John Deere X300 4.10 star(s) (45)

Do Not Buy A John Deere
Model Year: 2013

I bought this machine with a blower only to clear snow so it is only used no more than 10 hours per season. It has been through 3 starters and 2 belts. The cable for the chute is always frozen and the blower switch broken. This is the worst machine I have ever had. I thought I was buying a quality machine but got more junk from China. They really dropped the ball.

Pros: None
Cons: Everything

Money Poorly Spent, Do Not Buy
Model Year: 2011

It looked good but the seat ripped within 6 months and the transmission failed shorty after. The battery lasted one year. All the belt idlers started whining after two years. The snow chute cable is an instant freeze any time it gets cold Engine fan recall - in the fall when I removed the engine shroud to clean the cooling fins from debris I noticed the fan was installed incorrectly. When I mentioned this to the service department I was flatly accused of lying/ The tire sidewalls also all cracked within two years

Pros: Color
Cons: Complete waste of money

Very Good But Not Perfect
Model Year: 2011

I mow about two acres with mine. I had an L-100 before this one that was dead at about 7 years. This one is going strong still. The good: The Kawasaki motor is flawless. I can't praise it enough. As long as you run non-ethanol gas and Stabil for ethenol if using ethanol gas, you should be okay. If you gum up the carburetor, you can replace the whole thing pretty cheaply if you are handy. It holds enough gas in the tank that I can usually mow my place twice before refilling it. It turns on a dime, and with regular maintenance, continues to turn very easy. It has a much more solid steering gear than the box store models, and mows like a champ if you keep the deck adjusted properly (also easy if your handy). It also cranks in any weather Mississippi has to offer, has a superior warranty, and the tires have held up great. I love the deck wash out connection. It is a joy to use, and after years of box store products, just feels absolutely superior, almost like a real little tractor. The transmission works smoothly and climbs and descends hills great (for a while). The bad: Taking it to a dealer for repair is outrageously expensive. The battery got a dead cell, and while jumping it off I fried the little brain box under the dash at the top. It was around $180 (the little box is about $80 just for the part). I am handy enough that I can handle that on my own next time. When it fries, it won't run again without it. It has a lighter duty hydrostatic transmission, the same one in the cheaper L and D series from your box stores. If your yard is flat, it will last forever. If you have hills and bluffs, it will not, and it's a costly repair (that warranty can be a blessing). If my trans-axle dies again, I am handy enough that there is an upgrade out there for about $400 more than the OEM that has twice the strength, goes a couple miles per hour faster, and is tough enough for heavy ground engagement!!! If John Deere would have spent the extra $400 and used that heavy hydrostatic trans-axle from the factory, I would have praised them to the moon. The seat's vinyl and doesn't hold up either, and it's about a $150 replacement cost for another seat. Don't hit something and break your hood to pieces, That's $1000... All in all a superior product but it isn't perfect, and repairs out of warranty.....well....I hope you are handy.

Pros: Keep everything greased and it works great, good on gas, motor flawless, heavy built, solid machine that feels like a superior product
Cons: Seats won't last, the transmission is light duty, parts and maintenance at the dealer are expensive

Big Disappointment
Model Year: 2013

I purchased my X300 new in 2013. I've been through 3 seats. The current one split open after only 4 months. I finally purchased a cover to hide it. Now I'm hearing an odd noise; sounds like it's coming from the transmission. After going through two of the 100 series way too soon (kept blowing head gaskets), I stepped up to the 300 series. I think the problem is simply John Deere quality. It charges a premium for quality that is not there. I shall not be purchasing anything else from John Deere, and that's a fact!

