X300 Questions

[scoutcub]

OK, here's the deal......my dad has a LX173 and looking to upgrade to a newer/bigger mower. He has a neighbor that has the X300 and loves it, and highly recommended it to my dad. Now.....my dad is 84 yrs old, still cuts wood, drives everywhere, works around the house, etc, and a bit stubborn. So, somewhat difficult to sway him once he makes a decision.
Now, doing a bit of research on TBN, seems like this model has some tranny issues.
Which leads me to the questions....how much should I (we) be concerned? The lawn is not very big, with a gentle slope. He only weighs 140 lbs. He DOES plan on getting a blade and plowing snow with it. He probably puts way less than 100 hours per year on the mower. Is this thing going to fall apart the day after the warranty expires? Will the 4 yr warranty cover the tranny? Go for the X320? It's got a better tranny, but a bit more $$$. We're trying to stay down on costs, getting a low hour used machine. Does the warranty transfer?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[V1Rotate]

Last spring I bought an X300 without doing any reasearch first (my mistake).
I thought I was getting a "real" John Deere, not one of the cheapies that the big box stores sell, I didn't know that it had the same K46 tranny that the cheap ones do. The tractor itself is great, very solid and well built and I would hate get rid of it, however, looking back I wished I had spent another thousand and bought an X320.

Anyone have an idea what the trade in value might be for the X300 with only 40 hours on it?

 

[8086bruce]

I had a 07 x300 and at 85hrs the trans went out. I would step to a X320 or down to a d1XX and save some cash.

 

[RBLapham]

Have had my X300 for 1 year now 30 hours. Use for snow plowing 400 foot driveway. Picking up tons of leaves with cyclone rake attachment. Aerating with pull plug type. Mowing 1 AC. No problems doing the chores - love it. Yes the tranny is not the best but for the light work I do it's good/ My last tractor which I used a lot more (Scotts by Murray) lasted 12 years untill the trans went out (Simular or less than the K46). I used it to death aerating yards for profit. With the K46 - keep it clean and cool and it will last even longer. A new K46 is a lot less than the extra $1000 for the X320. Another thread on this site has a great write up on how to rebuild the K46 for $200 to $300. The X320 is a great machine but only a slightly better trans, small HP gain and couple inches bigger mower otherwise the X300 is the same. The X300 17HP has tons of torque and is quiet - Great engine. Read posts on the K46 and you will see hundreds on Box Store Deer 100 series that have problems with the K46 but hardly any about X300 trans problems. There is also a web site where they sell an upgrade kit to put in a K66 inplace of the K46 on the X300 - $2000. Go for the X300

 

[Markcuda]

There is also a web site where they sell an upgrade kit to put in a K66 inplace of the K46 on the X300 - $2000.

What a waste of money.
You could put that 2 grand toward a new tractor:laughing::laughing:

small HP gain and couple inches bigger mower

5 horse power is more than a "small" gain in my book.
Sir, please, you can't even compare a X300 deck(42 inch) to a X320 (48 inch deck).

 

[jenkinsph]

Have had my X300 for 1 year now 30 hours. Use for snow plowing 400 foot driveway. Picking up tons of leaves with cyclone rake attachment. Aerating with pull plug type. Mowing 1 AC. No problems doing the chores - love it. Yes the tranny is not the best but for the light work I do it's good/ My last tractor which I used a lot more (Scotts by Murray) lasted 12 years untill the trans went out (Simular or less than the K46). I used it to death aerating yards for profit. With the K46 - keep it clean and cool and it will last even longer. A new K46 is a lot less than the extra $1000 for the X320. Another thread on this site has a great write up on how to rebuild the K46 for $200 to $300. The X320 is a great machine but only a slightly better trans, small HP gain and couple inches bigger mower otherwise the X300 is the same. The X300 17HP has tons of torque and is quiet - Great engine. Read posts on the K46 and you will see hundreds on Box Store Deer 100 series that have problems with the K46 but hardly any about X300 trans problems. There is also a web site where they sell an upgrade kit to put in a K66 inplace of the K46 on the X300 - $2000. Go for the X300

I have an L130 with the K46 and an X749 that doesn't, all the talk about repairing the K46 is fine but I wouldn't recommend it as a new purchase. Thirty hours isn't much time on the clock to form much of an opinion.

