A few JD X748 fitment questions.

[jenkinsph]

JD,
Most of us don't make the decision to buy an x7xx machine bases on fuel savings over an x5xx series. Lots of other criteria come into play, such as one you are inquiring about, on the x748 the pto uses a hydraulic clutch pack in oil as the larger tractors use. The 7xx series are larger heavier machines and that is good if you have more substancial jobs at hand. If you only have light duty tasks then I would recommend a lighter machine maybe an x310 and up with the k58 tranny.

I use my older L130 to do most of my own mowing at home because I have it and it weighs about 800 lbs less than my x749.

 

[ccsial]

I know the X7xx series is a shaft driven deck, but how is that shaft engaged? Is it still some form of an electric switch that goes bad just like the X3xx and X5xx series?

The 748 has an electerical/hydraulic clutch. There is a switch and solenoid. The PTO feathers in very smoothly when engaged. I'm pretty sure it would be more expensive to repair that a X5xx. As far as reliability between the two, I can't answer that.

 

[psdx]

The switch or solenoid are far more likely to fail than the hydraulic clutch pack. The switch and solenoid should be an easy fix, but rare. And while I'm sure it happens I've never had one of these clutches fail, nor have I ever read about one. This same type of clutch is used in my Kubota B3030 tractor and ZD331 mower - both engaged without a solenoid, and in my x575 with the solenoid. The gradual engagement with these clutches is far smoother than an electric clutch - less shock load, bathed in oil and far superior to an electric clutch by its design. ....IMHO that is....

 

[JDTank]

I just don't want to end up putting in a new switch on the X540 every 100 hours because they keep failing. I tend to disengage the mower when I am emptying the bagger, so it would likely be used 4 or 5 times per mowing.

What about the 7-Iron decks? The 7-iron on the X7xx series is a massive deck by the look of pictures. I like the idea of driving off versus sliding the deck out from the side.

Is a 7-Iron deck worth it on it's own?

 

[jenkinsph]

I have slightly over 200 hours on my pto switch and electric clutch pack on the L130. I changed the switch when I replaced the clutch at around 70 hours, If you use the start and stop the pto frequently the clutch won't last very long. The pto switch is under a higher load with the electric clutch than with the electric/hydraulic clutch in the 700 series. I would expect the switch to hold up much better therefore in the 700 series mowers.

If the pto switch were to be problematic you could rig up a solenoid relay to drive the clutch pack resulting in a very small curent going thru this pto switch.

 

[murphy1244]

Go with a simplicity you won't regret it. No replacing a clutch and switch in 70 hours..........:confused2:

 

[JDTank]

I have slightly over 200 hours on my pto switch and electric clutch pack on the L130. I changed the switch when I replaced the clutch at around 70 hours, If you use the start and stop the pto frequently the clutch won't last very long. The pto switch is under a higher load with the electric clutch than with the electric/hydraulic clutch in the 700 series. I would expect the switch to hold up much better therefore in the 700 series mowers.

If the pto switch were to be problematic you could rig up a solenoid relay to drive the clutch pack resulting in a very small curent going thru this pto switch.

Yes that is a concern of mine. Usually when mowing this yard I end up engaging and disengaging about 6 to 7 times per mowing.

The only good thing I can say about the old Craftsman they have, is the deck engagement is a manual lever connected to linkage that is connected to a pulley. You simply push the lever up, it moves the pulley forward to tighten the belts up enough so everything grabs and begins to spin. Yes, just pulling on a yellow button is much nicer and more luxurious, but it certainly seems to come at a cost.

I haven't heard of any PTO switch failures on X7xx machines, have you ever had a failure with one of these jenkinsph?

I have noticed the deck lift on the X540 is power, how is this done? Is it something like a small motor that lifts the deck up? Is this just another thing to burn out? Am I better off with a spring assisted setup?

 

[zlock24]

No, on an x540 it is hydraulic, it also has hydraulic power steering, both come from the pump in the transmission

IMO the x700 series is much heavier duty, you will never regret getting the x7xx over an x540, they are to totally different beasts

I had an x300 that only lasted 3years, my 445 (an older version of an x720) is 9 years older and runs like the day we bought it. It has racked up over 1400 hours. Also getting a 7iron deck would be a very wise choice because they will last much much longer.

If you go with an x700 series, you will never have that thought of I should have got that x700, like you will if you go with an x540

I also have another thing to say, a L130 and x700 have absolutely nothing in comin besides thd paint job

 

[jenkinsph]

First of all the reason most of these mowers use the electrical clutch setup is to be able to use the safety interlock switches. The safety constraints have to be met by all manufacturers and is easily done with switches such as the RIO for backing up, operator presence, starting with mower disengaged. So more than anything it is a liability issue for all makers.

This same pto switch is used in most of Deere's equipment and I have read nothing about these being problematic. All four of my newer tractors use this switch. I changed out the switch in my L130 when I changed the clutch but it was still working. Haven't had any problems with any of them so far.

Hydraulic power is provided by the Tuff Torq hydrostatic axle on all models that offer power steering and power lift. Starting with the K58 tranny an (H) suffix designates the optional hydraulic function. So a K58H is what is used in the new x310 model. In the x749 the larger K92H is used which provides the necessary hydraulics for the entire machine.

In all cases for the newer equipment the power deck lift utilizes a small hydraulic cylinder powered by the hydro axle assembly. I haven't had any problems with any of this so far including the 3ph, used it extensively on the x749 today clearing away about 18 inches of snow.

About the choice of mechanical deck lift vs hydraulic, I have the simple mechanical lift on my L130 works great imo. If you are considering a larger heavier deck, snowblower or 3ph you will want the hydraulics.

As I mentioned in other threads the L130 is all I really need to mow my own lawn, the x749 comes into use for other uses where my tractors can't fit or don't wan't them to track up.

 

[JDTank]

No, on an x540 it is hydraulic, it also has hydraulic power steering, both come from the pump in the transmission

IMO the x700 series is much heavier duty, you will never regret getting the x7xx over an x540, they are to totally different beasts

I had an x300 that only lasted 3years, my 445 (an older version of an x720) is 9 years older and runs like the day we bought it. It has racked up over 1400 hours. Also getting a 7iron deck would be a very wise choice because they will last much much longer.

If you go with an x700 series, you will never have that thought of I should have got that x700, like you will if you go with an x540

I also have another thing to say, a L130 and x700 have absolutely nothing in comin besides thd paint job

I have to say I think an X540 is built like a tank as well. For a gas mower, it's a pretty heavy duty machine in itself. The gas powered X7xx series is out of the question. A machine that heavy with a gas engine would drink fuel worse then a X540. Personally, I don't even think the X7xx series should be offered in gas, but that's just me. One has to remember, this is strictly for grass cutting, and towing a cart around, there will be no implements on this machine ever, on the off chance there was, it would only be a small front blade, likely once every few years, and only for a couple of hours at that. IF we get snow, it's melted by the end of the day.

I also have to consider weight. I live in British Columbia, it rains 6 to 8 months of the year here. When I am doing leaf collection in the fall, our grass is so soft your shoes sink in an inch with ever step you take. I can just imagine what a X740 that weighs 1,100 pounds would do to a wet lawn. The turf tires are pretty wide, but probably not wide enough to spread the weight out enough.

Last spring I drove on our back lawn with the neighbors 790, no load on it, and it left permanent ruts in the lawn that are still there. You can't see them, but when you go over it with the current riding mower, you definitely feel it.