No..not normal, especially with only 8 hours.

You should contact your dealer and have them check it out. Funny noises at the 8 hour mark are not a good thing.

Thankyou I have already dropped it off, the guy I dealt with when I bought it was there (he was the manager) when I dropped it off and he said he could not hear anything so I had him start up a brand new one and that one did not make any noise. he claimed he still could not hear the noise. There was a tech there and he could hear the noise. It just bothered me on how the manager reacted he said its a lawn mower its going to make noises. I told him that noise was not there when I bought it and I indicated to him that this is going to be either a positive experience or a negative one. His reaction was very frustrating to me. For $3500 with bagger its still alot of money and the reason I went with the X series was I wanted a tractor that was going to last along time. My 1976 Sears garden tractor lasted 33 years I am wondering if I went for the right tractor. Thanks for the input.

Let us know how things turn out. Hopefully it is something simple, but when you sell thousands of these you are bound to have a few lemons. I agree that there is nothing more annoying then a "service professional" pretending an issue doesn't exist.

Have faith. You have a good warranty on it and it is a nice rig. Even Lexus owners return their new cars for problems - it happens. As soon as they figure out how NOT to have ANY problems, the rig will cost you 15k and you probably won't buy it. They'll get it straightened out for you.

To all I found out late yesterday that they are putting in a new transmission which is great I can't help but feel I got the wrong tractor I think the weakest link is the tranny I am seriously comptiplating moving up to a heavier duty tractor for peace of mind which one in the jd line would you recommend I want to be able to service the tranny easly which one has this feature? You guys have been great any recommendations would be appreciated please note I would like to be able to push the 5-6 inches of snow and slush that we typically get in New Hampshire I just think using the X300 for this task will greatly reduce its life
Thankyou

I would like to add something which - Ive been seeing more of lately.

I am dealing with an elderly person who Seems to have a hearing problem. If you were to sit and talk with her - she seems to hear me correctly (most of the time).

But I have seen many times where she doesn't hear high pitched noises and the like. Noises just like "while the machine was idiling I heard a rattling noise" ..

So while im not defending your JD rep - I suppose it is possible that he might not have heard it ... Particularly if hes old school (and has been around engines a while) - hes possibly never worn earplugs a day in his life. (that or he doesnt have a trained ear).

As far as the tranny goes: the tuff torq site lists the trannies they make - here is a link to their Lawn and Garden transaxles page : http://www.tufftorq.com/level3.asp?ID=1

Im a little surprised that $3400 dollars gets you a JD with a K46 in it (but I am not up on their line). As you can see from the web site they describe the:
K-46 as a REAR ENGINE RIDER/LAWN TRACTOR
K-66 as a LIGHT DUTY GARDEN TRACTOR

This K-46 unit is probably where I would feel safe. I like that external reservoir - i wonder if that promotes easy oil changes ? (i dont know)

My casual observation about these htdro trannies:
---------------
There is a relationship of the heavy duty industrial hydrostatic trannies to the size (and cost) of a yard/garden machine. Finding the "heavy duty tranny" that you (and I) are looking - resulted in me choking on the price of a new tractor (with my beer budget). I would bet the lint in my pocket that, the transaxle you really want its attached to a tractor thats too big for your needs - or might be cost prohibitive...

In addition:
----------------------
I too am looking at a new used tractor addition to my family - I refuse to buy anything new as I feel I am not getting my money's worth.

Please have a look at what Im looking at (or perhaps you should not) for $1800.

http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg160/njdpo/ing444/

Their new stuff is located at: http://www.ingersolltractors.com/

After several months of research - I think the world would be a better place - if we all had one of these in our garages...

Seems to be built like a tank - I think this machine will last me the rest of my life. AND NO PLASTIC (I like that) Comparing this to anything new in the $3000 dollar range seems like comparing pickup trucks to Kenworths...

