Talk me out of a John Deere X300

[MRBPSDnTX]

I have had several JD Lawn tractors thru the years. Current rig is a 1998 LT155 w/38 mower deck and can swap between mulching and bagging. LT155 is in excellent condition. I'm very particular about maintaining wear items and service.

I've got the bug for a 2007 X300 w/42" deck, and the mulch kit and bagger.

Any Pro and Con's anyone has to offer I'm listening!!

Also. any thoughts on what dealer markup is now days and what the value of the Lt155 might be??

Thanks to All.
M
:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[fritowrdo]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

If you current rig is getting the job done, why spend the cash on a new one?

[jasperboy]

I looked REAL hard at the x300 and X304 before going with a zero turn. I had the LT133 with the 38" deck, but was spending 2 or more hours mowing, while a couple of neighbors were finishing in under an hour with there ZTR's. I had no real need for snow blades, carts or other "tractor" stuff, and time savings was my main goal. Did the entire 1.3 acre in 50 minutes today. As far as the new Deere, like friowrdo said, your not really gaining much more with the X300, just new and shinny. The extra 4" will shave a small amount of time, but not $3K's worth. Just my $.02

[Jay Ray]

IMHO, if you are going to get the X300, pay $500 more and get the X304. It has a much stouter hydro transmission (K58 vs. K46, worth the $500) plus the AWS.

I'm considering X324 because of the softer ride and no Ferris dealer nearby.

[MRBPSDnTX]

Hmmm - I talked my self out of the X304 because it only turns 1" tighter with the 42 deck. No one mentioned the hydro was stouter!! I like that and will check into it! Do you know if either one of the hydros are serviceable now with out taking them out from under the tractor??

THANK YOU
M

:drinkup: :drinkup: :drinkup:

[MRBPSDnTX]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

If you current rig is getting the job done, why spend the cash on a new one?

It's time to update, and I think my LT155 would make someone a good unit for the money.

[IA_James]

If you don't need or want a ZTR, the JD x300's are nice mowers.

[Jay Ray]

Hmmm - I talked my self out of the X304 because it only turns 1" tighter with the 42 deck. No one mentioned the hydro was stouter!! I like that and will check into it! Do you know if either one of the hydros are serviceable now with out taking them out from under the tractor??

The K46 is not serviceable, and to the best of my knowledge the K58 is not either. What the K58 has is a charge pump that keeps the hydro from cavitation even during the worst operating conditions, plus more torque and ability to handle more weight and a larger rear tire.

I'm not sure but think the X500 has a serviceable hydro, but it is up near $6k

[Jay Ray]

If I'm reading it right the Deere site lists the uncut radius as:

X300 42 deck - 28"

X304 42 deck - 16"

[MRBPSDnTX]

If I'm reading it right the Deere site lists the uncut radius as:

X300 42 deck - 28"

X304 42 deck - 16"



Thank You Very Much, I stand corrected!!

:hammerhead: :hammerhead: :hammerhead:

I'm liking the X304 more and more!!

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[Jay Ray]

This time of year the grass isn't pressing you like August, so take your time, try to consider every aspect. No need to rush. The 155 will easily get you thru the season.

[MRBPSDnTX]

This time of year the grass isn't pressing you like August, so take your time, try to consider every aspect. No need to rush. The 155 will easily get you thru the season.


Your exactly right. I'm hoping to find a dealer that really wants to make a sell and get their inventory down. I'm in no hurry, may end of keeping the LT155 another season if I can't get into a new unit worth the dollars.

Thanks for all your help by the way,
M

[MRBPSDnTX]

Well I have not done anything yet, other than list the LT155 for sale. I decided that I want the X304. John Deere price fixing makes me :angry:. I want the K58 hydro, not the lesser K47 that will be on the 2008 models.

[o-so-n-so]

What makes you angry about JD pricing? What price did you get on the machines?

[DavidR]

I recently looked at the JD offerings as well as the Kubota offerings. I bag all of my grass so after I added the price of a bagger to the mix I was looking at the same price as a pretty nice ZT. My goal was to cut the amount of time it took to do my lawn so I ended up with a ZT...been very happy ever since.

JD is coming out with a new line of ZT's that you may want to take a look at as well. The Estate series is made for someone in your predicament.

[topsites]

It's a piece of crap, don't get it, there.

[lifetree]

It's a piece of crap, don't get it, there.

The first time I've heard someone be so negative, and blunt, about JD ... what's so bad about it ??

[topsites]

The first time I've heard someone be so negative, and blunt, about JD ... what's so bad about it ??

Man asked to be talked out of it, so I did.
It might sound like I'm just being a smarty pants but I'm really not.

I get this from customers some times, they call me and they kind of want to not do something...
So I tell them don't do it.

Yes it does amuse me, but you have to see where I'm coming from:
Here the man said "Talk me out of a John Deere X300"
He admits he's got the bug, but the title says he doesn't really want it.
My opinion is it would be the worse of the choices to make him buy it, what if he regrets it later?
That's the easiest part about this job, why try and convince otherwise?

.................
Other notes: I forgot his name, but Xerox's number 1 salesman wrote a book about selling, and his exact words were "LISTEN to your customers, THEN meet their needs based on what they are telling you."
Don't sell them stuff because you want money, meet their needs first, let the money come on its own.
And if that means turning it down because the customer has indicated their uncertainty with a deal, so be it.

[eatonpcat]

Well put Topsites