[Maineiac]

Don't believe they had an available tiller though I should add. Was a 2012 I believe.

 

[demonspeed]

Ok, I may need to put on my flame suit for this but, just how much pulling is going to be needed with a rotary tiller that is turning in the forward direction? I used to have a walk behind and it took everything I had to hold the thing back from pulling ahead too fast. Which is why I ditched it for a tractor. Now that doesn't mean his tractor has enough horse's under the hood to run it, if JD does not list it for his model tractor.

I understand the point you’re proposing. That tiller will absolutely bolt up to the X300’s - it’s the same frame as the X500’s after all. It just won’t be a reliable combination. Yes, the tiller is doing the “work” - but the tractor still needs to pull that engaged tiller through the ground.

Compare that to the snowblower that is just gliding over the surface with the tractor just engaging the PTO and following along.

 

[rwmeyer]

Demon, Gotta disagree somewhat. I've done some tilling with my 314 & 33. Moving the tiller through the soil was not an issue but stopping the tractor from lurching forward was! My tiller would "grab" and the tractor would lurch forward about 2 feet,,, or more! The end result however is the same, if not worse. The lurching pits a HUGE shock load on the weak 46 to start with transaxle. I would NOT suggest/recommend tilling with a 46 transaxle.

I DO agree with the comments on a snow blower and especially like your term "following along" when using a blower! A blower can only move a certain amount of snow and ground speed determines how much snow is fed into the blower... you're not pushing snow, you're feeding your blower! Think of taking a bite out of a hamburger, then think about stuffing the entire hamburger into your mouth! This is exactly what a snow blower sees based on ground speed: being fed a mouthful or being stuffed and choking! Blowing snow puts little or no strain on your drivetrain with proper ground speed. Plowing is a whole different story! ALL of the force needed comes from your drivetrain!

Bottom line here is that a K46 is NOT a good transaxle for ground engaging attachments...which a tiller IS and a blower is NOT. Bob

 

[Nuke]

I have this tiller and plan to use it with my X590. I understand the tiller pushing the tractor an issue and weights are needed. I spent $80 on the front mount pins, a spring, a few bolts, and a new bushing where the lift arm attaches to the HYD cylinder so yes parts aren't cheap. Attached is the brochure. X500 series except for all wheel steer.

 

[rydplrs]

Rydplrs, are you going to pay for the rebuild? Jeez, the objective here is to give new comers good, solid advice. Not to push things well beyond the limits of the equipment capability knowing full well they will fail. Everyone on the planet knows the K46 is junk, so why are you encouraging him? So, the logic is to just tell him to keep buying used tractors as they fail? Just not cool.

Yes, to Demon's point, a snowblower is fine. NOT ground engagement, period.

You disagree that’s fine, but it’s not wrong.

Depending on his needs it may be the cost effective way to go. Locally I could get 4 used x300’s for the price of it me used x-500. It’s an option, and the choice is the OPs.

 

[SulleyBear]

There is a big difference between "Can" a machine do something and "Should this machine be used to do a specific task."? The easiest way to determine this is to see if John Deere offers the specific item or implement for the machine required to complete the task.

In the case of the X350, there is NOT a rototiller attachment offered through the "Build and Price" program through John Deere. However, There IS a front snow blower and snow plowing adapter kit offered, to make the machine capable of clearing snow.

I have a neighbor who mows a very hilly lawn and who uses a snow blower on the front of their x354 and has for 4 years. It gets the job done. The overall results aren't like those of a higher quality machine, but it completes the tasks.

John Deere doesn't offer a rototiller for the x350 machine, therefore, I certainly wouldn't either adapt one to fit or use an after market tiller.

In the case of snow removal, that is an entirely different task. How different is it? Well, if you have ever used a shovel to turn the soil in a trench 3' wide and 8" deep and the length and width of an intended garden, than you know the effort required to do so. Same thing with shoveling snow. Is the effort to shovel 8" of snow the same as it is to dig a trench or turn soil to an 8" depth? Hardly......

John Deere is warrantying new machines based upon how they are expected to be used by owners. Also, the machines warranties are as follows;

The x3xx is 48 months or 300 hours, whichever comes first (WCF)
The x5xx machines, the warranty is extended to 48 months or 500 hours, W.C.F..
The x7xx machines, the warranty is 48 months or 700 hours of use , W.C.F.

The x500 and x700 can and do offer both snow blowers and roto tillers. The X350 offers snow removal equipment, but no ground tilling equipment. Which is good. Simply follow the manufacturers recommended suggested use for the equipment and its usually a much better ownership experience.

 

[demonspeed]

Demon, Gotta disagree somewhat. I've done some tilling with my 314 & 33. Moving the tiller through the soil was not an issue but stopping the tractor from lurching forward was! My tiller would "grab" and the tractor would lurch forward about 2 feet,,, or more! The end result however is the same, if not worse. The lurching pits a HUGE shock load on the weak 46 to start with transaxle. I would NOT suggest/recommend tilling with a 46 transaxle.

Very fair. To be honest, my only tilling experience is with a walk behind; I’ve never attached one to my GX. What you explain makes perfect sense as to how it ends up working when mounted to the machine. I just remember what it was like with a “walk behind” tiller - and I say that loosely because I recall putting forth a bit more effort than simply walking behind it!

