John Deere X300 or ???

[nap61]

I have a two year old JD LA130 that is ready to be put out of it's misery. I can't complain too much, I have used, abused and rode it hard trying to get my property in shape to build. I have been nursing it along but have spent as much in repairs as I originally paid for it. I don't want to spend any more on it, but I am in the middle of building my last house on my property and I'm trying to keep my wallet closed until its finished.(pics will be in the projects section, if I can figure out how to post them). I was hoping to get through this season, but that may not happen. I mow about 3 acres every 7/10 days. I have 200 hrs. on the mower.
I looked at the JD X300 for about $3,000. It seems beefy enough, but is there another option? Is there a ZT sturdy enough in that price range to last? I have a CT225 but it is too heavy for lawn mowing.

Norm

 

[TigerfaninAR]

I think the X300 only comes with the 42" deck. I know I'd want something bigger to mow 3 acres preferable 54". The X320 has a 48" deck for around 4K and the X340 has a 54" deck for about 4700. Could get a Bad Boy with 60" deck for 5K. I've seen some used older John Deeres, 425 and 445s on ebay with under a 1000 hours going for 2500 or so.

 

[Johndeere3720]

look at the Dixie chopper ZT mowers. those are heavy duty, have large decks, and can mow FAST.

 

[nap61]

Thanks for the replies. I will look at the X320. Also, I was planning to look at the Dixie Chopper this week.

Norm

 

[DmansPadge]

I have a two year old JD LA130 that is ready to be put out of it's misery. I can't complain too much, I have used, abused and rode it hard trying to get my property in shape to build. I have been nursing it along but have spent as much in repairs as I originally paid for it. I don't want to spend any more on it, but I am in the middle of building my last house on my property and I'm trying to keep my wallet closed until its finished.(pics will be in the projects section, if I can figure out how to post them). I was hoping to get through this season, but that may not happen. I mow about 3 acres every 7/10 days. I have 200 hrs. on the mower.
I looked at the JD X300 for about $3,000. It seems beefy enough, but is there another option? Is there a ZT sturdy enough in that price range to last? I have a CT225 but it is too heavy for lawn mowing.

Norm

If $3k is your set budget then you might be best served to buy a cheap one. If it goes out on you... buy another. You could do that 2-3 times for $3k. I don't think you would be happy with spending $3k on an X300. Dixie Choppers are very nice but they are not cheap. I think they may have a model geared more toward residential use that you might want to look at. Now if you up your budget about $2k you could get into some pretty nice entry level commercial ZTRs. I really like the Ferris IS 500Z. Other than the Briggs engine you are getting a lot of commercial features on a ZTR with suspension. The 44" model can be had for under $5k. A couple of others to consider if you chose to go the ZTR route would be the Exmark Quest and the Scag Freedom Z. I believe the smaller Exmark sells for around $4k. A few years ago I was in a situation were I needed a lawn mower that wouldn't break the bank but hold up to some abuse. I bought a Craftsman GT5000 for $1949. The garden tractors are built tougher than the lawn tractors. Thicker frames, deck, bigger tires, etc. It has served me well. It has about 105 hours on it now and at least half of those it was more brush hogging than mowing grass. Rough terrain, mud, bad conditions almost all the time. No failures to date. Only parts I've replaced is the deck belts and blades. A lot of different ways to look at it. I've been real happy with the route I took. Now I have a different piece of land, a new tractor, and getting ready to start building. So before too long the brush hog and the Craftsman will be put to rest and that is when I will buy a nice ZTR to maintain the land.

 

[TractrNoob]

If you're looking to get an X300, you should pay the extra price to get an X320 or higher. The X300 has the K46 transaxle that has been rather problematic. The X320 and above use the K58. If you have a problem with a K46, the repair cost will eat up a large chunk of the difference in price of the two.

I too would also want something bigger than a 42" deck. I mow 4 acres with a 60" now and wouldn't mind have a bigger deck.

There have been a LOT of reports of problems with the K46 tranny. The question is, how many of those problems result from misusing/abusing a relatively low-end transaxle? I bought an x320 because I have lots of hills in my 1 acre yard and I plan to push snow and pull a cart filled with who-knows-what. That said, I'm not trying to talk you out of an X320. I love mine.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with others to pass on an X300 and buy atleast an X320 with the better transaxle (K58).

If you need to cut 3 acres routinely you need a bigger mower, think 60" cut or better.

 

[AKfish]

If you need to cut 3 acres routinely you need a bigger mower, think 60" cut or better.

Yep... 3 acres is "over the eyelids" for a X300 - IMO. (Although, I'm pretty sure you can get a 48" deck for it.)

I mow just over an acre with my X300R and that's about all I want to take on... every 10 days!

AKfish

 

[James Loehr]

Cub Cadet GT2554. I know it's a garden tractor not a lawn tractor but that just makes it better. This GT2500 Cub Cadet series are priced about like X300 series but just a way better value IMHO.

 

[LBrown59]

Cub Cadet GT2554. I know it's a garden tractor not a lawn tractor but that just makes it better. This GT2500 Cub Cadet series are priced about like X300 series but just a way better value IMHO.

Way better than a lawn tractor.

 

[picker77]

Scag Tiger Cub or similar? I'd get into a medium sized ZTR if you can stand it.

