Tractor Sizing Help Sizing/Upgrading John Deere Lawn Tractor

[jdmark]

Hello,

I am new to this forum so please bare with me as I do my best and I appreciate any feedback anyone has to offer.

I am really sorry but this post is double posted as the initial post was not in the John Deere Buying/Pricing category and I cannot figure out how to delete the other post or if it is possible. I am just looking for as much help as I can get on this and want to make sure the post gets in the right spot..

I am looking to upgrade my lawn tractor. I would like to upgrade to another John Deere as they have been reliable for my family for a long time (father, grandfather). I am John Deere dedicated ;-)

My current lawn tractor is a Deere X320, which works great for mowing and some light material hauling (wood chips, landscape supplies etc..). I put on about 50 hrs a year currently with mowing and landscaping work.

I only have to mow a 1/2 acre but it is very steep (all of it, there is not one flat spot really) and though the X320 works great for mowing, when going up the hill with a 17P utility cart can sometimes be challenging depending what I am hauling. Even with 2 rear weights the tires don't grab all the time and there are times where I have not been able to make it up the hill and have had empty carty halfway and make multiple trips (pain in the rear). I am concerned about adding more wieight (if it is possible) or HDAP tires as I don't want to burn out the tranny or tear up the lawn too bad (if the tires do spin).

So here is what I am looking for a lawn tractor to do and any insight from anyone is welcome and appreciated as I do not want to under do this or over do it.

Questions:
1. I would like something that can easily pull a 17p utility cart full of dirt or gravel up a steep slope (say 30-40 degree slope roughly)?

2. I am in Southeastern Wisconsin so I would like something that can handle all of my snow removal needs using a blade. I know some poeple might disagree but I will use the blade for snow removal and light landscaping purposes so it is more functional than a blower at this point. My drive is not very large 45 feet long by 40 feet wide, relatively flat with plenty of room to pile snow on the side. I would like something that can plow through the 2 feet of snow the plow leaves at the end of the drive.

3. I am also thinking of using the tractor and blade to clear sidewalks and driveways in the neighboorhood as some side work. The blade would make this go much faster than having to blow the snow.

4. I would also like it to be able to handle more attachments someday, rear tiller and some other PTO attachments.


So I think that covers most of what I am thinking and I apologize for the long post but I am really up in the air at this point.

I was originally considering a 4WD Deere X728, then thought maybe the X748 to go with the Diesel because I have been reading that it will last longer and have a little more pushing and pulling power??? Then I thought maybe I am overkilling this and could get by with a X540 or something in that range. I need to manuever around a 1/2 acre yard and mow so I am thinking 54" deck so I can still get around everything easily. I want to be able to get the mowing done as well as all of the other things mentioned above.

I also don't want to look silly in the nieghboorhood mowing a 1/2 acre yard with a giant tractor.

I will wrap up with this, my motto is always go big or go home, but I don't want to go to big in this case....whatever that may be. I would like to keep the cost under the price of say a new X748 or in that ballpark I guess.

If I am missing any info please ask a question and I will respond. Sorry for such a long post and a big thanks to anyone who can help provide some info to me so I can decide what to do...

 

[chevyman29]

what you need is the 1026r then you will be future proof. i dont no if it hits your price range or not but i do believe it is in the sweet spot as far as size a ability goes for what your needing

 

[chevyman29]

i just looked at some pricing on the x series mowers and WOW i would definitly be looking at the subcompact tractors

 

[glc24]

what you need is the 1026r then you will be future proof. i dont no if it hits your price range or not but i do believe it is in the sweet spot as far as size a ability goes for what your needing

I agree with chevyman29.
Especially, if you were thinking along the lines of the X748. Cost,and size,these two are pretty darn close. The 1026R will definitely give you more bang for your buck,and will be much more versatile for your future attachments .:thumbsup:



JohnDeere X748 Select Series X700 Lawn Tractors JohnDeere.com


JohnDeere 1026R 1 Series Sub-Compact Utility Tractors JohnDeere.com

Greg

 

[Deere Dude]

For a half acre, go with the smaller setup. I have a 740 diesel and I love it for blading , snowblowing, rototilling and it can pull a ton. Maybe that 4wd would work our better on a hill, but I run chains on mine and I never have problems.

I have a 3720 that is going to get parked this year and I am going to blow snow with the 740 because it doesn't make such a mess of everything. Diesels will be a lot better with fuel usage, but I am sure they cost more up front.

 

[jdmark]

Thanks for the feedback everyone....

