JD 100 Series Vs. 300 Series

[arrabil]

So what you are saying is the 300 series they have now are nothing like what we had?

Thats what we're saying. Your 318 is comparable to an X500 and the 420 of that era would be comparable to the X700.

I would wager that you'll be wishing you got something else after a year or two if you get an X300 to mow what you're describing. YMMV of course but I'm giving you my experience and NOT trying to tell you bigger is better.

 

[bugstr]

I'm wearing him down. He's looking at 500 series.

 

[arrabil]

If you look on Deere's site, they advertise the X500 for "challenging terrain." Basically the parts are beefier so they stand up to more of a pounding.

I'm a big fan of liquid cooled engines for prolonged mowing so I would recommend an X520.

 

[Keef]

I am on my 3rd year with my LA 135 and could not be happier. If you do go with the 100 Series I would not get the lower end 100 series but get one that has a some more features and a stronger engine. I would also recommend if you mulch to buy the 300 series kit. The standard 100 only has the bigger blade mulch, while the 300 kit has both blades mulch.

If your just cutting grass, the 100 series appears just fine. Any more work than just cutting grass, I would get the 300 series. If I can afford the 300 series next time around I will probably go for it just to get an upgraded model, though I could only afford their 300 model. It only has 17 hp while my LA 135 has 22 hp. Not sure what difference I would find if any with less hp