How Rugged X5xx?
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Grateful11
Veteran Member
They actually have the same frame as the X300 series. We bought an X500 last
spring and was so disappointed in it used the JD Promise and returned it for
an X720. The difference between the 500 and 700 series is huge but so is the
price. If someone can swing it I'd say go for the 700 series. If we had done it
over we would have gone diesel a 27hp gas engine is mighty thirsty.
spring and was so disappointed in it used the JD Promise and returned it for
an X720. The difference between the 500 and 700 series is huge but so is the
price. If someone can swing it I'd say go for the 700 series. If we had done it
over we would have gone diesel a 27hp gas engine is mighty thirsty.
OP
ChuckinNH
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That is what I was seeing too. My land is still rough although I'll be working on that this summer. By the way, how thirsty is that 27hp? My 20 hp uses about a gallon an hour mowing, sometimes a little less, and sometimes a bit more if I'm running the collector.
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LBrown59
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x500 lawn tractor
x700 garden tractor
2305 sub compact real tractor.
Why not use what you all ready have ; the legacy and or the Kubota ?
OP
ChuckinNH
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x500 lawn tractor
x700 garden tractor
2305 sub compact real tractor.
Why not use what you all ready have ; the legacy and or the Kubota ?
JD rates the X500 as a garden tractor, and I thought it looked light, that's why I was asking. I am using the Legacy now, and have nearly 1000 hours on it. I have some medical issues that make that deck somewhat hard to remove, and reinstall as many times as I do it for maintenance. I've been reading your posts though Lee, and they make sense. Why should I remove the deck just to sharpen blades, grease, and clean under the dust covers when I can buy a new garden tractor, and get rid of the issue for several hours of use.
Has anyone had any problems with the X500, aside from outward appearences compared to the X300 and X700? I just ordered one. Looked like a decent unit. We have some older JD lawn tractors at work that take a beating and keep going. I went with JD because I thought it would be a reliable machine.
JDGREEN4ME
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I have about 60 hours on my '08 X534. I have not had any issues with it and I love the AWS.
I think the X300 series is a bit more popular. My wife preferred the X500 over the X320. Who was I to argue?
ATCtech
Member
My 2008 X540 has been 99% perfect - they did replace the electric clutch due to the known squeal issue early last summer. Otherwise as a pure lawn tractor for about 1.2 acres it's fantastic. I came from the LX-178 which last me 18 seasons.
Bob
Bob
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My uncle bought an x500 after driving my 425. He was/is very disappointed. So much so, that he prefers his 1978 cub cadet (184 or something like that). I guess he was expecting performance more like my 425, which is more like the x700 series.
jcmseven
Veteran Member
Chuck,
As you know I am on this question. I also just bought an X 720 for dad to mow with. My dad had an X360 with a 48" deck that was just a little too small for what he had to mow, so I upgraded him. I looked really hard at the X540 and there just is not enough difference to merit the cost upgrade v. one of the higher end 300 series. It is a garden tractor, but certainly is not that big a machine. They do work hard though and with the aggressive tires and the differential lock they are solid machines to be sure. The 720 is a hoss and a marked step up. Had I gotten the machine for myself I would have gotten the 740 diesel but could not justify it for dad and the number of hours he uses this machine per year. I tell people to sit on them both and if in five seconds or less the 500 series seems better, to get it. So far, no takers. The 700 series is the bomb and worth every penny of the cost difference. These are real machines and are legitimate sub compacts in four wheel drive configurations, save some hydraulic limitations. I personally would steer you away from the X 500 series, as a friend and all. See, wasn't that easy?? If you decide to buy a machine I would have no reservation about spending the additional money on a 700 series.
John
As you know I am on this question. I also just bought an X 720 for dad to mow with. My dad had an X360 with a 48" deck that was just a little too small for what he had to mow, so I upgraded him. I looked really hard at the X540 and there just is not enough difference to merit the cost upgrade v. one of the higher end 300 series. It is a garden tractor, but certainly is not that big a machine. They do work hard though and with the aggressive tires and the differential lock they are solid machines to be sure. The 720 is a hoss and a marked step up. Had I gotten the machine for myself I would have gotten the 740 diesel but could not justify it for dad and the number of hours he uses this machine per year. I tell people to sit on them both and if in five seconds or less the 500 series seems better, to get it. So far, no takers. The 700 series is the bomb and worth every penny of the cost difference. These are real machines and are legitimate sub compacts in four wheel drive configurations, save some hydraulic limitations. I personally would steer you away from the X 500 series, as a friend and all. See, wasn't that easy?? If you decide to buy a machine I would have no reservation about spending the additional money on a 700 series.
