X748 vs 2305/2320 vs BX2360/BX2660

[arrabil]

Our resident X700 basher got me thinking about how they actually compare to the sub-CUTs. And while I was sitting here waiting for the laundry to finish drying I had the time to look it all up. Seems to me that the X748 holds its own pretty well and is exactly what it advertises itself to be: an awesome lawn mower with sub-CUT capabilities.

				X748		2305		2320		BX2360 	BX2660
Engine (HP)			24.1		24.1		24.1		23		25.5
Engine Torque (ft-lbs)	41.7		41.7		40.3		???		???
PTO (HP)			18		18		18		17.7		19.5
Engine Size (cu in)	68.1		68.1		68.1		54.8		61.1
Fuel Tank (g)		6.5		5.5		6.1		6.6		6.6
Front Tires			18x8.5-10	18x8.5-10	23x8.5-12	18x8.5-10	18x8.5-10
Rear Tires			26x12-12	26x12-12	31x12-16.5	26x12-12	26x12-12
Alternator (A)		40		20		20		???		???
Hydraulics Total (gpm)	6.2		5.2		5.6		6.3		6.3
Hydraulics Tool (gpm)	1.6		2.9		3.4		???		???
3pt Lift (lbs)		???		681		1150		670		670
Weight (lbs)		1113		1450		1660		1389		1322
Loader Lift (lbs)		640		???		800		745		745
Loader Breakout (lbs)	1105		???		2262		992		992
Loader Lift Height (in)	73		78.7		78.7		71.3		71.3

So if your primary concern is mowing and snowblowing, while loading and 3pt attachments are secondary, an X700 series is very much an excellent choice. And its loader compares very favorably with the BX series although its probably slower due to the reduced hydraulic flow. On the other hand you get a lower center of gravity for safer mowing and more steering assist for easier maneuverability. Trade-offs you'd want to make for many mowing and snowblowing conditions.

Maybe we can stop bashing it now; particularly by people who have never used one. Personally, I can't wait to get a used X749 in a few years.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

When I grow up I want the diesel 700 Series AWS. (Yea I know L.B. it isn't a sub-compact!)

 

[jcmseven]

Excellent chart. Thank you for sharing this with us and injecting some common sense into the discussion with LB, our resident, ah......Kubota expert???

John M

 

[bp fick]

When doing the back ground leg work last spring, Weingartz of Utica is both Green and Orange, so the comparison were right there in front of my eyes. The sales guy had no axe to grind, as he sells them all.

The X7xx is an awesome machine and YES, it is pricey. It is hard for some people to understand paying that kind of money. Why not just move up to more tractor-like machine? (BX or 2305) Isn't MORE just, well, MORE?

Not necessarily. Weingartz salesman told me he sells a half dozen X7xx every year to a guy who has a contract mowing on top of dikes, landfills or something, where the lowest center of gravity is required. This fellow cannot use a more tractor like machine. Point being, there's a niche for all these machines.

 

[ChuckinNH]

This is not good, not good at all. My John Deere dealer's open house is this Saturday.... and my mower is gettin older.....

 

[arrabil]

Isn't MORE just, well, MORE?

Whats funny to me is that to get the MORE tractor you have to get LESS mower. And too me, well, thats why I have one (X475 == X700).

 

[art]

I have had the pleasure of running a 09 x7 that we took in trade this spring on my lawn mowing. The deck cut I felt was good. The clumping of grass from the tires was the dissappointing part. It had not rained for a day, many machines I do mow when it is raining with, this one did not win me at all!!!

As far as manuverability I didn't feel that it was any better then the BX on my application although others may find it better for theirs. Maybe with a 60" deck instead of the 54" on this machine it might bring it up to a higher level.

 

[jenkinsph]

Whats funny to me is that to get the MORE tractor you have to get LESS mower. And too me, well, thats why I have one (X475 == X700).

I think that is a good point! While lots of people are trying to find the 8 in 1 tool that does it all there is still some gray area in the selection process. The X7xx series leans towards mower and less towards tractor while the 2305 leans towards economy tractor. Personally I think the X7XX mowers are better at their intended use mowing a lawn than a 2XXX machine is at being a tractor. If you are trying to get the initial landscape work done on a few acres a larger machine such as a 4XXX or 5XXX may make more sense, but in most cases this is a temporary need, then most of what is left is mowing. During the landscape process you may need several different tools. I would think for most people renting or hiring this out makes more sense.

Now for those people who want to play with a tractor then get what you want as long as you have enough room to turn it around.

 

[arrabil]

Personally I think the X7XX mowers are better at their intended use mowing a lawn than a 2XXX machine is at being a tractor.

And to return the favor.... I think that is a good point!

The clumping of grass from the tires was the dissappointing part.

What does that mean exactly? You mean the HDAP tires grab too much grass?

 

[jcmseven]

Yes,
I have never had any clumping with any of the X mowers. The blade tip speeds on these mowers are just under 15,000 fpm. The 7 iron deck is around 16,500 fpm, so if someone clumps with one it might be better with the other. I just mowed my rents place a few days ago and it had rained fairly hard for two days three days prior to my mowing. I set the deck at 3.75" and mowed the fairly high grass without clumping. From experience I can say if a 54x clumps grass under an X 700 machine running WOT then every other deck and mower combo will too.

John M

 

[turbo36]

I think that is a good point! While lots of people are trying to find the 8 in 1 tool that does it all there is still some gray area in the selection process.

My 2305 was like a Swiss Army Knife; it could do anything adequate but nothing great. When it came to the things i did the most ( mowing and snow blowing) the X749 ran circles around the 2305.

 

[unit40]

The blade tip speed on the 62c deck is over 17,000 fps. The blade tip speed on the 60 7iron is 16,500.

 

[art]

You got it! They though the grass all over the tractor as well as me. It had not rained but was cloudy that day. the tires filled up between the cleats and then would throw the clumps every where.

 

[arrabil]

So you're criticizing an entire mower because of the optional tires that are specifically designed to grip more than turfs (and doing it too well)?

 

[gmikem206]

I think that is a good point! ... If you are trying to get the initial landscape work done on a few acres a larger machine such as a 4XXX or 5XXX may make more sense, but in most cases this is a temporary need, then most of what is left is mowing. During the landscape process you may need several different tools. I would think for most people renting or hiring this out makes more sense.

Now for those people who want to play with a tractor then get what you want as long as you have enough room to turn it around.

But after the landscape work is done? You still need to plow and move snow around. And then do the next landscape job either you or the little lady invents!!

 

[Carl Bert]

The blade tip speed on the 62c deck is over 17,000 fps. The blade tip speed on the 60 7iron is 16,500.

Whooa, where did you get this information? I just had this conversation with my dealer and he stated that the 7-iron blade speed is WAY higher than the 48c, 54c or the 62c decks. Show me some proof that he is wrong, fine, but I would be surprised if you could.

 

[jenkinsph]

But after the landscape work is done? You still need to plow and move snow around. And then do the next landscape job either you or the little lady invents!!

I use an x749 for mowing and both a 110tlb and 4520 for the larger jobs. I like the dedicated mower approach because it is easier on the lawn.

 

[buickanddeere]

Well to each their own and the particular task(s) for the tractor. Just saying for my operation. For similar $$$ a 4105 would be a better all around machine. It will lift a heavier bale of hay, pull a wider cultivator , power a larger pto generator , blow more snow farther and faster. Yet it will mow the lawn just fine.
Personally I see the 700 series vs the 2305/ 1Series of somewhat like a standard vs Rowcrop chassis comparison during the two cylinder era. The same but different.