This page has been corrected because its earlier slope and blade-service advice conflicted with John Deere’s instructions. Start with the tractor product identification number (PIN) on the left side of the frame. Deere’s OMGX23404 I9 manual covers LA145 tractors with PIN 300001 and later. Match an earlier PIN to its applicable manual edition.
What does “22 HP” establish?
For the I9 range, Deere’s LA135/LA145 specification lists a Briggs & Stratton model 40 twin-cylinder engine, 656 cc displacement and Tuff Torq T40 hydrostatic transaxle; it does not give an LA145 horsepower rating. Deere Shop lists MIA11398 as a 22 HP replacement engine assembly with LA145 under generally compatible equipment. General replacement fit does not establish the original output of every tractor. Check the installed engine’s identification against the tractor PIN and Deere parts record.
Correction to slope and blade advice
The earlier direction to mow across slopes was wrong for tractors covered by I9. Deere’s Avoid Tipping instructions say to mow up and down, not across, and not to mow if you cannot back up the slope or if grass is wet. The earlier instruction to tip the tractor onto its nose for blade work has also been removed. Deere’s mower blade service procedure calls for parking safely and raising the mower deck for blade access, removing the deck if needed. It also warns to prevent an accidental engine start and to wear gloves. Read the complete instructions in the manual matched to the tractor PIN before operating or servicing it.
Some reader comments below discuss an earlier version of this page. They are not John Deere operating or service instructions.
I appreciate the maintenance tips section — the checklist made me actually look under my hood lol. The troubleshooting bits about blade vibration saved me a service call last month.
Same here. I found a bent blade and the vibration was gone after replacing it. Pro tip: mark pre-balanced blades with white paint so you don’t mix them up.
Glad it helped! Blade balance and worn spindle bearings are the usual culprits. If you ever want, post a short video and we can help diagnose.
Short and honest: I was on the fence between LA145 and a competitor model. The article’s ownership cost breakdown pushed me to Deere. One season in and I’m happy. Parts availability is the real luxury.
Agree — saved me time and money when I needed a quick spindle replacement.
Happy to hear it worked out! Parts and service network are underrated advantages.
Same here. The convenience of dealer service is worth a lot on busy weekends.
Loved the buying guide section. Short version for lazy people like me: what are the top 3 things to inspect in a used LA145 before handing over cash? 🙂
Don’t forget tires and steering play. Steering wobble = expensive alignment/parts down the road.
Great question — quick checklist: (1) Engine run/test — listen for odd noises and check for smoke; (2) Transmission and deck engagement — ensure smooth operation; (3) Deck and spindle/blade condition — excessive rust or warped deck is a red flag.
Honest opinion: it’s a solid mid-range tractor but John Deere pricing still makes me wince. For the same power, I saw cheaper options that do 80% of what this does.
True, but Deere’s resale value and dealer network are big pluses. If you plan to keep it long-term, that matters.
I bought used and it was worth the premium for the parts availability alone. Fewer weekends spent hunting obscure parts.
Nerdy question: does the LA145 use any special grade of hydraulic fluid or just standard stuff? I’m OCD about fluids and probably overdo it lol.
Owner’s manual FTW. If in doubt, take a photo of the fill cap and ask the dealer before buying random fluids.
Anyone tried the mulching kit recommended in the accessories? My lawn is a mix of grass and clover — wondering if mulching will help or just gum up the deck.
I ditched bagging entirely after mulching — less hauling and my soil looks happier. But yes, clover can clog sometimes so mow when it’s dry.
Mulching helped my lawn a lot, especially in the growing season. Just keep the deck clean and sharpen blades frequently. You’ll get finer clippings that decompose faster.
Okay, serious: the article mentions common troubleshooting but didn’t go deep on electrical gremlins. My LA145 had a dead solenoid once — any quick fixes before calling a shop?
I replaced the starter relay on mine and it fixed intermittent starting. Also check for rodent chewing — wires can get nibbled in winter storage.
Small rant: dealer markup on attachments is insane. Why is a bagger 3x the online price at the dealer? Anyone found decent aftermarket baggers that actually fit well?
Sometimes local classifieds have OEM attachments used for cheap. Worth a look!
I bought an aftermarket bagger — fit was a bit fiddly but with some brackets it works fine. Save receipts in case you need to return it.
Is there any truth to the rumor that LA145 has issues with the PTO clutch slipping if you mow long stretches? The performance section was positive but I’m cautious.
I had slippage once — turned out the belt was stretched. Replacing it fixed things.
Keep blades sharp too. Dull blades require more load and can stress the PTO system.