I'm looking for a new JD lawnmower, X300 - X500

[mapper]

I have had an X324 for the past 3 years, the four wheel steer is great around trees and such. The deck washout port is pretty much useless, it does leave some mess on the ground but a lot more under the deck. I have the power flow blower which works well, l have overwhelmed it a few times in really tall grass.
I just hope it lasts as long as my old 117 (?) JD did, I got over 20 years on it!

 

[nikdfish]

We bought an x394 at the start of the year, replacing an old SST18 (spin steer). We were considering a zero turn, but decided on the x394 because it could better handle towing the Mow-n-Vac (300+lb empty). Selling points for the x394 were the 4 wheel steer & a maintainable transaxle (i.e. change fluid & filter). It is much better than the old SST18 on a cross slope. The rear steering components make for a wider stance, which improves stability. The 48" deck on the x394 is very similar to the 48" convertible on the SST18, so the Mow-n-Vac boot cutout fit the deck just fine, attaching with the bolts that hold on the deflector (once it was removed). I did JB-weld the carriage bolt heads to the deck underside (so they wouldn't fall out) to make swapping out boot & deflector easier.

Like mentioned earlier, the power steering makes maneuvering finger easy. The hydraulic deck lift makes lifting/lowering the deck for traversing an obstacle a simple task. The tilt steering wheel was a pleasant surprise (hadn't noticed it in the specs). Plenty of power even with tall grass. Most of my mowing is too non-linear for the cruise control to get much use, but it is a nice feature. The gas gauge is also a nice feature. It does seem to use a bit more gas than the old SST18, but it seems to cut noticeably "stronger" (more lift, less bogging).

Four wheel steer is almost as nimble as the SST18 zero turn functions, but tends to be much easier on the turf than the "scrub" turns with the SST18. It is definitely turns plenty tight for most any obstacle & in most cases a "three point turn" can be done almost as quick as a zero turn spin.

The spindles do have bearings (upper & lower) front & rear. You also have grease fittings for front & rear assemblies.

 

[Spindifferent]

Very happy with my x584 for all of the four-wheel steer reasons mentioned by others. If you have serpentine edges or lots of trees/objects/corners to mow around, the four-wheel steer units work great.

 

[bob3275]

I致e had an X590 for the past two years and really like it. No problems and the power steering and hydraulic deck lift are really nice. Get one of those twist knobs on the steering wheel and you値l be home free.

I added a mulching kit to the deck which I致e decided I知 not a big fan of. If the grass is too thick or damp I can hear the mower clogging up and the spindles start to groan. Also, the cut isn稚 as good as a non-mulching deck, but the lack of windrows is nice. I only got it to avoid blowing grass clippings into the flower beds.

I got a new X590 this year, and I really like mine too. I agree with you 100% on your opinion of the mulching kit. It is a huge disappointment. The cut quality is very poor. After a lot of adjusting, still with disappointing results, I have removed the kit and the quality of the cut is now much improved.

 

[jgayman]

I got a new X590 this year, and I really like mine too. I agree with you 100% on your opinion of the mulching kit. It is a huge disappointment. The cut quality is very poor. After a lot of adjusting, still with disappointing results, I have removed the kit and the quality of the cut is now much improved.

Are you using a Mulch on Demand kit or the full time Mulch baffles? I have a X500/48" and installed the full-time mulch kit upon delivery 5 years ago. I never even tried using the standard blades. I am very satisfied with how it works. As you probably know, the MOD kit comes with combo blades whereas the full-time mulch baffles comes with dedicated mulching blades. I assume this is because the combo blades need to both discharge and mulch which means they probably don't do either particularly well. I sometimes let the grass go until it is 6+ inches tall and then cut to 3". I never hear any noise from the deck. I get a perfectly cut lawn with no windrows and no visible grass clippings. I also like being about the trim close with both sides of the deck. I can't imagine ever taking the mulch kit off.

The only thing I notice is that after a few cuttings if the grass was wet I will get a little bit of grass build up under the deck around the edge. Not enough to effect the cut. It is very easy to scrape clean. I use a Mo-Jack mower lift to ease the cleaning task.

 

[bob3275]

Are you using a Mulch on Demand kit or the full time Mulch baffles? I have a X500/48" and installed the full-time mulch kit upon delivery 5 years ago. I never even tried using the standard blades. I am very satisfied with how it works. As you probably know, the MOD kit comes with combo blades whereas the full-time mulch baffles comes with dedicated mulching blades. I assume this is because the combo blades need to both discharge and mulch which means they probably don't do either particularly well. I sometimes let the grass go until it is 6+ inches tall and then cut to 3". I never hear any noise from the deck. I get a perfectly cut lawn with no windrows and no visible grass clippings. I also like being about the trim close with both sides of the deck. I can't imagine ever taking the mulch kit off.

The only thing I notice is that after a few cuttings if the grass was wet I will get a little bit of grass build up under the deck around the edge. Not enough to effect the cut. It is very easy to scrape clean. I use a Mo-Jack mower lift to ease the cleaning task.

I had the mulch on demand kit. It cut very poorly whether I had the flap closed for mulching or open for side discharge. The cut was always poor regardless of grass height, wet, or totally dry. I also have a Mo-Jack and use it regularly to keep the deck clean. I have since heard from others with this kit that I am not alone in recognizing the substandard cutting quality when it is used. Glad to have taken the kit off and I am now back to the quality of cut I have become accustomed to for many years with John Deere tractors. I am glad your setup works well for you.

 

[rekees4300]

The general consensus of those in the know is to forget about the deck washout port. Pure marketing gimmick. Its effectiveness is marginal at best and mixing water and hot spindle bearings is the best way known to reduce the life of the bearings.

I agree, the washout port is a waste of time. I bought a X500 in 2012 and used the port for a couple years. It was a hassle and didn't do the job. Now just use a scrapper blade.