Some info for All

Lefty

Well-known Member
Over the years things have changed.In the heyday of L&G equiptment there were a couple hundred mfgs.Currently there are only a handful.I'm have kept an eye out and done some research to come up with this listing:
*Parent Co-Electrolux Intl:
AYP-American Yard Products:
U.S Brands-Husqvarna,Poulan,Poulan Pro,Craftsman,Weedeater(mowers)Jonserude,Stihl and some other "store brands".
*Parent Co-Briggs&Stratton via Yard Power Group,produces U.S. Brands-Newer Murray(no support for older Murray,Noma,Simplicity Power Products,Snapper Power Products,Brute, YardKing,Ferris,Victa and some Store Brands,ie:Walmart
*Parent Co-MTD(Modern Tool&Die):Cub Cadet,Cub Cadet Commercial,MTD,MTD Yard Machines,Troybilt,White Outdoor,Bolens,Current TSC Huskees,Ranch King,Ace,Cenex,contract"Store Brands" etc,and worldwide probably a couple hundred other contract built"names".
*Parent Co-The Toro Company,Toro,Lawnboy,Toro Commercial.There is a persistant rumor that Toro is building up their Commercial/Pro division and that homeowner grade Toros are being contracted out to another builder,but I have been unable to confirm this.
Parent Co-John Deere,info sketchy.Indications are that the cheaper Sabres a few yrs back were built by Scotts as price competitive models for offerings of AYP,Murray Corp,and MTD,Currently the dealer sold models and"box store" models do not seem to be"family??" Deere walking snowblowers are almost indistinguishable from Ariens offerings and come from the same WI city??? "Frontier"?seems to be the Mfg of Deere L&G tractor attachments.
Parent Co-Haban,now long gone...used to make decks,snowblowers,sickle mowers etc for many of the above mfgs.That role appears to now be undertaken by AgriFab,who beside their own label builds spec built share plows,snowblades,and sleeve hitch rear attachments,cart trailers,etc for AYP,MTD etc labeled with "their" Brand.In most cases the attachments are universal or differ only in bracketry for various contracts.
*Parent Co-Ariens...appears to be creeping along even after the loss of their prime engine supplier,Tecumseh a few yrs back.
Sadly,it seems on many of the above past Companies,that the Co Name,which built a sterling reputation for the mfgs product,became only another saleable product as recievership.It will take awhile to sort the Wheat from the Chaff on these new,non vintage supporting names,but just remember at the turn of the century(1899-1900ish)there were hundreds of US Farm Tractor Mfgs.
Hope you find the above helpful.I can't verify that ALL is "written in stone".But it's what I found. :)
 
The info you present seems to be reasonably accurate. I have heard for several years that, as you mentioned, JD mowers sold in box stores were different from "dealer" sold products, yet I read a report by Handyman magazine that swore they were all the same, but evidence seems to point to different quality. Personally, I would not be surprised, in a few years, to see many names fall by the way, just as automakers are doing. The box stores will likely keep their pet names, but it is already becoming common knowledge as to who builds what.
 
Been there, sold that.
At least one big box store sold JD branded products as well as Husky and their store brand. All were built by MTD then known at Electrolux.
JD dealer wouldn't promise parts or service on those but would give you a number to call for parts, direct to MTD.
 
By now, that myth about the entry level Deere tractors being of two different qualities should be dead and gone. There is no truth to it. All L Series and LA Series tractors were built on the same assembly line in the same plant which is owned by Deere and everyone there is the Deere payroll.

Tractors destined for Big Box Stores have the pre-delivery inspection performed by trained John Deere technicians in the employ of the local franchised John Deere dealer and that dealer also looks after any warranty problems.

There is no difference between a Deere on the floor of Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace or the local Deere dealer.
 
Electrolux is not connected to MTD in any way and never has been. Electrolux is responsible for the Husqvarna line of OPE and for many years, they built tractors for Sears under the Craftsman brand.
 
MTD ( Modern Tool&Die) manufactures part for other companies under that companies specs.. You would have to be very naive to think John Deere builds every thing for their lawn tractors. John Deere did build a cheaper tractor for big box stores to compete with MTD tractors. You can find this in the John Deere history of their lawn & garden tractors.
 
I work in that field.
That info may have been current back about 2005.

1. Husqvarna bought out Electrolux. All those other brands mentioned have parts supplied through Husqvarna now.

2. MTD owns Toro. That is why you can"t buy a quality Toro (or Wheel Horse) ride tractor anymore. Yes, Toro"s emphasis is on the zero-turn market.

3. John Deere built the Sabre mowers (Or else owns all the parts business for them) and some of the Scotts mowers. Other Scotts brand products were Murray (Briggs and Stratton) products, so check your model and serial number tag.

4. There are quite a few parts still available for the older genuine Murray products. But you will really pay for them-Briggs gotta pay for buying them out somehow, I guess. Our distribuitor still has the Noma microfiche as well, although many parts are NLA.
 
Not that it makes any real difference Electrolux is alive & well,Electrolux & Husqvarna are both from Sweden & in fact Husqvarna was owned by Electrolux before same bought out WCI in 86 that owned an extensive line of name brand home/consumer appliances & outdoor products Roper & some mod White tractors being among them along with the previous mentioned brands,the exception being AYP which was formed after WCI was bought & Roper tractors were under AYP logo for 2-3 yrs till they dropped Roper name/line,not sure if WCI sold White line to some other mfg or MTD before being bought by Electrolux.

About 7-8 yrs ago Electrolux decided to spin off its outdoor products division & put all brand names,manufacturing & parts under the Husqvarna name/roof.
 
Saw a report that Electrolux is buying the home products division of GE. GE is concentrating on industrial products going forward.
 

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