X728 snowblower to 7-iron mower conversion

[dannyk]

Well, I'm getting older and I have to make some changes so I can stay on my property as long as possible. It's getting harder for me to use my walk-behind snowblower and also to take off and remove the mower on my Kubota B7500. (It was never easy.)

So I've been looking at the John Deere X728, and I notice that the "7-iron" mower allows a person to simply drive over the mower to install it. Just what I need, although I suppose there are still some contortions required to install the PTO shaft.

Here's my question: If I buy an X728 with the 47-inch quick hitch snowblower and the 7-iron mower, how easy is it to switch from blower to mower and back in the spring and the fall? It's hard to get this information from the web. There must be sub-frames for both the mower and the blower, so the question is can the two sub-frames remain attached more or less permanently, or is there a lot of hardware to take off and put on each season?

I really do appreciate all informed replies!

Danny

(PS: Don't need the diesel - got that covered.)

 

[beenthere]

I think you will find there may still be some "contortions" but not real bad. Some clever lifting or hoist arrangement should get by your lifting concerns.

But, if looking at the Deere, drop by and discuss it with the Deere salesman and ask for a demo of the two units. I wouldn't settle for less, and wouldn't settle for just watching a video if at all possible to get a live demo.

I find that the front attachment rolls around easily on a dolly cart, and use them extensively to move heavy items rather than lifting.

And over the years, I've managed to get more than one tractor to lessen the decision and effort of changing out the attachments. One is a dedicated mower/leaf pickup machine that the cart stays on. Another just dedicated to the mowing task and for pull-type equipment such as splitter, lawn roller, sprayer, and trailer. Another for the broom, blade and sno-blower when I had it. The bigger 4300 is for FEL and snow plowing. The snow plow is on wheels when not on the tractor.

And I think there is only the sub-frame for the blower on the front. That sub frame will accept a blade, the snowblower, or the broom.
Nothing for the mower deck, other than to remove the sub-frame for the blower.

 

[dannyk]

Thanks, beenthere. I have resorted to similar means. My brush mower lives on dollies, for example, and I have the Kubota L39 TL for loader work.

From your reply it sounds like I just need to figure out how hard it is to attach and remove the blower subframe.

 

[tony binkowski]

hi dan, just check out the new 1026, they look really easy to get attachments on and off!!!!!! goggle it or check out utube, they have good video. hope this helps, tony

 

[bxowner]

From your description, I have to agree with Tony. The new 1-series seems tailor made to you, especially coming from a B7500. Smaller, so it's easier to get on and off. Drive-over mid-mount mower deck with an auto-hitch function (I'm luckily still nimble, but man was it a pain to attach the mid-pto on my B-series mid-mount deck).

I can't answer the blower issue, as I haven't seen any photos or videos of it on the 1-series, but it's pretty darned easy to remove my 54" blower from my 2320. The only difficulty I've ever had was disconnecting the mid-pto shaft because I couldn't get a good "purchase" on it - was trying to avoid lying down on my wet garage floor. Otherwise, the whole unit is broken down into separate, lighter-weight sections: the blower, the quick hitch (which hydraulically lifts/lowers the blower) and a couple of frame assemblies - which are held in place by pin-assemblies. What's particularly nice about the set-up is that the sub frames are not only relatively light-weight, but hang in notches - so, when you remove the pins, they don't just drop - they hang so you can adjust yourself to lift them out of place. I do believe the x-700 series are very similarly mounted - but I have to agree with what was already said: have the dealer show you exactly how these things go on/off in person from a tractor they already have. Even if it means having to wait until a customer's tractor comes in for service.

 

[TCowner]

I find the removal of the snowblower from the X478 to very easy. The quick attaching bracket is somewhat heavy and cumbersome to move though. Of course there is no easy solution to the need to lie on the floor/ground to remove the drive shaft. I suppose when I was 21 years old it would have easy. Now at 55, no so easy.

One of the features I like of the 7 Iron deck is the drive over feature. It takes a time or two to learn how to line everything up when backing over to align the arms but once you figure it out its a snap. You still have to lie on the ground to hook up the pto shaft.

The other beauty of the 7-Iron deck is that is stays clean much longer. It doesn't collect the sludge like the other decks in my opinion so you don't need to take the deck on and off as much.

 

[dannyk]

Hey, thanks guys. That's the kind of info I was looking for. When I go to the dealer, they are interested in selling, but not so interested demonstrating.

I saw the 1026 video. Looks good, but I'm not really sure whether it's an improvement in ease over the 7-iron deck with the x728. Anyone know?

And the snowblower will still require a subframe, so is there any real advantage of the 1026 over the x728? Now if the blower subframe could stay on year round, that would be a real treat! The other thing is that I hate to buy a new model in its first year.

Danny

 

[beenthere]

I find the removal of the snowblower from the X478 to very easy. The quick attaching bracket is somewhat heavy and cumbersome to move though. Of course there is no easy solution to the need to lie on the floor/ground to remove the drive shaft. I suppose when I was 21 years old it would have easy. Now at 55, no so easy.

..........

55? That was 17 years ago, and didn't have my first PTO driven mower deck then.

At 72, still making the deck changes. When will it ever end?

 

[Glen Watkins]

Geez Beenthere didn't know you were that young! Guess you have been there.:thumbsup:

 

[superduty2765]

I just purchased the X728. Before the X728 I had an X485. The X485 was only 2wd so the front PTO shaft is different. I do take off mower deck and power flow weekly and the hardest part is installing the PTO shaft. You do have to lie on the ground but it doesn't take more than a couple of minutes. I will be installing sweeper today and let you know how it is installing that PTO shaft.
If you do go for the X728, purchase the upgraded seat. It's worth the money.

I enclosed a photo of my X728, loader and cab are off of my X485.