JD X500 vs X700?

[lispro]

All prices are from the JD and kubota sites. Currently there is an offer for $300 off the X500 and $350 off the x700. 0% financing is available for the 2305 and the Kubota. I am hoping to pay 85-90% of list price. Is this realistic?

 

[nmu98]

7-9% off is probably average. 11-14% off is great. over 15% off is really good!

I would check around, in this economy, dealers are either keeping prices high, or giving away the farm. There does not seem to be much in between.

 

[jenkinsph]

lispro, hold firm for 15% off, anyone watching the news should know that purchases like $10,000 dollar lawnmowers will fall short this year. You should get that and 0% financing. The prices for all of this stuff are overinflated IMHO.



Steve

 

[AKfish]

It seems to me that most buyers of lawn equipment do not get the same discount from MSRP that buyers of CUTS generally get.

15% is kinda the "threshhold" for a pretty good deal on a CUT. With some buyers gettin' in on 18%-20%. Lawn tractor "deals" are around 5% less - with 10% being a "threshhold".

Of course, that definitely changes by region/area and as nmu98 noted; the dealerships seem to be "hot and cold" on prices within the current economic situation.

Everything considered - after re-reading your comments - I believe if you're really honest with yourself - a small CUT would make more sense for your purposes.

After adding in $2,000 for a pull behind mower and for occasional snow removal - a blade - likely another $1,500-2,000; the CUT begins to look even better. And your neighbor won't necessarily be available when you'd like or he'll be taking care of snow-mowing, etc. for his own property when you will need his help.

However, if you can afford it - a dedicated mowing machine and a CUT - is really the best of all world's!!

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[LBrown59]

Having come from an X485 JD (equivalent to about the current X720 - 2WD, gas) that I purchased a used FEL for and added a 3PH, to a Kubota BX, I can tell you that if you will EVER 1*contemplate adding a FEL, rear PTO, or 3PH to an X7xx machine, you would come out ahead buying the 2305 or similar BX to start with.
2*Once you start adding those types of options/functions to the X7xx series, you're quickly at about the price point of a sub-cut that comes standard with rear PTO, 3PH, has diesel standard, much better hydraulics and is just a heavier machine.
3*If you are sure you'll never need those types of features/attachments, etc., then the X7xx would be a great mowing machine and general purpose garden tractor.

1*What I've been trying to point out all along.
2*Exactly .
3*But still a garden tractor not designed to do the work of the heaver heavier machine.

 

[LBrown59]

I agree, get a nice mower then add a separate tractor later if you need one. I have never seen the point in mowing the lawn with a tractor fel combo. *I use a separate mower (albeit cheaper than what you are planning on L130 23hp Kohler with 48" deck), .
Steve

Yep it don't have to be an expensive x500 or x700 for just that use.

I have a real nice CC GT2554 that would be ideal for that.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for all the input. It is very helpful.
*Currently I see my options as

1*X500 54" deck $5899 4 yr warranty

2*X700 62" deck $9999 4 yr warranty

3*2305 62" deck $12652 2 yr warranty

4*Kubota 2350 60"deck (60" N/A on the 1850) $11807
2 yr warranty

*or this

1*X500 54" deck $5899 GT
4 yr warranty

2*X700 62" deck $9999 GT
4 yr warranty

3*2305 62" deck $12652 S-CUT
2 yr warranty

4*Kubota 2350 60"deck $11807.
2 yr warranty S-CUT

5*(60" N/A on the 1850) S-CUT what was the price on this one?
If a 54'' mower is good enough on a JDx500 it's good enough for the BX1850 also.

6*Kubota BX1860. S-CUT. It's the replacement for the BX1850 The dealer here has it advertised for $7735.
It's pictured with a mmm but i don't know if it's included in the 7735 price.

Of the 4 prices you listed the Kubota BX2350 for $11807 is the best buy.

 

[jenkinsph]

For mowing, pulling a small cart, small snowplow or blade there is also the less expensive LA 175 with a 54" cut about $2750. This would leave you enough change on the table to find a good used tractor for other work.
If you look around you can find a good used tractor for $6000 or so, not with all the bells and whistles mind you but a good serviceable one.

'Just sayin'



Steve

 

[wxboy]

The warranty on the 2305 is 2 years of total coverage and 3 years on the powertrain. Just thought I would clarify this.

 

[BarryinMN]

Just another suggestion: get a diesel lawnmower vs a gasser with that 60" deck. I replaced a gas deere 48" mower with a 60" diesel and cut mow time from 4 hrs wk to 1.5. Fuel consumption went from remembering to fill the can to I fill the mower once maybe twice all summer. It's a big deal when you want to do something else...

A cut is good until the ROPS hit the tree branches & fixing the problem may not look right or be safe. The cut loader does not lift much but if you envision wheelbarrow use it's a backsaver!! A neighbors larger machine is more effective and it goes away along with maintenance or storage issues.

I have a Swisher trailmower & drag it around behind my Gator. Mow trails thru the woods and a pond area when it dries out. A lawnmower\CUT does not have the ground clearance or underbody protection for running around in the field. Lots of threads here attesting to damage.

Another site focused on lawnmowers is weekendfreedommachines.org

A ZTR would not work for me either due to hills.

I went from a venerable JD 140 to a venerable JD 455. Bought used with 19 hours on it & added a used 3pt hitch assy. (Dealers typically strip off accessories on trade-in machines.) I added a 6' landscape rake and a 4' box blade, along with a home made 3pt trailer towing attachment.

Did not add anything more until last year when I updated my trailer to a deckover & then made a front weight to handle the new trailer 4k empty weight.

Your purchase price is important but remember it's only a piece of your total cost of ownership.