Tractor Sizing Lawn Tractor, Zero Turn, or Sub-compact?

[ritmatt]

Hi there,

I am moving my family to a house on a 1.5 acre lot soon, and I'm in the market for a small tractor or mower for the first time. The new lawn is mostly weeds right now, but there are lots of small trees and shrubs planted around the perimeter of the property. Over the next several years, I hope to get the place looking like a park! I've settled on the John Deere brand, but I really don't know what kind of tractor I should get.

First and foremost, I think I need a really good mower. One with a diesel engine would be ideal. I wanted a zero turn to cut around trees and lots of curved beds, but I also want a wagon for hauling firewood and shrubs around the yard, but it doesn't seem like most zero turns have factory hitches. I don't like the idea of hiring somebody to weld an aftermarket hitch to my shiny, expensive zero turn, either.

Then I found the X749. Diesel, 4WD and 4 wheel steering. And it comes with a hitch, so I can pull a wagon. It even looks like I could get a loader, a spreader, and a sprayer. Those things would all be handy to have as I create my "park".

I went to my local JD dealer and told them I wanted to look at the X700s. The salesman didn't seem to think the X700 was available with a diesel engine. Besides, he said, if I was going to spend that kind of money, I'd be a lot better off with a 1023 or 1026R. Hydraulic implements instead of electric solenoid. Better resale value. Heavier duty attachments.

I'm thinking, "Wow, if I had the 1026R and a bunch of attachments, I could dig trenches for my sprinkler system, clear out a parking pad and a garden area, move big rocks around for building steps and walkways, dig up and replant shrubs - anything I want! But I might be spending $15-20K instead of $5-10K. Plus I'd need to build a bigger shed to keep the 102x dry."

So at this point, I really don't know what I want. I've heard the zero turns have the fastest cutting tip speeds and therefore have the best cut for lawns. And maybe there's a way to get a factory hitch - I'm not sure. Or maybe I ought to get an X500 or X700 series tractor, knowing that I could always rent something bigger if I were working on a project. Or, maybe the 1026R is the dream, do-it-all machine. But is it really a very good mower? That's what I was looking for when I started. Whatever I do, if I get it right the first time, I shouldn't have to worry about resale value. I'll take good care of it and will drive it as long as it will go.

What to do, Internet? What to do?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Matt

 

[parkerpusher]

Matt,

I'm pretty sure you can get a factory hitch for most JD zero turns, although you won't want to tow a whole lot of weight very often with them in my opinion. They do, however, make excellent mowing machines for yards like the one you described that you hope to create.

The X700 series does come with a diesel Yanmar engine, the JD website clearly confirms this, along with hundreds of owners here on TBN. Good stuff.

The 102X is a good mower when it's called for, but may be a bit cumbersome for your areas. With your tree plantings etc, the ROPS will be constantly in the way, and the ride is no where near as smooth and planted as an x700 tractor for mowing.

I guess if I were you, I would try really hard to be realistic about how much landscaping work you would expect from your tractor vs. just having a very good mower with the ability to pull a trailer etc. Imagine breaking your back moving trees around for planting and digging holes while you stare at an X520 parked in the garage that can't do a thing to help you............then imagine mowing with a 1026R that you paid 3 times as much for while staring at a loader parked in the corner of your lot that you don't use anymore. Which one makes you mad? Sometimes it boils down to how much money you have to spend.

It's a nice problem to have....trying to decide which green machine to buy.

Is your lot a city type, or is it rural where you can have a garden and burn brush and the like?

 

[PapaPerk]

Any reason you didn't also consider Kubota?

The JD 445 zero turn ( I think that's the number) is a decent machine for your size yard. It mows well and fast. Plus it's around $4,000 I believe.

If you want a little tractor I would buy the Kubota BX series. Great quality.