Pros: Does a great job mowing
Cons: Very poor quality seat

X300 Issues
Model Year: 2008

Basically, I'm responding to a seat issue on the X300. Here it was mentioned that a seat split in just 4 months. That's unacceptable. I had the same problem, many others have as well. Just look at the number of used models advertised with split or cracks on the seat covering. Mine split after 2 years and the dealer refused to replace it. A letter to John Deere produced a new seat but that didn't last any longer than the first. This is a definite issue with this product, and it is one the factory has ignored for years. My tractor was ordered with a pure mulching deck. I had problems with that and had to fight to get it replaced a year later. Witness the fact the deck is no longer made. Despite the noted issues I liked the product enough to buy another X300 series model. But I must say I ran my Wheelhorse for 25 years and was happy to part with this one after ten. Sadly IMO there just isn't anything better in this price category.

Pros: Lots of options, decent dealer service, reasonably good build
Cons: Support could be bette

John Deere Isn't What It Used To Be
Model Year: 2015

In April of 2015, my mother and I both went to our John Deere dealer and we each purchased a new X300. Hers is a 42-inch and mine a 46-inch. Otherwise, they are the same mower. We have both had problems. At 212 hours, the engine locked up on mine. It was still under warranty, so the dealer picked it up, and fortunately, it wasn't the engine. The electric power take-off had locked up, causing the engine to lock up. It was $100 for the pickup and delivery, out of my pocket. My mother's X300 has about 600 hours on it now, so it's out of warranty. So far, the steering has messed up, which cost her out of pocket to have fixed. Once that was fixed, she was mowing along one day, and the transmission started making a hellacious noise. She called her repair guy again. It wouldn't even drive itself onto his trailer. They had to push it onto the trailer. That ended up being a worn spline, failed pulley, and another $160 repair. There's a reason you spend this much money on a mower. It's supposed to last for years. Between mine and my mother's X300's, it's looking like John Deere isn't what it used to be. The Kawasaki engines are the reason that I've bought John Deere mowers and used them for many years. I'm not impressed. I'm to the point that I'm considering selling mine, which only has 216 hours on it, before something else happens. I've praised the reliability and durability of John Deere mowers for many years. I am so disheartened over these last two purchases.

Pros: It's cute to look at
Cons: Poor quality

X300 Mower Still Running After Dealer Said I Needed Replacement
Model Year: 2012

In 2012, when I had a problem with the mower and took it to the dealer for warranty work, they told me that the deck was bent so badly it could not be straightened. They wanted to charge me $1,100 for a new shell and put the parts from my old mower in it. A few months later I had the mower looked at by an engineer and checked and there was nothing wrong with it. It now has almost three times as many hours as it did then and is working fine. What a bunch of crooks!

Pros: Tractor okay
Cons: Mower junk, dealer dishonest

X350 My Purchase Mistake
Model Year: 2016

I bought this tractor with intentions to use it for cutting 3/4 of an acre and hauling some tree debris with the trailer. My first use was to haul some brush to a burn pile. I used it for four trips to the burn pile when the transmission started whining loudly. I took it back to the dealer and they had the transmission replaced. I had only used it for less than an hour. When I got it back, I went to cut grass, and only cut for a half hour before the deck belt shredded. I took it back to the dealer and they are looking at it now once again. The machine only has 1.9 hours logged on it of which I've used 1.2 hours. I've only used a half a tank of gas since I bought the machine. I've had to haul it back twice already. Very very very disappointed! I expected much more. I don't need to move fast, I just needed to mow, period.

Pros: Can't say
Cons: Reliability

It Finally Broke
Model Year: 2009

I bought my lawn tractor in 2009 when we moved to this bigger house with all the lawns and woods. I must say that I use the tractor a lot like a brush-hog sometimes and it really does the job. I did have the power take-off belt fly off the pulley once when cutting through deep brush and I have had to be careful with the seat because of the splitting of the plastic. But, I have loved it.. It always starts up just fine and it has always cut the grass well even without having the blades sharpened. Until today. When I went to cut the grass for the last time of the season, my power take-off wouldn't engage. This could be any number of components because of all the safety interlocks. I thought it was a blown fuse, but when I checked, all of the fuses were okay. I really don't know what to do next. but luckily there are lots of helpful videos.

