John Deere X304 Reviews
X304 Review After Break-In
Model Year: 2011
While the four-wheel steering is very handy for an Ozark yard, the reliability of this unit is low. My previous tractor was a John Deere 185, which had hundreds of hours when I sold it. The deck does not cut as well despite having one fewer blades than the 185. It often scalps. Neither new nor old deck mulched very well (both converted to mulching rather than real mulching decks). It will not start hot. Lately it hasn't started well cold either. The pieces are much more cheaply made. Rather than blindly picking John Deere next time, I'll look around.
Pros: Brand name and resale
Cons: Mowing, hot restart, reliability
Model Year: 2011
While the four-wheel steering is very handy for an Ozark yard, the reliability of this unit is low. My previous tractor was a John Deere 185, which had hundreds of hours when I sold it. The deck does not cut as well despite having one fewer blades than the 185. It often scalps. Neither new nor old deck mulched very well (both converted to mulching rather than real mulching decks). It will not start hot. Lately it hasn't started well cold either. The pieces are much more cheaply made. Rather than blindly picking John Deere next time, I'll look around.
Pros: Brand name and resale
Cons: Mowing, hot restart, reliability
Nice tractor but the attachments need improvement
Model Year: 2007
I use this tractor primarily to cut grass on 1.5acres. I like the four wheel steering, it helps get around tight areas. The tractor moves quickly and cuts my loan in about 45-60 minutes. The tractor has been rock solid and the engine runs well, my complaints are mainly with the attachments. The mower works well but is unhappy with any terrain that is not flat. It tens to scalp it there are high spots. I also have the 7 bushel bagger to collect grass and leaves in the fall. It works well with dry grass but clogs frequently with damp grass. Forget about using it for leaves. After about 200 hours the mower belt guide broke off. I have lost several connecting pins which have fallen out and got lost. The snowblower never worked well, it tended to not throw the snow very far and the cut would clog frequently unless the inside was generously coated with teflon spray. At the end of February 2014 the auger worm drive decided to disintegrate. The snowblower only had about 10 hours of usage on it so I complained and the dealer pleaded my case to JD which gave me $125 off on the $275 part. The new worm drive is a different (revised) part number which drives the auger at a faster rate and the blower worked much better. However after about 45 minutes of blowing 5" of wet snow the new worm drive failed. Since I purchased the part at the end the winter last year its no longer covered by the 90 day warranty. I am now waiting for a worm drive replacement, which highlights another complaint I have. It seems the local JD dealer doesn't stock many of the parts and I end up having to order them and waiting up to a week for them to arrive. Overal I would say I am disappointed in this tractor. It has proven to be the least reliable garden tractor I have ever owned (Compared to 1965 Craftsman 12hp, 1982 Simplicity 16hp).
Pros: Good power, 4 wheel steering
Cons: Attachments are not reliable, snowblower has poorly designed worm drive gearbox
Model Year: 2007
I use this tractor primarily to cut grass on 1.5acres. I like the four wheel steering, it helps get around tight areas. The tractor moves quickly and cuts my loan in about 45-60 minutes. The tractor has been rock solid and the engine runs well, my complaints are mainly with the attachments. The mower works well but is unhappy with any terrain that is not flat. It tens to scalp it there are high spots. I also have the 7 bushel bagger to collect grass and leaves in the fall. It works well with dry grass but clogs frequently with damp grass. Forget about using it for leaves. After about 200 hours the mower belt guide broke off. I have lost several connecting pins which have fallen out and got lost. The snowblower never worked well, it tended to not throw the snow very far and the cut would clog frequently unless the inside was generously coated with teflon spray. At the end of February 2014 the auger worm drive decided to disintegrate. The snowblower only had about 10 hours of usage on it so I complained and the dealer pleaded my case to JD which gave me $125 off on the $275 part. The new worm drive is a different (revised) part number which drives the auger at a faster rate and the blower worked much better. However after about 45 minutes of blowing 5" of wet snow the new worm drive failed. Since I purchased the part at the end the winter last year its no longer covered by the 90 day warranty. I am now waiting for a worm drive replacement, which highlights another complaint I have. It seems the local JD dealer doesn't stock many of the parts and I end up having to order them and waiting up to a week for them to arrive. Overal I would say I am disappointed in this tractor. It has proven to be the least reliable garden tractor I have ever owned (Compared to 1965 Craftsman 12hp, 1982 Simplicity 16hp).
