Looking to Upgrade an L130 to either x500 or x700 Series - Need Advice

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

If your slopes are very steep I don't see why you would be looking at a 500 series, you should be looking at a 700 series 4x4 or similar type mower. Having free turning front wheels can be dangerous on downward facing slopes without brakes or engine/transmission braking. Using 4x4 to go down the hill is just as important as having it to get up the hill.

The k92 series transaxle uses a spin on filter about 2 cup size which is easy to reach and change.

Keep in mind this guy used a L130 on the same slopes for years and slopes don't have to be mountains to be dangerous on a zero turn.

If he buys a tractor with deff lock, that will be more than adequate, a K66, K72 or K92 transmission will last a very long time climbing hills.

 

[jenkinsph]

BrokeFarmerJohn,
Here are some pictures of cat 1 implements on my x749 before I added the I Match quick hitch. Soon after these pictures were taken I added another IMatch as shown with my home built land plane grader scraper. Note that there are no cat 0 pins on any of these implements as all are cat 1. I don't see any problems with lift height either. I have many other implements for this mower not shown and they all seem to work pretty well.

 

[jenkinsph]

Keep in mind this guy used a L130 on the same slopes for years and slopes don't have to be mountains to be dangerous on a zero turn.

If he buys a tractor with deff lock, that will be more than adequate, a K66, K72 or K92 transmission will last a very long time climbing hills.

I never worry about climbing the hills rather I get concerned about going down the hills too fast. I have never had to use the differential lock (DIFF lock) to get up and down hills but have used it a few times in slick spots pushing snow. Since getting the x749 traversing the hills and mountain sides in New Mexico have been a lot easier to do.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

BrokeFarmerJohn,
Here are some pictures of cat 1 implements on my x749 before I added the I Match quick hitch. Soon after these pictures were taken I added another IMatch as shown with my home built land plane grader scraper. Note that there are no cat 0 pins on any of these implements as all are cat 1. I don't see any problems with lift height either. I have many other implements for this mower not shown and they all seem to work pretty well.

Really nice rig!

Have you had any issues with the rakes picking up too much dirt?

I don't own a rake but have heard guys mention they fill up with dirt too quickly unless you take tongs out, from your pic, looks like a successful pass.

Another thing that comes to mind is ballast, box blade weights quite a lot, are you running any front weights?

I have seen guys run the little suitcase weights on the front of there x7xx's and they think it helps with stability.

 

[Teachu2]

Going from a L130 to a machine with a manual differential lock has been amazing. It's a completely different animal. It is much more capable and surefooted on the slopes, both up and down. For my use, it's a great fit, as would be the x570.

Of course, everyone has different needs and wants. I even considered dropping $1k+ into upgrading the transaxle in my L130, because I really liked the Kohler Command engine that was in it, but SWMBO was beating the poor thing to death. I didn't need a tractor, as my current one does great and is about as big as I can justify for my property. The extra capabilities of the x738 or x739 were wasted on me - I needed a strong, surefooted riding mower that could handle pretty steep slopes and light brush. I have mud on occasion, but no need to wallow in it to mow. When it snows here, it's measured in inches. We own two 4x4 on-highway vehicles that can handle that with ease. No need for a snowplow or blower.

We also have a Rhino 660, a 5x8 trailer, a 7x16 trailer (both with sides), a 5' brush cutter, a 68" flail, and easy access to a cabbed 4x4 TLB. That left me needing a strong, surefooted riding mower that could handle pretty steep slopes and light brush - no more, no less. 4wd in my particular application was not needed, and adds weight, cost, complexity, and maintenance. Had I needed 4wd, the x739, x739, x749, 1025, Kubota B series, Kioti CK2510, Mahindra Max, and LS SCUTS would have all been in the running.

 

[jenkinsph]

Really nice rig!

Have you had any issues with the rakes picking up too much dirt?

I don't own a rake but have heard guys mention they fill up with dirt too quickly unless you take tongs out, from your pic, looks like a successful pass.

Another thing that comes to mind is ballast, box blade weights quite a lot, are you running any front weights?

I have seen guys run the little suitcase weights on the front of there x7xx's and they think it helps with stability.

The pine straw rake really does a great job, doesn't seem to hurt the grass but does a great job with the needles. I will add more pics of it so you can get a better idea. It does not gather dirt to speak of. Everything Attachments makes a nice PSR with replaceable tines I plan to order a new one soon.

The landscape rake will gather dirt as you mention above but is more aggressive than the PSR. Just depends on what is needed. Right now I have a 7' landscape rake with every other tine removed and the 5' pictured above with all of the tines in place.

