In this video episode of The Handyguys Podcast we show you some aeration, hauling, bagging and other attachments that can add significant value and utility to your lawn tractor.

We put some John Deere attachments & accessories through a workout in this video:

Aerator

The key thing in using this aerator is to have weight on it. It also helps if your ground is moist.

Bagger

The Deere bagger does a great job picking up the clippings. It’s a little awkward to put on the first time so have a helper. Once you do it a few times it will become much easier.

Cart

We have used the Deere cart for hauling firewood, branches, tools, lumber and many other things. It works well, is lightweight and it wont rust.

Bumper

We put on a bumper on one of our evaluation tractors. The bumper protects the front of the tractor.

Sun Shade

If you are doing a lot of mowing and want to keep the sun off consider a sun shade

Cover

If you are going to store your tractor outside you should cover it. Yeah a tarp will do but a fitted cover will less likely blow away and it looks good.

John Deere has provided The Handyguys the products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

In this video episode of The Handyguys we discuss some common tractor and mower maintenance for your John Deere.

We discuss changing oil, checking air filters, the location of spark plugs, grease points and fuel filters.

John Deere sells a Home maintenance kit specifically for your tractor. It contains most of the items you will want for DIY maintenance of your tractor. One thing the kit does NOT contain is a grease gun and grease. This Grease Gun from Amazon is similar to the one used by The Handyguys in the video and works nicely. .

John Deere has provided The Handyguys the products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

Our friends over at John Deere sent us some great lawn care information that we wanted to share with everyone before Labor Day. There is no audio or video with this post. A survey with Harris Interactive found out that 79% of homeowners and renters in the U.S. are planning to mow their lawns in preparation for entertaining at home this Labor Day.

Here are some quick do’s and don’ts from the experts at John Deere for an envious lawn this holiday weekend:

Pre Labor Day Lawn Care Do’s

• Adjust the height of the mower deck to mow only the top one-third of the blade of grass. This helps encourage a deep root system and keeps the lawn looking and feeling healthy.
• Mow in the mid to late-morning, when it’s cool and dry. After the morning dew dries off is the best time for the grass–it isn’t suffering from afternoon sun stress, but it isn’t so damp that grass clumps form in the blades.
• Water your lawn if you notice curling grass blades or “footprinting.” If you’re dealing with drought, mow on the high side.

Pre Labor Day Lawn Care Don’ts

• Fertilize just yet. It can help revitalize a stressed lawn but it takes time, and the lawn should stay clear of activity for several days to allow the fertilizer to penetrate.
• Cut your grass too short. Higher heights usually look better, provide for a deeper root system, and help prevent from invading weeds.
• Mow the same direction every time. This will leave streaks and striped lines that grow back irregularly and look rather unsightly.

In this video we give or viewers a brief overview of the controls of the LA115 lawn tractor from John Deere.

Controls Overview

This video is a follow-up to our audio show Episode #118 – Controls, Maintenance and Cutting Techniques of a John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor. Many of the controls are identical to other models from the 100 series.

Feel free to comment on this video if you have any specific questions about any of the controls.

The Handyguys discuss the controls and maintenance of a John Deere LA115 lawn tractor in this audio only podcast.

When Handyguy Paul first received his LA115, he sat on the seat, stared at the controls and realized he better read the manual. It is not as simple as turning the ignition and mowing the lawn. Your first step when using any power equipment is to read the manual and understand all the potential dangers involved. The Handyguys mention a couple of these safety warnings:

1. Any power tools with rotating blades are dangerous but mowers have the added danger of being mobile.
2. They will amputate any human limb that gets in their way.
3. They can hurl objects through their discharges.

Please review and understand all the controls and safety devices on the mower before using for the first time.

Do not allow children to play with or on mower. Do not give rides as it could encourage children to treat the mower as a toy. You don’t want children running out to a moving mower while you are mowing and unaware of their presence. Children should stay away from mowers and understand its dangers.

Controls

The Handyguys explain the controls and features of the LA115 tractor. Here are some of the features that the Handyguys noted in their podcast are:

• This model has a combined choke and throttle lever.
• There is a “window” under the seat revealing your gas level
• In order for the mower to start, you must have a brake depressed, the blades disengaged and be sitting on the seat.

Listen to the podcast for a full review of the LA115 controls

Maintenance

Like any mower, you must maintain the engine and chassis to keep it running smoothly. Most important, you must change your engine oil after the first 8 hours of mowing and every 50 hours after that. The Handyguys will be releasing a video detailing this maintenance within the next month. Be sure to check it out for details on basic maintenance, including changing engine oil, lubrication and removing the deck.

Technique

Handyguy Brian describes the technique like a football field. Mow the end zone and sidelines first and then in field. This technique will give you enough room to make your u-turn in a previously cut area.

