Hi, All,
I currently have a 3520 with various implements, but it is
simply too big for cutting 2 acres. I bought a Grasshopper D928 front
mount with a 60" deck and mulching kit (I always mulch) and rotary broom
for light snow removal and for adding that finishing touch after plowing snow.
The Grasshopper is a really! nice machine, but is prone to leaving
wheel marks when starting at the bottom of a slope and traveling up -
regardless of how careful one is. It's a minor thing.
The better thing is that the 60" does NOT offer the fine cut, mulching
ability, and lack of under-deck buildup that the Deere 7-Iron does on
the 3520. But the 3520 has a turning radius of a 747 compared to the Grasshopper
and cutting takes a good hour longer - not to mention the R4's leaving their
marks on those tight turns around trees, etc.
Thought about the 997 as a replacement, but the 997 cuts grass and that's all.
The X749 looked really nice, except for the 62" deck - had the 60" version
on the 4115 we traded in on the 3520. Spend untold hours trying to
remedy the clumping, poor cut, blow-out, etc. The 748 offers the
60" 7-Iron, but NO 4WS/AWS.
I sent a note to Deere. The text follows:
---------------------------------------
The two features that the X749 lacks which keeps me from a purchase are:
1) the lack of the 7-Iron series deck; the 60" deck is my preference. The mulching
kit is a must for me; and
2) replace the indirect injection Yanmar diesel engine with a direct injection diesel
engine - perhaps, the engine from the 'old' 4115 or the newer 2520. It offers
superior emissions control and better fuel economy along with the torque and
power required to enable the X749 to handle long, steep gradients when mowing
without bogging down and to handle the HD-60" rotary broom in wet snow
conditions; and to handle the power requirements for air conditioning
in a X749 equipped with a cab.
Perhaps, such an equipped X749 could become a new model, the X759.
Introduce such a likely equipped model and I'll buy it in a heartbeat!
-----------------------------------------
I simply cannot say enough good things about the 7-Iron deck for
cutting quality; mulching ability; lack of buildup; clumping; and so forth.
The Yanmar direct injection series of engines are top-notch, in my opinion.
They are frugal with the fuel; have allot of torque; and just keep on running.
Not that the indirect injection engines are bad - I simply prefer the direct
injection engines.
I really enjoy the rotary broom when doing snow removal. It leaves
a nice clean walkway or driveway. And using it on something that can
maneuver like a ZTR or AWS (X749) is an experience - versus running
back-and-forth with the tractor.
The X700 series is definitely a niche market - a properly outfitted
one costs almost as much as a 3x20 series. But, it has its place.
I hope Deere makes one like I want.
Cheers!
Lon
I currently have a 3520 with various implements, but it is
simply too big for cutting 2 acres. I bought a Grasshopper D928 front
mount with a 60" deck and mulching kit (I always mulch) and rotary broom
for light snow removal and for adding that finishing touch after plowing snow.
The Grasshopper is a really! nice machine, but is prone to leaving
wheel marks when starting at the bottom of a slope and traveling up -
regardless of how careful one is. It's a minor thing.
The better thing is that the 60" does NOT offer the fine cut, mulching
ability, and lack of under-deck buildup that the Deere 7-Iron does on
the 3520. But the 3520 has a turning radius of a 747 compared to the Grasshopper
and cutting takes a good hour longer - not to mention the R4's leaving their
marks on those tight turns around trees, etc.
Thought about the 997 as a replacement, but the 997 cuts grass and that's all.
The X749 looked really nice, except for the 62" deck - had the 60" version
on the 4115 we traded in on the 3520. Spend untold hours trying to
remedy the clumping, poor cut, blow-out, etc. The 748 offers the
60" 7-Iron, but NO 4WS/AWS.
I sent a note to Deere. The text follows:
---------------------------------------
The two features that the X749 lacks which keeps me from a purchase are:
1) the lack of the 7-Iron series deck; the 60" deck is my preference. The mulching
kit is a must for me; and
2) replace the indirect injection Yanmar diesel engine with a direct injection diesel
engine - perhaps, the engine from the 'old' 4115 or the newer 2520. It offers
superior emissions control and better fuel economy along with the torque and
power required to enable the X749 to handle long, steep gradients when mowing
without bogging down and to handle the HD-60" rotary broom in wet snow
conditions; and to handle the power requirements for air conditioning
in a X749 equipped with a cab.
Perhaps, such an equipped X749 could become a new model, the X759.
Introduce such a likely equipped model and I'll buy it in a heartbeat!
-----------------------------------------
I simply cannot say enough good things about the 7-Iron deck for
cutting quality; mulching ability; lack of buildup; clumping; and so forth.
The Yanmar direct injection series of engines are top-notch, in my opinion.
They are frugal with the fuel; have allot of torque; and just keep on running.
Not that the indirect injection engines are bad - I simply prefer the direct
injection engines.
I really enjoy the rotary broom when doing snow removal. It leaves
a nice clean walkway or driveway. And using it on something that can
maneuver like a ZTR or AWS (X749) is an experience - versus running
back-and-forth with the tractor.
The X700 series is definitely a niche market - a properly outfitted
one costs almost as much as a 3x20 series. But, it has its place.
I hope Deere makes one like I want.
Cheers!
Lon