Pros: Good power, 4 wheel steering
Cons: Attachments are not reliable, snowblower has poorly designed worm drive gearbox
John Deere 2014 X304
Model Year: 2014
2014 X304 has improvements over past models, the deck has changed with the grease fitting on top of the spindles and appears different in design. The Kawasaki 18.5 2014 has improvements as well, fast starting with choke spring loaded to off. The cooling fan over the K46 transmission appears bigger. I installed the mulching cover over side discharge and have had no problems with wet grass. When comparing the X304 make sure to look at the year, John Deere has made major improvements to its 2014 riding lawnmower line up.
Pros: Coupon $600 off.
Cons: Height.
Model Year: 2014
2014 X304 has improvements over past models, the deck has changed with the grease fitting on top of the spindles and appears different in design. The Kawasaki 18.5 2014 has improvements as well, fast starting with choke spring loaded to off. The cooling fan over the K46 transmission appears bigger. I installed the mulching cover over side discharge and have had no problems with wet grass. When comparing the X304 make sure to look at the year, John Deere has made major improvements to its 2014 riding lawnmower line up.
Pros: Coupon $600 off.
Cons: Height.
Good Overall Mower But...
Model Year: 2011
Bought this mower used with a little over 75 hours on it. It looked an ran like new. The KAW is a very good motor an had no problems, the 4-wheel steer was great, until you actually mowed with it. When making turns medium speed or faster the right side of deck would always dip an scalp the grass. I followed the manual about setting deck height, an I leveled the deck at least 15 times, thinking I was doing something wrong, but to no avail. It seems the mower being able to turn so easily was a major problem for the deck. I eventually sold it (after 1 year) over the scalping issue. Deere dealer was no help, said he had never heard of any problem with the 304 scalping lawns while making turns. I had a X300 before an had no problems with scalping. of course, the K46 hydro whined constantly during use. We suppose it's just how the K46 is. We have heard several an they all seem to whine, but being a Deere, I did not loose on the sell. Thanks.
Pros: Good build, easy to steer.
Cons: Deck never seem to be level an scalped the ground.
Model Year: 2011
Bought this mower used with a little over 75 hours on it. It looked an ran like new. The KAW is a very good motor an had no problems, the 4-wheel steer was great, until you actually mowed with it. When making turns medium speed or faster the right side of deck would always dip an scalp the grass. I followed the manual about setting deck height, an I leveled the deck at least 15 times, thinking I was doing something wrong, but to no avail. It seems the mower being able to turn so easily was a major problem for the deck. I eventually sold it (after 1 year) over the scalping issue. Deere dealer was no help, said he had never heard of any problem with the 304 scalping lawns while making turns. I had a X300 before an had no problems with scalping. of course, the K46 hydro whined constantly during use. We suppose it's just how the K46 is. We have heard several an they all seem to whine, but being a Deere, I did not loose on the sell. Thanks.
Pros: Good build, easy to steer.
Cons: Deck never seem to be level an scalped the ground.
X304R
Model Year: 2012
This machine is a tank. I lost it doing 55 mph. down a road. I lost control of my truck while hauling the tractor in a trailer. I turned around the truck and went back to see if the machine was totaled. I had just bought it and no insurance on it. It was standing upright on the shoulder with a cracked hood and the 2 front tire spindles were bent. It started right up so I drove it on the trailer ordered new spindles and its been running great since.
Pros: Love the bagging attachment, no getting off of the tractor.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 2012
This machine is a tank. I lost it doing 55 mph. down a road. I lost control of my truck while hauling the tractor in a trailer. I turned around the truck and went back to see if the machine was totaled. I had just bought it and no insurance on it. It was standing upright on the shoulder with a cracked hood and the 2 front tire spindles were bent. It started right up so I drove it on the trailer ordered new spindles and its been running great since.
Pros: Love the bagging attachment, no getting off of the tractor.
Cons: None.
John Deere Lawn Tractor 4-Wheel Steer Model X304
Model Year: 2013
This is the fourth lawn/garden tractor I've purchased in +30 years. Being able to closely circle the trunks of the many trees in my path really speeds the mowing task and mostly eliminates the trimming operation.
Pros: Solidly built and comfortable riding.
Cons: It's necessary to dismount and peer under the rear skirt to view the fuel level. The addition of a dashboard gauge would be an improvement. The rear bagger should be designed to fill disposable plastic bags which would simplify the bagging operation. There's not enough engine braking when mowing on a steep downward slope. It's necessary to apply the foot brake, which causes the mower blades to stop.
Model Year: 2013
This is the fourth lawn/garden tractor I've purchased in +30 years. Being able to closely circle the trunks of the many trees in my path really speeds the mowing task and mostly eliminates the trimming operation.
Pros: Solidly built and comfortable riding.
Cons: It's necessary to dismount and peer under the rear skirt to view the fuel level. The addition of a dashboard gauge would be an improvement. The rear bagger should be designed to fill disposable plastic bags which would simplify the bagging operation. There's not enough engine braking when mowing on a steep downward slope. It's necessary to apply the foot brake, which causes the mower blades to stop.
Runs Like a Deere
Model Year: 0
I use this lawn tractor to mow grass and blow snow. It is an excellent piece of equipment if used as it is intended to be used. It was designed to mow up to 2 acres of grass, not pasture. The snow blower does and excellent job in snow up to two feet deep. Any deeper than that I couldn't tell you as two feet is the deepest I have encountered.
Pros: Very efficient.
Cons: The changing of the lawn mower over to the snow blower and back is not for beginners.
Model Year: 0
I use this lawn tractor to mow grass and blow snow. It is an excellent piece of equipment if used as it is intended to be used. It was designed to mow up to 2 acres of grass, not pasture. The snow blower does and excellent job in snow up to two feet deep. Any deeper than that I couldn't tell you as two feet is the deepest I have encountered.
Pros: Very efficient.
Cons: The changing of the lawn mower over to the snow blower and back is not for beginners.
John Deere X304 All-Wheel Steer
Model Year: 2012
The John Deere so far has been really good for the time I've used it which is very little. The best thing I like about it is that I have hills and with its steering ability it's great for mowing around trees. The hill side are also no problem. With a regular zero turn not a safe thing to do is mow hill sides so I was skeptical but this tractor does this with ease. The negative it is not the best at picking up leaves. They have the tendency to roll in front of the deck and some blow out the sides. The bagger does great for grass not so good for leaves. If you use it for leaves expect to clean the tube out when you empty the bags on the plus side bagger carries well and seems to be made very well. I know this because I hadn't got use to the steering which is very odd till you get used to it. So beware of your bagging attachment when getting close to anything. All in all so far its been great and will update this as it goes.
Pros: All wheel steering.
Cons: Not 4x4.
Model Year: 2012
The John Deere so far has been really good for the time I've used it which is very little. The best thing I like about it is that I have hills and with its steering ability it's great for mowing around trees. The hill side are also no problem. With a regular zero turn not a safe thing to do is mow hill sides so I was skeptical but this tractor does this with ease. The negative it is not the best at picking up leaves. They have the tendency to roll in front of the deck and some blow out the sides. The bagger does great for grass not so good for leaves. If you use it for leaves expect to clean the tube out when you empty the bags on the plus side bagger carries well and seems to be made very well. I know this because I hadn't got use to the steering which is very odd till you get used to it. So beware of your bagging attachment when getting close to anything. All in all so far its been great and will update this as it goes.
Pros: All wheel steering.
Cons: Not 4x4.
Perfect for Acreage
Model Year: 2010
We needed to replace the 1989 Duetz Allis 1917 that we bought new. Due to an above-ground septic system, we needed something that was safe on that as well as the 4 acres we mow. We test drove a ZTR and found that the incline of the mound was too much to handle safely. The All Wheel Steering of the x304 came very close to giving us the tight turning we wanted and the safety of a regular tractor over a ZTR. The Kawasaki engine sips gas and maintenance is very easy. My only negative comment would be that for $3500, the engine should have been larger.
Pros: Great in all areas.
Cons: For the money, other brands consistently offered larger engines for much less.
Model Year: 2010
We needed to replace the 1989 Duetz Allis 1917 that we bought new. Due to an above-ground septic system, we needed something that was safe on that as well as the 4 acres we mow. We test drove a ZTR and found that the incline of the mound was too much to handle safely. The All Wheel Steering of the x304 came very close to giving us the tight turning we wanted and the safety of a regular tractor over a ZTR. The Kawasaki engine sips gas and maintenance is very easy. My only negative comment would be that for $3500, the engine should have been larger.
Pros: Great in all areas.
Cons: For the money, other brands consistently offered larger engines for much less.