Thoughts on John Deere X749

[stlbill]

Hi everyone:

I went with the 2305 and after 50 hours I am glad I did.

For the same $$:

I received a FEL and a 3PH RB I used to clear snow off my driveway this past Winter. I cleared snow twice as fast with the combination of FEL going forward and 3PH RB going backward.

I will race any X749 w/FB clearing my driveway of the 1-4" wet snows we received last winter. 4WS may turn 180 degrees faster, but if I have a "snow pusher" at either end I don't have to turn around And if I am not in a hurry or the snow is real deep I can neatly stack it with the FEL.

This Spring I removed and replaced (changed colors) 10 yards of bulk-delivered mulch into flower beds with the FEL. If you could see how I drove up to my many 0-6 foot retaining walls and loaded old mulch into the bucket or dumped new mulch right where I wanted it you'd absolutely understand.

Also this Spring I broke ground with the 48" tiller for a small garden.

My purchase price included turf tires, but I haven't used them yet. I've had no real problems with the MFWD tearing up my yard while mowing. The 2305 turns sharp enough to make the mower deck wheels tear up the turf. I cannot see how the X749 AWS would not amplify this problem.

Either way if you go green you aren't going wrong. Good luck with whatever you choose!

-Bill

 

[LBrown59]

Hi everyone:

*****I went with the 2305 and after 50 hours I am glad I did.

For the same $$:

I received a FEL and a 3PH RB I used to clear snow off my driveway this past Winter. I cleared snow twice as fast with the combination of FEL going forward and 3PH RB going backward.
-Bill

***** Good decision.

There is no way I'd take a garden tractor over a Sub Compact ; But i did switch over from a garden tractor to a Sub Compact. :thumbsup:

 

[Builder]

Can you get the HPAD's on the 2305?

I have zero use for an FEL and I like the X better for my needs, but I understand the other side of the story, too. Different needs for different tasks.

 

[stlbill]

Hi Builder:

I don't think you can officially order a 2305 with HDAP tires. However, looking only online at pictures, specifications and part numbers the tires and wheels look interchangeable. In fact the front tires are the same part number.

It is widely known on TBN some X700 parts fit the 2305 and vice versa (e.g. rear-wheel spacer kit). In reality there may be some issues.

Do you know for sure either way?

I'd be excited to try a set of HDAPs on my 2305 for only $1,000. And I'd still have about $4,000 in my pocket compared to buying a similarly equipped X749.

I'll concede both tractors have their advantages over each other, but they are subtle. I understood the purpose of this thread was to help prospective buyers decide which one was right for their particular needs.


-Bill

 

[ChuckinNH]

I have seen a JD 2305 set up with HDAP tires new at a dealer's place. My only concern was the strength of the front tires for loader work, but the dealer said he thought it would be OK......... of course. It would be interesting to hear some feedback from someone that has tried it.

 

[Rand]

If the only thing you ever plan to do with the machine is mow grass, AND you intend to keep the tractor for many years to come, then by all means go for the X700 series. The resale value is terrible compared to compact diesel tractors such as the JD2305/2320. Having a front end loader on a small tractor is truly a labor (and back) saver. Think very carefully before you pull the trigger!

 

[Builder]

I ended up with a used BX-2200 :ashamed:
Couldn't afford X-7** at this time. Will start the process over again when (if) the economy turns around.

The BX-2200 is no Deere, but it will get the job done until the economy turns around (if it turns around).

 

[Gleumer]

I have a 2305 with about 10 hours on it. 62"mmm and 47"blower. I was also debating between the x748 and 2305. Just cant justify $300 more for the x748. my buddy has a x485 and it is a great machine with less capability but he has a fleet of jd. I think both are good machines but im am very satisfied with my 2305.

 

[djtarnow]

I realize this post is a couple of years old, but since I came upon it doing a search, I figured I'd add my two cents.

I had an x749 with a couple of attachments and it was a great machine. I wound up selling it for a larger tractor (Kubota B3200) and I am now facing buying another x749!

My wife just isn稚 comfortable on the B3200. She loved her "John", and to be perfectly honest, from the stand point of a lawnmower, it couldn't be beat. I had opted for a larger tractor since the 3PT option for the X749 isn't exactly what I would consider a true 3PT hitch. It used a rockshaft linked to the deck lift cylinder (which is a real PITA if you try to install it yourself!). I was afraid over time trying to lift my 6ft box scraper and 5ft landscape rake would be too much on the machine. Also, the lift height isn't adequate for standard CAT. 1 3 pt implements. It really is designed for (what I call toys) made by JD and others. 4ft implements or less. This shortcoming in 3pt capacity is the main reason I opted for a larger tractor.

The power flow bagger worked wonderful, and is very easy to install and remove. Another big advantage over the B3200. I also had the 47" 2 stage snow blower and couldn't have been happier with it. The 4wd/4ws is truly amazing! One of the main reasons I am looking at buying another one. While it is a big machine, it isn't nearly as big or awkward as the B3200, and with the ROPS on the Kubota, I can't get under a lot of overhanging branches I used to be able to.

The HDAP tires will not scuff at all. The proportioned front steering is amazing!

Bottom line, if you are looking at a lawnmower, you can't beat the X749. If you are looking at other functions, do your homework and research.

I mow about 12 acres and have a fair amount of trees and other obstacles.

Hope this helps!

 

[Builder]

Another thing I disliked about the 74X was the absense of a low range. I was using my BX2200 today and had to have low range for a task. I think it might have been possible to do it with high range, but it's better to have both.
The other thing that I disliked about the 74X was the absense of a rops bar. I think that if it came with both of the those items (2-range & rops) it would be unbeatable.