I own an X304..bought it for thr bigger tranny which also has pump which 300 does not...if you are level than the 300 would be a good choice...if you have alot of trees and also some slopes or hills than the 304 is better...both tranny's are proven for there intended use...if the xtra 400 bucks is of no signifigance to you than I would lean toward the 304...might be a little more tranny than you need, but in the long run you will be most likely alot happier...as far as the static load...i am not up on that one so i hope that someone else here will help you with that...good luck..

So far as I understand, "Static load capacity" refers to how much weight the axle assembly will bear, meaning: the combined weight of the machine, operator, and anything else that puts weight on the axle. Technically the "weight of the machine" factor would be "the portion of weight of the machine borne by the axle minus the weight of the tires, wheels and axle shafts" but I don't know whether the industry or OEMs take that approach or not.

Had the same decision to make last spring ... went with the 300.

Making the decision, for me the trans was not a factor: I've also got an acre ... mostly flat, but gentle slope in the back corner ... I'd guess 10 degrees for about 30 feet, up to maybe 20 degrees for the last 20 feet. So it came down to 4 wheel steering ... I've laid out most of the yard with cutting with a tractor in mind, so there are only one or two spots where 4 wheel steer could be usefull ... but I can just as easily work around those spots, so I couldn't see spending $400 more when I can just back up and cut in closer.

The 300 works fine ... no straining tranny, just give it a little more gas towards the top. I've got a wagon which I've pulled loaded up the 10 degree part of the slope with no problem either.

I was replacing a Sears tractor with a 16 hp Kohler engine that never had a problem with the slope, so I figured the 300 would be fine. I actually started with a Lowes JD L125 (brought it back) ... used it once, but drove it around a bit as well ... had no problem with the slope either.

My neighbor has the same Sear tractor I had ... much steeper slope ... probably 25 degrees for 40% of his cutting area. While his Sears gets it done (it's about 12 years old now), he borrowed my 300 once ... said his Sears is really working hard and he can feel it, but the JD was like driving a Caddy ... felt no strain.

A few months after buying the tractor, a mechanic from the dealer came out to replace the part that disengages the blades when mowing in reverse (factory recall). Guy was in his 60's and had worked on tractors all his life (this dealer sells farm equipment too). Reading the board and some of the discussions on the K46 tranny, I asked him what he thought about the 300 and my slope. He said that when he sees trans failure, other than when it's lived a normal life and is just plain worn out, is when it's either defective or been way over abused.... and they can take a lot of abuse. He looked over at my neighors hard and said if I was mowing that yard, the tranny might wear out a little bit faster. I asked about the 304 ... would the trans perform better or last longer. He said the 304 needs the bigger trans and pump because it has more work to do ... because of the 4 wheel steering ... and so both the 300 and 304 are pretty evenly matched when it comes to how they perform, how they should be used, and how long the trannys should last if used the same. You get the 304 if you need the steering, he said ... if you need a heavier duty tractor, move up to the 320, 500, etc.

Hope that helps.

There sure are a lot of questions on this forum about if a certain hydro tranny is good enough. Meanwhile I can't remember the last time I saw a post of an actual problem with a hydro tranny.

Thanks for the replies.

The price difference between the 2 models, IMO, is negligible since I plan on keeping the mower until one of us wears out! Something I neglected to include is that I am tall and way too heavy! Should that be more incentive to lean more towards the 304 with the K58?

If anyone knows how long JD has used the K58, K46 and all wheel steer on their riding mowers, please post. I don't buy first year model cars and do not want to make that mistake with my impending JD mower purchase.

I really appreciate all the kind help!!

I can't see how your mechanic would consider the K58 a requisite tranny for the X304 b/c of the AWS. If you follow that logic, then the X324 (also has AWS) would need something bigger then the K58 that it ALSO comes standard with. All tractors in the X3xx series, save the X300, come with the K58. That includes the AWS 304, the 320, the AWS 324, and the 'brute' of the litter - X340.

I can't say I agree w/ that logic, but heck its not my purchase.

Doopstr said,
"Meanwhile I can't remember the last time I saw a post of an actual problem with a hydro tranny."

