Mowing thinking of buying x739

[Stephen_Byers]

My first post to a JD forum! I am very close to purchasing my first JD, x739 with 60"HC deck, upgrading from a Cub Cadet GT2550 that I've had 15 years. I lived far too long with the Cub GT. I faithfully cleaned its deck, but it was always clogged, even at the sight of rain. I always had to wait until 2pm on the driest day of the week before I could mow. When the day to upgrade would come, I always assumed that I needed to get some sort of zero-turn because of all the clogging issues. I wanted the speed and high RPMs of the ZT blades so that I could mow whatever the conditions were (think, Exmark Lazer-Z). However, pulling large cartloads, dealing with difficult terrain and the desire to plow snow, I think I need a 4WD garden tractor rather than zero-turn, so x739 seems to fit the bill.

1. I wonder if some x700 owners could comment performance in damp grass. I'm not talking about mowing while it's raining. Just an 8am mowing on a dry Saturday morning in the summer with a little dew still on the grass. Never had a shaft to the deck before.

2. Anybody using the mulching option -- and how well does that work? I might use that up near the house and then regular mowing through yard. I mow about 2.0 acres total.

3. I've read others on the forum talk about x739's whining sound, and I'm wondering if everyone is in agreement on how annoying it is, or is that just a few people's opinion? I don't think I'd let this get in the way of a good purchase.

4. What is the fastest that you can mow? Can you go at full speed?

5. Happy with reliability?

Thanks so much!

 

[Eric102]

My X739 is turning 5 next month, still love it!

1) I run the 54HC deck on mine and damp grass is not an issue and I'm in the soggy Pacific Northwest. Grass residue will gradually build up under the deck so its wise to scrape it off occasionally which is easy with the drive over deck and the optional auto connect which I highly recommend.

2) I have the bolt on mulch kit (not the mulch on demand) and use it most of the season, hardly ever see any clippings unless the grass gets crazy long. In early spring and fall I bag to pick up leaves, small sticks, small cones etc. and even use it to suck up stuff off my crushed rock driveway!

3) Haven't really noticed the whining being unusually loud but I've always had hydro tractors and they all whine to some extent. What really makes the the noise is the deck at full throttle, you will want ear protection!

4) I mow slow since I have lots of trees, landscape borders, bumps etc (hence the AWS AWD) so no idea on mowing fast but can't imagine being able to do it at full speed, its a fairly fast tractor.

5) Only issue with mine was a leaky manifold gasket (coolant) at 4 1/2 years, good thing I opted in on the extended warranty at the end of 4 years.

These are awesome snow plows, have never needed chains or weights on mine.

 

[chevy]

I am on my 3rd summer with my X739. I have no complaints.

I have a 60" deck. I do not have a mulching kit, but I do use Gator blades all the time. I do not normally mow when the grass is damp, but if I do I have not had any problems.

I have not noticed any whining noise on mine.

The speed you mow will depend a lot on how smooth or rough your yard is. I have lots of things to mow around, so I not go at full speed.

 

[turbo36]

I have 2 739’s , previously I had an X749. Can’t say enough about how much I enjoy the X739’s.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a x744, dad has a x749, and the neighbor uses a x700. They all have that whine sound but we all use hearing protection anyways. All have the 62" deck and side chute clippings. The one place the clipping stick is right at the rear of the deck outlet. After mowing, just scrape that small area out. They are mowing machines. Our lawns are not smooth enough for flat out speed.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Any deck with bearings will have a whiney sound, especially if they are in the latter stages of bearing life.

 

[ruffdog]

Any deck with bearings will have a whiney sound, especially if they are in the latter stages of bearing life.

Actually, after listening closer to the neighbor's x700, it is more of a whistle sound that I think comes from the deck gearbox.

 

[gjsnow]

Great machine.
I have a 2013 with only 170 hours that I use year round. I run a 60HC deck, powerflow 14 bushel bagger for the lawn, a large peco 50 cubic ft. with a subaru pony motor for the leaves, and a 54 snowblower for the snow with a cab. I bought a blade and used it once. It was fabulous.
I try to cut when the lawn is dry but if wet, no issues.
It has been extremely reliable. I have the original battery. I use a trickle charger on it year round.
It mows fast but to get the best quality cut, don’t go crazy fast, make sure the blades are sharp, and be certain that the deck is level with the proper pitch.
You won’t regret your purchase.
GJSnow.

 

[Stephen_Byers]

Some great info here, thanks everyone for the responses. I did make the purchase this morning! I got the 60HC with the mulch control option for the deck. I will probably buy a snowblade and quick-hitch used off Craigslist. Can anyone confirm that there are no issues with putting an x500-series quick hitch onto an x700-series? I saw a youtube video claiming this, but wondering if there are any disadvantages. Thanks again!

 

[Deere Dude]

Some great info here, thanks everyone for the responses. I did make the purchase this morning! I got the 60HC with the mulch control option for the deck. I will probably buy a snowblade and quick-hitch used off Craigslist. Can anyone confirm that there are no issues with putting an x500-series quick hitch onto an x700-series? I saw a youtube video claiming this, but wondering if there are any disadvantages. Thanks again!

If it's on Youtube it has to be right. LOL. That would be a question for a dealer. I really doubt they would be the same. I have no doubt you will love the X7XX tractor.