X300 Engine problem

sandtuck · Aug 11, 2012

I purchased a new X300 lawn tractor the last Saturday of April this year. I used it twice and in the middle of the second cutting, only 13 days after the purchase, it started running bad. I took it back to the dealer that day and they went to work on it immediately. They called me two hours later and said it was ready, that a push rod had come loose. They repaired it, tested it, and loaded back up for me. Today, with only 32 hours on it, it is running bad again and seems to have the exact same symptoms.
Unfortunately, it is after hours on a Saturday, so no help or satisfaction today and the grass needs cutting desperately. I guess I have to break out the old cheap MTD I bought from Walmart many years ago, while my expensive, financed, John Deere sits quietly buy. The MTD has never failed to crank... It is just worn from use.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with an X series tractor?

My big Kubota tractor has never given me a moments trouble and never lets me down. Hope. I didn't buy the wrong brand. What is the John Deere policy on something like this? I will always be Leary of this one. It is only 3 months old with serious engine trouble twice. A replacement seems in order to me, or give me my money back and
Let me try my luck with a Kubota, etc. This is NOT a dealer complaint. They treated me good last time and I can't fault them for not being open on Saturday afternoon.
I just don't want to keep taking it back and wondering every time I crank it if it will cut the grass without going belly up.

Frustrated!

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rekees4300 · Aug 11, 2012

sandtuck said:
A replacement seems in order to me, or give me my money back

Agree...you may have gotten a lemon. Rare for JD but it does happen.

Markcuda · Aug 11, 2012

You should have a 4 year warranty, or 300 hours, what ever comes first.

sandtuck · Aug 12, 2012

Warranty is not the point. I don't want to continuously have to be dealing with problems

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Markcuda · Aug 12, 2012

Then what are you wanting?

rekees4300 · Aug 12, 2012

sandtuck said:
Warranty is not the point. I don't want to continuously have to be dealing with problems

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I'd pressure the dealer to replace with X310. It's a newer model with more features. Don't know what the cost difference would be but maybe the dealer, as a gesture of goodwill, would be willing to cover all or part of the difference? If he's not willing to deal then just follow the warranty, in there some place is probably language related to lemon (or words to that effect) replacement.

sandtuck · Aug 12, 2012

After two major problems in the first three months, I don't think it would be unreasonable to expect a new engine or a replacement mower.
This is not a junker from Lowes, it is an X series from a JD dealer. I paid too much to have repetitive internal engine problems.

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Markcuda · Aug 12, 2012

After two major problems in the first three months, I don't think it would be unreasonable to expect a new engine or a replacement mower.

That will be totally up to your selling dealer.

s219 · Aug 12, 2012

Well, this is a bad reflection on Deere, and by relation, on the dealer. I'd think they would do whatever they can to stand behind their product. The X mowers are darn expensive, and I'd hope Deere steps up with good service.