Your owners manual has some good tips regarding technique. For a healthier lawn mix up your pattern from week to week. Essentially you will want to do the edges and around flower beds first then cut even rows over the remainder of your lawn. Overlap your cuts a little to make sure you don’t miss a spot.

The Handyguys Discuss John Deere Residential Lawn Tractors

The Handyguys are busy mowing and evaluating John Deere’s LA115 Lawn tractors this summer. In the first of our 5 part monthly series on residential Lawn tractors from John Deere, the Handyguys expose some of the differences between the entry level Deere 100 series and the higher end x300 select series of tractors. The differences are not always obvious so be sure to listen to the podcast for all the details.

John Deere 100 Series vs x300 Select Series of Lawn Tractors

John Deere has an extensive lineup of Lawn Tractors. Click this image to see it larger.

Comparing the first two levels of residential lawn tractors from John Deere is a tricky task with subtle differences accounting for the costs when moving up the product line. We had a couple weeks last year to review the X324 select series and now we have completed three weeks mowing our lawns and a field behind Handyguy Brian’s house (2-3 acres) with the LA115 model.

The LA115 mower is highly rated by a leading consumer magazine, and it proves why by cutting a nice even path across our lawns at a brisk 5.5 mpg pace. The LA115 does a great job, but understanding the feature sets across the Deere product line is essential for selecting the best model for your needs.

So what are the differences between the LA115 tractors and the more expensive x300 series? Brian suggests that the x300 series must have bigger engines or go faster. But the differences are more subtle. You will find higher quality engines as you move up in the John Deere lines but not necessarily more powerful or larger engines (the 100 series uses Briggs and Straton while the X300 uses Kawasaki engines). Both the x324 that we used last summer and this year’s LA115 model max out at 5.5 mph so you can move just as fast in your LA115 as the X300 series tractors.

Other significant differences between these lines include features such as 4-wheel steering (found on the the x304 and x324), bigger gas tanks (than model 100 series mowers), and a longer warranty on the x300s.

Brian makes the point that if you have open areas that require mowing in long straight lines, get the cruise control. It will save your leg from getting tired. You can find this feature in both the 100 series and X300 series but it is not on the LA115 model (sorry Brian!)

Selecting and Ordering An appropriate Tractor

First of all, try out John Deere’s tractor selector. Use this tool as a guide to compliment your research. Be sure to talk to an expert at your closet JD dealership to zero in on the model that best fits your requirements.

If you are leaning toward the 100 series line, you can probably find them at your local home center or hardware store. Typically, the X300 series and higher tractors are purchased at a local John Deere dealership. The mower selector tool will guide you to your closest dealers. If you don’t have a truck or trailer, you will need a dealership that can deliver the mower to your location. The nice thing about working with a  dealership is that they can also pick up your mower if it requires servicing.

As usual, listen to the podcast for more details!

Accessories For Your Lawn Tractor

Be sure to consider what accessories you desire for your lawn as this might effect which model tractor you choose.  Both the 100 series and the 300 series support many of the same accessories, but certain accessories may require the performance characteristics delivered by specific models. Your JD expert can steer you to the correct model based on your accessory requirements so be sure to consider accessories along with your mower even if you will not be purchasing those accessories up front.

The Handyguys will continue reviewing our LA115 mowers and provide further information on initial setup, mowing, maintenance, accessories usage and end-of-season shut down procedures during our 5-part monthly series on JD Lawn Tractors.

DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters

You need to listen to the podcast to hear Paul's story about what happened to his nice laptop. Does this picture give you a clue? Click on the pic to see it bigger.

We start off by talking about the True Value DIY Drama contest. You can win $5000 if your story is chosen as a winner. Brian and Paul have both had some drama but Paul most recently. You MUST listen to Paul tell his drama story in the podcast. It was a very expensive story.

What are you working on lately?

Brian and Paul both discuss what recent projects they have been working on. First up, Brian.

Busted up old tractor

Brian was able to find an old tractor on freecycle. Well, nothing is ever free. The tractor needed a battery, a new fuel line and a fuel filter.  For good measure, Brian changed the oil filter and spark plug and sharpened the blades. After adding some fresh gas, the tractor started right up.  Not too shabby.

Over the past year and a half, Brian used this tractor for some pretty heavy duty mowing. Overgrown fields and campground trails were the typical terrain. In this time, the mower has required countless replacement belts plus a few hundred dollars worth of repairs for other busted parts due to its heavy abuse.

Brian and Paul discuss when is it time to cut the losses. Is it worth another $40 for a pulley assembly and another $25 for another belt?  A tractor that is designed and built for the uses Brian is putting this old thing through is just not in the cards at the moment.

