Strengths I just bought my LA105 from a local guy through craigslist for 800 cash. He had it serviced, blades sharpened, oil changed, spark plug changed, belts redone, a full tank of gas and delivered it for free. I cut my new house lawn (.4 acre) with it in no time at all. The grass was very high so as I cut in circles it threw the grass into the center of the lawn, pass by pass. It bogged down under a huge loads of grass piles. Didnt stall it however. Plenty of power for any lawn. Its suggested 1-2 acres based on other websites I have read. I love it and as long as maintenance is kept up it should last for years. I also got it with a free 400 dollar utility trailer (John Deere 17P).

Weaknesses LA105 series is a lowes "store brand" model, not a real Deere in my opinion. Limited accessories. Vibrates and is not quiet, despite the labels on the engine saying its designed to vibrate less.

Overall I cant speak for reliability, it only has 39 hrs on it. I paid 800 cash so I cant speak for financing either. I got a great deal on this barely used mower from a craigslister. I am happy with my first cut and would recommend a used one if you can find it with low hours and maintenance records.

Strengths Works great as a mower, lawn striper and for pulling a seeder. I've kept up on the maintenance as planned by the manual have not had a single issue.

Weaknesses Rattles a thousand times more than my 1966 Allis Chalmers and feels super cheap, this being said it has not affected the performance whatsoever.

Overall Leaves a good cut for a rider. I still leave the heavy attachments to my Allis Chalmers as I am scared of wearing out the hydrostat.

Strengths Good

Weaknesses None

Overall No matter how good the strength is and how less the weakness is if it dosn't run it is not a Deere. Will never buy another one from Lowes. We bought the LA105 in 2010 and first year it was no problems. Since then everytime we get ready to mow it is fix something before you can get started. We have replaced the spark plug wire 2 times,battery,belt,back tire would just go flat cannot find any thing other than the fact that it will not hold air from one week to the next. Now it is sitting in the Garage and will not go into gear. I was under the impression that it was the same since it had JD color and name. Boy was I wrong. I have owned a JD purchased from JD and never had any issues other than normal maintaince.

Strengths none

Weaknesses engine, transmission, batt,tires,weight for snow it is too light not a garden tractor

Overall I would not buy it. It does not hold up and last for years like the garden tractor not like my 1969 jd 112 stuff is cheaper now mower engines only last 10 years. My 112 is a garden tractor

Strengths Great machine-- major improvement over my previous Craftsman. Starts great, runs superb, cuts excellently. No auto transmission to break either!

Weaknesses Tough to hook/unhook bagger chute up without getting onto the ground

Overall Bagging works well IF you get the correct high-lift blade on it (I started out with a wrong one and couldn't figure out why the chute would clog up so fast. Put the right blade on it and it works excellent now

Strengths Very Strong Cuts Great

Weaknesses None

Overall Cuts on hills very good love the extra wheels on the deck.......... My old one never had one, its great

Strengths This is a great mower. Plenty of power to cut that tall grass.

Weaknesses I have had a problem with the bumper and hood melting and it is going back to john deer for a second time. They have been really nice and are even coming to pic up the mower at my house. The manafold heat is melting the plastic getting the metal hot and causing the hood pin to melt its way through the side of the hood.

Overall

Strengths Has a water sprout on it to clean the deck very easily, just attach the hose. Rides smooth. Warranty is unreal. I can hit rocks with the tractor and they will fix it.

Weaknesses Watch when you cut on hills because you will scrap the one side of the grass down to the dirt. Had a hard time getting the chute attached to the tractor.

Overall Other then taking the time the attach the chute, which once I got attached it fit like a glove. The John Deere LA105 is a really well designed machine. I got clogged once because the grass was high but I pushed up the level and had no problems after that. Remember you can't use a tractor if the grass is wet or if it is raining. I also recommend not getting the triple bagger. It won't fill up all three and clog. Maybe a stronger horsepower John Deere might do it but not the 19.5 hp.

Strengths Very powerful 19.5 HP engine. Cuts very well and fast.

Weaknesses I know it's a safty feature, but I don't like having to push the button to mow in reverse.

Overall I think this JD is better than my Mom's Snapper and my Grandmother's Cub Cadet. I've mowed with both and this one seems to cut better not to mention turns sharper (18" turning radious). I don't even need to trim with a push mower, just fire up the weed eater and finished.