Hello people... I need some opinions on these two tractors. I have about 2 acres of land but mow only about 3/4 of an acre. It's pretty hilly with trees and an flower beds that I would have to mow around. I would not do much trailer towing. I have about a $3500 dollar budget. I was looking for a zero turn as that is what the landscapeing people are using now but It seems to me you would have to spend much more than my budget would allow to get a "good" one. This brings me two the JD x304. With 4 wheel steering it seems to fit the bill. I did test drive one and really liked the way it turned. On the other hand the cub cadet 2542 seemed to be built like a tank! Shaft drive and a thick 1 inch drive cast iron transmission. I am worried about the JD transmission plus the 17 hp kaw engine vs the 20 hp kohler on the cub to go up hills and mow at the same time. I know this is comparing apples to oranges but what do you think is a better choice. Will the deer be better and last longer on hilly terrain vs the cub? Can the aluminum trans be as good as the cubs? If something goes worng, is the deer trans serviceable like the cub or is it basically a throw away? Need advise please /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
JD X304 VS CUB CADET 2542
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I don't know these machines, but I can comment on a couple of issues. The difference between the engines isn't going to make a great deal of difference for your application.
The all wheel drive on the Deere will make up for any HP difference and be more stable on slopes.
I have a ZTR and I agree, to get one for slopes you'd have to pay for a much larger machine than I need. I don't like mine for any of the small sloping areas I have as they are built such that there isn't a lot of weight on the fronts and they slip down in ditches etc. all the time. I'm not sure the larger ones would be a lot better.
The cast iron components aren't necessarily stronger than the aluminum, but they are heavier, which may be an advantage on the slopes, but I personally wouldn't worry about aluminum.
John
The all wheel drive on the Deere will make up for any HP difference and be more stable on slopes.
I have a ZTR and I agree, to get one for slopes you'd have to pay for a much larger machine than I need. I don't like mine for any of the small sloping areas I have as they are built such that there isn't a lot of weight on the fronts and they slip down in ditches etc. all the time. I'm not sure the larger ones would be a lot better.
The cast iron components aren't necessarily stronger than the aluminum, but they are heavier, which may be an advantage on the slopes, but I personally wouldn't worry about aluminum.
John
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The JD is 4 wheel steering not 4 wheel drive just to clear things up )</font>
OH, my bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Probably would still be better on slopes.
Hopefully someone with experience will be able to comment.
John
OH, my bad! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Probably would still be better on slopes.
Hopefully someone with experience will be able to comment.
John
I think last time I looked at the specs there is a difference of 4-5" between the turning radius of the machines. Now...for no more difference in the turning radius I would prefer not to have that 4-wheel steer equipment...just more to tear up. Although I will admit I haven't actually put my hands on one of those Deere's so it might actually be a real simple setup.
for the money I would rather have the shaft driven transmission, servicable trans., and the better seat. Plus Cub is offering a 3-year warranty, believe Deere is still at 1 year.
for the money I would rather have the shaft driven transmission, servicable trans., and the better seat. Plus Cub is offering a 3-year warranty, believe Deere is still at 1 year.
chatcher
Silver Member
I bought the JD X324, which I believe is nearly the same as the X304 except for more HP and wider deck.
The steering continually amazes me. It is more than just a tighter turning radius. When the rear wheels turn, it causes the rear of the machine to move in the opposite direction from the front, rather than trailing behind. This gives the mower more of a rotation around the deck than a normal turn. Aside from steering around trees and obstacles, the best part about that is that you can turn a pretty sharp corner when mowing rather than having to radius your turns. Anyway, I am a fan of the four wheel steering on these mowers.
The transmission is pretty much the same hydrostatic rear transaxle used by countless brands of riding mowers, with one exception. Normally the rear wheels are attached to the ends of the transaxle shafts, and the transaxle carries all the wheel load and shocks from bumps. On the JD 4WS setup, the rear wheels run in bearings mounted to rigid brackets, and there is a U-joint between the wheels and the transaxle. It seems to me this removes a lot of stress from the transaxle, although time will tell how durable and serviceable the design really is. This year's models are redesigned compared to previous year's (LX280AWS), and steer with less effort, and I think they have more ground clearance.
My least favorite part of the mower are the dash mounted controls which seem a little cheap, but haven't really given me any trouble yet.
Here's a related thread: New JD X324 in the driveway!
The steering continually amazes me. It is more than just a tighter turning radius. When the rear wheels turn, it causes the rear of the machine to move in the opposite direction from the front, rather than trailing behind. This gives the mower more of a rotation around the deck than a normal turn. Aside from steering around trees and obstacles, the best part about that is that you can turn a pretty sharp corner when mowing rather than having to radius your turns. Anyway, I am a fan of the four wheel steering on these mowers.