The only way I would consider one of these is the X300R rear bagger with blower, and I decided to pass on it too because of the weak transmission. I agree with others to step up to an X320 or way down to a D100 series.

 

[turbo36]

I got my Mom an X320 a couple of years ago , she is 78 and loves to cut the grass. She says' "it keeps her young":thumbsup:

 

[Markcuda]

Bless her heart

 

[AKfish]

I've had my X300R for 2 working seasons, now. I work it pretty well on about 2 acres.

Thatching in the Spring and again in Fall just after the first couple of freezes before snowfall. Mowing every week or 10 days. Spreading lime and fertilizer with a 175lb broadcast spreader. Towing a 45 gallon sprayer and controlling weeds.

The tranny has not given me any problems thus far. I've got about 50 hours on the tractor, now.

I absolutely love the rear bagger setup and believe it to be one of the best units available. When and if the tranny goes out - I'll replace the unit with an upgrade - the K58.

I won't be looking for another machine with a side blower/rear bagger setup! Too wimpy, and prone to plugging. And you've always gotta look out along fence lines, posts, trees, etc. The X300R is a nimble, close-quarters grass magnet!

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

I've had my X300R for 2 working seasons, now. I work it pretty well on about 2 acres.

Thatching in the Spring and again in Fall just after the first couple of freezes before snowfall. Mowing every week or 10 days. Spreading lime and fertilizer with a 175lb broadcast spreader. Towing a 45 gallon sprayer and controlling weeds.

The tranny has not given me any problems thus far. I've got about 50 hours on the tractor, now.

I absolutely love the rear bagger setup and believe it to be one of the best units available. When and if the tranny goes out - I'll replace the unit with an upgrade - the K58.

I won't be looking for another machine with a side blower/rear bagger setup! Too wimpy, and prone to plugging. And you've always gotta look out along fence lines, posts, trees, etc. The X300R is a nimble, close-quarters grass magnet!

AKfish

Larry,
Have you checked to see if the K58 will physically fit the space? My guess was that the larger chunk might be in the way of the rear discharge chute. I would love to have a 300R with a K58 transmission.

 

[AKfish]

Steve,

You got me there... I don't know if the grass chute housing would clear the top of the trans-axle. D@mn!

That would be a real pickle..

AKfish

 

[RBLapham]

Checked with TuffTorque. A new K46 costs just under $500 + shipping, replacement is 4 bolts and 3 clips. Or rebuild parts around $200 and fairly easy for a do it yourselfer. If mine lasts 300 hours that's 10 years! So I bought the X300 instead of a X320. Never considered the LA100 series as I wanted a tractor that was well built and that could be repaired year after year. Again buy what you need, I'm a light user.
I don't know why they call the K46 disposable as they sell rebuild kits and parts for them (not through John Deere though).

 

[AKfish]

Checked with TuffTorque. A new K46 costs just under $500 + shipping, replacement is 4 bolts and 3 clips. Or rebuild parts around $200 and fairly easy for a do it yourselfer. If mine lasts 300 hours that's 10 years! So I bought the X300 instead of a X320. Never considered the LA100 series as I wanted a tractor that was well built and that could be repaired year after year. Again buy what you need, I'm a light user.
I don't know why they call the K46 disposable as they sell rebuild kits and parts for them (not through John Deere though).

Really...!! For that price - I'd buy a new tranny AND the rebuild parts! Replace the unit and rebuild the old tranny and set it on the shelf for a spare.

AKfish

 

[YANKEEDOWNUNDER]

X300 is 10/10 best value for money and tough as nails.GO FOR IT!

 

[tailgateblue]

Ihave a x300 john deere mower deck will not ingage had to unhook 1 coil wire for tractor to start deck will start if i use jump wire does this mean pto switch is broke?

 

[dleebold]

:thumbsup:John Deere D100 Vs X300 Lawn Tractors

On the showroom floor there does not appear to be a whole lot different between the John Deere D100 Series model riding mowers and the X300 Select Series models. So why does the X300 Series have twice the warranty?

Heavier and More Durable Frame



The X300 Select Series frame is a solid one piece frame weighing in at nearly 100 lbs and the D100 Series frame is a two piece welded frame weight in at a little over 50 lbs.


This X300 Select Series frame is also thicker to make it more rigid to hold up for years of use and the added weight improves traction and better attachment performance.




