jambsi

I have a X30042M bought in 2008.

I was at the JD dealer the other day & there was a brand spanking new X300 out front with a 42" mulching deck on it (the 42M). I noticed a rod on the deck that mine doesn't have so I inspected it closer. Its changed a lot.

Gone is the spaghetti belt that tries to do everything including spinning the blades in opposite directions. Now there is 2 belts; 1 goes over 2 pulleys, the PTO and a master blade pulley. The other belt goes over 3 pulleys, the 2 blades and the master.

The rod is a huge belt tension release rod.

There may have also been something different under the deck but I couldn't tell for sure.

This new 42M deck surely can't be any worse than the old one for chewing up belts and may even cut better!

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Jay

Rattosh51

Sounds like they re-thought a few things....

Wilsonje

I just got a new x300m last sat. The cut is somewhat crappy.
I leaves small strips of grass uncut. Where it cuts it does very
well. I'm trying to get more info on the removing the center
baffle and adding the metal baffle kit as the guy from Canada
posted about. My deck looks to be the same as his underneath.

KevPH

The 42"M mower deck has a "left" and "right" blade. Check to see if the blades are correct for your mower deck. Check the blade numbers to the dealers recommended part numbers. I bought my x300 w42"M deck and ordered a spare blades. The spare set arrived (Fed-X or UPS), very timely. The new blades were ordered with the wrong
part number. Returned new(wrong) blades to the dealer and exchanged with correct parts reordered. FYI: The blades will have "Left" or "Right" stamped into the blade. Do not install reversed!!!!! Hope this helps.

rsmith335

I have a J D GT 235 w/ a 48 inch deck. When something breaks or wears out I buy J D parts for it. And have noticed improvment of some kind on the replacement parts. I belive J D is a good company, if you stay away from box stores.

kau

I was looking at a X30042M the other day for real cheap it seems, any complaints with yours?

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John Deere 110

X300 Great Tractors, 42M Not So Good, I Have a Mulcher Deck & It Continuously Bogs & Bogs, I Personally Would Avoid a 42M & Just Get a Regular 42"

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KevPH

My JDx300 (42"m) works mows fine. The mulch deck does have considerations that the side discharge (only) decks don't.

Remember, mulching lawn clippings require power for cutting and re-cutting the grass clippings. Mulching decks don't handle tall grass very well. Wet/damp lawns will also effect the quality of the cut.

Also, you need to cut your grass more often. Cutting/mulching the dry lawn sooner will produce nearly unnoticeable clippings.

Hope this helps