One thing I particularly liked about the Case/Ingersoll was that it doesnt have a hydrostatic transaxles to worry about... It is fully hydraulic to the rear axle. Not that they wont have problems (they ALL eventually will) but this is a machine that was built for hard work - and easily serviced.

Now granted - Im afraid to ask what one of these Ingersolls run $new... Im guessing double what your new JD was ... So it really isnt a fair comparison - as I suspect a cost comparable JD (hopefully with a K-72 or K-92) would be roughly the double the price you paid? (I would be interested in hearing your findings).

Dont get me wrong - I certainly think you COULD end up with a VERY stout JD - But I suspect it would be LARGE... Something too large for my residential operation (where I have a little bit of hard work ahead of me for the next year or so), and then I want to simply mow my grass and deal with snow... And this is why I set my sites on the Ingersoll.

AND it has so many attachments - I feel like a kid in a candy store! (wood chipper, bagger, log splitter, tiller, plows, snow blowers, AC generators, probably forgotten more than Ive listed ). ( I wants one of them log splitters !)

Back to your story - perhaps some research with Tuff-torg would determine if you can easily swap in a larger unit. Then just sell your brand new K46 on CL... Questions for Tuff-torq would be (that I can think of):

1. is the bolt pattern the same? what about the length ?
2. do I need to adjust my pully sizes?
3. Will this new unit fit in the space im putting it in, is the battery box in the way?

Just thought Id pass along my cliff notes - for comparison.

Dave

The X320 gets the K58. Not sure, but I think it is serviceable, unlike the K46. With the X500 you get the differential lock.

I doubt that you would have been able to actualy damage the K46 in 8 hours, assuming you didn't buy a machine that was clearly undersized for your uses in that 8 hour period. More likely, it came with a manufacturing defect, which typically does show up in the very early life of a machine. You could give more specifics of your yard shape, grade, etc., as well as the other uses you have in mind, to get some real advice from the better informed here. As for snow, NH often gets well over 5-6 inches, and when it is sluch, it is quite heavy. Have you considered adding a blower instead of a plow? The blower puts very little strain on the tractor versus a blade, and will move whatever you get in any storm.

Specifics on yard and useage 2 acres all grass 95% flat one section is steep but I mow it paralell with the slope, long driveway 150 feet by 14 ft wide, trailer pulling 5x10 utility for yard debris and wood hauling from cut trees, thats basicaly it

That trailer is too big for your mower.

that trailer does sound big - But he is on level ground... I wouldnt think he roasted the k46 in just 8 hours - unless he really was "working it hard"...

im guessing defective out of the box - and you just got the wrong one. Youll know in another 8 hours of tractor usage :)

Your not filling that trailer to the top and dragging it up hill - are you ? I use an old sears with a gear tranny for that stuff.

Dave

If your into JD go with a new X500 and you'll be able to blow or plow your driveway and pull that big trailer full of whatever. You could also go used and get a good GT for the price of a low end lawn tractor.

You'll find yourself doing things that you never imagined you would do and wish you had gotten the GT (X500, etc...) in the first place. Take it from a guy who's been there, done that. You'll not miss the few extra $$$ you spend now and will be much happier in the long run, but you already know that don't you?

Good Luck!

I have not even pulled the trailer yet with the X300, it has just mowed the lawn and pulled the 80 lb broadcast spreader, I think I will check into the x500, Thanks guys
I will let you all know if I make the switch

These forums are great but if you spend enough time here you will come to believe that nothing short of a abrams tank will do for the tasks you have in mind for your yard.

2 acres of flat land with a 80 pound broadcast spreader is WELL within range of the capabilities of your X300. RE: the cart, JD only specs the 10 cubic foot cart for everything in the X3xx series - that includes my X320 w/ the heavy duty LAWN transmission. If you want to pull that trailer with the X3xx series tractors, just don't load it full.