John
LBrown59
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ChuckinNH
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John, I guess in a way if you have some experience, and feel you have to ask this question then you already know the answer. I would like to believe what I read about them, but it is hard to deny what I see for the price. I think for many, they are fine, and certainly a step up from many mowers, but my demands aren't really average either. Thanks for your input.
Lee, I knew I could count on you to set us straight about nomenclature.
I would like to believe what I read about them, but it is hard to deny what I see for the price. I think for many, they are fine, and certainly a step up from many mowers, but my demands aren't really average either. Thanks for your input.Lee, I knew I could count on you to set us straight about nomenclature.
jcmseven
Veteran Member
LB,
I do not know if you have ever owned any of these machines of which we speak (I do not think you have) but you have misrepresented my statement. Your bright pink writing (cute) does not include the entirety of my statement, just the part you wish to say. The entirety of my statement includes "in four wheel drive configurations" and "save some hydraulic limitations" parts you have conveniently left out to prove a point about which I do not believe you have first hand ownership experience. Having owned three X series machines personally, and having used a 2305 on several occasions and currently owning a 2320 and a 4520, and having owned multiple pieces of JD equipment over the years I can tell you without reservation that an X series tractor will operate any piece of subcompact equipment made for the 2305 (the JD marketed SubC). In fact, many of the attachments are exactly the same. Thus on a functional level they are subcompacts in most tasks. They both operate a Limited Cat 1 hitch and the only reservation I have about the X series v. the 2305 is in the loader and hydraulics--both points I have expressed in the past. I did not say the statement as unqualified and I chose my words carefully to express my qualifications, but for all intent the four wheel drive X series machines are sub compact tractors with limited hydraulic capabilities. Please be very careful in quoting statements incorrectly, especially when doing so on a forum that does not involve equipment which you temporally own.
John M
I do not know if you have ever owned any of these machines of which we speak (I do not think you have) but you have misrepresented my statement. Your bright pink writing (cute) does not include the entirety of my statement, just the part you wish to say. The entirety of my statement includes "in four wheel drive configurations" and "save some hydraulic limitations" parts you have conveniently left out to prove a point about which I do not believe you have first hand ownership experience. Having owned three X series machines personally, and having used a 2305 on several occasions and currently owning a 2320 and a 4520, and having owned multiple pieces of JD equipment over the years I can tell you without reservation that an X series tractor will operate any piece of subcompact equipment made for the 2305 (the JD marketed SubC). In fact, many of the attachments are exactly the same. Thus on a functional level they are subcompacts in most tasks. They both operate a Limited Cat 1 hitch and the only reservation I have about the X series v. the 2305 is in the loader and hydraulics--both points I have expressed in the past. I did not say the statement as unqualified and I chose my words carefully to express my qualifications, but for all intent the four wheel drive X series machines are sub compact tractors with limited hydraulic capabilities. Please be very careful in quoting statements incorrectly, especially when doing so on a forum that does not involve equipment which you temporally own.
