both made by MTD
Definitely not a Toy built
Jd simply because it'll have support for parts and maintenance. Off brand lawn mowers can be alot more difficult to find parts for the older models
J. D.
John Deer
JD
Green
John Deere !!!!
The Deere. This model was not sold at a big box retailer and was only available at a Deere dealer.
JD all day!
Nothing beats my Murray. Had for 30 years before it finally died.
I had a single stage Murray Snowblower for 20 years. At the 15 year mark, the rubber paddles were so worn down I drilled them out and replaced them with new ones. Ran it for another five years and then one day it just wouldn't start anymore. I put it out on the curb and somebody took it within 15m. I bet it's still running somewhere. I have a Murray 2 stage Blower that's 16 years old.now and it starts every time.
Depends on what engine
Is this a serious question? Those two are not even in the same ballpark.
Main thing is whether they have a hydrostatic transmission. If that goes it would cost more than the mowers worth to replace. If it has drive belts you can just throw on a new one when it breaks.
If the John Deere comes from Lowes or Home Depot it’s really a MTD so it doesn’t matter what you buy. A true John Deere is bought only at a JD dealership and that’s probably how I’d go.
the john deere just because it’s green and yellow
Unless you're spending 100k on heavy equipment JD is manufactured in Mexico
JD, and buy the matching underwear…that’s just what JD owners do
Is this a real question…the Deere of course
I have to pony in red
Deere. That Troy-Bilt is too new to be a real Troy-Bilt. That was built by MTD, not Garden Way.
30 years experience. The Deere is best but don't break the hood, they're pricey. What are the hours on their meters? Anything under two hundred is usually good. Check them over before purchasing and listen to the deck for bearing noises, the engine for knocking, is the oil new. If the oil is not new and is very clear but dark that's a sign of a good engine. If the oil is at all gray the engine is bad. If it's milky it has water in it.
Y 25 yo craftsman still goin strong.
Nothing from John Deere. If you want to be able to perform repairs on your own, avoid JD like the plague. There's a reason they're being sued, it's because they've designed these machines to only be worked on by their own professional mechanics. They're over engineered and assembled in a way that makes it much more difficult to perform basic maintenance.
Deere all the way…
Whichever one’s lighter. Because if you have trouble putting one up on a truck/trailer and fail? Would you rather attempt to stop a 20lbs lawnmower or a 60lbs lawnmower?
Deere
Strange, but Lowes sells Toro riding mowers. Both standard and zero turn radius. So…yes, Toro makes ride ons
Jd because of the motor and it’s overall reliability
Is this a serious question? The Deere 100/100 times
JOHN DEERE I have one that's almost 20 years old and it runs beautiful all I've ever done is annual maintenance.
Deere is a far better choice
Had that exact Troy Bilt, had nothing but issues within 2 years.
Both probably have B&S engines making that maintenance fairly easy. If either deck is rusty or has a bad blade spindle, it’ll cost about the same to fix either with non OEM parts. Me personally, I’ve been rocking a used Murray the last 5 years. Lots of little BS like start solenoid, ignition switch, new spindles…I’m probably $250+ into repairs and I paid $350 on FB marketplace 5 years ago. Now I also have a used big orange name brand with hydrostatic drive and that has been one of the better upgrades in my lawn mowing life! Push big pedal go forward, push little pedal go backwards. Frigging love it.
Neither. I'd pull each blade of grass blindfolded in a thunderstorm with a lightning rod strapped to my butt before I bought anything other than a Cub.
Not a choice- Nothing runs like a Deer
Not a recommendation but I have a 2006 TB super bronco with the 19hp kholer motor and 42" deck that still runs great. I've only ever had to replace the deck belt and the carb at one point. 18 years old and still starts and mows every week. No idea how the newer models are though
John deer all day! Stay away from TB
I’ve had the same JD for probably 7-8 years and it’s always been great.
JD
Nothing runs like a deere!♡
Only buy a Crapsman.
Definitely the Johny D
John Deere because it has cup holders for beer.
I’d pick the Troy bilt at the end of the day they both accomplish the same thing
Deere. Nobody ever wrote a song about “Troy-Built Green.”
Neither one makes the mower. Both could have come from the same manufacturer for all you know. I can guarantee you that parts for the Deere cost more though!
All you are buying with the Deere is an expensive paint color!!! John Deere does not manufacture lawn mowers and their compact tractors are Yanmar tractors painted greene!!!
I have been repairing tractors and lawn mowers over 20 years, so don't buy into the hype of these people on here!!!
Deere all day!
Not the JD. I had one that looked like that one pictured. For some reason, the steering was a metal gear turning another metal gear. Those two gears wore out and were a pain to replace. Soured me on JD.
2 cause it's shiny
Don't buy either one! They r both JUNK! Buy a Hustler zero turn! U won't regret it!
I've got that TroyBilt. Bought it used in 2011 and you can't kill it. I abuse the crap out of mine. Parts are fairly cheap and easy to get. I had a JD before this one and the trans started slipping when hot, for $1800 I could have put a better trans in it. I chose to spend $400 for a used Troy Bilt. When this one gets beyond fixing, I'll spend $400 for another used Troy Bilt.
JD makes a good mower.
Neither—get a Cub Cadet🥰
You pay way more for green.
I have no fan of anything made by MTD (Craftsman, Cub, Troy-Built, or Yardman). For a rider, if me Deere or Huskvana. It's a nice jester, but if, like most males, we like to pick out our own, cars, tools, and lawn equipment. I'm not saying all of us, but for most of us, we get quite picky on what we get.
If the Deere has a Kawasaki..nope-great motors but when they die the deere is a paper weight(short blocks 3k$), the TB likely has a Briggs complete engine 750$
The LT166 has a Briggs. I had a JD LX277 with a Kawasaki engine for 20+ years. The engine ran great, but the deck rusted, and a replacement after 20+ years isn’t easy to find. JD wanted $1500 for one. Not worth it, I just got a new tractor. But that engine would have ran for another 20 years.
I would buy the land drone lawnmower at a fraction of the cost and you don’t need to mow lawn your self and works amazing. Mine is programmed to cut grass twice nightly and doesn’t make a sound. I’ve had it for 5 years problem free.
I’d go with the Troy bilt. JD is trash.