8 hours? My advice is to utilize the JD promise and have them swap you out for another X300. Remember, you have a 4 year warranty - I think you just had bad luck w/ the transmission. I've read about guys in LA series tractors tilling w/ their rigs for 6 years before the transmission STARTS to slow down after 4 hours of mowing. Everybody bashes on the K46 b/c its the low end of tuff torq's lineup - but not everybody needs that Abram rumbling around the property either.

My 2 cents.

Another idea - why dont you consider spending a few dollars on a vintage GT with a gear tranny. For 200-500 bucks (depending on condition) you could find and old Sears, Cub, W.Horse, JD, or Bolens) that will pull that trailer for you all day long.

I have an old Sears which only does the grunt work around my place... Best part is I never have to wonder if the lawn machine is being beaten up too badly. And I dont really wonder if the Sears is being abused - as its *kinda* built like a tank.

The more I look at the old stuff the more I like it. Im getting tired of looking at aerodynamic egg shaped LTs / GTs made of plastic. Whos engines (and trannies) behave as if they were made of plastic.

Dave

I had an '06 Craftsman YS4500 that, spec for spec, was pretty much identical to the X300. After 2.5 years of steady useage on my 1.5 acre property, I began to notice the tranny slowing down and gradually getting louder. I take very good care of all my OPE so lack of maintenance was not an issue.

I used the tractor as I believe it was intended to be used - pulled a 17 cu. ft. loaded cart, weighted aerator, dethatcher, broadcast spreader, leaf clean-up in the fall with a lawn sweeper, etc... IMO, the K46 is good for lawn cutting and light duty cart pulling and lawn maintenance - anything beyond that will cook the tranny at some point. Now I'm not saying it will happen right away but it definately will happen.

The OP sounds as if he has more in store for the X300 than just lawn cutting and maintenance. He already has plans for plowing or blowing snow which is a big strain on the tranny. Once you have a plow blade you'll do more than just use it for snow. It's less expensive to upgrade to a GT now than waiting for the inevitable to happen.

Most guys don't need a "tank" but for anything more than basic lawn maintenance, one should seriously consider a GT - be it new or used.

I would be interested in getting the mounting dimensions of the tuftorq transmission mounting bolt pattern.

They look like they are similar enough that you might be able to upgrade an old tractor with a stronger transmission.

My tractor model came with the option of the K46 trans for a whole lot more $$$! (On my budget that is!)

You could also get the hydraulic PTO if your model did not come with it like mine.

Actually 17 cu ft loaded is outside of JD Spec for that transmission. The K58 can pull a 10 cu ft cart with much less strain then the K46, but JD only recommends a 10 cu ft cart for my X320 AND the X300. If you really had the 17 cu ft cart loaded and did so regularly, then yes you probably asked too much of that rig. That's 70% more 'stuff' in the cart - a pretty big swing outside of intended use.

I will also be doing dethatching which can also put a good load on the tranny I might just bite the bullet and get the x 500 one thing I don't like is its another 800 for the power flow for bagging

Why don't you get the mulch kit instead of the bagger? I used to bag with my 1st tractor and it was a PITA because the bags would fill up real fast. The mulch kit with the correct set of blades works great. Really minces up the grass blades to the point where they almost can't be seen and it feeds your lawn to boot.

An added bonus is in the fall for mulching leaves. You can buy a lawn sweeper for a couple of hundred bucks and mulch and sweep your leaves at the same time. The lawn sweeper bagger bin holds several bushels and the mulch is great for filling in low areas of your yard especially after it has had a chance to compost down a bit.

Just a thought.......you could always get the powerflow bagger setup down the road if it does'nt work out.

I have a X320 w/ the 42" mulch deck (dedicated 42M). It can be bought that way if you ask your dealer. With this setup I have no need for a bagger, I fertilize the grass every cut, and I have the heavy duty lawn tractor K58.

I believe my setup is a nice hybrid setup for folks that have concerns like the OP's.

