I have owned a number of these LGT Lawn/Garden
tractors (LGT125,LGT145,LGT165). I have owned my LGT165 since the middle 70's. I have most of the attachments, but, regretably I have sold the front
end loader and the siccle bar. The attachments
are expensive, sooooo buy an old run down tractor
with whatever attachments you can get with it. The
tractor will supply you with a lot of good used
parts that are not available any longer through Ford and for pennies on the dollar.To rebuilt my engine cost $745.00(at least it is rebuildable). The mower deck (I have two 42'
and one 50' deck) has been rebuilt a number of times with "sealed" bearings from a bearing jobber
rather than from Ford. The sealed bearings will
outlast the Ford OEM parts. The steering column parts are under engineered and expensive. The part (shaft/plate/&pin) that goes from the gear housing through the frame to the steering arm is of a poor design and workmanship. I just bought this part (my third replacement) for $247.86 CDN. Before I installed this one, I took it to the welding shop and had it reinforced where the smaller diam. pin joins the larger diam. pin at the plate. This is a weak point in the steering column and Ford has not (in all good conscience) agreed to own the poor workmanship and put out a recall. Actually, Ford would sooner these quality LGT units from the 70's go away and have you purchase a new plastic unit. The newer models are a toy compared to the older LGT
series. I have told Ford that I would not trade
them my old LGT165 for three of their new plastic
infested lawn/garden tractors. If you own one of
the hydrostatic drive babies with power take-off ...keep it running! These are serious lawn/garden tractors (actually built by Jacobson with Ford's name on it). New parts are hard to find and very expensive. However, there are hundreds of used tractors
sitting in back yard sheds that can be bought for the cost of a single new part at the dealership. I spent my last year's holiday time restoring my LGT165. It now looks as pretty as it did when new. OK! It does burn a little more fuel than a Mickey Mouse B&S powered mower, but, THIS IS A SERIOUS TRACTOR. Jim
collingridge@cariboo.bc.ca
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