My only concern with a Sub Compact is the ability to mow around obstacles, trees, mulch beds, etc... I will have to check on the specks of turning radius and whether or not a sub compact will handle mowing on slopes as well as something like and x7xx series. I thought I saw something once from a sub compact owner that they are not as stable mowing on steep slopes as an x5xx or x7xx series would be....I dont know though I have never owned any of them..

Again thanks for the feedback thus far...any more thoughts just throw em at me..

 

[chevyman29]

if you can demo a 1026 i think you will find it to be very agile and able to get in to some tight places to me its like a x series on steroids . my 2520 was plenty stable on hills even with no water in the tires .

 

[jenkinsph]

I use an x749 to work where the 4520 won't fit for landscaping work and am very satisfied with it. The four wheel steer makes this very manueverable and is why I chose it over the subcompacts. Traction with the HDAP tires is very good and it can go up and down steep slopes with out problems. Pulling your cart should be a piece of cake. The 3PH and 540 pto work well too and enable me to handle a variety of landscape jobs from boxblading, tilling, chipping to raking pine needles and leaves.

 

[C-Range]

It sounds to me like you are the perfect customer for the X534 4 wheel steering tractor. The 4WS is an excellent poor mans 4WD. I know because I own a 4WS. Go drive a conventional X on a hill at your dealer and then immediately get on a 4WS of the same range of machine. You will be amazed at how well they keep traction turning uphill from cross camber (when most traction problems happen).

The X5xx series are garden tractors, not just lawn tractors, so you can attach 3PT PTO implements. Pulling trailers of gravel are all in a days work.

The X7xx and 10xx series tractors are awesome, but definitely large by your standard.

 

[revitupfaster]

I have an X495 diesel, with a 62C mower deck. I think the x495 is in the same class as the 700 series today. This unit works great for mowing. When I originally purchased the outfit, I also bought the JD 54" blade and quickhitch, to plow snow. I live in southern Ontario, not far from Buffalo NY, and we really don't get all that much snow, although we can get the odd 12" dumping every now and then.

The x495 is only a 2wd and it wasn't long before I had a set of chains on it, and all in all it did a pretty decent job. The problem was that for one of the 10-12" dumpings, because the tractor isn't all that heavy (this is what makes it a great grass cutter) it would slide off line depending which way the plow was angled. This was very frustrating, and really added to the time required to clear the snow.

I also had a Yanmar 27hp diesel which was 4wd, but it had no loader or any other means of pushing snow, so I traded it in on a JD 2520. At the same time I traded in the Quickhitch from the X495 for the proper hitch to use the blade on the 2520. Another of my goals was to hopefully be able to plow the snow withough having to use chains. Following suggestions from forum members, I also purchased a ballast box for the 2520, as I was told it would make a significant difference.

Difference.....wow, with the ballast box on, I rarely even use 4wd on the 2520when plowing, even without chains. That added weight over the rear wheels really helps.

My feelings are that to plow snow effectively, you need a tractor with weight, and preferably weight over the rear wheels, like a ballast box. To me, this adds as much to the plowing ability as 4wd. The other side of the coin is that a lighter tractor like my x495 is a lot more manouveravable around things, (don't know if I spelled that right) and easier on your lawn.

If you can justify it, I think a 1026 series would be your best bet to do both jobs. You will still have to be careful mowing in soggy conditions, and possibly have to use chains for plowing, given the terrain you describe. There are also a ton of attachments available.

Do yourself a favour, and make sure you get the loader with it. Believe my, that's the way to go. I actually bought my 2520 primarily for the loader, and I can't count the times I said to myself "I should have had one of these years ago"

