Strengths Tractor not bad starts and runs

Weaknesses Mower decks are weak and are not very well built.

Overall replacement decks $600 to $800...Better of buying cheap no name

Strengths Easy to start; easy to drive; easy to adjust mower deck height; even cut; easy to find parts; easy to maintain. All I've had to do to this machine (other than the "weakness" below) is change out the battery every 2-3 years, change the oil/filter, and keep the blades sharp!

Weaknesses Idler pulley froze up and broke the drive belt after only SEVEN YEARS! (I think that's pretty good service, not really a weakness ;)

Overall Excellent tractor overall, reliable, provides a nice even cut.

Strengths None

Weaknesses Motor locked up after I cut the grass one time. I bought this used mower from Mid-Georgia Tractor on Sheraton Dr in Macon, Ga. on 5/08/09. It is now April 30, 2010. Dealership says no warranty on used mowers. It cost me $800.00 to cut my grass one time. Of Course, the salesman said the mower was used there at the dealership to cut their grass and was not giving any problems. Guess this was the way to get a recent widow to buy a "lemon". I do not have the money to buy another motor.......plus the dealership picked up the mower after the motor locked up last year and have never returned it! So I don't even have the mower I paid for.

Overall

Strengths I bought the tractor new in the Spring of 2003. After 6 seasons, it still starts up every time. The automatic transmission is the greatest strenth followed closely by the reliability to start everytime.

Weaknesses The mower fender, Two years ago I noticed a small crack on either side were the fender wraps around the motor housing location. I brought it to the attention of my John Deere dealership as a possible warrenty issue. The district rep from michigan reviewed the cracks and stated that if they were 3/4 of a inch or longer they would warrenty the the fender uint. Along story short- the cracks were not over 1/2 inch but under 3/4 of a inch. After several conversation with the dealership they replaced the fender at no cost to me. After using the LT160 for another year the cracks are back and I am looking for a replacement tractor.

Overall I would not reccommend any one to purchase this type of lawn tractor. Deck unit metal is to thin and uneven blade cuts. Since JD has mass produced the L series, LT series and the new LA series the tractor quality has gone out the window.

Strengths I bought the tractor new in the Spring of 2003. After 6 seasons, it still starts up every time. The automatic transmission is the greatest strenth followed closely by the reliability to start everytime. I've been using it on a sloped lawn and have had no transmission or pull problems yet. Occasionally , I will have to get a longer starting run, but overall it handles slopes well.

Weaknesses Replacement blades were difficult to find. No local hardware or home improvement stores carry the correct size including several stores that carry John Deere. I ended up buying them from the dealer who wasn't really customer friendly. After only a few mows the blades or cutting deck was cutting the grass uneven and the instructions to level the deck were difficult to understand and didnt seem to make any difference when I figured them out anyway.

Overall Its been an extremely reliable mower as far as the engine goes, but the blade cut has been uneven pretty much since I bought it 6 years ago. New blades will set you back some cash. For someone that does very little preventive maintenance on a mower, I am pleasently surprised every year it starts right back up.

Strengths NONE.

Weaknesses THE LT 160 IS NOTHING BUT JUNK. FROM BELTS TO BLADE TO WHEELS TO THE MOTOR. I WILL BUY THE CHEAPEST MOWER I CAN FIND.

Overall

Strengths

Weaknesses I purchased my LT 160 in December 2002. It came with a mulching kit, 16HP engine and hydrostatic transmission. I was told I could expect 15-16 years of service. Recently the mower started having difficulty pulling up even the slightest grade. Assuming the drive belt was stretched I purchased and install a new one. This did no good. I took the mower to a John Deere dealer and was told he'd let me know something that afternoon. After a week of calling myself I was finally told by a very rude service manager the transmission had gone out. The service manager also told me he'd call me back with pricing details on a new tranny. After another week and still no call I called and was told it would cost approximately $1100.00 to fix my mower. That is almost 1/2 of what I paid for it. If I had mistreated this mower I could understand why this happened. However, nothing like that happened. I am extremely disappointed in the overall quality of this mower. I am looking to purchase another but it will not be a John Deere. To be perfectly honest, I should point out, prior to this incident, I was very satisfied with my mower.

Overall

Strengths

Weaknesses None

Overall Great Mower, have had it for four years, starts right up every time. the Kohler engine is solid no leaks or problems. Solid Machine

Strengths When it was running the power was great.

Weaknesses The Kohler 16 HP is nothing but trouble.

Overall The LT 160 has only 185hrs. The Kohler 16 HP has have me trouble from day one. I had a oil leak, and the thing has blow up 2 times. This last time I have to pay to get the Engine replaced. Were did " RUNS LIKE A DEER " go??? And if you check around I am not the only one having trouble with the LT 160 and the Kohler. BEWARE if you buy one.

Strengths comfort is the best. the new john deere seats are like a sports car seat.. we don't want seats that are to supportive, we want comfort when we sit on our lawn tractor and cut the grass with a beer in our hand..as of 5 years of me using this mower and my neighbor, it's been great. i already miss it

Weaknesses the antiscalp wheels are horrible. i have had to re weld the only two wheels back on the deck four times.. now i am going to pick up my new deere tomorrow, it's a x324, i don't care about four wheel steering.. just how thick the deck is and how well the antiscalp wheels are designed.

Overall i actually took my lt160 around the neighborhood tonight for one last drive, my son actually wants to keep in and get the new one, but he is only 3. my son grew up riding the deere when he couldn't sleep, it's like family, but the deck ins't as good as a craftsman,, everything else is great,, the little 16 hp kohler has pulled up to 500lbs up a steep incline and the transmission has held up great, but the stupid cheap deck is why i am getting rid of it..