Here is a link that might be useful: K58

I second tuco on the bagger comments. Baggers - especially the HUGE and expensive PowerFlows - are cumbersome and expensive for the X300/X500/X700 lines. I have an X520 (with the K72 tranny). When grass or foliage is particularly heavy, I use a Craftsman Professional 44" lawn sweeper (which is, BTW, the 44" Agri-Fab SmartSweeper...I just preferred to buy the Sears model so I have someone holler at locally if there's a problem). It works great on grass clippings as well as other yard debris. My property has some rough areas and slopes, but it still works great. And at 25 cubic feet it provides 66% more capacity that the large JD three bag, 14 bushel power bagger which is more than twice the cost. Admittedly, a lawn sweeper doesn't do exactly the same thing as a bagger, so you have to assess your needs. For me, it's a perfect substitute. All that said, sweepers create a lot of drag on a transmission so take is slow and easy.

I think what I am going to do is get the X500 and I will do the 5.9 percent finance its 87 bucks a month for which I will pay off early instead of plunking down all the cash at once. It has the K71 tranny(which is servicable) which I know will last along time and it will handle everything I have to do I will be expanding the property so it seems to be the right fit plus I like the traction lock for plowing thanks to all who chimed in I will keep you posted ps I did the paper work for returning the X300 which the one thing I liked about the JD policy you can return with in 30days and get your money back again thanks to all

To all I found out late yesterday that they are putting in a new transmission which is great I can't help but feel I got the wrong tractor I think the weakest link is the tranny I am seriously comptiplating moving up to a heavier duty tractor for peace of mind which one in the jd line would you recommend I want to be able to service the tranny easly which one has this feature? You guys have been great any recommendations would be appreciated please note I would like to be able to push the 5-6 inches of snow and slush that we typically get in New Hampshire I just think using the X300 for this task will greatly reduce its life
Thankyou

I live in the northeast corner of Mass. so I pretty much get the same weather as you. I would go for the X500 as it has a heavy duty tranny and locking rear differential which is great for snow or dirt plowing. It's a good, solid, heavy machine that is more than up to the task, especially as your property requirements/demands increase.

I have a 522xi Wheel Horse which is very similar to the X500 except is does not have the locking rear differential (I wish it did). My tractor weighs over 1,100 lbs. and that weight makes a big difference when you have grunt work to do. You won't regret your decision to upgrade.

Best of luck to you my friend!

K-46 trannys are junk. Any hills to contend with, snowplowing or hauling loads, they won't last long. My 2003 JD L120 has 245 hours on it and the tranny is about shot.

Well everyone I took delivery of my new X500, and I put 5 hours on it to date, and all is well. The 25 hp Kawa engine is quiet and smooth running with great power and the cut is real good (I re-leveled the deck before I mowed and it was off a bit from the dealer) and the k71 transmission(which is servicable!!!!) is smooth and it hardly makes a sound going up inclines. It was pricy but I guess after semi retiring my 33 year old Sears Garden Tractor(which by the way still runs, its good for hauling fire wood out of the deep woods) I treated my self. Thanks to all who chipped in thier knowledge and opinions.

Congrats on the new ride, hope it treats you well!

NICE!..............You made a wise decision and one you won't regret. Good luck.

The K46's found their way into a lot of hydro's. They're $179 from one of my vendors.

Good choice. That X500 will do everything you ask of it. If you were looking for the 25 year machine, I believe you've found it.
You should look into a Hayes enterprise sleeve hitch and a brinly back blade for when you start expanding the property. If you decide to get into row-crop gardening, you can find a lot of good deals on Brinly turning plows, cultivators, and discs online. Then get an earthway walk-behind seeder/planter and you'll be all set. You couldn't dream of doing those things with the X300.

I highly recommend filling the rear tires with windshield washer fluid for snowplowing. Do a quick search (at the bottom) and you can find the post where I offered a few hints on one way to do it.

Did you get the HDAP tires?

A Question..I just purchased a brand new X300 and notice a filler cap on the top of the Tranny, is this possibly a way to refill/change the fluid at some point? Any info is appreciated!