The transmission is pretty much the same hydrostatic rear transaxle used by countless brands of riding mowers, with one exception. Normally the rear wheels are attached to the ends of the transaxle shafts, and the transaxle carries all the wheel load and shocks from bumps. On the JD 4WS setup, the rear wheels run in bearings mounted to rigid brackets, and there is a U-joint between the wheels and the transaxle. It seems to me this removes a lot of stress from the transaxle, although time will tell how durable and serviceable the design really is. This year's models are redesigned compared to previous year's (LX280AWS), and steer with less effort, and I think they have more ground clearance.
My least favorite part of the mower are the dash mounted controls which seem a little cheap, but haven't really given me any trouble yet.
Here's a related thread: New JD X324 in the driveway!
Thanks Chuck for the hands on review. BTW (gamble77) There is a 2 year warranty on the deer. Still on the fence about what tractor to get. The cub selling point to me is the bigger engine and the cast iron trans, shaft drive. The deer also has a 1" axle like the cub but the 4 wheel steer is the draw for me on the x304. I feel that the cub does have the best bang for the buck. But on the other hand not backing up and down (on a hill) all the time to cut around a trees saves a lot of time and effort. Also wear and tear on the tractor. Driving the deer is like driving a fork lift. It can make very sharp turns! But in back of my mind I think the cub will out last the X304. Either way I am going to pull the trigger by the weeks end. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
My dad has a 1998 JD LX277AWS all wheel steer that he has cut 3 acres with for 8 years. It has the 48 inch deck and 17HP Kawi engine. The only repair work he has done on it are the standard wear parts like belts, blades, and one of the deck spindle bearings. The AWS mechanism has been quite solid and has saved a lot of time over the years. He said he would definitely buy another.
O.K gjjbmoore. Thanks for the reply. Where did you hear that from? It has me a little worried as my wife would be using this mower also. I thought the 4 wheel steering was a good thing on hills. Anyone have any more info on this /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
My brother-in-law lives in a neighborhood that is very hilly. When one of his neighbors was looking at the JD's 4-wheel steering, the dealer mentioned it to him. That's all I know, but it does make sense. So be careful.
See how helpful your dealers are....Ask them to bring the tractors to your house for a test drive on your property and then make up your mind. Find out how comfortable you are riding the Deere on the slopes in your yard. You'll never know for sure if you will like it sitting on it in the showroom. You might like the seating position on the Cub more, maybe not. They're both good tractors, I'm partial to the Cub myself.
Hard..The Deer dealer would do this for me. The Cub dealer wiil not. On the other hand my father in-law bought a Cub because the Deer dealer up his way was very rude and not very helpful. He really always wanted a Deer but the next closest dealer was pretty far off. To me and my father in-law, customer sevice is #1. So I am going to take the Deer for a little ride up my hilly lawn and see what she will do. I hear so much talk about the belt drive slipping going up hill and the shaft drive being the way to go. We will see.....
No problems with the AWS on hills that I have seen. My dad even mows the ditch 1/4 mile from his place to my brother's. It is pretty deep in places.
I agree though. A test drive is the best way to know if it is right.
I agree though. A test drive is the best way to know if it is right.
I wouldn't worry about using a belt drive tractor on slopes. There have to be 10's of thousands of home owners using them successfully. I did it for 6 years, plenty of slope with no belt slip even pulling a 12 cu ft yard trailer full of dirt/mulch or whatever...and that was with a Craftsman garden tractor on almost 3 acres. If the Deere dealer provides better service get the Deere. They're both nice tractors that will cut the grass.
They both are nice tractors. I talked to another JD dealer who was also very helpful. He did say that the x 304 was more of a mower than a garden type tractor. The cub seems to be a more of a garden tractor. It weighs about 80 pounds or so more than the deer. That cast iron trans. I assume. But that aws on the deer really got my attention. I would be mowing grass for the most part and pull a cart now and than. So I think the deer would fit my needs. But still can't shake the feeling that the x 304 is not much better than the Home depot models and the cub will out last the deer. Maybe I need to look at a 500 series. But it's hard to justify the xtra cost to mow 3/4 of an acre of land /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
That X304 is not a L/100 series. If you take a look at the construction of the X304 and compare it to the L/100 series, you will notice that it's has a stronger frame and better quality. As for the Cub, that X304 will last as long as the Cub will. I also wouldn't concern myself with the shaft drive versus belt. I had a 1966 JD 110 that was belt driven and it's still going strong and never slip on hills. Same for my 112L and 111, 21 years old and 27 years repectively.
Treet. You have gotten many years of sevice form your deers. In my search for knowledge on these two machine someone pointed ot that it is nearly impossible to back up a cart with the AWS. Makes sense with the back wheels moving also. Should this be a concern?