Larger Transmission For Increased Productivity



The X300 Select Series transmission provides 165 lb-ft of torque and the D100 series models product 126 lb-ft of torque which is about 25% increase.

This increase in torque allows the X300 lawn tractor to climb hills better, tow more weight, and push more snow. The X304 model also features all wheel steering for tighter turning in and around obstacles for faster mower times.

Engineered For Comfort and Convenience




The X300 Select Series models feature a higher back seats with more suspension travel, foot operated deck lift rather than hand lift, standard cruise control and electric PTO engagement.

These features keep the operator more comfortable during their time mowing and reducing fatigue from lifting deck and other front attachments by hand.


Twice the Warranty

The X300 Select Series lawn tractors also come with a 4 year / 300 hour warranty vs the 2 year / 120 hour warranty on D100 Series mowers.

This increased warranty shows John Deere has more confidence in their Select Series line-up and with quality and performance upgrades they are sure to last the test of time!

 

[murphy1244]

:thumbsup:John Deere D100 Vs X300 Lawn Tractors

On the showroom floor there does not appear to be a whole lot different between the John Deere D100 Series model riding mowers and the X300 Select Series models. So why does the X300 Series have twice the warranty?

Heavier and More Durable Frame



The X300 Select Series frame is a solid one piece frame weighing in at nearly 100 lbs and the D100 Series frame is a two piece welded frame weight in at a little over 50 lbs.


This X300 Select Series frame is also thicker to make it more rigid to hold up for years of use and the added weight improves traction and better attachment performance.




Larger Transmission For Increased Productivity



The X300 Select Series transmission provides 165 lb-ft of torque and the D100 series models product 126 lb-ft of torque which is about 25% increase.

This increase in torque allows the X300 lawn tractor to climb hills better, tow more weight, and push more snow. The X304 model also features all wheel steering for tighter turning in and around obstacles for faster mower times.

Engineered For Comfort and Convenience




The X300 Select Series models feature a higher back seats with more suspension travel, foot operated deck lift rather than hand lift, standard cruise control and electric PTO engagement.

These features keep the operator more comfortable during their time mowing and reducing fatigue from lifting deck and other front attachments by hand.


Twice the Warranty

The X300 Select Series lawn tractors also come with a 4 year / 300 hour warranty vs the 2 year / 120 hour warranty on D100 Series mowers.

This increased warranty shows John Deere has more confidence in their Select Series line-up and with quality and performance upgrades they are sure to last the test of time!

The transmission is junk.

 

[daveshoot]

I got a well-used X300 along with the house and 2.5 acres in '09. Never have a problem, other than battery, and didn't know I was supposed to worry about it, until this thread. Now the tranny will go out for sure.

It's been a good machine but the mower bogged down when the pasture got chest high in spring, so I bought the Kubota to power through it. I use the X300 around the house, and the B2320 for everything else. I actually also used the X300 to drag some weighted chain link around for leveling and overseeding and sometimes pull a little garden wagon around.

I don't know how long the former owner had it, but I am at 3.5 years. I wonder how much longer my junk transmission has left?

 

[BBO]

The local dealer here will not stock the mowers that Home Depot sell. They will special order them.

I have worked on some of these cheaper units, especially the Cub Cadet and they are really built cheap.
It's clear JD designed these to compete with all the cheap home owner brands.

If you work on these cheap ones, taking them apart etc. you will see what the real difference(s) is. Cheap bearings, thin metal, borderline adequate design that is so reminiscent of the old Murray I had.
For folks that do not maintain their mowers and simply trade them in 5 or 6 years, the $2000 mowers may be the way to go.
But if you use one (with attachments especially) hard and don't care to take care of it the $4000 machines can last 15-25 years.

I actually hate to see someone get a $4000 mower and never change the oil, and it happens all the time.

 

[murphy1244]

I got a well-used X300 along with the house and 2.5 acres in '09. Never have a problem, other than battery, and didn't know I was supposed to worry about it, until this thread. Now the tranny will go out for sure.

It's been a good machine but the mower bogged down when the pasture got chest high in spring, so I bought the Kubota to power through it. I use the X300 around the house, and the B2320 for everything else. I actually also used the X300 to drag some weighted chain link around for leveling and overseeding and sometimes pull a little garden wagon around.

I don't know how long the former owner had it, but I am at 3.5 years. I wonder how much longer my junk transmission has left?

the k-46 craps out around 200 hours or so ymmv