This is nuts. I cannot purchase a new John Deere E-140 lawn tractor anywhere in SW Florida. Everglades power equipment is the biggest JD dealer here with 17 locations and they can't come up with one. Neither Lowe's nor Home Depot have one within 100 miles. After spending almost a half-day on the phone, I finally threw in the towel and ordered a new carburetor for my ancient L-120. I have put way too much money into my present 17-year old John Deere, but I use it almost every day, and nobody will promise delivery of the new E-140 until after September 1. Maybe I'll buy some John Deere stock.
Weird how that works sometimes. I have a Sabre (JD). Old and was giving me issues. Always had something needed attention. Last issue was the carb. Was gonna replace it till I found that they were north of $200. Don't need a tractor as I have a Kubota, so bought a new zero. Cost a lot, but it will outlast me and I should not require any attention other than normal maintenance.
Tractorhouse has 2 listed for sale in Fla: https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...sale/list/manufacturer/john-deere/model/e140?
Same with Bosch dishwashers - made in NC. Ours died. Plant is 8 to 12 weeks behind(COVID) and no one in northern VA has any. Wife wanted Bosch and CR says they are the best so...found a floor model from last year 40 miles away after doing the phoning thing like you. Of course a used JD beats a new anything, have you looked at those?
Slight update - Not a good time to buy John Deere stock - it's selling at or near it's all-time high. I guess that they're doing all right. I really wanted a 2019 model because JD has gone to a "30 second" oil change system for the 2020 models. This sounds great, but you have to buy the box of oil and filter from them. They are going to make money on it every time. I buy the oil filters online for half of what JD charges (genuine Briggs & Stratton) and I use Mobil one 10 W 40 in the engine. With their filter package I'll have to use whatever they put in it. My 17 year-old 1,000 hour engine is fine - it's the accessories that are driving me nuts.
I've never owned a John Deere but everyone that has one loves it. The city here uses them to mow the medians and they are propane-powered like a lot of indoor forklifts. Have you looked at a zero turn mower? I wouldn't use a conventional lawn tractor now if you paid me. Too much work to trim around the property. I bought a Gravely zero turn 50" in 2006. I replaced the spindles 2 years ago and all the belts for the first time last year. Other than a battery every 4-5 years, oil changes and sharpening the blades, it just works. It takes me less than 45 minutes to mow my 3/4 acre lot. I guess that is about an acre an hour, less if it is open ground and not full of my wife's plants and landscaping.
Tried to buy a new Chevy Silverado, but the factory had closed down and they sold off all they had at the dealerships. Finally found one, but of course, it was white... the only color anybody still had.
We've been getting them in. Have had guys come clear from Florida and Arizona to buy them from us. Don't know why there's issues getting them some places, but up here it's all good.
Lots of decent used out there...I picked up a 90s GT275 for $200...needed a couple things but nice unit
Took me a month to purchase a new mountain bike in May. Off road motorcycles are pretty much non existent, used prices are up by probably 1/3rd.
Isn't the JD lawn tractor sold at a JD dealer different (specifications) than the same model sold at resellers? I believe in Canada it is.
My mom just junked a 5 yr old JD x340 series POS. Problems from new. Last issue that did it in was a failed transmission. Even the tech that last worked on it said it wasnt a well built machine.
A lot of them have gone commodity-based builds to compete with the big box store house brand. If it is cheap, it cheap. Most of that is so you cannot price match so they alter the features/model number on the big box store models to keep them from competing on price.
Damn shame, but Wally World and Home dePo-ass have that clout (make it look the same but here’s OUR price point-or we won’t order.) Read about Shlage locks on a locksmith forum as an example. Patrick
I suggest buying the tractor from a real tractor dealer. Skip lowes, home depot, wally world and tractor supply.. a good rule of thumb is if there are no mechanics on site, then shop elsewhere.
Compact & Sub-Compact JD & even Kubota Tractors are in short supply as well. Covid + apparently the truckers won't go into "certain" areas so the parts supply chain has been disrupted as well. Not sure what models they are, but I see lots of JD lawn tractors around up here.