Pros: Durable
Cons: Really sucks up the gas

Wow
Model Year: 2015

This is quite simply the best lawn tractor you can buy. It is very solidly built ad turns on a dime to get in and around objects. Not only does it turn superbly, but it does so without tearing up the turf. I bag and the lawn looks like a carpet after a mowing. Even wet grass is no problem for the X300. The Kawasaki engine is silky smooth and quiet. I can't emphasize enough how quiet this engine is. The seat is extremely comfortable. I cant wait to get out and mow again with this unit. Do yourself a favor, if you are considering a lawn tractor- buy the X300. It is quite simply the best lawn tractor money can buy !!

Pros: Solid, great cut of grass, comfortable, top shelf bagger
Cons: Not the least expensive lawn tracto

JD X300
Model Year: 2015

This is a good quality and powerful machine. It is flexible enough to do more than just cut grass.

Pros: Ease of use
Cons: Cost

Seat problem
Model Year: 2014

After 4 months the cover on the seat is split my very old tractor is the same but I did not expect this on such a new tractor dealer contacted John Deere and this is not covered by the warranty I feel this is a design failure as no sharp objects have come into contact with the seat very disappointed especially with the reaction from John deere

Pros: Seat cover poor
Cons: Reliable. Tractors mowe

Badly needs mulching blades for everyday cutting
Model Year: 2013

When cutting with the standard blades that come with the 42" John Deer x300, if my grass was even just very slightly long I would get rows and rows of clippings from the side discharge shoot. However, when I purchased and put on the mulching blades (genuine John Deer AM141033) it essentially eliminated the problem. I will never go back to the standard blades. The difference is huge, not just for mulching, but for standard everyday cutting.

Pros: Well made
Cons: Badly needs mulching blades

Well Pleased with My X300
Model Year: 2007

I now have over 850 hours on my X300 and have had very little trouble. It has been a very good machine and I am well pleased. The quality is there and it shows. My only concern is the K46 transmission. I am surprised that Deere would put a transmission in a high end mower that could not be serviced without a great deal of trouble. The deck is holding up very well and pretty easy to maintain. I don't think I would buy any other brand mower than Deere.

Pros: Quality and easy access to parts and service.
Cons: K46 transmission.

John Deere X300
Model Year: 2010

Bought this tractor used. 4 years old, but only 27 hours on it when purchased. After about 8 hours of use here are my impressions: Cuts well generally and handles hilly terrain with ease, but the mower cuts the grass too short even at the highest setting, and tends to scalp when making sharp turns and when going over crests of hills. I'm hoping that adjustment of the mower deck will solve both of these problems. (Will report back). Also, many times when I go to crank the engine, nothing happens. If I monkey with the PTO switch, the parking brake, and the mower deck lift for a minute or two, the engine will usually crank and then start right up, but it is annoying. I hot wired the seat switch, but that did not solve the problem.

Pros: Powerful engine; handles well; easy to operate; comfortable to ride.
Cons: Mower tends to scalp on turns and on hills; Engine sometimes fails to crank when the engine is cold.

