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

The X304 2007 and 2008 trannys are most definitely not the same. Someone could provide facts I suppose to show they are similar as I cannot find that specific information readily available anywhere. (k46c vs. k58b-these were the designations I recall seeing on the two sitting at a dealer local to me when comparing the trans on the 07 to 08 models. As to what the dealer says, the first JD dealer I went to stated the Tranny on both the 08 X300 and X308 was a K51!? I later checked the Deere site and of course found that they were in fact K46 models. I advised him of this fact the next day and he just said "oh are they, guess I was wrong." Only point being is that not all JD dealers are not as good a source of information as we would like them to be. PS- I just purchased the 07 model new off the floor of a local dealer so there are still out there to be had. So I got the K58 tranny and a good deal to boot! Also after calling around it did seem to me that the dealers are not yet aware of the tranny change. Only one even had a fellow there who had even read about the change on this forum which is how he found out about it-not through Deere.

(Posted on fatwallet) Just in case a price change makes a difference to you. Cub Cadet 20HP 46" cut Zero turn riding mower. This item normally sells for $2999, but is priced $1599 SKU 955-112 I saw this at the HD clearance center located in Austell Ga, a one of a kind HD store. Based on my experience, if a local store has this item, it will not be the same, but worth a check. Can be seen at the Cub Cadet site here Specs from Cub Cadet * 20 HP* Kohler® Courage® Twin Cylinder OHV Engine * Fully Pressurized Automotive-Style Oil Pump w/Spin-on Oil Filter * Dual Hydro-Gear EZT Transmission * 46" QuickAttach Deck * Patented Smart Jet High-Pressure Deck Washing System * Exclusive RevTEK Reverse Mowing Technology allows moving in forward or reverse until the operator leaves the tractor seat, turns the key back to normal or turns off the engine. * Fingertip Electronic PTO Engagement * * as rated by engine manufacturer

...ownership. Smart to think about that. On the other hand, if you need 4 wheel steering, then you need it. Sure there probably will be some additional maintenance costs down the road since the system is more complex than the 300 ... perhaps some additional belts, adjustments, etc when you bring it in for maintenance. The manual or dealer could tell you what additional maintenance is required at various service points (hours) vs. the 300, and the dealer can tell you how much that costs. As far as how the system itself will hold over the long term, that's anyones guess. But so far there are no problems I've heard of ... if there were I think this board would be full of threads. I'm no engineer, but IMHO I would suspect that if there was a major problem it would surface pretty quick. The other part of the answer is JD "green" ... part of what you're paying a premium for. As far as I know, JD has a reputation for standing behind their products. And they seem committed to AWS. So if an unforeseen problem arose far down the road, do you think JD would stand by the 304? If you say "no", then your decision is also made for you ... whay pay more for JD green? But I don't think your answer is "no" ... seems that you're already settled on a JD. The reason to buy the 304 over the 300 is AWS. The K58 tranny is for the additional demands of the AWS... both will peform the same, so if the 304 is suitable for your terrain and weight, then so is the 300. If you say your reason to buy the 304 over the 300 is because of your terrain or weight, then I'd advise talking to your dealer about a more suitable JD ... So it all comes down to one question: do you need AWS or not? If you don't, then you don't need to wonder about any additional maintenance or the possibility of a design flaw down the road. If you do, get the 304.