Mowing Help me justify a new X530

[rekees4300]

It's hard to justify a new mower when the one you have is in good shape. I generally don't replace stuff until I start spending more time/money fixing than using. Try to keep my needs separated from my wants but that's not always easy.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with Deere Dude.
When I bought my first JD425, I didn't "need" it as the JD212 was in good working condition and kept in good shape.
But looking back, I found I could cut lawn in 2-3 hours, instead of 8 hrs. I could add a leaf collector and could stop raking leaves and dragging them off on a tarp. I could mow hillsides that were near impossible before. I could do so many more things with more ease than before and the 425 was so much more fun to drive.
Same happened when I moved from a 2-cyl JD 420 to the JD 4300 with FEL. That opened up a whole new era for me, and so glad I made the move.

 

[VABlue]

Do you 'need' it? No. The only questions are: 1) can you afford it?; 2) is the SO good with it?; 3) will you get use out of it?

Answer those three with a 'yes' and go purchase the thing! But you also mentioned a BX with a FEL, so I have to recommend going that route. Whether its a BX, or a JD 23xx model doesn't matter - they're evenly matched and it only comes down to your comfort on either one. But the FEL option won't cost you much more and would add a tremendously HUGE amount of usability to the machine. You have no idea how much you'll use that FEL (for every imaginable purpose) until you have it. If you can swing that money, get something with a FEL!

 

[jenkinsph]

Some times I get sick of trying to justify everything. If I had to justify everything I bought I would have nothing. If you want it and you aren't taking from the table or the house-payments to get it, just buy the thing and enjoy it. If it's a nice tractor like the 530 you won't regret it.

I agree with this.
The OP just needs to decide what his "wants" are, I prefer to mow a nice lawn with a dedicated mower. Tractors with fels and ballasting can damage a lawn.