John M
jcmseven
Veteran Member
Chuck, I am not sure I follow. Are you potentially interested in a 500 series for personal use?? I might have missed that. I suppose my point on those machines is that the X500 series is a good machine that is not too much more tractor than the X300 series. The advantages one gets is about 100# of power unit weight, a bit more hp with a liquid cooled option in the 540 and HDAP tires and a differential lock. For ground engagement, the diff lock and bigger tires would help some, but having used both machines, the cockpit and mowing performance between the higher end 300's (320 and 360) and the 500's is pretty small. The 700 series machines offer a much heavier frame, heavier duty Kansaki transaxle with diff lock, dual stalk hydraulics, bigger tires, fuel injection option in both gas and diesel, four wheel drive option, and much better seat and operator station, higher travel speeds, heavier duty axles and PTO, and automotive headlights and taillights. They are expensive machines but the 740 I just bought cost me exactly $2000 more out the door than an X540 with equivalent mower. Amortized over a 60 month lifespan (just an arbitrary number) that equates to about $30/month, not including a better resale, especially on higher hour units or diesels. They also are not as expensive as the 2305 unless one goes with the X748 or 749, which would be similarly priced but would have similar capabilities and better functionality in some things such as snow removal and mowing. At that point, one must consider whether he needs a mower mainly or wants something to operate a small loader, and whether having the Cadillac level machine of one class is equivalent to an entry level compact. From your original post I got the impression you might be looking for a mower, but felt the 500 series might not fit your needs well. I am not against the 500 series as they are nice enough, but I believe personally JD did not do enough to separate them from a 300 series machine for the additional cost they charge. There are some items to think of though (in general):
1. Generally, and in my area as an example, the 700 series offer better resale. The 500 series would offer about the same RV as the 300 series.
2. The 700 series machines have predominantly Quick Tach attachments which are not inclusive in the 500's in the event the buyer wanted to operate some other attachments.
3. The 700 series gas engines have both a liquid cooled and fuel injected option, offering both better economy and longevity. My dad's new 740 gets better fuel economy than his X360 did (not saying a lot because both Kawasaki's use a good bit of fuel); hour for hour, and more job for job.
4. The 700 series operator station is much larger and more intuitive than the 500 series. They are a true pleasure to use.
5. The 700 series will not fit into the back of an average pickup without significant contortion (need the trailer), where the 500 series will.
6. The pricing on both models has remained quite flat over the past three years, and is expected to next year as well.
Hope this helps. I am not trying to talk you into a larger machine than you would want, but I do feel the consideration of the 700 if you are in the market for JD is reasonable. Otherwise the X360 is a sweet little tractor for mowing, and just under $5K.
John M
1. Generally, and in my area as an example, the 700 series offer better resale. The 500 series would offer about the same RV as the 300 series.
2. The 700 series machines have predominantly Quick Tach attachments which are not inclusive in the 500's in the event the buyer wanted to operate some other attachments.
3. The 700 series gas engines have both a liquid cooled and fuel injected option, offering both better economy and longevity. My dad's new 740 gets better fuel economy than his X360 did (not saying a lot because both Kawasaki's use a good bit of fuel); hour for hour, and more job for job.
4. The 700 series operator station is much larger and more intuitive than the 500 series. They are a true pleasure to use.
5. The 700 series will not fit into the back of an average pickup without significant contortion (need the trailer), where the 500 series will.
6. The pricing on both models has remained quite flat over the past three years, and is expected to next year as well.
Hope this helps. I am not trying to talk you into a larger machine than you would want, but I do feel the consideration of the 700 if you are in the market for JD is reasonable. Otherwise the X360 is a sweet little tractor for mowing, and just under $5K.
John M
Scooby074
Super Member
Im a new owner of a X540.
So far its an amazing machine. Liquid cooling is awesome. Differential lock was essential for my hilly property. Hydraulic lift and steer is a great feature that seems like an excess until you try it
Fuel economy seems very good. This machine is no more thirsty than the 20 year old Cman with an 18HP briggs IC that it replaced. So far it seems much better on fuel. Considering the fact that it has 8? more hp and is running a 10" bigger deck (not to mention im mowing at a faster pace) it seems a little counterintuitive.
Overall i highly recommend the x540. Comparing it to the X700's really isnt fair as they are a much heavier (and more expensive) machine.
My only problem so far...... the seat!!! Its reasonably comfortable, but is showing noticeable wear at the hinge point.
So far its an amazing machine. Liquid cooling is awesome. Differential lock was essential for my hilly property. Hydraulic lift and steer is a great feature that seems like an excess until you try it
Fuel economy seems very good. This machine is no more thirsty than the 20 year old Cman with an 18HP briggs IC that it replaced. So far it seems much better on fuel. Considering the fact that it has 8? more hp and is running a 10" bigger deck (not to mention im mowing at a faster pace) it seems a little counterintuitive.
Overall i highly recommend the x540. Comparing it to the X700's really isnt fair as they are a much heavier (and more expensive) machine.
My only problem so far...... the seat!!! Its reasonably comfortable, but is showing noticeable wear at the hinge point.