 

[joshschade1990]

Wow. I feel like this was a little heated discussion. I feel like we all push things to their limit, Or work with the equipment we are blessed with. I would probably try it myself. but I feel like that is up to you.

 

[denverguy]

Wow. I feel like this was a little heated discussion

Not really. Just one individual who always thinks they're right and can't handle dissenting opinions.

 

[mrmagloo]

I think the difference is, it's one thing to knowingly choose to push equipment well beyond its capabilities on your own and accepting that risk. You know, like towing a 8,000lbs trailer with a small suv rated for 5,000lbs. Can it be done, sure, no doubt. People do dumb things like this all the time and for the most part get away with it - for a while, until bad things happen. That's all fine and dandy when that person knows the facts upfront and they choose to push it.

However, it's a totally different situation when someone who doesn't understand the limitations and capabilities comes here asking for guidance. Suggesting it's perfectly fine to someone who doesn't know better is a total disservice for what a forum is all about. Big difference. Now that the OP knows the risks, it's up to him to decide whether to proceed or not. This has nothing to do with opinions. It's called doing the right thing. Sorry some of you don't agree.

 

[denverguy]

I think the difference is, it's one thing to knowingly choose to push equipment well beyond its capabilities on your own and accepting that risk. You know, like towing a 8,000lbs trailer with a small suv rated for 5,000lbs. Can it be done, sure, no doubt. People do dumb things like this all the time and for the most part get away with it - for a while, until bad things happen. That's all fine and dandy when that person knows the facts upfront and they choose to push it.

However, it's a totally different situation when someone who doesn't understand the limitations and capabilities comes here asking for guidance. Suggesting it's perfectly fine to someone who doesn't know better is a total disservice for what a forum is all about. Big difference. Now that the OP knows the risks, it's up to him to decide whether to proceed or not. This has nothing to do with opinions. It's called doing the right thing. Sorry some of you don't agree.

No one said your advice was bad/wrong.

 

[mrmagloo]

Fair enough.

 

[rwmeyer]

Jeesh guys! Op was answered in post #2...the X350 and K46 is not suitable for ground engaging equipment... AND OP is now planning on selling the tiller. Bob

 

[GreenforMe]

May I comment as well? I assume the K46 is the transaxle to which I have no knowledge on. Looking at OP's pics and seeing his tractor, I wouldn't put a tiller on it just because it looks like a light duty tractor. Blowing snow? I agree that it could do it, but will tax it at the same time. Again, I don't know the HP of the X350 either, just going off the pics. If OP had the old 300 series (ie: 314-318, 330,332 etc) by all means plop a tiller behind it. I like the analogies of the hamburger and 6,000 lbs VS 8,000 lbs to which it's also like comparing a GM 350 cu in to a 454 cu in. The 350 can pull a heavy load but with foot to the floor and RPM's at max (just saying---but may not be) where as the 454 will just cruise along w/o a prob. So IMO, it's better to err on side of caution in OP's case and look the other way as he already said he'd do. Again, IMO I think that when folks buy a Deere, they think it can do everything just because it's green and says Deere on it. Shoot my wife said to me quite a long time ago when my '87 332 needed some parts replaced that she thought they didn't need any cuz it was a Deere. Will say tho that she WAS one hellofa unit. Bought here w/ just over 700 hours in '95, had a 42" hydraulic tiller, 48" mower, 48" 2 stage blower and steel cab. Sold her 2 years ago w/ 21 or 2200 hours and never touched the motor. Tilled great but like another poster said, had to watch for the "bite. Blew snow very well (but always wanted more HP), and mowed great. Oh sipped fuel compared to my X758. Just my $.02 overall.

 

[Sergeant]

Brad 34 It's actually not to Hard to adapt a 30inch OEM tiller to the X300 series One Part you will need to Buy besides what is In the diagram in Post 6 is M168273 it's the Hitch Plate for the X570 Model Plus these Plates M170321 X2 The Plate Bolts right in. Have another friend that uses the OEM Manual lift Integral Hitch On a X324 and He Bought the Rear Hitch Plate for a X534 because Basically the X300 & X500 series are Built On the same Frame except with Different Front & rear Plates But the Tuff-Torq Trans Bolt In the same way weather it's a K46, K58 or K72

Tilling with a K46 will not toast the K46 The Tractor is there to Guide and Provide Power to the Tiller. It honestly does not stress the Trans Like a sleeve Hitch Plow would. Have Friends That Have Been Running a 30inch Bercomac tiller On a JD LT180 for over 15 years That has a K46 Transmission in it. Unfortunately Bercomac stopped Production of the Universal 30inch PTO tiller Bercomac 700312-5 30-Inch Universal-Fit Tow-Behind Forward Rotating Tiller In April 2021. I think I might have bought the final new one on the Market. To use On My Cub Cadet XT3 GSX and JD GX335. Still haven't Put the Bercomac tiller on either tractor yet. Still sitting on it's shipping Pallet.

Many Manufacturer for Years Made tillers for there Lawn Tractors Deere is just one that didn't do it. While Bolens, Wheel Horse, MTD, Simplicity and a few other did make tillers for there Lawn Tractors