New Counters

Paul’s project was new counter tops. The design committee (his wife) did all the legwork. In the podcast we discuss some of the options and considerations. The decision was made to go with Granite. Granite is a professional installation but there is still some work for the Handyguy. Paul removed the old laminate counters, installed the plumbing under the new sink and has the back splash to tile. Doing these chores yourself can save money even when you are having granite professionally installed.

Paul makes reference to a Fine Home building article on drain hookups.

The Handyguys Discuss the “Leatherman” for your yard.

Handyguy Paul wonders if there is an all-in-one tool that can edge, trim, prune, blow leaves and shovel your snow.  Well, with the exception of the snow, there is such a tool.  In fact several manufacturers make such a tool.  Stihl calls theirs the “Kombi” because it is truly a master combination tool for  your yard.

But first, the Handyguys answer a listener question about cedar siding:

I just bought a house with Cedar siding.  I live in Northern IL.  According to the pre-purchase inspector the siding is in fair condition.  It needs some sealant and to be retreated or painted.  What kind of sealant and paint or treatment would you recommend? I want to keep the current color of the wood as best as possible.
Thanks
Jas

Thanks for the question Jas.  Brian used to have Cedar siding on his old house so he has a definite opinion on the matter.  Listen to the podcast for his response.

Combination yard tools

Now on to the combination yard tools.  Brian owns and operates one of the Stihl Kombi tools and has found it very useful.  The main benefit is that you only have to maintain one engine for several different yard tools

But Paul is not convinced.  Can this single tool really do a good job with each task or does it have to make compromises?  And are there other manufacturers of these tools?

Brian explains why he likes his Stihl KombiSystem, but there are certainly other comparable tools: Ryobi, Echo, Husqvarna, Troybilt, John Deere.

Listen to the full podcast for Brian’s opinion on the tool and for the Handyguy’s overall opinions on this tool category.

Handyguys Try Out Some Riding Mowers

The Handyguys are falling behind on the honey do list  because this year’s mowing season is taking all of their free time. Pennsylvania has been hit by lots of rain — making for nice fast growing lawns — but that comes with long hours of mowing.

Handyguy Paul is researching a riding mower to replace his slow walk behind but is undecided as to the best model. Should he get a traditional lawn tractor or one of the zero turn radius models? To help Paul decide, the Handyguys called on John Deere to provide some samples for us to test. Listen to our podcast (Click Play) to hear analysis of these mowers  Also, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

Click on the Image to see a larger version of the mowers we tested.

John Deere was kind enough to loan us two models to try out. They didn’t sponsor this show nor did they let us keep the mowers.  Darn!  The two mowers were the Z445 with 54″ high capacity deck, the Zero Turn Radius ZTR model, and the X324 Tractor

So, how did they test these mowers?  The first test was in a field that only gets mowed four or five times a year and has some tall grass and weeds. The second test was a residential property with some hills and a number of different obstacles from trees, deck stairs, flower beds, walks, etc. The third test was a larger residential property, also with some slope in sections but with deck posts to mow around and also flower beds, walks, a play area and so forth.

The Handyguys started in the open field which was a good way to start. The ZTR takes several minutes to get used to the hand controls. To go forward with a ZTR you push both bars forward, to reverse pull both bars back. One forward and the other back and you pivot. You can easily make slight adjustments to your direction or you can also make sharp turns.

Once they got used to the handling of the ZTR, they were moving briskly through the field with no problems.  They noticed that this ZTR was significantly faster than the tractor (not that the Handyguys tried to race these mowers… we would never do that!).

The X324 has a steering wheel and gas pedal (actually two pedals… forward and reverse). This will be familiar to anyone who can drive a car. Its a very natural driving position and takes very little time to become proficient. One interesting feature that the Handyguys quickly appreciated on the X324 tractor was 4 wheel steering. The tractor could cut around a 9″ tree! The four wheel steer made it extremely maneuverable in tight spaces.

Handyguy Paul contends that the tractor is a must have fashion accessory for those living in the “exoburbs”.  He felt a little too much like a landscaper on the ZTR. For Paul, its all about looking cool when you mow your grass! All kidding aside – there are some advantages to a tractor for many people. The tractor supports a wider variety of accessories. Things from snow throwers, shovels, sweepers, baggers, aerators, carts, snow blades, and spreaders can all be attached to a tractor such as the X324. If we were just mowing grass, and had a lot to do, the ZTR is a hands down winner.

You can hear the full discussion by listening to the podcast. Also, if you want to see the mowers in action make sure you check out the video we put up last week.

The Handyguys are taking this week off from our regular podcast to do some independence day celebrating. I hope our non-US fans will understand. So, instead of a podcast The Handyguys decided to play with some new video equipment.

The Handyguys try out a ZTR and a Lawn Tractor style mower to determine the pros and cons of each. This video will give you a preview of what we cover in our next podcast. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss the show.

The recorded podcast, episode 71, will be online at 5PM Eastern Time on July 9th. All comments on the video are encouraged.