[andyt11]

I'm going to look at a used 2009 X300 tonight. It has been used to mow 3 arces and to push a snow blade in the winter. Machine looks mint in the pictures and seller claims the machine was babied, stored in doors from new, and always serviced at one of two dealers in the area. No paperwork on that though as she is selling due to divorce and and the papers are with hubby. The machine is her's though. (I hope)

The concern from what I've read is the K46 tranny. From what I read, towing loads and working the machine on hills will kill that tranny, I would imagine pushing snow would too although the cold ambient temperatures might save it. I suspect the failure is caused by heat right? 210 hours is a tad more than I wanted, I feel like the machine could go for years or die next week, I've read about machines dying at 100 hours, but then you have no idea what they were being used for.

Any pointers on what to inspect for and thoughts on the future longevity of that tranny would be much appreciated. For what it's worth, I'd expect to put 25 hours on it a year, cutting slighty sloping lawn....

 

[396 big block]

It already sounds like a cl scam!!

 

[396 big block]

here is a Jd 330 diesel for $2350.00 low hours
http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/4037973925.html

 

[andyt11]

I'm not concerned about it being a scam. I've spoken to the seller, she got the tractor in the split, nothing out of the ordinary about a woman getting everything in a divorce.

Not concerned about driving a 6000 km round trip to pick up an old 330 either.

Any advice about the X300 transmission or things to check during an inspection?

 

[sadixon49]

Your right, it's the heat that kills the K46. I would feel better with a blower than a blade. 200+ hrs on a 5 year old tractor doesn't seem bad and wouldn't worry me. Other than checking the oil, and starting and running the tractor, look for smoke on startup, and while running. Try the tranny, full speed uphill? Full speed reverse? Let the tranny warm up and check it again. If she won't let you run it long enough to bring the engine and tranny to full temp, walk away.

If you do buy it, then change the tranny oil to 5W-50 synthetic at your first opportunity.

steve

 

[396 big block]

andyt11 I'm a bit cautious when the add starts out in divorce, I hadn't realized you spoke with the seller either my apologies. You will get pro's and cons about the K46 tranny, and not really knowing what their terrain is like, hills and what not it is really hard to say how long the k46 will last you. I asked my wife where MB was located she said Main so I browsed the cl in that area and stumbled across the 330 Diesel not knowing that it was 6000 km round trip for you. I my self started out with an X300 and traded it in 2 weeks later for the X500 only because I wanted ground engaging attachments otherwise I was pretty happy with the amount of snow it pushed during the time I had it.. Sorry I couldn't be of any help, someone with knowledge will come along shortly and help you out good luck!

 

[andyt11]

No worries, I thought you were being an internet smart ar5e !

I'm a long way from NH!

I did ask the PO about her previous lot, she said mostly flat but that there was a ditch at the front of the property and the tractor did just fine on the grade. I think she was telling the truth because I pitched the question in a way that would suggest I wanted to hear about it's hill climbing abilities.

I guess if I can get the price down some more I should go for it. I've been looking all year for a tractor and people want crazy money for machines in way worse condition than this.

I will inspect per sadixon;s post and change the tranny oil in spring. Even though it's supposed to be non-servicable, I've read a few articles about removing the unit and emptying it out.

Is the recommended oil just 5w50 engine oil? Or transmission oil?

 

[sadixon49]

The oil should be synthetic engine oil. JD fills those tranny's with 10W-30 dino motor oil, but TuffTorq recommends 5W-50 full synthetic.

steve

 

[SwedishRider]

Tuff Torq does recommend full synthetic 5W-50. Through some personal research, Amsoil recommends their ARO 20W-50 for any Tuff Torq application calling for 5W-50. Just throwing that our there as an alternative choice.


Sent from the MTF Free App

 

[Chase6]

I ran my X300 pullin an aerator up some slopes and when I was done I noticed the vent had signs of releasing a little oil. not enough to show on the dipstick but enough to collect some dust below the vent. This will not indicate damage, mine still ran fine, But it would indicate heavy use. Just a thought that may help with inspection, Good Luck on your Deere hunt.

 

[snakemed]

Others have given you a list of what to inspect, etc. If you buy it, just don't overload it (i.e., too much weight on the core aerator, too much weight in a cart, etc.) and expect it to last. I moved to an X530 from an X300. The difference is night and day for my use, but not everyone needs an X500-series to do their job.

I'm going to look at a used 2009 X300 tonight. It has been used to mow 3 arces and to push a snow blade in the winter. Machine looks mint in the pictures and seller claims the machine was babied, stored in doors from new, and always serviced at one of two dealers in the area. No paperwork on that though as she is selling due to divorce and and the papers are with hubby. The machine is her's though. (I hope)

The concern from what I've read is the K46 tranny. From what I read, towing loads and working the machine on hills will kill that tranny, I would imagine pushing snow would too although the cold ambient temperatures might save it. I suspect the failure is caused by heat right? 210 hours is a tad more than I wanted, I feel like the machine could go for years or die next week, I've read about machines dying at 100 hours, but then you have no idea what they were being used for.

Any pointers on what to inspect for and thoughts on the future longevity of that tranny would be much appreciated. For what it's worth, I'd expect to put 25 hours on it a year, cutting slighty sloping lawn....

 

[andyt11]

Well I now own an X300. Seems like a pretty honest machine and we were able to negotiate the price to a point where I'm comfortable with the risk. I definitely have "K46 phobia".

We will see. With the 20 hours a year of mowing that I'm going to be putting on it, its probably going to be just fine. Thanks for the help yesterday.

Will make an effort to get the tranny oil changed before the snow comes. Failing that, first thing in spring...

 

[meburdick]

Get the oil changed now. You'll be glad you did as it may also be an opportunity to see how degraded it is (which could be a sign of heavy wear).

Also - it's worth knowing that you can buy rebuild kits for TT transmissions direct from the manufacturer. You get seals and other similar fluid-related parts and the rebuild itself just takes time to do... Cost of the kit should be around $350 (US) and it's easy to tell if you can rebuild the tranny or need a new one (open it up and scrape your fingernail along the smooth surfaces where the fluid flows through - if you feel any grooves, you can't rebuild).

As far as all of the service paperwork - the dealer should have that whether the PO did or not.