Please Read This Before Buying a John Deere!
Model Year: 2009

Hello all, Here is my John Deere story. I bought an L130 the first year JD started selling garden tractors at Lowes. I bought my L130 at a JD dealer. After 1 year, I noticed while mowing that I was losing power. Long story short: so was everyone else's L130. JD admitted they put way too small of a transmission in these tractors. This was Moline headquarters that told me they made a mistake with the trannies. However, they are not under warranty (lol/haha...serious?). They were. So for $900, JD put a new and improved tranny in my tractor. In one years' time that tranny started to go to the local dealer felt horrible for me and other customers whose 2nd tranny burned up. At this point I contacted JD head quarters. After getting tossed around from supervisor to supervisor, all I got from them is "yes, we realize that our tranny suck but we will not help you". That is great customer service isn't it (grr)? Now for the X300: My neighbors across the street noticed my grass not cut because the L130 finally died. They asked me if I would be interested in buying their mower. It is a 2009 X300 with 40 hours on it. Their son moved out so they had no one to mow their lawn so they hired their lawn out and did not need the 300 anymore. They offered me a great deal on this new(!) tractor because they felt bad for my situation with my L130. I promised myself I would never buy a JD again, but the price was too low to pass up. Also, everyone told me that my L130 was really not a JD. It is an MTD with green paint on it. People told me if I wanted a real JD that I needed to buy one made in Illinois. That's in America people...or at least I thought. After owing the X300 for 2 weeks, I could not get it to turn over. I got online to trouble shoot the problem. I found 100s of posts about a ecu sensor that was faulty. However, JD will not admit that the part is faulty. They will tell you that is what the problem is and you need to buy a "new and improved" part. Again, not under warranty because John Deere doesn't back up the parts they sell that are made in Taiwan/China/Hong Kong---not in America! Not in Moline, Ill.! I just bought a new ecu part. It will take me 2 minutes to replace it. By the way, the JD dealer said it would charge me 110 dollars labor to replace it. Even though they know it's a 2 minute repair. So, once my new JD starts again, I'll get some sucker to buy it and I'll be looking at Kubotas, Husqvarnas, etc. I do feel good about the wasted money I have spent with JD and their junk products. I have got my money back and then some. I've got it back in spirit. Every time I go to Lowes and Home Depot, I stop and talk to the people looking at mowers in the front of the store. I tell them this story about JD and their faulty parts and how they will not replace them. I love it when people say thank you for sharing this. We will not buy a JD. I'm guessing I'm around $50,000 in lost sales for Lowes/Home Depot and JD right now...and counting. I am also slowly placing "John Deere sucks" signs all over the community. They are steel signs so they last forever. Every time I go on vacation I will take some sign and my hammer and continue warning people of JD and the junk that they sell.

Pros: John Deere are professional junk sellers.
Cons: Bumper to bumper junk! That JD agrees is junk.

I Love This Thing
Model Year: 2013

Unbelievable. It's like driving a Mercedes. I'm 68, and this is my first new JD. Makes me want to live a long time.

Pros: Powerful, great cut, quiet, steering is magic!!
Cons: None so far.

John Deere X300
Model Year: 2007

This mower was purchased with a mulching deck. Not a recommended item. The deck doesn't do a even job on hilly yards, it throws the belt in heavy cutting, the rubber pieces on the deck edge falls off junk. I found a standard deck that works fine.

Pros: Good tractor.
Cons: Flimsy mulch deck.

X300 with Bagger
Model Year: 2013

I don't have many hours on this tractor, but I love it. I got gator blades on it and it was a champ during leaf season, last fall. I modified the bagger unit by putting a clear plexi-glass window in it so I could see when the bags were full. That was my only gripe, that I would have to wait for the "indicator" on the chute to let me know the bags were full. Waiting for that indicator also meant that the chute was clogged. Problem solved now that it has a window. Everything else is great. Engine has a lot of power and tractor has great maneuverability. I out a steering knob on the steering wheel, and that made it just that much easier to steer.

Pros: Power, quality, maneuverability, looks.
Cons: Bagger without window.

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Ripped Off
Model Year: 2008

I purchased and X-300 in 2008. I always try to do business with American Companies. I had a few problems with the unit and recently the rear axle snapped in two. The local dealer (Washington Tractor) picked up the unit and took it to their shop. I called and was told it would be in excess of $1,000. I told them not to bother with it and that I would replace it. Now I have a bill from them in the amount of $108.16. I called and was treated less than courteous. I am extremely disappointed with John Deere and will never purchase another John Deere product again. I expected much better than this.

Pros: Nice color.
Cons: Too much money for a product that didn't last.