The biggest area of concern would be the transmission. If the unit has not been doing a lot of towing or has been doing limited cart/aearator work. It's probably ok.

You're likely to get 7-10 trouble-free years from a new, $2000 lawn tractor like the E110 with average maintenance. The used machine is already 7-8 years into that. If it's been maintained at average levels, then it's likely to want a new belt or pulley here and there in the near future and not much more. If it lasts you 5 years and cost $850 + $150 in parts, cost of ownership would match the $2000 new machine. Excluding normal consumables like filters, fluids, and blades.

The used machine has a better engine than the E110 as well. I really dislike the single cylinder vertical crank Briggs that's on the entry-level riding mowers these days. When running, they are fine. But the $100 upgrade to a twin-cylinder Briggs is well worth it in my opinion. If it saves you one shop trip due to oil leaks, head gasket problems, etc, it's paid for itself. The twins run quieter, smoother, and drink less fuel believe it or not. The E120 gets you the twin but I like the E130 for total value in the E100 series.

Summary of the 42" deck Deere's:

E100 $1600 - Single Cyl, Low Seat, Has the dreaded CVT transmission. They aren't that god awful, and better than the MTD version. But it's kinda like saying Deere built a better Yugo.

E110 $1800 - Single Cyl, Low Seat, Hydrostatic Transmission. See above for my beef with the one-lung Briggs engines.

E120 $1900 - Twin Cyl, Mid Seat, Hydrostatic Transmission. Great value, everything you need, that seat makes a bigger difference than you'd think.

E130 $2000 - Twin Cyl, Mid Seat, Hydrostatic Transmission. +2 HP from the E120, which is a plus if you are running a mulch kit or high-lift blades for the bagger, also adds the front bumper and the wide rear tires. The wide tires make a difference in ground compaction/ruts if you have to mow on soft ground. ie. Rainy Season.

S240 $2600 - Same tractor as the E100 series, X300 series engine (Kawasaki V-Twin) tires, hood, and seat. Nice if budget is not the primary concern.

 

Thanks for the detailed response, MasterMech.

I'm not usually a fan of buying something that's 8-10 years old, but this seems like a pretty good deal considering the "XLS" model is the upgraded version of the base YTH22V46 with the cast iron front axle and steel deck.

I'm not too worried about maintenance as I can do most of it myself, and parts look cheap enough.

Is 485 a lot of hours for this type of rider? I know it depends on how it was treated, just asking in general.

 

Thanks for the detailed response, MasterMech.

I'm not usually a fan of buying something that's 8-10 years old, but this seems like a pretty good deal considering the "XLS" model is the upgraded version of the base YTH22V46 with the cast iron front axle and steel deck.

I'm not too worried about maintenance as I can do most of it myself, and parts look cheap enough.

Is 485 a lot of hours for this type of rider? I know it depends on how it was treated, just asking in general.

The Briggs Intek twins are usually good for 700-1000 hours with minimal attention. The trans will probably die before the engine. Air filters were the Achilles heel. The suitcase shaped filters were the worst as it was too easy for them to bypass dust thanks to a lousy airbox design. I saw ZTR's with collection systems that would stuff an engine in less than 400 hours due to poor filtration. The cylindrical filters were much better, the larger the filter, the better they were. If it REALLY has 485 hours on it, (believable at 8 years old but leaving the key on once will put a hundred easy hours on it! :lol just make sure the trans is not making noise and feels strong even after being warmed up.

That fabricated deck from Husky is a big step up in durability over their stamped decks. Cast front axles are highly over-rated if you ask me. Stamped or cast, they all wear out at the same location. It's all in the durability of the pivot bearing, not how the axle was made! Lot's of old Deere's with stamped steel front axles STILL out there mowing. :mrgreen:

 

Thanks for the detailed response, MasterMech.

I'm not usually a fan of buying something that's 8-10 years old, but this seems like a pretty good deal considering the "XLS" model is the upgraded version of the base YTH22V46 with the cast iron front axle and steel deck.

I'm not too worried about maintenance as I can do most of it myself, and parts look cheap enough.

Is 485 a lot of hours for this type of rider? I know it depends on how it was treated, just asking in general.

Also, since you are a DIY maintanence type, I'd drop the trans and change the fluid, at a minimum, to help ensure it's longevity. Look up "Tuff Torq K46 Rebuild" to get the skinny on that particular trans. Give you something to do over the winter! :lol: Ignore all of the naysayers on the K46, in the proper application and not abused, they last a long time!