x748 or x749 - 7-iron or AWS

[kevin-kc]

Hi,

First time poster. I have a 318 that i'm upgrading. i have 4 acres, very steep hill, bumpy, obstacles/roots, etc.

I had to weld my old mower deck a handful of times from the abuse over the years, so i thought the 7-iron would be good, however, i also felt that the AWS might really help me cut around trees, and make the mowing experience better and faster.

Any thoughts on which way i should go? The 7-iron or the AWS? I guess if i got the x748, i would dump the money on the SE (might as well, the tractor already costs a fortune) to get the seat, in hopes it would make the ride less bumpy. If anyone has input on that, i'd appreciate too.

Thanks

 

[WH401]

Go for the 7 Iron. AWS is nice and all, but when your deck wears out, (not saying the standard deck will), AWS won't cut the grass. Then you would be right back to square one.

 

[skidoo]

The X749 is more than AWS. Because it also has full time All Wheel Drive, it is great on the hills. The system works excellent without tearing up the turf in turns. This plus the AWS made the difference for me. Would I like a thicker deck, perhaps. But, that was less of a priority for me.

 

[jas67]

What is a 7-iron?

 

[kevin-kc]

7-iron is the name of the upgraded "commercial" heavy duty deck

 

[jas67]

7-iron is the name of the upgraded "commercial" heavy duty deck

Can you not get the 7-iron with the 4WS?

 

[hpc]

Was doing the same evaluation - 748SE with 60" 7-Iron and 749.

I had the same deck on my 4115 - what a disappointment - clumping, blowout,
marginal cut.

Swapped 4115 for 3520 with 72" 7-Iron - HUGE night-and-day difference. The
7-Iron has never clumped even in wet, tall grass (and I mulch!). No blowout.
Just a very nice deck; but the 3520 isn't the most nimble.

748SE has full 4wd and the 60" 7-Iron deck. If the suspension seat is
an option (don't remember if it is or if it's standard) - get it!

Good luck!

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

what are you doing with the 318?

 

[jenkinsph]

The 748 and 749 are both nice mowers I would probably choose the 748.

Have you considered buying a new deck for the 318 then use the change to hire or rent a tractor and boxblade to smooth up the yard. If I was spending that much on a mower I would wan't the problems areas fixed to prevent damage to the new unit.



Steve

 

[kevin-kc]

Steve - i sure have considered fixing it. I've been fixing it for a long time now, but the latest collection of issues are a lot. A couple issues my deere dealer called unfixable, so i figured maybe it's just time to retire her after 20 years.

I have been using it only to mow, and although i'd like to get into using other implements, i don't want to sacrifice comfort, nimbleness, and stability on the steep hills going sideways to get something larger/higher center of gravity.