[RatedZ]

I thought I had researched these two different series tractors pretty well, but I'm finding out more and more that I may have researched the wrong sources. I have some questions.

1. Are the transmissions in the LA series and X300 the same?

2. Are they on different frames/platforms?

3. What are the biggest differences between the two?

Any help would be great.

 

[farmer69]

I think the x300 are heavier all over the LA model. They have the kawi engine too which is better. Heavier frame, deck too I think. You get what you pay for, plus they have a 4 year warranty.

 

[PygmySurfer]

The LA165 and LA175 use the same transmission as the X300/X304 (TuffTorq K46). The lower end models use the TuffTorq T40, which may or may not be very similar to the K46, based on what I've read.

Aside from the transmission, I think the biggest difference is the engine, the LA series feature Brigss & Stratton engines, while the X300 series feature Kawasaki engines. The X300 series uses a foot operated deck lift, I think the LA series all use a lever. The LA145 and higher (and X300 series) have an electronic PTO, vs a manual lever on the LA135 and under. The X300 series has a nicer seat.

The RIO (safety system to keep the blades from turning when you back up) will just stop the deck on the X300 series if you forget to pull up the RIO switch. I believe on the LA series it kills the engine if you back up without pushing the button.

I have nothing to back it up, but I THINK the decks are of better quality on the X300 series.

That's about all I can think of, off the top of my head

 

[RatedZ]

Thanks for the info, guys. I just wanna make sure I'm getting something extra for the additional $1000 I spent.

 

[Chris223]

I thought I had researched these two different series tractors pretty well, but I'm finding out more and more that I may have researched the wrong sources. I have some questions.

1. Are the transmissions in the LA series and X300 the same?

2. Are they on different frames/platforms?

3. What are the biggest differences between the two?

Any help would be great.

1. Essentially the same tranny. You wont even find the T40 on Tuff Torq's website, because for all intents and purposes it's a K46.

2. X300 rides on the X500 platform, IIRC.

3. Kawasaki vs Briggs, the frame, and of course, the visibile difference.

As for the decks, they are the same, maybe they look a bit different. The better quality decks are on the X320.

X300 is a good machine, don't regret the purchase. Just understand that just because it's a better OVERALL quality machine, does NOT mean it's more capable than the LA.

Although I think most would agree here that the Kawasaki's, while still a good engine, are not what they used to be. I love my new X500, but a small part of me would have felt better if it had a B&S Vanguard in it.

 

[RatedZ]

1. Essentially the same tranny. You wont even find the T40 on Tuff Torq's website, because for all intents and purposes it's a K46.

2. X300 rides on the X500 platform, IIRC.

3. Kawasaki vs Briggs, the frame, and of course, the visibile difference.

As for the decks, they are the same, maybe they look a bit different. The better quality decks are on the X320.

X300 is a good machine, don't regret the purchase. Just understand that just because it's a better OVERALL quality machine, does NOT mean it's more capable than the LA.

Although I think most would agree here that the Kawasaki's, while still a good engine, are not what they used to be. I love my new X500, but a small part of me would have felt better if it had a B&S Vanguard in it.

I was hoping that with the extra $1000 I spent, it would be a bit more capable than an "entry-level" model. This isn't the case? Capability was what I was after. isgus:

 

[c1tobor]

Chris223...the T-40 is on the TT website(go to services>catalog) I'm not a mechanic but it looked like the same drawing(exploded view) to me. The other thing I'd like to add is while the Kaw seems to be a better engine hands down, I've heard they are alot more expensive to work on when/if they need it, but that could be a rumor.......c1tobor

 

[Jopopsy]

Its not any more capable, it will just last much longer then the LA if used for similar tasks.

 

[RatedZ]

Its not any more capable, it will just last much longer then the LA if used for similar tasks.

That's pretty much what the salesman told me, but how could that be, considering that some of the LA series and an X300 share the same transmission?

Wouldn't the X300 be worse, because of the additional weight and the same or less hp from the engine? Additional weight = additional strain, right?

 

[Jopopsy]

That's pretty much what the salesman told me, but how could that be, considering that some of the LA series and an X300 share the same transmission?

Wouldn't the X300 be worse, because of the additional weight and the same or less hp from the engine? Additional weight = additional strain, right?

Additional weight maybe if the transmission was already struggling w/ the weight of a LA - which its not. I believe its the same transmission but with OEM options not present on the LA - but I'm not positive about that one.

At any rate, the transmission is just one part of the whole. Everything else is upgraded on the rig, from the spindles on the mower deck to the steering wheel column. You get what you pay for - there is no magic in that. Nobody makes a bulletproof sub-entry level anything. Even the venerable nearly indestructable Snapper RER comes standard w/ a Briggs Intek. Put a Kawasaki or Vanguard on a Snapper RER and the damned thing would probably last longer then any other consumer grade LT two fold. Of course, it would probably cost two fold as well .....