Good luck. Keep studying the forums. Tons of info and helpful people here! (0:

 

[arlen4720]

The 700's are a fine machine. I have a x748SE. I've had it 6 years and put 875 hours on it. It is a diesel. I mow 5-7 acres with it. It is great. I think I would get a different salesman if he didn't know about the diesel models. The 749 would be fantastic for what you described. front blade, snow blower, tiller. can do allot of things. Would mow circles around a 1026R. There would not even be a contest.
But, the 1026R has a nice loader (don't even bother with the loader on the x series), a "real 3 point", and a back hoe available.

I think the zero turns make a great second machine, but lack the versatility to do the things you need to do.

 

[PioneerMan]

From the sound of it the loader is a critical part of the decision. Yes I think there is one for the x700, no I don't think I would want it. Another thing I didn't hear is if the ground is flat. If not I would think there will be more ground engagement, and thus maybe a 1 series and box blade? Tough decisions.

IMO a diesel would be overkill for your property. I use a x540 on about 5 acres, of mostly mowing though....

 

[PioneerMan]

Another consideration would be landscaping. If you do lots of paths and trees and other 'obstacles', those 62in decks may become a little too big. Just saying.

Not trying to dissuade the diesel. I certainly wouldn't mind one. I don't think anyone here will fault you for 'buying up'. )

 

[jenkinsph]

Matt,
A 749 has the option of a limited cat 1 3PH and rear 540 rpm pto so most of the small boxblades, landscape rakes and tillers will work well with it. Most of the attachments I use with mine will work well with the 1000 and 2000 series models. It also comes standard with two hydraulic remotes typically used for front blade or snowblower but can be used for other purposes too. I am well pleased with the x749 and get alot done with it. but when building, grading and moving lots of material initially you might be better off renting larger equipment for a weekend or two.

 

[jdphan]

Hey papaperk I thought this was the jd thread. If the op was interested in a Kubota they might have looked in the kubota area. just saying.

 

[PapaPerk]

Hey papaperk I thought this was the jd thread. If the op was interested in a Kubota they might have looked in the kubota area. just saying.

Oh sorry... Didn't realize it was a Deere thread. I was just going through new threads.

 

[BleedGreen]

As your JD salesperson seems to be lacking in product knowledge I want to make sure you know that the loader is not available on AWS X700 tractors. 2WD / 4WD / 2WS are all OK - just not 4WS/AWS.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a jd la145 with a 4ft deck and a gc 2400 with a 5 ft deck. In my yard it takes 5 hr with the jd 4ft deck and only 3.5 hr or less with the massey and the 5ft deck. With the bigger tractor you can cut faster as well as wider. JD has tractors equal to my massey and I would have bought one except massey had a much better loan program.

 

[ritmatt]

I guess if I were you, I would try really hard to be realistic about how much landscaping work you would expect from your tractor vs. just having a very good mower with the ability to pull a trailer etc. Imagine breaking your back moving trees around for planting and digging holes while you stare at an X520 parked in the garage that can't do a thing to help you............then imagine mowing with a 1026R that you paid 3 times as much for while staring at a loader parked in the corner of your lot that you don't use anymore. Which one makes you mad? Sometimes it boils down to how much money you have to spend.

I agree. The best bet is to be as realistic as possible. However, at this point I just don't know what I don't know. In general, I tend to buy things that are a bit better than what I think I need, believing that I'll be a lot happier having "a little bit too much" than "not quite enough." What I do know is that I'll be doing a lot more mowing than anything else, and I'd be disappointed if my tractor doesn't do that really well. I imagine using some kind of tow-behind wagon, sprayer, or spreader once or twice a month all year round. And I imagine wanting to use a loader or a backhoe about 4 times per year. Based on your response and others, it seems like the 1000 series tractor will be overkill for my purposes. I certainly don't need a machine like the 1026R for the mowing part.

Is your lot a city type, or is it rural where you can have a garden and burn brush and the like?

The lot is in a rural setting within the city limits. Small vegetable gardens are common in the neighborhood, but I imagine that burning brush is frowned upon.

Thanks for your thoughtful response - I appreciate it!

