The tractor has an 18hp 2-cylinder liquid cooled gasoline engine with electric start. The transmission is hydrostatic. This makes the tractor very easy to operate. To go faster, simply push down the forward HST pedal. To stop, take your foot off the pedal. To go in reverse, step on the reverse HST pedal.

The cruise control allows the operator to operate the tractor at a set speed without keeping their foot on the forward HST pedal. It's a nice feature if the yard is large or open without many obstacles to mow around.

The tractor has a "Reverse Implement Option" or RIO feature that works like this: If the PTO is engaged, the PTO will automatically stop, shutting down the mower or snowthrower implement when the reverse pedal is pushed. To use the RIO feature, lift up the PTO engagement knob, step on the reverse pedal then release the knob. The PTO will remain engaged, keeping the implement running, as the operator backs up the tractor.

The tractor has a seat switch that will shut down the tractor engine if the PTO is engaged and the operator leaves the tractor seat. The tractor engine will also shut down when the operator leaves the tractor seat without first engaging the parking brake.

The tractor will not start if the PTO is engaged or the brake pedal is not pushed in.

The tractor seat is adjustable forward/back to accommodate the operators leg length. The steering wheel is fixed and cannot be adjusted for tilt or height. The dash has an hour meter, PTO engagement light, RIO engagement light and an engine light. There is no fuel gauge, but it's easy to look at the gas tank and see where the fuel level is.

There's a transmission release located at the rear of the tractor to release the transmission to tow/move the tractor without damage.

The Good Points:

I've had the tractor for 2 years now. I've used the tractor for mowing, leaf raking and snow removal. The tractor has been utterly reliable. I have not experienced a single failure anywhere, either mechanical or electrical.

The tractor is easy to operate, the operating station is clean & open making for easy entry/exit. This tractor came with the optional foot pedal for implement lifting, versus the standard hand lever.

Implement lifting is mechanical & effortless. The lift pedal has a lock to keep implements raised. There is a spring lift-assist tension adjustment on the tractor that makes raising the snowthrower implement as easy as raising the mower deck.

The tractor and implement manuals are easy to read with many helpful illustrations. The engine is carbureted and runs well on standard grade gasoline.

The engine has good access under the hood. The hood does not have snaps or fasteners and is easy to raise and lower. The implements are belt driven.

The belts are easy to change between the mower and the snowthrower. The snowthrower performs very well but takes all of the tractor's horsepower to operate if the snow is hard and over 6" deep.

The snowthrower implement has removable wheels under the frame which makes for easier moving and aligning during install and removal so long as you are working on a concrete floor.

Some Bad Points:

The tractor engine is hard to start in cold weather and requires constant choking until the engine warms up.

The PTO engagement is electric & engages instantaneously and hard. This means the tractor has to be at 3/4 throttle or more to avoid stalling the engine.

The air filter is on top of the engine and is another catch-all for grass clippings, debris and dirt. The air filter should be cleaned almost every time after mowing. Fortunately the air cleaner is easy to remove and re-install.

The snowthrower has a long chassis that attaches to the rear frame pins underneath the tractor and is sometimes maddening to get properly aligned. The lifting arm attachments on the front of the tractor for the snowthrower were confusing at first.

The tire chains require that the rear of the tractor be elevated and the tires deflated before installing. There's lots of little pins for the snowthrower that need to be kept track of when installing & removing the snowthrower, so it's best to keep a small Zip-Lok bag handy for pin storage after the snowthrower is removed.

Overall, the John Deere LX288 lawn tractor is a solid, reliable, good quality lawn tractor that has served me very well. I am pleased with the tractors performance, durability and reliability. This model falls nicely between the standard entry-level lawn tractors and the more rugged, expensive garden tractors. With several factory implements available for the LX288, this lawn tractor has many more capabilities than mowing grass.

Recommended:
Yes