 

[netwerkd]

I just joined today and also made the exact same choice you are doing (or did?). I'll chime in because I don't really see the other opinion being voiced. Although everyone seems to go for the heavier/get what you pay for attitude, I actually ended up buying the LA-175. It seems that there are many people on these threads that have no problem dropping $4-6k on a machine for mowing and I wish I could too but I also prefer not to use credit and only buy what I can afford. I got a really good deal for a 26hp lawn tractor with the 54" deck in the LA-175 for $2300.

I don't need all the options like the hydraulic deck lift - my 8 year old can raise and lower the deck just fine with the lever and 1 hand. The RIO is easy to get used to and the electronic pto works well. Let me say that this thing mows like a dream and doesn't slow down on any of my hills or even when I go into the tall grass. I have 2.5 acres and about 1 acre of lawn. None of it is flat. I too was concerned with the K46 from all the threads I read but realistically for the price, I can buy this tractor, some lawn attachments, and even replace the transmission with a k66 (IF it fails) and still save money.

But, I'm not going to just assume that it will fail otherwise why would they put it in the x300 & x304? Don't get me wrong - quality is worth it. But sometimes you just don't have the money to drop and you're better off buying the machine that will do 90% of the work you desire and renting a tool for the remaining 10% that is over the capacity your machine was designed for.

Finally, I'll look at it from the other perspective. If it does fail on me - Deere will lose my loyalty. I still have a 17 year old Deere walk-behind that my LA is replacing that starts on the first pull every time. If it performs well - then I will step up as my kids get older and I get more free time to do these 'hobbies'. Maybe I'm not the target audience of the typical Deere product but the LA-175 for now seems to do exactly what I needed it for.

:goodl:

 

[Jopopsy]

I just joined today and also made the exact same choice you are doing (or did?). I'll chime in because I don't really see the other opinion being voiced. Although everyone seems to go for the heavier/get what you pay for attitude, I actually ended up buying the LA-175. It seems that there are many people on these threads that have no problem dropping $4-6k on a machine for mowing and I wish I could too but I also prefer not to use credit and only buy what I can afford. I got a really good deal for a 26hp lawn tractor with the 54" deck in the LA-175 for $2300.

I don't need all the options like the hydraulic deck lift - my 8 year old can raise and lower the deck just fine with the lever and 1 hand. The RIO is easy to get used to and the electronic pto works well. Let me say that this thing mows like a dream and doesn't slow down on any of my hills or even when I go into the tall grass. I have 2.5 acres and about 1 acre of lawn. None of it is flat. I too was concerned with the K46 from all the threads I read but realistically for the price, I can buy this tractor, some lawn attachments, and even replace the transmission with a k66 (IF it fails) and still save money.

But, I'm not going to just assume that it will fail otherwise why would they put it in the x300 & x304? Don't get me wrong - quality is worth it. But sometimes you just don't have the money to drop and you're better off buying the machine that will do 90% of the work you desire and renting a tool for the remaining 10% that is over the capacity your machine was designed for.

Finally, I'll look at it from the other perspective. If it does fail on me - Deere will lose my loyalty. I still have a 17 year old Deere walk-behind that my LA is replacing that starts on the first pull every time. If it performs well - then I will step up as my kids get older and I get more free time to do these 'hobbies'. Maybe I'm not the target audience of the typical Deere product but the LA-175 for now seems to do exactly what I needed it for.

:goodl:

You are absolutely right. As far as I can see, nobody has said the LA's were junk. But the question always pops up 'what do I get for upgrading'. That's where you end up in the swirl of paying more, fighting off buyer's remorse, and a myriad of other things. Ask our new friend Adam. :bannana:

 

[RatedZ]

You are absolutely right. As far as I can see, nobody has said the LA's were junk. But the question always pops up 'what do I get for upgrading'. That's where you end up in the swirl of paying more, fighting off buyer's remorse, and a myriad of other things. Ask our new friend Adam. :bannana:

I don't think the LA series are junk at all. To my knowledge, the biggest differences are that the X300 is on a sturdier frame and more attachments adapt to it.

Considering that I'm going to be using it for more than just mowing the lawn, I can have peace of mind that I'll be on a sturdier platform, but $1000 (difference) is $1000.

 

[Tom White]

There is one other difference that I have yet to see mentioned here. It has to do with how the deck attaches.

On the X series mowers, the front of the deck is supported by a "U" shaped rod that the open end is attached in two places (left and right) under the front of the mower, and the closed end is captured by two hooks on the front of the deck.