Sorry for the long post, but thats my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Unfortunately, you are in the same boat as I when it comes to mowing. To me, there is a very large jump in price, weight, cost of attachments, traction, etc. between something like the X40. As you go up in size, things like a collection system ( must have for me), and snowblowers get more expensive, are heavier, and become more difficult to install, and remove. The collection system for my Kubota looks like it would support a backhoe, and take a day to put on though I might be wrong about that. I have installed, and removed the collection system, and reinstalled it three times in a day when I am dethatching in the spring, and picking up the thatch with the collector. I have a Simplicity Legacy, and that is about the same size as a JD X7xx series though it is hard to pin down things like tractor weight. (some weights are given with the mower deck, and some without. I have over 700 hours on it so far, and have found the weight to be close to ideal for traction, and stability. I had a smaller Simplicity before that which I put 1500 hours on. It was supposed to weigh just a couple hundred pounds less than the Legacy, but I doubt that it did. Folks complain about belt drive machines, but that was never an issue for me in mowing my hilly acerage. ( I mow something over 3 acres on a regular basis) The iimplements for that were less money, and went on, and off perhaps even more easily than on my Legacy. The MSRP on Legacy XL's, and the JD X700 series is about the same, but you will find the Legacy discounted much more on the street. Both use the same transaxle. Speaking of that, you will want to look at the PTO on both the JD, and Legacy........ looks pretty tough to get to, and some mechanics at the dealerships I frequent will agree that you have to be pretty limber....... not me. I think I would end up pulling the rear tire off if it were me working on it. Though it is lighter, and belt drive, the JD X500 series, and Simplicity Prestige I would think they would work given lower expectations for longevity. The mower decks, and other attachments are a snap to install compared to the larger machines. Which to buy? Well, I like the JD X500 series, and Prestige, but when I go look at them I always think the heavier machines are just better for heavy use, and certainly for "busting through" snow banks, or hauling a heavy load of dirt up (and down) hills, and I feel I would be taking a step backwards from what I have with the lighter machines. Dealers might be more likely to take in trade for a reasonable price the JDX700's than the smaller machines though I have found lately that they really don't want to take anything in trade so perhaps that doesn't matter so much. The thing here is that the happier you are with the mower, the less likely you will be to want to trade it any time soon.

 

[jd3x]

From the attached posts you seem to be having issues justifying a blower. If you budget allows, you won't be sorry. I have both blade and blower on a JD425. I never use the blade on the snow. The first few snows I back blade with the blower to seal in the garvel.

When clearing snow, the snow gets dealt with once and you don't have to worry about having to move it again. If you are a little tight on room in some spots, just adjust the chute and throttle back the engine speed the reduce the distance your throwing the snow, or buy a chute deflector attachment.

I hope my input helps with your decision.

Don't work harder, work smarter.
JD3X:thumbsup:

 

[Dutch445]

lots of debate about blade vs blower. i'm always a fan
of the blower, but you know your driveway and if the blade
will work then that's your choice.
I would not think the X5 series would be the best for hauling
that cart up the hill. I have an X585 (today it's the X728) and
I have hills here, and taking my 17 cart up my steepest hill loaded
with just mulch got me in trouble, and i have chains on. I was in 2wd
(not an option with the new 728) but my rears wouldn't hold the
tractor/wagon on the hill. did i say it was steep? (i guess i shouldn't
expect it to hold) normally I get on top and get crossways where
it isn't so steep. I did start sliding backwards though, and that gave me
a little pucker. I put in 4wd and climbed back up to the flatter top portion.
I know the lighter X5 series would have been a train wreck!

As for snow, i think an X7, 4wd, with proper ballast (loaded tires, wheel
weights, and/or rear bracket and weights) would do fine for any snow you get.
sure a compact or sub will be better, but it is a much bigger machine to mow with.
but, if you want 3ph stuff, tiller etc, adding rear pto and cat1 3ph is quite
expensive for the X7, so maybe a sub would be a reasonable choice.
lots to think about, but as you see, lots of opinions at TBN so read thru and
sort thru it and before you know it you will be enjoying your new purchase.
good luck, keep us posted.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I would like to upgrade to another John Deere as they have been reliable for my family for a long time (father, grandfather). I am John Deere dedicated ;-)
2*Questions:
1. I would like something that can easily pull a 17p utility cart full of dirt or gravel up a steep slope (say 30-40 degree slope roughly)?
2. I am in Southeastern Wisconsin so I would like something that can handle all of my snow removal needs using a blade. I know some poeple might disagree but I will use the blade for snow removal and light landscaping purposes so it is more functional than a blower at this point. My drive is not very large 45 feet long by 40 feet wide, relatively flat with plenty of room to pile snow on the side. I would like something that can plow through the 2 feet of snow the plow leaves at the end of the drive.
3. I am also thinking of using the tractor and blade to clear sidewalks and driveways in the neighboorhood as some side work. The blade would make this go much faster than having to blow the snow.
4. I would also like it to be able to handle more attachments someday, rear tiller and some other PTO attachments.

1*I would not limit my chances to come up with the best/correct solution by being that way.
2*One of these would take care of these concerns quite well.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

Quick check of the classifieds section, there is this:

John deere 425 in Fenton, MI - TractorByNet.com

Already has the plow, mower deck and 3pt with PTO.

Looks in good shape and it's a fellow TBN'er selling.