Two years ago a lady posted she burned out a hydro after 3 years of mowing up and down a steep hill. It was a Toro lawn tractor. Her dealer recommended that she get a garden tractor. I think the hydro she burned out was a k46.

I don't know much about engines or trannys, but what he said does make sense to me. According to JD, the 300 and 304 are both designed for light duty residential use ... ie relatively flat terrain. If your needs meet those conditions, and you want 4 wheel steering, you get the 304 ... if not, the 300 will perform as well and last as long. But if you need a more robust tractor, you move up to the tractor that matches up ... 320, 340, 500, etc. Spending $400 more for a 4 wheel steering when what you need is a heavier duty tractor is spending money in the wrong direction... you still end up with a light duty tractor.

From a logic standpoint, this doesen't make sense to me "...
can't see how your mechanic would consider the K58 a requisite tranny for the X304 b/c of the AWS." If it's not necessary for the 304, why is JD using it? If the K46 is insufficient for the 300, why use it? Why would JD take the risk of making the 300 under engineered for it's intended use ... basically making the 300 a lemon.

Both tractors are designed for the same purpose\conditions .... the 304 isn't marketed as a "heavier duty" 300, or a step between the 300 and 320. So to me, the logical reason for using the K58 in the 304 is because it needs it due to the one diffence between the two tractors: 4 wheel steering.

nebeginner-the K46 in the X300 is intended for more level terrain ( no hydro pump ) lighter duty, virtually same weight. Now the K58 w/pump is a heavier duty tranny and can handle slopes, degress, whatever terminology you like to use with more effiency than the K46. Thus for the 400 bucks AWS is not the only difference. Sought of like a six cylinder f150 w a 308 rear vs an f150 w/a 373 rear w/trailer towing package..Of course I could have used a GMC, Chevy, Dodge, pr Toyota but ford was 1st one that came to mind...

"Both tractors are designed for the same purpose\conditions .... the 304 isn't marketed as a "heavier duty" 300, or a step between the 300 and 320. So to me, the logical reason for using the K58 in the 304 is because it needs it due to the one diffence between the two tractors: 4 wheel steering."

Deere doesn't actual 'market' the tractors. They give you the specs and leave it to the customer to make their own assumptions.

The X300 differs from the X304 in Tranny, AWS, and tires/wheels. That's pretty much it. The X320 differs from the X304 in HP and Deck. Maybe the wheels, but I'm too lazy to look. At any rate, both the X320 with its bigger deck and more HP rely on the same tranny as the X304. So yes, I believe the X304 is definitely a step-up from the 300, AWS or not.

To answer the original question - how long has JD used the K58? The K58 was designed by Tuff Torq to Deere's specifications for the X300 series (albeit the X300). The X300 was introduced in 2006 to replaced the LT and LX lines, so the K58 has only been on the market since then. The LT line used the K46, while the LX line used the K62. The K58 uses the same envelope of the K46 with the characteristics of both the K46 and K62. I don't think it's as heavy duty as the K62, but the K58 will be fine. As for it's longevity and durability, I guess that's remains to be determined as it's only been in used since 2006.

I just pulled this off the TuffTorq website:

"Tuff Torq Corporation just completed production of its five millionth hydrostatic transmission and all employees shared in the celebration. The actual transmission, a model K46, was escorted down the assembly line by TTCÂs eight original production associates: Shirley Lawson, Chris McCamey, Donnie Anderson, Tammy Stanifer, Mark Cureton, Bob Self, Bobby Turley and Ruth Ann Little. These employees presented the transmission to the president along with a large poster containing hundreds of signatures of TTC employees. Both the transmission and the poster have been displayed in the company lobby to remind visitors of this great accomplishment."

Now, if it were me, I wouldn't worry too much about the K58, K46 or Kwhatever was pushing my lawn tractor.

JD has had AWS since 1992 on the L&G tractors. It trickled down to lawn tractors in 1999 on the LX277. The X300-series version is an even simpler and heavier duty version. None of JD's AWS systems have given any trouble. The u-joints used are from automotive applications, and will last forever in a slow speed, low power lawn tractor.