Looking for feedback on John Deere X500. I looked at the X320 & X500 at local dealer the other day. I might go back on the weekend and test drive. My scenario is strictly for mowing (I have larger tractor w/ Loader for bushhogging, snow removal, playin' in the dirt and other chores). I mow about 2 1/2 to 3 acres. The terrain is a little rough in spots with some hills and slopes. It is not a finely manicured suburban type lawn. Due to the terrain and the fact that there are not a significant amount of obstacles to mow around, I am not considering a zero turn. I have been using a box store mower (L130) for 10 years which I think I have got my moneys worth out of and I am looking to upgrade. I like the differential lock on the X500 vs. the X320. I don't feel I need the additonal hydraulic lift features, power steering, etc of the X540 or other more premium models. Basically, I am looking for a heavy duty machine that will perform my stated tasks quickly, efficiently, reliably, etc and last a long time with proper maintenenance (which I will be performing myself).
X500?
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OregonCraig
Bronze Member
I highly recommend the X500. I bought one because I have hills & slopes and I used the differential lock all the time. I've never owned an X3xx, so I can't comment on their capabilities, but the X500 is very capable, especially if all you want is a dedicated mower. It's powerful enough to cut tall grass and stable on slopes (despite all the warnings to never sidehill, sometimes you have to). I never felt I needed power steering on the X500, and the hydraulic deck lift is unnecessary as well. The X500 has a spring-assisted left-side pedal to raise the deck. It's easy to do and faster that the hydraulic lift on my X758, which is an advantage if you get your blades unexpectedly on some rock or root. I have mowed up measured slopes of 25 degrees (used a slopemeter to measure) without a problem. Do not drive down this amount of slope. I did, and lost traction, basically skiing down. No damage to the X500, though. The only other deficiency that I encountered was that it didn't have the ability to pull a 17P cart full of firewood up a different slope of 23-25 degrees. It had the power, just not the traction with turf tires.
The X500 is the best bang for the buck in the JD line up. The concept of diminishing returns certainly applies once you move up from the X500.
The X500 is the best bang for the buck in the JD line up. The concept of diminishing returns certainly applies once you move up from the X500.
mikehaugen
Elite Member
The x300 series seems small to me. I felt cramped when I test drove one once. It was a nice mower, but just too small. I actually felt better on a simplicity regent.
I am a big guy, but not huge... about 6' and 220 lbs.
I am a big guy, but not huge... about 6' and 220 lbs.
bigpinwheel
Bronze Member
I think an x500 is perfect for what you're describing. I do all that and much more abusive tasks with mine and have for 8 years. It's a great machine.
TnWV
Platinum Member
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- 2003 Zetor 4341 w/FEL, 1970 MF 150, 2012 JD X530
I mow some pretty steep hillside with my x530, and it is very stable. I have the HDAP rear tires and the traction is great. I only need the diff lock in a few spots where I have to turn sharp up hill. Once it engages the mower will really climb. I always said I didn't need power steering on a mower, but now that I have it, it's one of my favorite features. With or without power steering, you will be pleased with the X5 series. They are a really nice mower. Good Luck!
Thanks, I had read about the HDAP tires and that is my preference for the rears. Now I just need to decide if the JD green will clash with my orange Kubota
rekees4300
Elite Member
I've had X500 with HDAP tires for 3 years. Yard is similar to yours. Recommend it highly.
BuilderML
Gold Member
My father in law had an x500. To me it was a waste of money to use as a lawn mower for his property. The diff lock was nice i will give it that. $5K for a lawn tractor to cut grass in my view is not worth it. Yes i know its a "garden tractor". The deck was a pain in the axx to get off and on. He has since sold it and is now with a zero turn. For the money you are looking to spend to buy this unit to cut grass take the time and talk to a few dealers about a zero turn unit. Ask the dealer if you could demo a unit on your property to make sure it will handle the task. People can say what they want but there is nothing better to cut grass and seeing how that is what your looking to do with it i highly recommend you check out a quality zero turn. They do take alittle getting use to driving them but once thats done your off to the races. Have fun shopping.
Scooby074
Super Member
I had a x540. It was the sweetest driving mower Ive ever had. Great traction on my hills. And the hydraulic system was very useful.
I now mow with a commercial ZD zero turn, but that x540 had every bit as good a cut and was much more comfortable on the hills. The ZD is considerably heavier built and much faster however.
