Hello again Sargeant, Well the JD is out of warranty and I cannot buy an extended service plan that covers the "drive train". But after taking engine_tech UtahÂs advice and checking them both out head to head the JD is just a great machine and there is no comparing the two. It is a hard thing for me since I am a warranty nut, but I think based on your "objective" input and from talking to the local JD dealer that I will go with the X304. I canÂt thank you enough for putting the time and effort into helping me with your knowledge and insight. It is a big investment/need for my family and I have the ability, (at times), to out think myself when trying to make the right call. I can be a "ROCKHEAD", (my wifeÂs description), when I am trying to gather information to help in making a decision, so on behalf of my wife, kids, neighbors, coworkers and of course myself thank you for the help, your input has been a great help. Have a great day. Scott

Sounds more like the belt isn't properly routed around an idler pulley than the brake being mis-adjusted. You really can't ask more from the dealer than they offered... 2 years ago. As much of a pain as it might be to get the X back to the dealer you ought to ask for some consideration on future service or parts for your inconvenience... if they are still willing to accept a come-back 2 years later.

After looking over all attachment points this what I've got. There are two attachment points on the deck. Left and right so two cables hook to the deck. There are NO additional holes in the deck attachment points. THere is however two holes on the upper arms where the cables come from. The cables are already attached in the upper holes. I see what you mean doopstr about adjusting the roller to the lowest cutting depth to raise the deck rollers up whent the deck handle is in the transport position. The problem with this is that the deck is then only about an inch or two off the ground and the blade hubs catch on everything. So I am still perplexed. I can't see any adjustment that would change how high the deck is lifted when it is in the transport position. It really seems this is by design that it is always riding on the rollers. I'm goign to call the dealer and see what they say.

I can not believe that JD dealers accept a customer's property into their possession for repair without acknowledging so with paperwork. That paperwork establishes that the dealer is in lawful possession of the property and would be necessary in the event of a catastrophe like a fire or theft. In 20 years in the motorcycle business the only time I've seen a dealer NOT issue a customer paperwork (a work order) when accepting property for warranty repair is when the dealer contemplated or actually did falsely bill the manufacturer for work not done or billed the manufacturer for a more expensive procedure than was done. This sounds way too fishy and if it were me I'd get to the bottom of this with the dealership owner or John Deere. It would be a bummer if the K58 was replaced with a K46 and I'd be real unhappy.