John Deere 180

    7 Reviews

    The John Deere 180 lawn mower is an upgrade from the John Deere 170 mower. As with nearly every single other JD lawnmower, this one too was produced at the Horicon plant in Wisconsin. The JD 180 mower comes with an 0.534 liter Kawasaki FC540V engine. This 1 cylinder, gasoline engine with natural aspiration produces 17 hp. It’s air cooled and purifies the air entering the engine using a dry type filter that has a foam pre cleaning component. The engine is thankfully started via a 12 v battery as opposed to using a recoil mechanism type pull cord.

    The John Deere 180 uses a Peerless gear shift transmission that gives the mower 5 speeds when traveling forwards and one for when it’s reversing. It’s top speed traveling forwards is 7.9 kph (4.9 mph). The gear box needs to be filled with 1 liter of transmission fluid. The mower has a fuel tank that is capable of holding up to 8.3 liters (2.2 US gallons) of gasoline. When people were buying the 180 brand new, they had a choice of 2 mower decks; one with a 38 inch mid mounted mower deck or a rear mounted mowing deck that is 46 inches wide. On top of the mower decks, there is also a range of attachments that are compatible with the mower. These include a 38 inch snow blower that can be attached to the front of the machine (it’s a single stage snowblower) as well as a bagger that can hold up to 6.5 bushels.

    Depending on the mower deck attached, the John Deere 180 can weigh up to 278 kg (615 lbs), which may seem quite heavy to some. It has a wheel base of 1.13 m (48 inches) and a width of 1.01 m (40 inches) making quite steady when traveling over uneven ground. If you own (or have owned) a 180, then please leave a review below and let everybody know about your experience with it.

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    7 Reviews of the “John Deere 180”

    1. Mike Lohre says:
      May 29, 2017 at 2:10 am

      I appreciate using it and enjoy the older machine very much. They are worth buying and getting into shape as once updated they are pretty tough birds.

      Year of Manufacture: 1987
      Pros: Good engine and power, and transmission to me is preferable to hydrostatic as less to go wrong and you can usually mow in 3rd gear with no trouble. My 46 inch deck is rugged and pretty easy to get off if you are strong enough to hold up deck with one arm and undo the pins. Turns to the left very sharply for around trees and fence, though certainly no zero turn. Fairly easy on gas and I can mow about three hours on a tank at full bore. Good seat and nice to be able to pull small carts and attach a snowblower if needed. I’m looking for one but they are rare as hen’s teeth as mower is getting so old. I love the 318s the 100 series and the older 425/445/455 mowers as they are just so much better built than the newer Deeres and mowers. I picked this one up for 500 bucks and it needs a magneto but was in very good shape otherwise and has served me well two summers with minimal fuss.
      Cons: Parts are expensive and sometimes obsolete. Does not turn sharp going right but you can make up for it with lefties. Electric PTO design not the best and costly to replace. Transaxles are famous for going out and again takes some work to fix and find parts. I’d still take one of these older mowers over the new planned obsolescence junk any day of the week.
      Attachments: Homemade cart for farm use.

      Reply
      • craig says:
        July 8, 2023 at 9:26 am

        i do have proper sno blower. i hav all hook ups too

        Year of Manufacture: 0
        Attachments: sno blower

        Reply
    2. Neil A. Thoman says:
      June 19, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      In general all excellent until present problem but then it is 26yrs old, but I would hate to loose it over such inconsequential part.

      Year of Manufacture: 1986
      Pros: Good power, manuverable,easy to maintain which I have religiously done.Used for grass and snowalso until a few years ago. The snow auger was incredible(could throw snow across the street) but was a CHORE to place and remove each year. Replaced with an Ariens walk behind with a cab. Served me well for 26 years. I mounted a SW Hobbs (hour) meter when I purchased the tractor to assist in regular maintainance- the meter died 4 years ago with over 800 hrs on it! Note: if you use the plow or auger a weight box or wheel weights are a must !
      Cons: Recently had carburetor issues. Engine had no throttle control. Removed carb to find that the two small screws on the throttle shaft had loosened and fallen out (probably in the muffler now) and allowed vane to fall off . Fortunately, the vane got wedged ,in the open orientation, just short of entering the cylinder.UNFORTUNATELY, the throttle shaft had fatigued and was found to be cracked. There are NO parts available for this engine and the complete carb is no longer available either. Due to JD propriety parts policy compatible parts are not easy to discover andthe longevity of the tractor ,while admirable, works against it also. I am presently relagated to looking for a carb from another piece of failed equipment . I have a few leads.
      Attachments: 38 inch mower deck , single stage snow auger, grader blade 6.5 bushel grass collection
      Modifications: As noted, hobbs meter also added tail lights because snow removal often required night time turns in the street.

      Reply
    3. chris castiglione says:
      January 19, 2013 at 12:19 am

      bought it last month for 300 used. wasnt running and it turns out its something with the fuel pump so i gotta get a new one and see if it starts.

      Pros: sturdy, tough, big
      Cons: bad fuel pump, oil filter is in an awkward position,
      Attachments: 52″ mower deck
      Modifications: put a cb radio on it, replaced gas line and fuel filter,

      Reply
    4. Mike Richardson says:
      December 10, 2012 at 3:22 am

      just something to play with

      Year of Manufacture: 1989
      Pros: This must have been a good tractor.I bought mine in 2012 for $100.00 with oout a deck.It had been treated rough over the years.It was in sad shape to look at,but with a few parts here and there and with out doing anything to the motor I now mave a tractor that pulls wagon and preforms duties on the farm and is also a parade piece.I will be looking for another 180 or 185 soon.
      I use it like a gator around the farm.
      Cons: Putting the rear seat and fenders on is a task
      Attachments: wagons
      Modifications: none

      Reply
    5. Lanny says:
      April 25, 2012 at 8:49 pm

      My dad purchased brand new in 1984 and gave to me a few years ago. It has done very well. Had to replace brake pads a couple years ago but that is expected every 20 years or so! Great mower- would not sell or trade it.

      Year of Manufacture: 0
      Pros: Great size- not too big and not too small. Low maintenance- have had no problems.
      Cons: Very few attachments out side the snow blower and bagger.
      Attachments: Bagger
      Modifications: None

      Reply
    6. ROBERT BROTHERS says:
      June 29, 2011 at 11:08 pm

      I’VE USED OTHER MOWERS FOR THE HECK OF IT,BUT I WOULDN’T TRADE OR GIVE MINE UP.

      Year of Manufacture: 1984
      Pros: HAVE OWNED FOR 17 YEARS IF IT WEARS OUT I’LL PURCHASE A NEW ONE
      Cons: OVER THE YEARS I’VE WATCHED MY NEIGHBORS PURCHASE NEW MOWERS. I’M STILL RUNNING MY JOHN DEERE 180 (1984)
      Attachments: MY ONLY ATTACHEMENT IS THE JD180
      Modifications: AFTER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW FRONT TIRES.

      Reply

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