LA vs. X300 Series Mower Deck

Markcuda said:

I might be wrong here, but I don't think you can interchange the decks.
I'm sure some one with way more knowledge will chime in.

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I have a feeling you're right...

I hope you aren't, but I'm afraid you might be!

No, the JD dealership here only gives a **** about you if you're there to purchase something. And even then, you get crappy service. Something tells me that unless you're there to buy a half-million dollar combine or Full size farm tractor, they just don't care about you.

I called last week to get a price quote on a JD snowblower. The response I got was "About 2 grand". Well since I'm shopping around comparing prices... 'About 2 grand' isn't really doing anything for me. Everyone sells them for 'About 2 grand'! So I asked if that was before or after taxes to which he replied before taxes. I said 'ok so that would come out somewhere in between 2200 and 2300 right?'. His response was "ya, something like that".... My official price quote was "ya something like that". Needless to say I made note of the salesman's name and will be looking to deal with someone else next time I make a purchase - I hope they work on commission.

joedude said:

...Otherwise it'll take me a lot longer to mow my grass come next summer...

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They probably won't interchange, but take solace in this: the difference between 42" and 48" is so minor, that at worst, you'll make only a couple of extra passes or so when when mowing your 5 acres. Jumping from 42" to 72", now that will save you time. And NO, you can't do that either

If I read your post right, you have both machines?? Take a few minutes to remove the decks and then slide that 48" under the X300 and see what happens... I know the deck on the 300 can be annoying to remove if you don't have much practice, but I don't see a better way to answer the question than to actually try it. You might have to mix and match the front draft rod/arm but shouldn't the rear draft arms line up, unless the tractor frames are different widths. Maybe a tape measure can confirm whether it's even possible before you remove the decks?

you can get the X300 with the 48" deck. i learned in a previous thread that the 42" is the same 42" deck the LA series uses EXCEPT for the front hanger mount. but the 48" deck for the X300 is the same as the one for the X500, MUCH more sturdy and better grade components. the X300 is built using the X500 garden tractor frame with a different tranny and rear plate. the LA is built on the old Scott's and original L series lawn tractor frame.

if your dealer gives you crap about ordering the X300 with a 48" deck, have them order it tractor only and order a 48" deck seperately. it will may a little more, but it can be done.

A couple of years ago my neighbor bought an X324 which came with a 48" deck. It was NOT, however, the same 48" deck that is on my X500. There are a lot of differences, including the lack of the rotating angle anti-scalp wheels that mine has (and which make it MUCH easier to roll the deck out from under the machine).

that is why i said you order the deck seperately. the upper 300 series all use the same deck as the 500 series, but all 300/500 use the same lift setup and the decks are interchangable. you could in theory put a 54" under it, though it might be a little heavy lifting! also the original 48" decks did not have the rotatable wheels, they changed this on the 500 series later. i am not sure if the 300 series decks have them yet or not.

*SHADOW* said:

I have rotating wheels on my 48''
on my x320.

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By "rotating" do you mean that you can rotate the mounting stems so the wheels are aligned either in the direction of the tractor's travel or in the direction of pulling the deck out from under the tractor? That's what I was referring to a few posts above but didn't really make it clear.

SkipD said:

By "rotating" do you mean that you can rotate the mounting stems so the wheels are aligned either in the direction of the tractor's travel or in the direction of pulling the deck out from under the tractor? That's what I was referring to a few posts above but didn't really make it clear.

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Yes,it 's what I mean.

Thanks for the input fella's.

I have a 5 acre property so it will make a difference, but hopefully not a big one.

I thought just taking the deck off the LA130 and trying it, but the aren't stored at the same location. I'm trying to sell the LA130 so I have it in the city to make it easy to show and the x300 is out at an in-law's farm closer to the property I'll be taking over this month. It seems like a lot of work to take the deck off, and lug it out to the farm just to try it. I figured someone on here would know and save me the trouble of doing all that. Turns out I was right - and I thank you.