 

[ritmatt]

I have a jd la145 with a 4ft deck and a gc 2400 with a 5 ft deck. In my yard it takes 5 hr with the jd 4ft deck and only 3.5 hr or less with the massey and the 5ft deck. With the bigger tractor you can cut faster as well as wider. JD has tractors equal to my massey and I would have bought one except massey had a much better loan program.

Very helpful information, thank you! I think its going to have to be either a 54" deck or a 60" deck. I would definitely like to be able to mow the whole ~1.5 acre lawn within about 30-40 minutes, so maybe bigger is better. Is there any difference in cut quality with the bigger decks?

 

[ritmatt]

Any reason you didn't also consider Kubota?

I haven't completely ruled out Kubota, but I've always admired JD and I figured I'd start there. Once I've figured out the form factor I want, I will check a couple alternative brands before making a final decision. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ritmatt]

The 700's are a fine machine. I have a x748SE. I've had it 6 years and put 875 hours on it. It is a diesel. I mow 5-7 acres with it. It is great. I think I would get a different salesman if he didn't know about the diesel models.

Good to hear from somebody that has a lot of experience with the X700. Thanks for posting. I obviously got a salesman that's not very familiar with the X700s. He's obviously biased towards the sub-compacts. I'll talk with some other dealers. Hopefully, I can find one that keeps the X748/X749 in stock so I can actually see one.

 

[ritmatt]

Another consideration would be landscaping. If you do lots of paths and trees and other 'obstacles', those 62in decks may become a little too big. Just saying.

Not trying to dissuade the diesel. I certainly wouldn't mind one. I don't think anyone here will fault you for 'buying up'. )

I'm attracted to the diesel for its fuel savings and longevity. Sounds like the 54in deck might be the best balance between coverage and maneuverability. What do you think? The property was recently graded and has a gentle slope. No big hills or ravines, other than a fairly average storm ditch out front.

 

[ritmatt]

A 749 has the option of a limited cat 1 3PH and rear 540 rpm pto so most of the small boxblades, landscape rakes and tillers will work well with it. Most of the attachments I use with mine will work well with the 1000 and 2000 series models. It also comes standard with two hydraulic remotes typically used for front blade or snowblower but can be used for other purposes too. I am well pleased with the x749 and get alot done with it. but when building, grading and moving lots of material initially you might be better off renting larger equipment for a weekend or two.

Good stuff! Have you run into any compatibility issues with the 4WS of the X749?

 

[ritmatt]

As your JD salesperson seems to be lacking in product knowledge I want to make sure you know that the loader is not available on AWS X700 tractors. 2WD / 4WD / 2WS are all OK - just not 4WS/AWS.

Understood (now). Thank you for saying so.

 

[boggen]

1.5 acres. is not a lot. and you might be better off with just a regular finishing mower. even a cheap riding lawn mower or garden tractor. vs a zero turn. so you could add a tiller. or buy ATV or garden tractor size, pull behind equipment.

if you really need to do a lot of digging, just "rent" a min excavator or small TLB or like. and just save up projects over a year or couple years, and just rent and do everything in a couple days, and take a couple days off of work if need be to do the work.

they do make FEL (front end loaders) for garden size tractors.

but to be honest, once you get flower beds and landscaping done, your done, for any were from 5 years to 20 years before things rot and need to be redone. and in between that time, you will be using small little tillers that look something like a weed whacker. due to no real space to get a tractor in to the areas without trying up stuff. and you will be using small little hand shovels to plant stuff, and metal garden rakes to smooth things out.

get a zero turn and just get a hitch welded up on it. it is a working machine, make it so you can use it, and stop fussing over looks. or get a riding lawn mower, in garden size ridling lawn mower. so you can put some attachments on it, like a tiller. or pull a small cart behind it. or just drive truck through the yard.

 

[arlen4720]

It's not always about what one NEEDS. If it were, I suspect we would all have a few less machines. If you can afford a super duper lawn mowing bad *** machine, Then I say get one!!! Sounds like the choice would be between a x748, x749, and a 1026R. You would be the envy of the neighborhood with any of those machines.