Best Reviewed
Lawn Tractors
- Best lawn tractor overall John Deere X304 *Est. $3600
- Best light-duty lawn tractor John Deere D110 *Est. $1600
- Best riding mower Weed Eater One *Est. $700
- Best zero-turn mower Snapper 150Z ZT2142 *Est. $2600
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Best lawn tractor overall
- Excellent performance
- Maneuverability and comfort
- Sturdy build, engine reliability
- Four-year warranty
- Expensive
- Not CARB-certified
- Mixed reviews for customer service
The 42-inch John Deere X304 lawn tractor has better build quality than the entry-level John Deere LA series, and it is rated for mowing a larger area. Reviews praise the four-wheel steering and 15-inch turning radius, which make it easy to mow around trees and other obstacles. The X304 also wins praise for overall comfort, cruise control and many other conveniences. The warranty is for four years or 300 hours, whichever comes first. Side-discharging clippings is the standard mode; switching to mulching or bagging requires extra options plus a blade change. If you don't need four-wheel steering for mowing around obstacles, and are willing to settle for slightly less performance in bagging mode, consider the less expensive 46-inch Snapper NXT2346 (*Est. $2,600), which features a smaller 14-inch turning radius plus conveniences that make it easier to use.
We found three excellent comparison reviews of the John Deere X304. At ConsumerReports.org, it's tested, rated and ranked in comparison with 34 other lawn tractors, all but one of which are priced much lower. At the German publication Family Home and Garden, it's tested along with seven more comparable lawn tractors over a longer period of use. At The Telegraph, a U.K. newspaper, it's one of five lawn tractors chosen for testing that meet strict European Union emissions limits. There are useful comments from owners at GardenWeb.com and ConsumerAffairs.com, and ConsumerReports.org now also publishes ratings and reviews from owners. You can view some videos of the John Deere X300 series of tractors at YouTube.
Our Sources
1. Family Home and Garden (Germany)
This detailed German comparison test, translated by Google, names the John Deere X304 the clear winner among eight lawn tractors tested over a summer by rotating testers on varied terrain. The ranking is based on 16 factors, but editors single out several features for special praise: the steering, the ability to mow close to obstacles and overall comfort.
Review: Strong Performance in Continuous Use: Long-Term Mulching Lawn Mower Test, Manfred Ecker Meier, April 2008
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
This review compares the John Deere X304 with 24 other lawn tractors across a wide price range, plus 10 lawn tractors with wider cutting decks. Based on objective tests, rankings are based on specific ratings for handling, ease of use and performance in all three cutting modes. Reviews and ratings from more than 50 owners are also published here.
Review: Tractors and Riders, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2011
Jean Vernon says that the John Deere X304 meets "the latest worldwide noise and emission regulations," and that tractor hoods are made from recycled materials. It's the first review we've found that evaluates each model for its environmental credentials.
Review: Best Ride-On Mowers (To Help the Llama), Jean Vernon, April 20, 2007
This forum discussion compares the John Deere X304 with a zero-turn lawn tractor by Cub Cadet -- especially for mowing around obstacles. Most of the comments favor the John Deere for proven quality and durability, and several owners say it maneuvers around trees extremely well. Several other discussions at this forum also cover the John Deere X300 series.
Review: John Deere X304 Tractor or Cub ZTT 46, Contributors to GardenWeb.com, April 2008
This site publishes feedback from users and is organized by brand and manufacturer. Almost every lawn tractor manufacturer receives complaints here, including many about various John Deere models.
Review: John Deere, Contributors to ConsumerAffairs.com
6. YouTube.com
A Canadian owner demonstrates the John Deere X300 blowing snow. Other videos of the John Deere X300 series of lawn tractors give an idea of the noise level and overall feel of using them -- but videos sometimes show dangerous practices, such as mowing without shoes or ear protection.
Review: John Deere X300 with 44" Snowblower in Action, "Panalhuile", January 2008
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