Don't understand what happened to JD's mower line lately, or maybe it's just certain ones. I run a 30+ year old single-banger JD 111 38" for a "misc stuff" mower and to pull around a JD 15 dump cart and a 25 gallon sprayer, and it runs and cuts great and starts every time (although it is on it's second Briggs engine). Other than having to build a home made replacement steering flex joint for it and a deck bearing replacement a few years back, it's been solid since I bought it 12 years ago in very used condition. I guess the bottom line is nobody makes them like they used to any more, not even JD.

 

[oldtractorfan]

How about the Kubota 2080? I'm looking to get a riding mower myself and started a thread for advice and opinions. Every little bit of information helps?
Not sure which one to go for.

 

[Topkicker]

I bought the little lady a JD X300 two years ago. The 42in cut was perfect for the yard around our log home in MO. The front yard has many mature trees with narrow spaces between a few of them. The turning radious is very tight on the X300 and runs very smooth and quiet compared to the Cub we had with a 50in cut and a 26hp Kohler engine. I've read on here of trans issues w the X300 but have had no trouble with ours. It's been a great mower for us so far.

 

[Groo]

I'm in a similar spot as you are.

I've decided to hold off till my next trip to Detroit and see I'f I cant find a decent used high end residential or comercial model becuase a new mower in my price range probably won't last doing what I want it to do.

how much of your 3 acres is real lawn?

may want to get a field mower for the Bobcat and do the finish work near the house with a push mower

 

[BruceWard]

I believe the X300 has the same transaxle as the LA130.

This article has a chart of the Tuff Torq K series transmissions including their standard continous axle torque, maximum input shaft speed and weight.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_7_65/ai_55438459/

The low end JD mowers with the K46 have a torque rating of 166 foot pounds, 3000 rpm input speed and weight 28 pounds. The K62 used in JD Lawn Tractors has a torque rating of 215, 3000 rpm input speed and weigh 39 pounds. The K58 in the X320 is a newer (less expensive) version of the K62. The K4*, K5* and K62 transaxles are not rated for ground engaging applications. JD Garden Tractors use the K66 or K71 transaxles. The K66 has a torque rating of 310, 3400 rpm input speed and weighs 51 pounds. The K71 is has a torque rating of 406 pounds, 3400 rpm input speed and weights 61 pounds.

My guess is that the K46 is adequate to move the mower around with a rider and a light cart but anything more will strain it.

 

[jcmseven]

The X300 series are actually pretty efficient little mowers. I personally like the X360 because it has power steering and hydraulic lift and is less fatiguing to use. The seat is pretty comfy also. As for the speed, I could mow my aunt's 3.5 acre lawn in just under 3 hours if I was moving (before trimming, etc.) to give you an idea of what to expect. Compare that with my 950 JD ZTR which can cut the same lawn in just over one hour doing a great job. That said, I really liked the little 360 mower. I will tell you that in the JD line in the 300 series, to me it's 360 or nothing at all. For mowing (not taking into account additional duties), going to a 500 series JD would help very little speed wise at a substantial cost increase. These machines are more capable to do other tasks, but do not really mow any faster. The issues of durability do also apply to cheaper ZTRs, which in many cases do not have the heavy duty wheel motors, etc. My advice is to go with a 360; which I can attest is a good little machine that does a solid job and will last for you. I believe the 300 series to be solid machines, one just has to be careful what one chooses to get maximum bang for the buck.

John M

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have had about 10 mowers and have never had a motor fail. The trany always goes first. Most of the motors will last a min. of ten years(10-15 years for most). The trany can fail at most any time if it gets more than it is built to handle. This can happen easier than you think. Pulling a load, hills or rough land can all lead to early failure. A change in tires, weighted or filled tires can do it as well. If you have the power and the tires don't spin, the power has to go somewhere.

I saw a reccomendation for a Cub Cadet Garden tractor. They do have a solid trany but I think they cut too many corners on some of the other areas. I have found them to be of suspect overall quality. The decks, seats, hoods can be problem areas.

 

[Topkicker]

I used the wife's X300 today at our new place in NE Indiana. Cut the 2 acres around the house with it and made 3 laps around the pond. Smooth and quiet machine. I love how easy it is to turn. The Cub we had was much harder to turn. The deck height is very simple to set and the rubber foward/reverse pedals grip the footwear great. She doesn't pull a trailer with it. The golf cart gets the "carryall" jobs. All it is used for is cutting. No problems or complaints here. Well worth the 2900 dollars IMO.

 

[Flyboy54]

I agree with others to pass on an X300 and buy atleast an X320 with the better transaxle (K58).

If you need to cut 3 acres routinely you need a bigger mower, think 60" cut or better.

I have had an X320 for two years and it is great. 48 Inch mower and does a great job. I have a bigger with it and it does a great job also. I pull a core aerator with 4 concrete blocks with no problems. Mine looks like new with a few scratches but I always clean it, grease, change the oil more often than recommended. Just that you know, they say it doesn't have a grease fitting on the steering, but it does at the front of the tractor. Good luck.

 

[Teachu2]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...77267-lawn-tractors-yard-tractors-garden.html shows part of my journey to find a suitable mower for my property. You don't mention your terrain, so any advice given may not apply to your situation. I am amazed by the quality and performance of the Husqvarna GT I ended up with, but my neighbor doesn't have steep slopes and loves his ZT unit - which would be terrible for my needs.

Deere has many positive traits, but bang for the buck isn't one of them. For the price of a x300, I got a machine that is far closer in to a x570, which costs twice as much.