I've Decided; X300

[V1Rotate]

Last spring I bought an X300 and I have about 50 hours on it, it is a great tractor. However, at the time I bought it I did not know about the trans issue. In hindsight, if I had known about it I would have spent the extra thousand dollars for the X320. I figure I will probably spend that thousand dollars anyway when it comes time to repair or replace that trans, I guess its like, pay me now or pay me later.

Since the tractor comes with a 4 year warranty I am hoping that if the trans fails during that time I will get it fixed on John Deere's nickel.

 

[coollx]

JDGreenGrass said

Now this...After using the search function, the tranny is problematic. Great. Figures that this pops up after I had my mind made up. Un-real. Now I feel like I need to start over from scratch...I'm not sure that I want to invest 3k and have problems down the road.?? The fact remains that the x300 is a solid mower...with a weak tranny.

I just went through the same decision making process and offer the following for whatever its worth. I bought a new 2520 with a backhoe and didn't want to have to put the backhoe on and off in order to mount a mower deck so I bought a X300 to only mow with. Like you, I have about an acre of flat land to mow and do not plan to add any attachments to the X300.

I couldn't justify spending an extra $1000.00 for a X320 with only a marginally better transaxle. Factors that convinced me to stick with the X300 are as follows:

1. A new X300 comes with a factory 4 year/300 hour warranty and for me that's a lot of mowings.

2. The dealer where I purchased my 2520 and X300 said their 8 stores sold over 100 X300's last year and had to replace one transaxle on a X300. Plus, they said they have not experienced very many transaxle problems with X300's in previous years. Certainly, not more than any other model.

3. If you are mechanically inclined, you can buy the necessary parts and rebuild the transaxle yourself for under $200.00 if you have a problem after the warranty period ends.

4. Based on a review of the archives from this site, there are a lot of X300 owners who said they have had zero problems. Like most things, you usually only hear about the problem ones.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

 

[C-Range]

It's been a little while now, but I believe the Kawi engines are considered to be a considerable upgrade over the Briggs & Stratton.

Because we were also buying the 2520, my dealer chipped off a few bucks from the price of the X324, but it wasn't even enough to cover the sales tax. I don't think JD is in the habit of knocking much off of the prices of these lawn machines. The competition is tough out there and they are doing all they can to stay competitive. Of course, that is just my own observation and could be completely wrong.

 

[Gio]

I purchased a used x320 a month ago from my JD dealer for $3200 out the door. It had 55 hours on it and looked like new. You may want to look for something like this. The dealer talked me out of the x300 and put me in the 320 for about the same price.

So far it has been a great mower. Not super heavy duty like the old ones but pretty solid.

Gio

 

[TractorTidy]

Originally you mentioned the X300 w/ 48". When I was selling them a few years back they didn't offer a 48. Had to go to the 320. Do they now?
Also, I think the "Broadmoor" is a Simplicity which is a good mower, Briggs engine though.
Don't count on the dealer to come down 10-15% That's not far from what he is making. At best I would say no more than a hundred dollars. I usually stayed at the $3999 and 4999.

 

[BobOB]

If I were to replace my 165 tomorrow, I'd would purchase the X320. I've researched them and tried them out and wouldn't think twice about the decision. If you make the purchase, you'll have to update us.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Originally you mentioned the X300 w/ 48". When I was selling them a few years back they didn't offer a 48. Had to go to the 320. Do they now?
Also, I think the "Broadmoor" is a Simplicity which is a good mower, Briggs engine though.
Don't count on the dealer to come down 10-15% That's not far from what he is making. At best I would say no more than a hundred dollars. I usually stayed at the $3999 and 4999.

Yes, the x300 is available with the 48" deck. Look at the deck at JD.com...the deck is what draws me to x300. Looks a great deck.

I am looking at a 24hp Husqvarna. The dealer can't tell me which tranny is in it.??...I only know that it is a Tuff Torq tranny. And, I want to look at the deck on the Husqy. I need a strong deck.

Over the next 3 days I am going to the dealerships to help decide. The Husqy is less money which is a plus but, I want a mower that is going to last, period. Sure, if money was no issue...I would get the x320, hands down.

We'll see... Any comments on Husqvarna.?? Does HP play a roll in the tranny.?? In other words, the 24hp Husqy may have bigger, better tranny, the K58.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Well folks, I made a purchase today. I bought a Husquvarna GHT27 with a 48"
inch deck.

There is a local Husqy shop that is run by one person, the owner. Great little shop that reminds of the old days. Nice guy. He is about 20 miles closer than the Deere guys so I stopped into the little shop first.

He had 3 Husqy's on his small showroom floor. I began looking at the bigger tractor and my eyes went straight to the deck. I said to myself, wow.!! I was impressed. The lead edge of the deck has a reinforced rim welded on. Super tough. I knew right away it was going to be hard not to buy. Next, I sat on it. Once again...:thumbsup:. Super comfortable with a firm spring action in all directions. The arm rests will have to go but the seat is great. I didn't drive the tractor but the steering felt solid with a great radius for turning. Axle and steering rods were rugged as well. Lifted the hood...Briggs, which I think will be good. 27hp which I really like and at the price I paid...a great value. I have had the Briggs engines before and my smaller engines have always started and performed well. I wanted a Kawasaki engine but, I was so satisfied with all else, it was a fair sacrifice.

Over the phone he said $3000. When I walked through the door he said $2900. I offered $2750 and he agreed.:thumbsup: So, $2750 is less than the $3250+ that I would have paid for the 18hp x300 with an iffy tranny. And, $2750 is a lot less than what I would have paid for the x320, 22hp... like $4000. I think I got a good tractor that looks to be a great mower.

Look for pictures along about tomorrow night. I'll try to post some good close-ups, though I do feel a bit dirty posting them here in the JD forum. I didn't make it to the Deere dealer. I saw a good value and I bought it. One thing is for sure....It doesn't look as nice as the Green and Yellow.:thumbsup:

 

[stevess]

make sure you post a pic when it arrives

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Pictures as promised. It's only right that I post the Green first.:thumbsup: