Aeration with x300

hokiepokie07 said:

This will be my first time aerating with the x300. What is a good amount if weight to put on the aerator as to do a good job, but not over tax the engine/transmission? Thanks!

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You will not have to worry about putting too much weight on the aerator. They are designed to work with just about any weight you can put there.

Jerry

Two 80lbs bags of concrete always seem to be enough for my lawn and soil condition.

Your asking for trouble.

Leinie said:

Your asking for trouble.

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Can you supply additional information?

BrintonJD said:

Two 80lbs bags of concrete always seem to be enough for my lawn and soil condition.

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the above poster has a X748.....that is why he can put that kind of weight on it.

X300 can probably handle it too but it's the starting and stopping which probably isn't good for it with that kind of weight with a slight ground engaging attachment.

Agree, a couple under blocks, big block of wood,'or 50 lb sack of quikcrete.


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I have an older x304 with the slightly beefier K58 transmission and I load up my 48" plug aerator with 6 cinder blocks (tray completely full) when I aerate once a season. I try to keep moving and optimize my hill ascent angles, and the tractor has performed well in this task (without any ill effects so far). We have red clay soil here in Georgia, in case that makes a difference. I would expect an x300 to perform similarly but hopefully your yard is pretty flat (and your soil looser). You should only load up as much weight as necessary to guarantee good ground engagement (penetration), so if you can get away with only 3-4 cinder blocks, I recommend not exceeding that amount.

I have a Brinly aerator that I used with an X300 one season before upgrading to an X530. My property has some slope that challenged the X300 with the aerator, so, I didn't pull it upslope - a simple enough fix. I use two (sometimes three) 40-lb bags of soil, with bungee cords, for weight. They mold to the aerator tray and don't scratch the finish. When I'm done aerating, I use the dirt for low spots in the yard or add them to the garden, eliminating the need for storage. You can buy them for less than $2 each at a garden center.

Incidentally, if you get an aerator, your neighbors will eventually want to use it too.

BMWBig6 said:

I have an older x304 with the slightly beefier K58 transmission and I load up my 48" plug aerator with 6 cinder blocks (tray completely full) when I aerate once a season. I try to keep moving and optimize my hill ascent angles, and the tractor has performed well in this task (without any ill effects so far). We have red clay soil here in Georgia, in case that makes a difference. I would expect an x300 to perform similarly but hopefully your yard is pretty flat (and your soil looser). You should only load up as much weight as necessary to guarantee good ground engagement (penetration), so if you can get away with only 3-4 cinder blocks, I recommend not exceeding that amount.

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snakemed said:

Incidentally, if you get an aerator, your neighbors will eventually want to use it too.

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I wish my neighbor had a dethacher so I can trade him my aerator.

CMD-Ky said:

Can you supply additional information?

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K46 transmission is all the info you need.

Wait until temps are in the 40's if you do pull anything. Might help keep it cool, Good Luck

Thanks everyone! We are just renting an aerator this year (first year in the house). It sounds like I should start with two 50lb bags and go from there. If it's too much, then reduce it, if the plugs aren't big enough and the engine can handle it, then add to it. My yard is pretty flat for the most part except the front bank. I may not even be able to pull an aerator on the front bank because I don't want to kill or harm the engine so soon. I may try it and see how it sounds and feels though.

The engine will not be an issue. It will have plenty of power. It's the trans you need to be concerned about.

Leinie said:

The engine will not be an issue. It will have plenty of power. It's the trans you need to be concerned about.

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Perhaps if he was pulling uphill for extended periods of time.
Sounds like he has got a pretty good handle on things,(along with his terrain makeup) with some helpful advice
If you run the engine at full throttle to keep the cooling fans/pumps at the optimum speed he should be fine. Know how to use your machine.
Plenty of people have a lot of hours on these machines with little problems,as they usually know how to use their machines. Something to think about perhaps...
Most of these people don't find the need to post-just the negative ones seem to have a need to make their opinions known, offering little real, or helpful advice-just one-liners.....etc.etc....
Amazes me those that shiver to hear a k46 doing some work.

Traction was also an issue when I pulled the aerator on my slopes with a X300. Plugs pull easier when moist but tires spin easier when moist as well, a double edge sword so to speak. If you can, put a couple suitcase weights off the back and keep the aerator has light as will be effective and take your time.

automojo said:

Perhaps if he was pulling uphill for extended periods of time.
Sounds like he has got a pretty good handle on things,(along with his terrain makeup) with some helpful advice
If you run the engine at full throttle to keep the cooling fans/pumps at the optimum speed he should be fine. Know how to use your machine.
Plenty of people have a lot of hours on these machines with little problems,as they usually know how to use their machines. Something to think about perhaps...
Most of these people don't find the need to post-just the negative ones seem to have a need to make their opinions known, offering little real, or helpful advice-just one-liners.....etc.etc....
Amazes me those that shiver to hear a k46 doing some work.

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Also lots of people with flat yards who have done nothing more than pull a cart who have trans problems after a couple hundred hours. Glad yours is working out though. Not many people have had your experience. To the op. try it out. If it works good than go for it. First time I tried to pull any weight with one it was obvious that it was a bad idea and hasn't been the same since. Best of luck.


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bodeis said:

Also lots of people with flat yards who have done nothing more than pull a cart who have trans problems after a couple hundred hours. Glad yours is working out though. Not many people have had your experience. To the op. try it out. If it works good than go for it. First time I tried to pull any weight with one it was obvious that it was a bad idea and hasn't been the same since. Best of luck.


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I don't have a X300, a X310.
Never had a problem with the T40a in my L111.
Again, most people who post, post because they have problems, not because they don't. Nature of the beast. That's in part what the forums are for.
You never usually hear the whole story either for various reasons.
My information comes from the JD dealerships I service, and talking with the technicians over the years, and seeing what's in for repair.
I have seen more then a few X300 sitting on the lot with 300-400 hours and the tranny's still seem to pull good. Maybe this are the exceptions-who knows, but I doubt it.
I have also seen a few with K66's etc with fried tranny's sitting in the service bays-so these can be damaged as well.
All on how use use your machine with in it's limitations.
The X300 isn't designed to pull heavy loads on a continual basis, sure, but with careful use, as some of the members mentioned, he should be fine.
Alternatively he can talk with a technician, along with his sales man, at the dealership, and get his advice-especially if the machine is under warranty-and document it.
If they suggest no, and recommend a different machine, that may give you some leverage for a trade in, etc.
If they however say yes, nor problem, go for it.
The glass is half full, or half empty, it's you choice.
Lifes too short IMHO to get caught up in all this K46 nonsense.
Some people seem on a mission with these things.
Amazing......
If it wasn't the K46, it would be something else IMHO.
Really-you want to roll this way?
Enjoy life, and don't worry so much-as life's gonna pass you buy, and that darn K46 will still be around.
Get over it...........have a beer, and move on.....:trink40:

I used to use my aerator with my old GT235 and put 4 suitcase weights in it. I never had any problems in a somewhat sloped yard.