John Deere X300 Tractor, 42-Inch Edge Xtra Deck
by Chris H.
(Westfield, NJ, USA)
I've owned my John Deere X300 tractor for a year and a half now, and I love it. I own several acres of land, most of which is covered by lawn. I used to use a standard push mower, but it took hours to mow the entire lawn. I saw this mower from John Deere for $2800 at a store, and after sitting on it to see the controls, I was an immediate believer.
Control-wise, everything is beautifully color-coded for convenience. The engine speed and choke controls are separate, so I can warm the engine up pretty easily, even in cold weather. Comfort-wise, the seat is amazing. I had expected something uncomfortable, but the big yellow cushions on this seat make it more comfortable than my truck.
The cutting system is fantastic. I have never used a 42-inch deck, but I got used to it very quickly. It allowed me to zip up and down my yard and finish cutting in a half hour. Though the specs for the X300 say that it has a 16-inch turning radius, I felt like it was turning on its center - I actually had to watch and make sure I wasn't turning so sharply that I would be mowing over area I had already cut!
The other aspect of this mower I should mention is its construction. I had always thought of John Deere as an acceptable brand but not the highest quality of mower. This tractor changed my mind. The front axle is made of cast iron, and the whole frame looks and feels solid when you're riding on it. The brakes feel solid when you press on the pedal and don't fade or lag at all. My favorite little convenience that they added to the mower, though, is a cupholder so I can keep my beverage within reach and still operate the tractor.