Outstanding mower. Both my 260 and 240 are hands down the best mowers ever made (better than JD 316 and 318, no question about it). Will plan to replace engines if they ever fail and keep mowing on both of my tractors, there is no better than these models available new today!

Year of Manufacture: 1990

Pros: Rugged, virtually indestructible mower. Steering, being U joint, etc. is far better than its successor, the GT242, GT262. Gear transmission is also far superior to the hydrostatic models (245, 265, 285) in the same series as they tend to wear out far in advance of the gear tractors. Once the motor shut off while mowing and could not get restarted after many attempts (running down battery cranking and having to recharge). Replaced factory spark plug (after 20 years) and fired right up, mowed great. Simple fix. +3hp over the 240 (I have a 240 as well) is noticeable and allows me to cut wet grass much better than the 14 hp 240. Also noted to run quieter than my 14hp 240 of same model series/year.

Cons: Deck lift (‘tree grabber’). The arm is in a bad location when floating the deck of driving with deck raised. Tends to grab anything in its path and usually whips back on the operator.

Attachments: 46″ mower deck

Nothing but great times on this mower and plan to use it indefinitely, may just change motors when mine finally gives out, but no signs yet.

Year of Manufacture: 1990

Pros: Rugged, virtually indestructible mower. Steering, being U joint, etc. is far better than its successor, the GT242, GT262. I have mowed 2-5 acres for about 20 years with this mower and had to replace the belts, spindles and PTO clutch once. I have mulched up sticks, brush and about anything else in my way with no issues. Mine was also dropped off of a pickup truck while backing down the ramps and hit the ground, turned over and was still running. Flipped it over and runs/mows just like brand new. Unbelievable how tough these mowers are. Gear transmission is also far superior to the hydrostatic models (245, 265, 285) in the same series as they tend to wear out far in advance of the gear tractors.

Cons: Deck lift (‘tree grabber’). The arm is in a bad location when floating the deck of driving with deck raised. Tends to grab anything in its path and usually whips back on the operator.

Attachments: 38″ mower deck

Owned a 45 HP larger Kubota previously but had a much larger farm. With only 30 acres now this is perfect for my needs

Year of Manufacture: 2011

Pros: just the right size for hobby farm type projects, not too big and does not leave ruts, good cat like stance. Going any larger would require a larger trailer to haul it

Cons: of course there is always things you wish you had a bigger tractor for, but used within it’s range it is great

Attachments: Front end loader, box blade, 60″ tiller, 6 ft disk, 2 row corn planter, fertilizer spreader, 6 ft york rake, bush hog

Modifications: none

Would be a lot better if I could disconnect rear pto output

Year of Manufacture: 1985

Pros: My 317 must be the series one as it has not been redrill =ed or modifyed,missing partsnone

Cons: unable to disconnect rear pto output

Attachments: none

Modifications: Putting back together as someone who had it did not know how it’s to be

good

Year of Manufacture: 2010

Pros: good snow mover, even in wet, heavy snow

Cons: Turning is by man-handle, despite JD’s promotional. Corners ARE a problem I have had a problem with the electric chute deflector, sometimes does not work, and there is no way to manually control

Attachments: none

Modifications: none

Heavy use

Year of Manufacture: 2007

Pros: I bought this mower in 2007 at Home Depot in Texas. This was my first riding mower. I purchased a home on a 1 acre lot and was not about to push it. It’s now 2012 and I have 53 hours on it and could not be more satisified. I sold the home with the 1 acre lot and moved into a home with a 1/2 acre lot. I have been mowing this yard for the last 2 years with zero issues. I do all of my own servicing like oil changes, plugs, filters and also I drain the fuel at the end of each season. I pull the deck after the last mow in the fall and sharpen all 3 blades by hand. I keep it in the garage and completely blow all the grass out of it after every use. I have a 5×10 tilt bed heavy duty trailer that I keep in the back yard. I use my Deere to move that trailer back and fourth from the back yard to the front. The trailer has been loaded to the hilt several times. If it wasn’t for my JD I wouldn’t be able to get it put up. This mower has been absolutely amazing for me. I have had zero issues with it. In the winter of 2010 it snowed here in North Texas. Our entire neighborhood was covered. There were several neighbors that had their 4 wheelers out pulling their kids around the neighborhood. I dropped the deck on my JD LA140 and tied a long rope to the ball and the other end to a large Rubbermaid tote. I put my 3 year old son in it and drove around the entire neighborhood for hours on end. We had a blast even though I couldn’t go as fast as those fancy 4 wheelers.

Cons: None!!!

Tough as hell. Is a very good running machine. I use it alot to haul wood out of the woods durning the winter. Doesn’t show any sighns what so ever of slowing down. Good quality machine compared to the new ones today with their thin cheap metal and plastic. Doesn’t owe me a dime.

Year of Manufacture: 1989

Pros: Very dependable, bulletproof motor, tough frame, really simple and basic machine. Easy to maintain.

Cons: Paint flakes.

Attachments: Snow blade and trailer.

Modifications: None.

None

Year of Manufacture: 2011

Pros: B2782A Front mount Blower on a B-3000/HSDCC Kubota Tractor ….Exceeds all my expectations!……

Cons: Nick picking now The cab is a little noisey I have to put a cardboard sheet in front of the radiator when below zero temperatures to keep the cab warm.

Attachments: Belly Mount 6′ Mower

Modifications: Turf tires

Absoulutly horrible

Year of Manufacture: 2005

Pros: Tuff power. strong towing

Cons: Have had the kohler engine replaced twice due to defect.

I enjoy working with that tractor it is very stable I enjoyed it even more when the 4 wheel drive worked.

Year of Manufacture: 1961

Pros: Very reliable start well, even in the New Brunswick winter,

Cons: Power steering can be a bit hard at time. It use to get stuck in gear but easily fix the problem by replacing an inexpensive guide in the transmission. The brake use to seize, fix that by replacing the brake pad and seal. The rear engine seal was leaking (rope seal) a really poor design those year replaced it cure the problem and increased my pressure.

Attachments: Added hydraulic control valve and rear hydraulic line for snow blower.

Modifications: I don’t know if you are aware of a mod kit to transform that model of tractor into a 4×4. Before I bought that tractor in 1994 it had been modified into a 4×4 the fellow I bought it from died 3 months before and his widow did not have any info. The Tractor front wheel gets its power from a shaft that is hook up to a selen transfer case that is mounted over the rear PTO. When I put the lever in Ground PTO the front wheels move as I move forward. When I want to use the PTO I select PTO and the power transfer to my PTO in the rear, only problem I don’t get PTO and 4×4 at the same time. Please if you are aware of such mod let me know because one of the gear in the trasfer case is worn out and I would like to replaced the whole Transfercase tahnk you.