does it slow down in ground speed, stop completely moving, or does the engine speed slow/stop? remove the gas cap and see if it still does it. if it does the vent is clogged. if this unit is a hydro model, no gears just mash a pedal to go forward/back, then check to make sure the fan on top of the transmission is not damaged and the cooling fins are not clogged with debris. my L130 will slow down after a while and every time it has been grass build up on the tranny blocking the cooling air. did you check the fluid inthe tranny? how exactly did you do this?

Varmint, Thanks on all your feedback, and that of others. I took delivery today of my new tractor. I put it right to work pulling my dump cart full of brush, and my yard sweeper. Maybe I should change my handle to happinessisanewtractor. Observations: This tractor is very comforable. the ergonomics of the Regent are very good. The controls are well laid out and very intuitive. The 18HP Kohler Courage engine is plenty strong, and very reasonable in noise level. Especially compared to my old tractor's 8hp Briggs. The transmission is very smooth (smoother than the x300 I drove, probably how it's belt drive is designed), and pulled my sweeper like it was'nt even there. The ride accross my bumpy yard is just that, bumpy. I'm going to check the tire pressure again, and try lowering it to improve the ride a little. Also, the steering is very precise, but that also lends itself to jolting out of my hands on bumps if I'm not careful. Again tire pressure may help that. I suspect the same would be true on almost any "lawn tractor". Essentially it means I have to keep my speed down in the areas that are bumpy. My old tractor's seating position was closer to the ground, so I may be perceiving that I'm going slower on the new Regent than I actually am. Perhaps a heavier Garden Tractor, ie: a Conquest or x500 might traverse the lumpy terrain more smoothly, but I would not want to give up the manuverability of the Regent, which is fantastic. I have not mowed yet, but did engage the mower. Take note, this thing is powerful, it shot several pine cones like a rocket. The discharge is very strong, which I hope will reduce clumping of my grass clippings. Overall I feel that I made a good choice for my needs. I have to say that Simplicity orange is just as nice looking as Deere Green. I'm looking forward to mowing season & will let you know how it performs.

Thanks for the link, they didn't list the 317 or 420 ? Anyways it kind of proves my long time thoughts that jd has so many model numbers, they ran out of numbers and letters, so they bought the 'scott's' line to create more confusion :)

When removing the deck on an X500 you need to set the mowing height knob at ZERO and then pull back on the lift pedal ALL the way and lock it there with the pull-up on the LH side of the dash board and THEN remove the deck. Look under the X500 and see if the lift links are jammed or wedged in somehow. To reinstall the deck the lift pedal has to be in the pulled all the way back position. The operator's manual explains the deck R&R procedure in detail.