Looks like I'm buying a JD Mower, which one?

DennisH · Jun 28, 2011

I posted in another thread about the troubles with my current STX-46 not starting. I got this 95 model for free and it had the black 46" deck which works but is not in the best condition. I had to repair the transaxel, tuneup ect

I have about $300 total in it which I thought was what its worth running but I'm seeing prices ranging from $500for a parts tractor to $1200 for a clean one so who knows.

Anyway if this all goes south I don't think I want to put anymore money in this mower so I'm seeking advice on what to buy.

I want a JD, 46" deck and would like to stay below $3K and closer to $2K would be better.

New or Used???

Red Horse · Jun 28, 2011

DennisH said:
I posted in another thread about the troubles with my current STX-46 not starting. I got this 95 model for free and it had the black 46" deck which works but is not in the best condition. I had to repair the transaxel, tuneup ect

I have about $300 total in it which I thought was what its worth running but I'm seeing prices ranging from $500for a parts tractor to $1200 for a clean one so who knows.

Anyway if this all goes south I don't think I want to put anymore money in this mower so I'm seeking advice on what to buy.

I want a JD, 46" deck and would like to stay below $3K and closer to $2K would be better.

New or Used???

In my opinion, if the only thing you do is mow, I would go for a Ztrak- like a 655. Bullet proof, simple and you can really cut your mowing time. If you need a "tractor", I would look for a clean 318, even a 316. I have seen clean ones that have had obvious good care in the 2500/3500 range.

jtheise4 · Jun 28, 2011

I purchased a X320 last year. Great tractor. Cuts really nice, but if I had to do it over, I'd buy a zero turn.

jenkinsph · Jun 30, 2011

Dennis,
I can certainly understand your dilema, the problem is the $2,000 to $3,000 range is not enough to buy a new good rider today. BTDT and winded up buying another more costly mower. I would recommend looking for a good used mower or increase the new budget to allow for the cost of an x320 and above. I am not familiar as I should be with the ztr's but would think the same thing applies here as well. I loked for quite awhile for a good used mower in my locale to no avail, finally bought new instead.

DennisH · Jul 1, 2011

Steve, you are spot in that is what I'm running into in my area as the used market for a quality John Deere is very slim.

The local JD dealer has a 2009 Z-810A with 60 hrs for $5750, 2007 X740 with 1318 hrs for $5250 and a 2008 X320 with 350 hrs for $2850.

The X320 has a powerflow bagger system on it so I might go have a look at that mower today and check it out.

DennisH · Jul 1, 2011

DennisH said:
The local JD dealer has a

2009 Z-810A with 60 hrs for $5750,

2007 X740 with 1318 hrs for $5250

2008 X320 with 350 hrs for $2850.

Correction

The X320 price is with no bagger.

The 2009 Z-810A has a 54" deck with bagger system and sprayer mount on the front and is priced at $5650. The bagger system is $2100 new.

jenkinsph · Jul 1, 2011

For those prices the x320 doesn't appear to be much of a deal, I would make a lower offer on it.

I would be more inclined to buy a new x320 if this will suit your needs.

DennisH · Jul 2, 2011

I looked at the 2008 Z-810 54" deck yesterday and must say it's in as new condition with only 46.8 hrs. Talked to the sales manager who took it in on trade from a local framer who bought it new to replace a CUT he was mowing with and said he just never used it, maybe he just never got the hang of driving it. Anyway he traded it in for a riding mower.

It has had all the PIP's completed and drives fine as far as I can having not been on a ZTR before. It also has the power flow twin bagger system and forward weight bracket options that come with it.

I have read on other forums where this commercial mower had it's problems from a power standpoint on hills but don't think this will be much of a problem in my case (if it's a problem at all) as my yard only has a couple inclines that the STX 46 had no problem going over. I'm not doing production mowing just 2 AC once a week so I think it will be fine for the homeowner.

I got a price of $5500 with the power flow bagger option which is about $2300 new or so I'm told. A new X320 with a 54" deck is $4400 and $1100 for the bagger so money is about the same.

This JD commercial ZTR a beast compared to a JD residential ZTR.

What do you guys think?

Scooby074 · Jul 2, 2011

The Z800's had issues for sure. At that price with that package.. tough call.

For $5500 you could get a low hour x540. I had one.. Amazing mower. Fast, quiet , powerful. And it had a diff lock, which i used a bunch. That x740, even with the greater hours would be a excellent buy.

i just traded my 540 in on a BX25. I needed to do more than just mow, so it had to go,unfortunately. It was absolutely the best mower ive ever used.