Tom

 

[commok]

I faced a similar problem - have about 3/4ac to mow, and some steep slopes to tackle when doing so. I started with an x540, which could handle most slopes if I went up them in a straight line without turning, but even with the locked differential would sometimes churn up the turf. I was living with it for a few weeks, then one day I tried to pull my 17p loaded with firewood up a slope and the tires just churned. I was faced with the knowledge that the tractor, despite being a sweet machine, was just not right for me and my landscape, so I bit the bullet, and had my dealer take the x540 back within the 30days and got an x728, and couldn't be happier. Never even breathes hard mowing or towing up the slopes and with the 4wd never loses traction, or even churn the turf, even in sharp turns up the slopes. I'd like a 1026 for loader work but with my mowing being the predominant use of my machine, and a bunch of trees to mow under and around, the x7xx series is right for me.

 

[Dutch445]

I faced a similar problem - have about 3/4ac to mow, and some steep slopes to tackle when doing so. I started with an x540, which could handle most slopes if I went up them in a straight line without turning, but even with the locked differential would sometimes churn up the turf. I was living with it for a few weeks, then one day I tried to pull my 17p loaded with firewood up a slope and the tires just churned. I was faced with the knowledge that the tractor, despite being a sweet machine, was just not right for me and my landscape, so I bit the bullet, and had my dealer take the x540 back within the 30days and got an x728, and couldn't be happier. Never even breathes hard mowing or towing up the slopes and with the 4wd never loses traction, or even churn the turf, even in sharp turns up the slopes. I'd like a 1026 for loader work but with my mowing being the predominant use of my machine, and a bunch of trees to mow under and around, the x7xx series is right for me.

wow, thanks for the input! sounds like we both would look past
the X5 series.

so, X728 or 1023E or 1026R,
decisions decision....

 

[jdmark]

Ok,
First off I want to truly thank everyone for being so helpful. I have read through all of the posts and got something out of all of them.

I went to the JD Dealer and priced a X728, X748, 1023e, 1026r. I think most of these would be a good fit and according to the Deere dealer based on my situation they seemed to think any of them would work for me. As well I know some of you here have recommended these models, and I think any of them would work for me.

If in the future if I wanted to add a PTO and 3PT hitch to the 728 or 748, I would be almost at the price of a 1023 or 1026 (which comes with that stuff standard). Also the dealer did tell me that the 3PT hitch on the x7xx series was not a catergory 1 (I believe he said it was a category 0??if that makes sense) and most attachments would require a category 1, if I were to rent an attachment from a rental place in the future. Not sure what the difference is and it was not all that important because the price point between a 728/748 with the same features as a 1023/1026 was so close that I went with the 1023E.

I did not need the extra features of the 1026r or the few extra hp as the 23hp diesel in the 1023e will be plenty for what I need.I also was not concernced about the arm rests or lights as I would not be out too many late nights, I can also add alight kit to the 1023e later if need be. I just could not pass it up, looking at the 728/748 next to the 1023e it just made sense to go with the sub compact for the all around versatility and the very minimal price difference over a 728 or 748.

So I have placed an order for a 1023e with quick hitch and 54" front blade, and a 54" mower deck. Seeing as I don't have a huge yard but have some trees and mulch beds to mow around I think the smaller deck will suit my needs better. The 1023e is very agile and should be able to mow everything I need it to, plus do the grunt work around the yard. Snow removal and up steep slopes with cart should be a piece of cake. Plus I have some unfiinished yard projects, still need to put grass in the back 1/4 acre of yard, never did that since I finished building (still just a mowed down field). Now I can till it, power rake it, and plant grass.

I also have bunches of other ideas to put the 1023e to work and keep me on it. Snow removal in the neighboorhood would be one good use and could bring in some side $$. My wife was hoping that the 1023e would cut snow removal time in half over the walk behind snowblower,I am thinking it could take longer, I can't imagine I will want to stop playing in the snow;-)

I will post a few pics once I get it (couple weeks).
Thanks for the input everyone, even if I did not go with your suggestion I still took it into consideration and appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out.

 

[chevyman29]

hey that is great you should really enjoy it .

 

[revitupfaster]

As I said in my previous post, make sure you get a ballast box for the new rig. For the couple of hundred dollars it costs, the added traction benefit when plowing snow is, in my opinion, simply amazing. I actually tried plowing the first snowfall without the BB on, and after I did put it on, I really never would have believed the difference if I hadn't seen it for myself.

Here's a couple of pics of my 2520 with the ballast box and blade, after a snowfall last year. As you can see, the banks are pretty much 5 feet high, I certainly was impressed.

REV