I have the 42lb. weights for the front they make a big difference with heavy implements on the rear. Four weights adds 168 lbs. to the front and that is easy on and off.

 

[Smoothas]

Thanks Crazyal for the extra info on the differences between those two model transmissions - was trying to look for them online but no luck!

I really do like the X590.. looks to be a really nice machine and very close to the X730 (well - if you don't consider the K92).

Trying to be conservative as possible here and get the best bang for the buck and the best tractor for my needs.

People asked me if I'm going to spend that kind of money (4000-5000 maybe?), then why not get a zero turn? I asked them.. have you tried mowing my slopes/hilly terrain?? According to my research.. if you want to get a zero turn that can handle hills/slopes and side mowing slopes, you need to get those high dollar commercial grade ZTRs which are a ton of money. I'd prefer to not lose control going down hill nor flipping backwards while going up hill because I sure as heck cant afford a $12k zero turn. I'm not doubting ZTRs, and I usually see commercial businesses use them, but my terrain is a big dangerous and I would also prefer to have a transmission that can handle anything.

The X590 will handle any terrain you have. I've used my 590 on some steep hills and with HDAP tires did not even have to use Diff lock- although it nice to know its there. In fact only times I've had to use Diff lock is with snow. The EFi option is really nice; tractor starts with turn of key no matter how hot or cold outside. The constant speed governor is also nice, tractor does not bog down no matter how steep the hill or thick the grass is. You will also enjoy power steering- I never thought I needed Power steering (and I did not) but once you have it, I would never own a tractor without it again. Fairly easy to service transmission and change tranny oil and filter. Option to add more implements over time ( 2 stage snow blower. Tiller, hydraulic sleeve hitch etc etc ) - 4 years bumper to bumper warranty John Deere promise- a lot to like in that package. If you are considering going that way- get to John Deere dealer today- 500 dollar rebate expires at COB today

 

[farmbuilt]

If your slopes are very steep I don't see why you would be looking at a 500 series, you should be looking at a 700 series 4x4 or similar type mower. Having free turning front wheels can be dangerous on downward facing slopes without brakes or engine/transmission braking. Using 4x4 to go down the hill is just as important as having it to get up the hill.

The k92 series transaxle uses a spin on filter about 2 cup size which is easy to reach and change.

Very true - but I cant really afford a x700 series, even the used ones are out of my range unfortunately. Lowest one I saw was an X720 with 350 hours on it, asking for 6600.

Basically my entire property is on a slight angle, not really 100% flat until you get to the very bottom, but there are several trees and I have a couple of slopes that are pretty steep on both sides. While using my current L130, I have to be very careful how I turn while going upward on those slopes, and I also have to "lean" to the side when I cut at an angle - I usually cut them at an angle, and not sideways. If I try it sideways, I risk flipping the machine. Another big slope I have, I usually have to go up and down it, because its not really possible cutting it at an angle.

I'll have to take some pictures to better describe it.

 

[farmbuilt]

The X590 will handle any terrain you have. I've used my 590 on some steep hills and with HDAP tires did not even have to use Diff lock- although it nice to know its there. In fact only times I've had to use Diff lock is with snow. The EFi option is really nice; tractor starts with turn of key no matter how hot or cold outside. The constant speed governor is also nice, tractor does not bog down no matter how steep the hill or thick the grass is. You will also enjoy power steering- I never thought I needed Power steering (and I did not) but once you have it, I would never own a tractor without it again. Fairly easy to service transmission and change tranny oil and filter. Option to add more implements over time ( 2 stage snow blower. Tiller, hydraulic sleeve hitch etc etc ) - 4 years bumper to bumper warranty John Deere promise- a lot to like in that package. If you are considering going that way- get to John Deere dealer today- 500 dollar rebate expires at COB today

Good stuff Smoothas. The more I read up on the X570/590 the more I want to buy one. So currently, on my L130, sometimes when going down one of my steeper hills hill, the tractor will just roll down at FULL speed and I cannot control it with braking (foot is off the gas). Mind you yes they are steep, but ive seen much steeper hills which people can handle with bigger machines than my L130. When I try to brake, it actually makes it go faster down hill and doesnt slow. Does this also happen with the x590? I would think not.

I am def interested in the implements, especially the tiller, cab, plow, blower, etc. I really like the fact it has the hydro lift on it. Part of the reason why I dont want a zero turn - because I can do much more with a tractor.

 

[buickanddeere]

I just pointed out the mower, it's other people that want to defend the deere name all the time. Seems the only bickering I get myself into involves someone who bleeds orange or green blood.

I don't purposely get on JD threads, I search on the trending page on my app and it pops up.

540rpm pto makes those a handy outfit to drive a standby generator.