I now mow with a commercial ZD zero turn, but that x540 had every bit as good a cut and was much more comfortable on the hills. The ZD is considerably heavier built and much faster however.
drhjmacleod
New member
I would highly recommend an X500. I have had a few other riding mowers (JD L110 & a Simplicity Broadmoor) and my X500 is by far superior. Of course it costs more, but you get what you pay for. I could never mow my slope side to side with my other two mowers, but the X500 is so stable I can. With the HDAP tires, I have great traction both going up hill and down hill.
patchnball
Bronze Member
x530......HDAP tires......power steering worth every dime. Maybe you should trade that orange in for more green....two for the price of one.
rekees4300
Elite Member
Congrats :thumbsup: My mowing time went from 3.5 to 2.5 hrs. vs. Craftsman
OregonCraig
Bronze Member
I picked up the X500 on Saturday and put it right to work. Very happy with the initial outing. It seemed to cut my mowing time in about 1/2 vs. the L130 that I had.
Congrats on the purchase! I forgot to mention it earlier, but the X500 has a very robust transmission (TuffTorq/Kanzaki K72) that will have no problems on your hills and slopes. Many on this forum have reported problems with lesser transmissions that some of the X3xx series have.
mikehaugen
Elite Member
Congratulations... I'm jealous. I would love an x540 but the wallet won't allow it. I cut my mom's grass with her 345 sometimes and I love it. Oh well, guess my bunton will have to get me by for a few (or 10) more years. :laughing:
Here is the obligatory picture. The only regret I have is they didn't have one with the HDAP rear tires. In fact, they claimed no one had ever asked for them on an X500 before. They did offer to swap some from an X540 that was coming in but said it could be a week or two and it was going to add $100 to the price plus $50 to install. I'm gonna run the turfs and see how they do (they did fine in my initial outing). If I decide I need the HDAP's I can get a pair new for $200 and have a them mounted on my rims and keep the turfs for backup.
rekees4300
Elite Member
Looks good. Tip: for your deck hose connection use a Dramm 22729 Heavy-Duty Quick Disconnect Brass. Available at Amazon. They don't leak.
Thanks, after using it once I knew I would need a quick disconnect
I am almost in the same position as the OP except that I have a smaller area to mow. I do need a heavy duty tractor because of the terrain...hills and rather rough ground. I also have an extensive system of trails on my forty acres that I have maintained with my JD 1070 and shredder. If I buy an X530, I'll use it to do the ones that are close to the house.
I am considering the X530 over the X500 because my wife and I are over 70 and I think the hydraulics and power steering of the X530 would be a plus for us....especially my wife. She has bugged me for twenty years to show her how to drive the 1070 and I have always said no way. Knowing my wife, I felt that it was too a bit to complicated for her.
Most of my questions have already been answered in the above comments but I do have a couple more. How maneuverable is the X500 series with a 54 inch deck? I will regularly be mowing about an acre but it is cluttered with lots of plantings...trees, shrubs and flower beds. How difficult is it to clean and maintain that huge deck? Does rinsing it off after every mowing work? What about blade removal for sharpening? The dealers that I have talked to want a bunch to service these machines.
By the way for the past twenty years, I have used a 21 inch walk behind mower and the 1070 and shredder to maintain my yard. It's time to spoil myself with a riding mower.
I am considering the X530 over the X500 because my wife and I are over 70 and I think the hydraulics and power steering of the X530 would be a plus for us....especially my wife. She has bugged me for twenty years to show her how to drive the 1070 and I have always said no way. Knowing my wife, I felt that it was too a bit to complicated for her.
Most of my questions have already been answered in the above comments but I do have a couple more. How maneuverable is the X500 series with a 54 inch deck? I will regularly be mowing about an acre but it is cluttered with lots of plantings...trees, shrubs and flower beds. How difficult is it to clean and maintain that huge deck? Does rinsing it off after every mowing work? What about blade removal for sharpening? The dealers that I have talked to want a bunch to service these machines.
By the way for the past twenty years, I have used a 21 inch walk behind mower and the 1070 and shredder to maintain my yard. It's time to spoil myself with a riding mower.
OregonCraig
Bronze Member
The X5xx series mowers are good machines, but they do have some limitations. In my case, I wanted the ability to mow while driving down long steep slopes (measured at 25 degrees of slope; up to 80 yards in length). I needed 4WD/AWD mainly to get four-wheel braking. My X500 would go up those slopes with turf tires if the trail was dry enough to provide traction. Of course, going uphill the weight of the tractor is over the drive wheels. Driving forward down the slopes, my X500 didn't have the traction to hold the hill, even if dry. A lot of the weight comes off the rear wheels, making them lighter, and transfers to the front wheels, which have no brakes. The Kawasaki engine and K72 transmission are plenty strong, traction is the only issue.
You may still find it easier to use your walk-behind mower up against the house and around some other tight spaces. The X500 is quite agile (mine had the 48" deck), but not as agile as a walk-behind. Depends on your layout.
For cleaning the top of the deck, I like using my shop vac on "blow" mode. It gets all the little nooks and crannies clean.
