430 or x748?

[PapeCAT]

Hi all,

I fell in love with JD L&G tractors back when I was 10 or 11 years old studying every page of the brochures/literature! A fanatic I indeed was.

Well at that time the 332 or 430 would have been the top of the line diesels and my dream tractors. FFWD 20 years and I just purchased my first home on 2 acres. It has a small front lawn but the back has a handful of oak trees semi sloped and the ground is full of wildflowers and weeds. I plan to get a mower to maintain / cut / keep the greenage at bay back there at least once every 3 weeks to a month. (About 1.5 acres of hogging)

Getting a 430 out on the west coast here seems to be next to impossible! There are a lot in the midwest and east coast for sale on CL but making a 4000 - 5000 mile round trip to get a 20+ year old tractor for 4000 - 9000 dollars is taking its toll on my motivation!

So far the closest 430 for sale to me is in Colorado for 9K...

430 John Deere W/LOADER

Or this one for 10K

John Deere 430 Diesel 220 hours!

Anyway, my point is that at these prices - even if I go with a cheaper 430 around 5K (with no loader) I would have to make a cross country trip or pay over a grand to have it shipped anyway.

http://ames.craigslist.org/grd/2959238385.html

Enter getting a new X748... I wouldn't be happy with a smaller x500 series FYI. I know the x700 is overkill but the 4wd would be great. And now I'm rolling into the 1023E/1026R range just a stone's throw away.

I drive a 1993 Dodge Cummins in lieu of a new diesel. That is my mode of operation. But with the comments here on how nice the new X700 series is I have to ask:

For people who have owned BOTH the older 332/430 series L&G AND a new x700 series mower, which would you recommend?

 

[bigtiller]

I had a 318 and a 322 but I never got into the diesels until the 455's came out and then the x495 and 2305. I think the 430 is my favorite of all time but the repair parts are getting almost impossible to find and for that reason I would get something newer for a primary use lawn & garden tractor. Either of the X series, 400 or 700 would be fine.

If you can find a 430, save it for the parades.

 

[PapeCAT]

Great thanks for the info Big Tiller! Parts availability is a great point. I hadn't really got wind that this was becoming an issue. Well Looking more and more like I will be making a trip out to JD soon..

Then my question will be 1026R with FEL or X74x with FEL?! Love how Deere marketing gurus keeps you rolling up to the next series. I still really prefer the old iron looks and build of the 430............... I would be OK finding a restored or rebuilt 430 that has been gone through and keeping an eye out for "parts" 430 tractors as well. Sounds like a new hobby is looming. I am a fabricator and have done many custom automotive projects including a cummins repower into a '72 Dodge W200 Power wagon Adventurer... Talk about parts being scarce! I'm used to it.

 

[bigtiller]

It's odd you ask this question today. This morning a restored 430 came up on craigs list for $5000 with less than 1000 hours on it. I am having a devil of a time talking my self out of it.

The question of 1026R verse X74_ is easy to answer, 1026R all the way. It is quite a bit heaver and has a 3PH, rear PTO and extra lights which are all expensive options on the X74_.

 

[PapeCAT]

oh wow that looks like an amazing deal. Wish it was local I'd be on my way over to pick it up right now...

 

[XSKIER]

Easy! Broaden your search to include 455, X495, X595, X740, X748, 655, 755, 4100, 4110, 4115, 2210, or 2305. Hand directional control is no fun anyway.

 

[PapeCAT]

Wow thank you so much for the advice X Skier! The x495 from 2003 looks just like the new x7__ series?!

 

[mjncad]

The OP is already finding out what I learned back in 2001; that all the good quality used machinery is generally in a north-south line beginning in Kansas and points east.

Trying to find good quality used stuff from Colorado and points west is difficult. Now if that Colorado 430 was a 455, I'd be checking that puppy out for myself as Loveland is a relatively easy drive from my house.

As others have said, a 1000 series might be a better choice from a bang for your buck standpoint.

Either way, I think new is in your future.

 

[PapeCAT]

Thanks for all the advice. After I make room this week with my Rock Crawler and Harley sold, I will be on my way to the JD dealership. A new 1026R has my name on it.

Thanks!

 

[PapeCAT]

Hi all,

Just an update. After spec research and trips to all the local dealers (Deere, MF, Bobcat, Kioti, Mahindra, Kubota, Branson) I dragged home a Branson 2800H today with FEL and box scraper.

I purchased a GT18 Craftsman with 44" deck for mowing for now until I get a brush hog.

Let the fun begin!

If anyone wants to know more about what I thought about the other tractors or how I got to my decision on the Branson let me know.