Can't decide X748 or 2305

[bill in ny]

i thought lawn mowers were for short grass, and brush hog's were for the taller grass. people around here cut 18" grass with brush hog's.

 

[Builder]

I really think the right thing for you to do is purchase the X749 with 3pt and PTO and a 4' bush hog. You'll have the best of everything this way and be properly outfitted for all situations.

I like your idea, but a 48" bush hog is too small of a cutting swath. In fact 60" is the minimum I could use. Would love to have a small sickle mower for cutting along a gulley & stream, though.

I am about to include the PTO & 3 pt lift amrs for a spreader or other implements.

 

[Builder]

i thought lawn mowers were for short grass, and brush hog's were for the taller grass. people around here cut 18" grass with brush hog's.

Yes, I'm guilty of trying to build a "swiss army knife" tractor. However, I think the 7-iron and a 24HP diesel should be able to cut ~3-4 acres of 18" tall grass. I will use my flail to cut the 6-7 acre field. I also have to be able to cut my own 3 acre lawn and a few other large lawn areas.

 

[arrabil]

but a 48" bush hog is too small of a cutting swath. In fact 60" is the minimum I could use.

The X749 has 18HP at the PTO so it may be able to run a 5'. I'm thinking weight way behind the tractor would be the issue at that size.

Keep in mind though, with really tall grass and weeds, I bet you can bush hog at 4' faster than you could finish cut at 5'. So while the cutting width is smaller, I bet you'd actually be done faster.

 

[Gittyup]

I'm speaking from a position of ignorance here (I really don't know), but what evidence exists that the 7-iron is less prone to clogging?

The drive over deck seems like a really nice idea, but the other deck is very easy to install and take off. Just rotate the gauge wheels, disconnect the shaft and pins and roll out from under the tractor. It takes less than 5 minutes with no tools (assuming it's nearly identical to my 425), and no lifting.

Are you planning to always let the grass grow to 18" before cutting? Wouldn't it just be easier to cut it more often. 18" is really a bush hog task. And can't you put a 5' bush hog behind a 749? Or use the flail mower for that task?

Arrabil makes some good points too. The 749 does allow for front weights if needed to balance out a bush hog.

 

[Builder]

I know some of you are scratching your heads about the tall grass. I have a customer who can't pay to cut every 1 or 2 weeks. they want to wait for every 3-4 weeks, so grass ends up 18" high sometimes. Picture a long rectangle of 11 acres. A very windy stream cuts right through the middle. I cut along both sides as close as possible with flail mower behind my M-7040. However, inevitably there's still a swath along the stream where it twists around and there's a couple horse paddocks too small to cut with my 7040. Then there's about 2-3 acres of garss cut 1X per week I will also be cutting.

So it's tought to explain, but the tractor will mostly be used for normal grass cutting. But I have to be able to cut a few acres of 18" tall grass every 3-4 weeks.

I also think the 7-iron is a tougher, deeper, less baffled longer lasting mower deck that will stand the test of time better than a 62C. Drive over feature is icing on cake for when I want to snowblow or rototill, etc.

I do have some evidence that 7 iron is less prone to clog by others who have operated both and said 7 iron stays much cleaner. It should, it's a more volumous deck with fewer obstructions.

 

[arrabil]

evidence that 7 iron is less prone to clog

I do all my mowing while bagging. Unless it rained that day and I'm going really fast, I never have clogs. And I mow the septic field every two weeks when its 12" tall. I honestly can't even understand what someone is saying about the regular deck clogging if they're not bagging. Where does it clog exactly?

Now, when I bought my X475, I asked the salesman about the 62c. He said only the diesel models had enough power to spit that much grass, particularly if you're bagging it. So if thats what people mean by clogging.... then you don't have to worry about it already.... you're getting the diesel model.

All I'm trying to say is that you may be very happy with the regular deck. I don't know that I'd be as concerned about it. I would look at it from the perspective of: do I or don't I want AWS. If yes, then don't fret the deck. If no, get a 7iron because you want a 7iron.

But I still think you'd be better off bush hogging a smaller path at a faster speed. You will be crawling on 18" regardless of 7iron or 62c (it will bog even the diesel motor at any faster speed, I guarantee it).

 

[Builder]

Seemes like a lot of guys have told me the 7-iron is a taller/deeper deck with less obstructions, so it doesn't clog as easily. Maybe I shouldn't be saying "clog", but should be saying it needs cleaned less often. Obviously, it should hold up to striking objects better, too.

 

[arrabil]

I pulverize rocks every time I mow....

I really think you're deciding between 14k gold and 22kt gold.

 

[doall]

I have a 737 w/ the 7 iron deck and it doesn't get clogged up underneath unless the grass is really wet.(when I shouldn't be mowing anyway) I don't believe you could bend it by running into anything; it will just scoot your mower over if you hit something that weighs more than your mower.