Thoughts on John Deere X749

[LBrown59]

skidoo,

That second pic sure looks like "pucker factor" should be kicking in!

Could it be the X749 generates a false sense of security making the operator over confident ?

 

[LBrown59]

Sure does ... I'm not that brave with my x728!

Yeah and all that risk with out a ROPS.
The only way I'd mow that is straight up and down
2 wheel steer or 4 wheel steer.

 

[skidoo]

Could it be the X749 generates a false sense of security making the operator over confident ?

Any sense of security does not come from the X749, but from experience with driving 4 wheel drive vehicles in extreme situations and understanding the limitations of the vehicle. There is no substitute for having good equipment for the job. Consider these pictures. They are in the same spot. The first one has a higher pucker factor. The second one much less. The difference is equipment. I would consider other cuts or subcuts generating pucker factors similar to the first picture and the X749 similar the pucker factor generated by the second.

If you haven't tried an X7xx on a slope, you may not know what you are missing...

 

[WilliamBos]

Any sense of security does not come from the X749, but from experience with driving 4 wheel drive vehicles in extreme situations and understanding the limitations of the vehicle. There is no substitute for having good equipment for the job. Consider these pictures. They are in the same spot. The first one has a higher pucker factor. The second one much less. The difference is equipment. I would consider other cuts or subcuts generating pucker factors similar to the first picture and the X749 similar the pucker factor generated by the second.

If you haven't tried an X7xx on a slope, you may not know what you are missing...

Enlighten us, why are the X7XX so special on slopes?? Why are other brands not??

We had a X500 loaner while we were waiting for our deck for our MF. Had some nice features, diff lock, and seemed like it had an auto fuel shut off, ran for a few seconds after you turned the key off. An empty carb is a good thing!!

 

[unit40]

Although at times I feel uncomfortable operating equipment across some slopes on several areas of property that I maintain, I do agree that my AWS X744 will turn on a slope more safely than anything else. The reason is, for an example, that while the front of the tractor turns uphill, simultaneously the rear of the machine is brought underneath, almost straightening the machine uphill immediately. As if the center of gravity will tend to change much faster. I'm not sure if that makes sense or not. Regardless, operating across a slope is dangerous and in most cases not recommended, but sometimes it may be necessary. That is why there are wheel weights and Dew-Eze mowers.

 

[skidoo]

Enlighten us, why are the X7XX so special on slopes?? Why are other brands not??

...snip...

The fact is that it is not that special. I believe there are other specialty brands that are supposed to be excellent on slopes. The X7XX are not necessarily marketed for slopes either. In fact, JD states up to 13 deg slope is safe.

The reason it is special to me is that when compared to a CUT, the center of gravity is significantly lower. It is a difference one can feel in the handling. Obviously, the AWD gets up and down the slopes better than 2WD. A 4WD CUT can get up and down the slopes too. But, the lower CG on the X7xx, the stability certainly feels better. Now, when manuevering about uneven ground on a slope and needing to get around trees, or stumps on slopes, the All Wheel Steer on the X749 helps the operator to re-orient the mower to the most stable path in some situations where a 2 Wheel Steer may be stuck between a stump and a tree on an undesirable slope position.

One still needs to know your limitations. I do have terrain that I will not take it on. I understand my limitations and risks taken. For those who don't understand or know their limitations and assume their own responsibility, then stick to the JD recommendation of 13 deg or less...

 

[WilliamBos]

The fact is that it is not that special. I believe there are other specialty brands that are supposed to be excellent on slopes. The X7XX are not necessarily marketed for slopes either. In fact, JD states up to 13 deg slope is safe.

The reason it is special to me is that when compared to a CUT, the center of gravity is significantly lower. It is a difference one can feel in the handling. Obviously, the AWD gets up and down the slopes better than 2WD. A 4WD CUT can get up and down the slopes too. But, the lower CG on the X7xx, the stability certainly feels better. Now, when manuevering about uneven ground on a slope and needing to get around trees, or stumps on slopes, the All Wheel Steer on the X749 helps the operator to re-orient the mower to the most stable path in some situations where a 2 Wheel Steer may be stuck between a stump and a tree on an undesirable slope position.

One still needs to know your limitations. I do have terrain that I will not take it on. I understand my limitations and risks taken. For those who don't understand or know their limitations and assume their own responsibility, then stick to the JD recommendation of 13 deg or less...

Would it be possible for you to grab a shot of the rear axle set up?? AWS is an amazing idea. Is it power steer on all 4 corners?? Can you lock it straight like the quad steer GM trucks??

Thanks,

Will

 

[skidoo]

Here is what I have on hand...

 

[LBrown59]

Try this with only one tractor.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1414439-post1.html

Also, you do know the guy has THREE tractors two of which are the same, right? Assuming he paid $10K each for them, I'm saying it would be of greater general value to keep the small one you need and purchase a larger one for $15K-$20K.

For example, if he needs a small mower and a backhoe, chances are he'd be better off keeping the small mower and getting one larger backhoe than having three tractors of the same size. Heck, at the prices we're talking about, you could have QA backhoes on the smaller and larger tractors and hence have WAY more different ways to use them.

For example two, I think LB mentioned he and his wife mow at the same time. Seems to me one larger tractor with a larger mower taking care of the open areas and one smaller tractor for the difficult spots would still be better. [And in this scenario, the X7xx would be an ideal tractor for the dedicated smaller work.]

Again, _I_ can't see how three equivalent tractors serves any non-commercial use. And I'd still like to hear how I'm wrong too.

 

[unit40]

Would it be possible for you to grab a shot of the rear axle set up?? AWS is an amazing idea. Is it power steer on all 4 corners?? Can you lock it straight like the quad steer GM trucks??

Thanks,

Will

Will,

There's a guy on WFM that customized his AWS. He disabled the AWS so the tractor would drive 'regular'. The AWS is mechanical linkages, connected to the front steering.