On the LA series the front of the deck is supported by a single rod with (obviously) one attachment point to the front of the deck and to the underside of the rider.

I have seen many brands use the latter system on mowers costing the same or more than the LA series, so I guess it works well. But I would think the "U" bracket system would likely hold up better over time, and perhaps allow less potential wobbling of the front of the deck.

 

[netwerkd]

I haven't noticed any deck wobble on my LA and I have a lot of uneven terrain due to moles. Could a wobble issue be due to incorrectly set scalp wheel height? The manual says the scalp wheels should be 1/8" to 1/4" from the ground when set at mow height. I did notice though that the dealer configured the anti-scalp wheels at the 1" setting on mine and I prefer the cut at 3-4". I'm really glad I read the manual as this was the only thing I found that I needed to modify before I started to use the machine. It took me 10 minutes with two 15mm wrenches to adjust the 5 wheels to the correct height. I think the signature series decks have pin-adjustable scalp wheels - which would save time if you have different cut heights to switch between but I figured this is a set-it-once thing for me. I can't comment on the life of the single bar vs the u-shaped one. My machine is too new but if it breaks I'll definitely post it here..

 

[Tom White]

I haven't noticed any deck wobble on my LA and I have a lot of uneven terrain due to moles. Could a wobble issue be due to incorrectly set scalp wheel height? The manual says the scalp wheels should be 1/8" to 1/4" from the ground when set at mow height. I did notice though that the dealer configured the anti-scalp wheels at the 1" setting on mine and I prefer the cut at 3-4". I'm really glad I read the manual as this was the only thing I found that I needed to modify before I started to use the machine. It took me 10 minutes with two 15mm wrenches to adjust the 5 wheels to the correct height. I think the signature series decks have pin-adjustable scalp wheels - which would save time if you have different cut heights to switch between but I figured this is a set-it-once thing for me. I can't comment on the life of the single bar vs the u-shaped one. My machine is too new but if it breaks I'll definitely post it here..

Please don't take my post wrong, I'm not knocking the deck hanging system, but just pointing out a difference that I had not seen posted before. Any potential for additional wobble might just be my imagination in overdrive.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Don't you just love those moles? Darn things can tear up a nice yard quicker than almost anything.

 

[Jopopsy]

There is one other difference that I have yet to see mentioned here. It has to do with how the deck attaches.

On the X series mowers, the front of the deck is supported by a "U" shaped rod that the open end is attached in two places (left and right) under the front of the mower, and the closed end is captured by two hooks on the front of the deck.

On the LA series the front of the deck is supported by a single rod with (obviously) one attachment point to the front of the deck and to the underside of the rider.

I have seen many brands use the latter system on mowers costing the same or more than the LA series, so I guess it works well. But I would think the "U" bracket system would likely hold up better over time, and perhaps allow less potential wobbling of the front of the deck.

For what its worth, that U shaped bar and frame support is damned strong. I had the deck off the tractor 2 days ago and was pushing the tractor back into the garage. (transmission disabled). As I was pushing it backwards into the garage, the deck hanger U bar caught on the lip between my garage and the asphalt. I though the rig was stuck on the tires going over the hump. So I gave it a good shove to get it into the garage. My tractor caught on the lip and the front end rode the bar straight up and came bouncing down - now the bar is sitting out in front of the tractor and I'm ****** off at myself.

Took the bar off and put it back on facing the right way. Re-hung the deck. NOTHING bent.

Now I'm a happy guy and go off into the house for a beer. All is good in my universe. When folks ask 'What does the extra money get you', that's a good example. No bent frame and no bent bars for being a knucklehead from time to time. :00000060:

 

[netwerkd]

Yeah, I'm not sure what to do with the moles. Not to overload the thread but apparently after I moved in - one of my neighbors said my hill was nicknamed "mole hill" by the others. Great... Unfortunately it's is uphill from my garden so I don't want to use chemicals that would drain down. I'm thinking that a sport-court is probably my best solution unless someone has a better one to forward me to.

 

[Tom White]

one of my neighbors said my hill was nicknamed "mole hill"

Probably made it out of a mountain.

 

[Varmint_304]

Okay, the basics seem covered: frame, front axles, steering spindles, PTO, seat, transaxles, etc. Mostly, those go in favor of the 300 series. Here's a few more ideas...

The "U-shaped" hanger bracket may be a result of AWS being offered on the X300 series tractors. With AWS, the geometry of the deck can change slightly during sharp turns. The U bracket may help mitigate the problem. Just a guess on my part.

The 42" decks are different in other ways. The metal gauge is the same, but the spindles on the X300 are an upgrade. You'll note the belt is routed differently. The X300 deck has a built in handle for dragging it from under the tractor, as well.

The 100's have a .5 gallon larger fuel tank according to the specs.