John Deere X300 Traction Issues

18 years ago

Just completed my first 8 hrs on our new JD X300!!! Changed my oil and now have 10 hrs on the X300. It mows great! The first week I mowed with it I had several traction problems on our hilly property. I spoke with my JD Rep and asked if the rear trans axle would hold up with Carlisle SUPER LUG Tires? He stated that the X300 could however he would not suggest it with any of the LA 100 series. The X300's just were a better and stronger rider. I sold the 20X10-8 Carlisle Multi-Trac turf savers on e-bay for $85 including shipping, therefore I only had about $40 in upgrading to the LUG Tires! These tires turned this X300 into a traction machine!!! I pull all the the hills in the property without a slip! OR seldom slip, which tears up grass (or aerates the lawn as I like to refer to it).

This mower is the third rider I have owned. Previously a Craftsman 38 inch with 12.5 BS motor, and a Simplicity with a 38 inch and a 14 BS motor both did the job, but nothing like this JD!!!

My Father has an International Cub from the late 70's which has shaft drive and disk brakes along with Hydro, Hydro deck lift, and PTO hook up for tiller or bucket. The Cub has a 16 HP Kohler and is still kicking HARD!

I can only hope this X300 does the same.

Truly wish I could have afforded a JD equivalent to Dads Cub but $10k nope.

Lawn/Garden Tractors aren't made like they used to be, however they are safer for the kids to be around!!!

For all that have the X300 and need extra traction go get Carlisle 20X10-8 Super Lugs and take control of your lawn by the antlers!!!!

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Comments (7)

john_wa
18 years ago
Congrats on your new ride and it's great that you're pleased with it!
jdd332d
18 years ago
We'd like some pics please!
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yellowfever
18 years ago
The X300 is a good tractor. DonÂt look for it to last like an IH Cub. I have an IH Cub 68 125 which was the first year for a Hydro. Built like a tank and Hydro is flawless. The differential is larger than most full size trucks. Apples and oranges compared to a 300. The 300 will cut better though. In 40 years my cub will be 80 and IÂm sure it will outlast any of the new crap I have today.
rhch
18 years ago
I just purchased an X300 and plan to change to either Carlisle Super Lugs or All Trails (ATV tire). I'm leaning towards the Super Lugs - I need better traction than I'm getting now. After further use, are there any issues that have come up with the Super Lugs? How are they when you mow across your slope, and do they slip when you make your uphill turns? By the way, did you need any special tools to remove the wheels? Rich.
User
18 years ago
Before you spend money for new tires either fill both rear wheels with WWAF (about 6 gallons = about 48lbs each rear wheel) or drop two JD "qwik-tatch" 42lb weights on the back. The bracket is built-in on your X-300.

That should solve your traction problem.
rhch
18 years ago
justalurker - thanks for the responce. I've thought about filling tires or the weights - just not sure. Filling tires is probably fairly cheap, weights will cost me about $80 and tires installed $100. I've got a rough, fairly steep little hill to initially climb before I mow (and then the entire yard is a slope), I assume the center of gravity of the weights is low enough that that my front end won't bounce up as I climb the initial hill?
User
18 years ago
The weights hang low on the rear bracket and make your X300 look like a big tractor. If my tractor had a built-in weight bracket I'd get the weights.

WWAF in the tires gets the weight below the axle... about as low as it can be. Only downside is that it's a pain to put the fluid in and if you don't add tubes the inside of the wheels may rust.

If you search all the L&G tractor forums you'll find oodles of posts like yours and adding weight resolved the traction problems almost all the time.