In 2006, John Deere, the popular tractor manufacturer, launched the X300 lawn and garden tractor. The X300 is a member of the select X300 series tractor, including other models like X320, X350 among others.
John Deere X300 was produced in the John Deere plant in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA, from 2006 through to 2015. The X300 changed some features in 2011, with the most significant being the engine.
John Deere X300 Lawn and Garden Tractor utilizes three different engines added at different periods. The engines include Kawasaki FH491V and FS600V. These engines vary across several features but also share similarities. The diversity this tractor brings is vital as you can now choose the engine that best suits your needs.
If you own a lawn or garden, you’ll want a tractor that can handle your field excellently without hiccups while being affordable. Typically, you’ll be looking for a tractor that can satisfy many of your problems. Is the X300 this tractor?
There’s only one way to find out. So stick around; we’ll be doing justice to the John Deere X300 review and specs. Before we jump right in, however, let’s see a tabular representation of the major features of the John Deere X300 lawn and garden tractor.
John Deere X300 Specs
| Model | John Deere X300 |
|---|---|
| Type | Lawn tractor |
| Manufacturer | John Deere |
| Production year | 2006 to 2015 |
| Factory | Horicon, Wisconsin, USA |
| Series | Select X300 series |
| General Specifications | |
| Weight without mower deck | 219 kg (483 lbs) |
| Length | 1,730 mm (72 inches) |
| Width | 970 mm (38 inches) |
| Height | 1,090 mm (43 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 1,250 mm (49.4 inches) |
| Battery | 12 V |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.5 L (3.3 US gal) |
| Operator station | Open |
| Kawasaki FH491V Engine | |
| Model | Kawasaki FH491V |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Production period | 2006 to 2010 |
| Power | 17 HP (12.7 KW) at 3600 RPM |
| No of cylinders | Two cylinders |
| Bore × stroke | 68 × 65 mm (2.68 × 2.56 inches) |
| Displacement | 472 cc (28.8 cu•in) |
| Starter type | Electric starter |
| Spark plug | Champion: RCJ8Y; NJK: BPMR6A |
| Oil type | 10W-30 |
| Oil capacity | 1.7 L (1.8 Qt) |
| Kawasaki FS600V Engine | |
| Engine model | Kawasaki FS600V |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Production period | 2011 to 2015 |
| Power | 18.5 HP (13.8 KW) at 3600 RPM |
| No of cylinders | Two cylinders |
| Bore × stroke | 73 × 72 mm (2.87 × 2.83 inches) |
| Displacement | 603 cc (36.8 cu•in) |
| Oil capacity | 1.7 L (1.8 Qt) |
| Oil type | 10W-30 |
| Spark plug | NJK: BPR4ES |
| Starter type | Electric starter |
| Transmission and Chassis | |
| Chassis | 4 × 2 (2WD) |
| Frame | Heavy-duty welded frame |
| Transmission model | Tuff-Torq K46 |
| Type | Belt-driven hydrostatic |
| Gears | Infinite forward and reverse |
| Brake | Wet disc brake |
| Speed | Maximum forward: 8.9km/h (5.5 mph) Maximum reverse: 6.4 km/h (4.0 mph) |
| Oil change | Sealed unit |
| Tyres | |
| Front tyre | Lawn turf: 15 × 6.00-6 |
| Rear tyre | Lawn turf: 20 × 10.00-8 |
| Attachments | |
| Mower deck | Mid-mount John Deere 38x extra mower. 38 inches mower deck with 2-blade and manual lift Mid-mount John Deere 42x extra mower. 42 inches mower deck with 2-blade and manual lift Mid-mount John Deere 48x extra mower. 48 inches mower deck with 3-blade and manual lift Mid-mount John Deere 42M mulch mower. 43 inches mower deck with 2-blade and manual lift |
| Blade | Front mount 44 inches blade with manual lift |
| Snow blower | Front mount 44 dual stage snow blower with manual lift |
Features of John Deere X300 Lawn and Garden Tractor
General Specification
John Deere X300 Lawn and Garden Tractor were produced in Horicon, Wisconsin, the USA, between 2006 and 2015 in the John Deere plant. It is a fairly compact tractor with a width of only 38 inches. It is, however, pretty long at 72 inches while being just 43 inches high. In addition, the X300 has a decent wheelbase of 49.4 inches which spreads the weight of the tractor across a significant distance and reduces tire marks.
Weighing 219 kg without a mower deck attached, the X300 is an average-weight lawn and garden tractor. It sports a comfortable seat with an open back that easily allows air to reach the operator. The open cabin system employed in this tractor also allows for proper ventilation. Still, it leaves the operator open to injuries in the event of accidents.
For every tractor using fuel, the tank capacity is a huge factor to consider, especially if you’ll want to limit the number of times you stop refueling. The X300 sports a fuel tank capacity of 12.5 L, which may not be the largest around but is decent enough to carry the fuel you need to work in your garden for a while before refueling.
Engine
Kawasaki FH491V Engine
The tractor’s engine is one of the most significant parts that determine to a huge extent what your tractor can do and how you can use it. The X300 tractor uses two Kawasaki engines, albeit used at different times. This engine was first used when the tractor was released, with the Kawasaki FH491V engine. It was in production from 2006 till 2010.
