John Deere JX85 replacement?

[grshppr]

I've switched all my 21" mowers to JX85's now, because I've found them to be a reliable, powerful and very efficient cutting machine. Now My dealer is telling me that they have discontinued them. They didn't know if a replacement was going to be coming out or not. Any body hear if there is, or do we have to go to the homeoner version the JX75? It just makes me mad that I've switched everything to John Deere and now I can't get them any more.:angry:

[Mowingman]

I switched from JX85's to JX75's several years ago to save money. The 75 will last just as long as the 85. I did add the bolt-on front adjuster brackets. All the heavy duty "commercial" add ons you find on the 85 will bolt right onto the 75 if you want them.:D

[bob]

I've got the JX75 with the added on heavy duty rear height adjusters. I can't see paying $200-300 more dollars for virtualy the same mower.

[grshppr]

So I take it the tranny and motor are the same. What about the deck and handles? Do they hold up, I found the JX 85 handles tended to break after 1 year or so and needed to be welded.

[walker-talker]

On the JX75 the wheels and height adjustments are plastic, where as on the JX85 they are steel. The JX85 is pressure lubricated and for this you will pay about $40 for the kit (in my case here, installation is free) to be monted on the JX75. As far as I know the engine, tranny, deck and spindle is the same. And Bob is right, you can save a couple hundred buck by buying the JX75 and upgrading (might be a little less savings with all the upgrades). Mine is 6 years old and just now won't start on the first pull, but will on the second. KAW makes a great little 6hp engine.

MATT

[grshppr]

Thanks for the info guys, I just wasn't sure how the JX 75 would hold up. Now that I know about these options I' ll probably pick up a couple of JX75s this spring and do those mods. Thanks again:)

[Brieldo]

When I bought my JX85, the dealer told me that the tranny is actaully different. He took me outside and showed me the difference...when you pull back on a 75, it rolls back with complete ease. On the 85, it's much tighter. He said the tolerances in the 85 tranny are far tighter and the build quality is far better...dont konw if it's true but mine has held up great...

[turfman33]

I have the JX85 myself and only just recently found out on this sight that they don't make them any more. I love mine.

Steve

[mklawnman]

How good are the handles on the JX75? Like do they have some good brackets that are bolted to the frame of the mower?? Cause on our old Murray we had to welt some extra pieces of iron on it to re-enforce the arm so it wouldnt break, considering we use this mower on a very steep burm that is very rough, and many times I have slipped some while pushing the POS murray.
Matt

[grshppr]

The brackets on the JX85 are quite good, the problem is the bolts where the brackets bolt on tho the deck. The bolts always broke on me, so I drilled them out and put larger ones in with lock tite nuts. Seemed to solve the handle problem. I've had 2 handles break, but it was usually because they were loose for a while. Plus we have a few places with stairs, so they take a lot of stress.

[Albemarle Lawn]

Goofed up bad.

I'm looking for a used JX75 cheap to transfer the heavy duty stuff over to. The stainless ball bearing wheels survived just fine, but the motor and deck are FUBAR.

Ken

[GarPA]

I'm about ready to trash my 21" Honda....whats the price of the '75? My neighbor has an Old 21 Deere....it cuts tall wet grass like no mower I have ever seen....I'm surprised we dont see more of them in our business

[Mowingman]

I have always liked the JX75/85 mowers and have used them for years. However, since this thread was started, JD has dropped the JX 85 model. The JX75 is still available, but the warranty has been reduced from 1 year to 90 days.
As a result, I have switched over to the Exmark/Toro commercial 21" with the Kawasaki engine. This is the same engine that was on the JX85/75.:D

[GarPA]

Well forget JD now....90 days is ridiculous

[Brickman]

Originally posted by walker-talker
On the JX75 the wheels and height adjustments are plastic, where as on the JX85 they are steel. The JX85 is pressure lubricated and for this you will pay about $40 for the kit (in my case here, installation is free) to be monted on the JX75. As far as I know the engine, tranny, deck and spindle is the same. And Bob is right, you can save a couple hundred buck by buying the JX75 and upgrading (might be a little less savings with all the upgrades). Mine is 6 years old and just now won't start on the first pull, but will on the second. KAW makes a great little 6hp engine.

MATT


I had both. And the 75 is pressure lubed but without external filter like the 85. As to the handles I believe that the 75 were not as strong or as tight as the 85.
But both were awesome mowers for me.