X300R cutting problem

[BiXLL]

I recently purchased a used 2015 X300R. Lt seems to be in really great shape, super clean, only 165 hours. After doing the first cut I noticed the cut was somewhat uneven Left side leaving grass much higher then right. Got on line and did some research and found I most likely needed to level the deck. Did so and even put new blades on it. If anything, its worse! It almost seems like the left side is even just laying down the grass and not cutting it. No, the left blade is not on upside down.

Any ideas as what to check next? I am baffled!

 

[tomplum]

I can't say that I've had a quality of cut issue with one of these. The left and right blades are different - correct? Are you using this with the mulcher attachment or just the bagger? One wouldn't think it possible, but does the spindle turn in the proper direction? I know the belt is a bit convoluted on these but.... What about skirts/ baffles below the deck being out of place or damaged?

 

[BiXLL]

Left and right blade look the same to me? If they are different, thats probably my problem and would explain why it got worse with new blades . I have the mulch attachment but am currently using the bagger. Not sure if spindle turning proper way or how to tell if it is. I see no visible damage to deck?

 

[BiXLL]

I just went out and looked at old blades. Duhhh, they are absolutely different! I bet I bought the wrong replacement blades, as the right side cuts fine. That tells me if I switch them, the left will cut good but not the right. I will have to see if the new blades are the same though. If they are, my next question is how do I tell which blade gos on which side?

 

[arits74]

the blades are the same on each side on my x300

 

[BiXLL]

well mine certainly look different to me?

 

[Diggin It]

I just went out and looked at old blades. Duhhh, they are absolutely different! I bet I bought the wrong replacement blades, as the right side cuts fine. That tells me if I switch them, the left will cut good but not the right. I will have to see if the new blades are the same though. If they are, my next question is how do I tell which blade gos on which side?

OK, so go bacik to the post above:

I can't say that I've had a quality of cut issue with one of these. The left and right blades are different - correct? Are you using this with the mulcher attachment or just the bagger? One wouldn't think it possible, but does the spindle turn in the proper direction? I know the belt is a bit convoluted on these but.... What about skirts/ baffles below the deck being out of place or damaged?

Check your deck to see if the left spindle spins opposite the right. Or check to see if it is supposed to. Did you pull the belt?

I honestly don't know on my X300. It's been quite a while since I've done anything with the deck. How much difference is there in the 'R' model?

 

[beenthere]

When leveling the deck, do you start with checking that tire pressures are correct? then right and left blade clearance to the level surface are correct? then fore and aft tilt is 1/8 - 1/4" low in the fore ?
Blades sharp? the ones in the photo are not very good shape "sharp-wise".

Copied from the owners manual about the blades.. yours a 42" deck??

IMPORTANT: On 42 mulching mower, blades are marked right and left on bottom side of each blade. Make sure to install correct blade to right and left sides of deck.

jdparts show two style of blades.. sold in a kit..

 

[arits74]

im pretty sure those blades are the wrong ones

 

[BiXLL]

Just found that same quote in owners manual.

On 42 mulching mower, blades are marked right and left on bottom side of each blade. Make sure to install correct blade to right and left sides of deck.

So that tells me my deck has opposite direction blades. I wonder if I could have gotten blades for a x300 and perhaps they do not spin counter on those? Now I need to track down the proper blades

 

[Diggin It]

Just found that same quote in owners manual.

On 42 mulching mower, blades are marked right and left on bottom side of each blade. Make sure to install correct blade to right and left sides of deck.

So that tells me my deck has opposite direction blades. I wonder if I could have gotten blades for a x300 and perhaps they do not spin counter on those? Now I need to track down the proper blades

When I got new blades for mine, I don't recall any caution about right/left.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a video showing the inner workings of the X300R that exhibits the counter rotating blades feeding a built-in blower system to bag the lawn clippings.

JOHN DEERE X3R - YouTube

Apparently comparing to a different Deere lawn mower for comparison.. adds some confusion..

 

[BiXLL]

Well now it makes sense

 

[arits74]

my deck is the 48 inch one

 

[BiXLL]

correct blades ordered

 

[tomplum]

You could roll the belt clockwise (from the top) and see if your cutting edges are forward. So a 300R is a different animal than a 300. For those that have the 42M (mulch deck) on a 300, the principal is the same as a 300R as the blades counter rotate. I'd really have to assume that the belt couldn't get mixed up. So when you get blades for your 300R, be sure you get the ones you want. They I believe make a mulch blade as well as the standard and hi lift options.