It is a 2-cylinder gasoline-powered engine. It is also an air-cooled, vertical-shaft V-twin engine with smooth operation and less noise. Now, no more neighbors complaining of your noisy tractor. This tractor has an engine power of 17 HP for your garden needs. You can pull heavy equipment, mow amazing patterns into your landscape, and so much more.
The tractor sports a unique starting system that starts the engine immediately, eliminating sputtering or annoying delays. The crown of its starting system is the electric starter installed that ensures smooth start up on different weathers.
The bore × stroke is 68.00 × 65.00 mm (2.68 × 2.56 inches), while the displacement is set at 472cc. John Deere recommends a 10W-30 oil type for this engine and 1.7 L (1.8 Qt).
Kawasaki FS600V Engine
After utilizing the previous engine in the X300 for four years during production, John Deere decided to modify the engine. This change came in the form of a new engine. The Kawasaki FS600V replaced FH491V in 2011 and was used till the tractor was discontinued in 2015.
What Does this New Engine have? How Does it Differ from the Previous One?
Kawasaki FS600V is a gasoline-powered 2-cylinder engine. It is an air-cooled, vertical-shaft V-twin engine. It is quite similar to the FH491V engine that allows for optimum and smooth usage. However, the displacement is considerably higher at 603cc, while the bore × stroke is 2.87 × 2.83 inches.
Now, unto something a lot of people are curious about; the power. This engine sports a higher horsepower than the previous one at 18.5 which will give you a little more capacity to do even more work without any issues.
The FS600V engine also uses an electric starter, so you get less experience and minimize bad starter problems. Its starter volt is 12, while it uses a dry foam pre-cleaner as an air cleaner. It shares the same oil type of 10W-30 and an oil capacity of 1.7 L as the previous model.
Transmission and Chassis
John Deere X300 lawn and garden tractor is a four × 2 (2WD) tractor. It comes with a characteristically green and yellow paint common with John Deere tractors. In addition, there’s a heavy-duty welded steel frame to ensure durability to protect the front and the paint.
This model is popular among many John Deere lawn and garden tractor users. The transmission used in this tractor is the Tuff-Torq K46 transmission model. It is a hydrostatic transmission type with a belt-driven, and the controls are easy to reach and operate. The turning radius is impressive and would allow you to turn around tight corners, which are pretty common in small gardens and lawns.
It has manual steering, and even though it is not a sports car level of responsiveness, it does well for manual steering. It features wet disc brakes that’ll hold firm even in wet conditions. The maximum forward speed achievable is 8.9 km/h (5.5 mph), while the maximum reverse speed attainable is 6.4 km/h (4.0 mph). There’s also an infinite number of forwarding and reverse gears.
Tyres
Tires are also vital components of the tractor as they carry the tractor’s weight and move it around the field. However, inefficient tires will only lead to poor lawn and garden work, including skid marks or accidents. The front tire John Deere recommends for the X300 is rated 15×6.00-6, while the recommended rear tire is 2×10.00-8.
Attachments
The X300 tractor accommodates many attachments, especially different mower deck models, making it an interesting choice of tractor for people who would be doing a lot of mowing. Its attachments are not limited to mowing alone, as you’ll soon see.
Mower Deck
It has a 38 inches John Deere 38X Xtra mower that is mid-mounted. This mower deck comes with 2-blade and manual lift.
There’s also the mid-mounted John Deere 42X Xtra mower with 42 inches. The mower deck features 2-blade and manual lift.
You can also add the mid-mounted John Deere 48X Xtra mower with 48 inches. The mower deck features 3-blade and manual lift.
How about a mower with mulching ability? The 42M John Deere mulch mower, which is also mid-mounted and is 42 inches, will come in handy. It features 2-blade and manual lift.
Blade
It is a 44-inches blade that is front-mounted with a manual lift.
Snowblower
How about some snow blowing attachments for clearing all that snow off your driveway? The 44 inches dual-stage snowblower attachment is exciting. It is also front mounted with a manual lift.
Pros and Cons of John Deere X300 Tractor
Pros:
- Good turning radius: surprisingly, it has an impressive turning radius for its specifications. You can move around tight spaces easily.
- Two engine options: who doesn’t like variety? The X300 offers engine variety as you can choose between the two engines produced at various times.
- Comfortable seat: the seat is high and sports an open lower back that allows for better ventilation and airflow to prevent heat and make the chair more comfortable for the operator.
- Smooth and relatively quiet engine: there’s nothing more annoying for you and your neighbors than a noisy tractor engine. The X300 offers a smooth operation and an engine with the most noise subdued except when the blades are lowered.
- Large fuel tank and 3-inch opening: The 3-inch filling opening will ensure you don’t spill your fuel when refueling. And the 13.5 L fuel tank capacity is quite good for a lawn and garden tractor to hold a lot of fuel.
Cons:
- Poor seat material: the material used to make the seat seem to be of poor quality, with many people complaining of tear and worn out within a short period.
- Little to no protection for the operator: being an open cabin tractor comes with its cons, like exposure to the elements when using the tractor and even injuries in case of an accident.
John Deere X300 Price
John Deere X300 was sold for $2,999 in 2010 and $3,105 in 2015. Today, a used X300 can range from $1,750 to $1,950, depending on factors like the year of production, present condition, and others.
Conclusion
The X300 lawn and garden tractor is built with class in mind that delivers impressive performance, especially when it comes to mowing lawns. It allows a higher than the average number of attachments to be used with it so you can do more. Variety is not something that is in short supply in the X300 tractor, as you can also choose between two available engine types.
