JD X729 alternatives???

[bx24d]

I just ordered a Legacy XL Diesel and researched it heavily (along with others mentioned). Legacy XL turning radius in 2wd is listed at 35". In 4wd, turning radius is 55". Not sure how turning radius measurements are taken because I see such differences quoted among brands. This variability makes the numbers less useful. With my current lack of understanding about it, I tend to think that "uncut circle" is the most common sense and reliable approach. Nothing beats a test ride, especially on your own property and around some obstacles. The Legacy seems to have the heft and low center of gravity that you and I need for hilly and rough terrain. I don't have measurements of ground clearance but, after sitting/riding on the Legacy, Kubota GR2110, Kubota 1850 and 2350, and some upper end JD models, the Legacy seemed more stable to me. I'm hoping that what I might giving up in turning radius, I'll recover with the 60" deck.

If someone would like to chime in on explanation of various turning radius quotes and why they seem to differ so much, that would be helpful to many. For instance, Kubota BX models quote in the range of 7.2 feet turning radius!

 

[ddodge68]

I just ordered a Legacy XL Diesel and researched it heavily (along with others mentioned). Legacy XL turning radius in 2wd is listed at 35". In 4wd, turning radius is 55". ...snip

Congrats on your new Legacy. I'd be quite interested in what you find the "uncut circle" to be on your unit, when you get it. One of the things that I found to be very attractive on the X729 is the "full-time 4WD with separate front wheel motors that adjust speed in turns to eliminate turf scuffing"

 

[TimS]

Wouldn't chains tear the @#$% our of my lawn?

This is a common misconception. Unless you spin the tires the chains don't harm the lawn - my Dad ran them year 'round for many years.

TIm

 

[skidoo]

Wouldn't chains tear the @#$% our of my lawn? I'll check out the articulated. Never seen them. Thanks.

For more than ten years, I operated a Toro 520H with weights and chains on all year long. No problem with the grass. But eventually the chains loosened and did grab on to tractor parts. So, that needs to have attention regularly. Plus it made the ride a bit bumpier. Not too bad though.

But, I can tell you, even with those weights and chains, it doesn't stand up to the slope performance of the X with no weights or chains.


I would think the X729 would perform very similar to the X749. They are supposed to be the same except for the engine.



You may also want to look into the Cub i1050. It has one drive motor on each rear wheel, so traction is better than a regular two wheel drive machine. It also can turn like a zero turn. It is a lot cheaper than the X. I considered that, but I didn't think it was heavy duty enough for my use and I felt that all wheel drive would best for me.

 

[skidoo]

I just ordered a Legacy XL Diesel and researched it heavily (along with others mentioned). Legacy XL turning radius in 2wd is listed at 35". In 4wd, turning radius is 55". Not sure how turning radius measurements are taken because I see such differences quoted among brands. This variability makes the numbers less useful. With my current lack of understanding about it, I tend to think that "uncut circle" is the most common sense and reliable approach. Nothing beats a test ride, especially on your own property and around some obstacles. The Legacy seems to have the heft and low center of gravity that you and I need for hilly and rough terrain. I don't have measurements of ground clearance but, after sitting/riding on the Legacy, Kubota GR2110, Kubota 1850 and 2350, and some upper end JD models, the Legacy seemed more stable to me. I'm hoping that what I might giving up in turning radius, I'll recover with the 60" deck.

If someone would like to chime in on explanation of various turning radius quotes and why they seem to differ so much, that would be helpful to many. For instance, Kubota BX models quote in the range of 7.2 feet turning radius!

Do a search for X749. There have been several discussions on this. Here are a couple of my posts...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1275029-post51.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1349985-post25.html

Apparently, the cuts and mowers are measured differently. As you can see on one of my posts above, the specified turn radius is near 8 feet, but that is more like the diameter of the rear wheel. I think it is specified for something like the center of the front wheels.

In any case, My Toro 520H has a turn radius of about 36". I can say that this X749 is much more maneuverable. I can turn around quickly and go around any tree just once. With the Toro, I would have to go well beyond the point desired and make a wide turn to get back to where I wanted to be. Around trees, I would have to make several passes to get all around a tree.

 

[unit40]

Another machine that no one ever seems to consider are the articulating riders made by Husqvarna. Although they make a few smaller homeowner models, they also make professional grade mowers with a 48" front mower with rear discharge and all wheel drive. I believe there are several models powered by kawasaki v-twins, kanzaki transaxles etc... The models may be called PF21AWD or something. Check out their international site. they have many models.
Husqvarna Outdoor Power Equipment - Riders

 

[KentT]

I just ordered a Legacy XL Diesel and researched it heavily (along with others mentioned). Legacy XL turning radius in 2wd is listed at 35". In 4wd, turning radius is 55". Not sure how turning radius measurements are taken because I see such differences quoted among brands. This variability makes the numbers less useful. With my current lack of understanding about it, I tend to think that "uncut circle" is the most common sense and reliable approach. Nothing beats a test ride, especially on your own property and around some obstacles. The Legacy seems to have the heft and low center of gravity that you and I need for hilly and rough terrain. I don't have measurements of ground clearance but, after sitting/riding on the Legacy, Kubota GR2110, Kubota 1850 and 2350, and some upper end JD models, the Legacy seemed more stable to me. I'm hoping that what I might giving up in turning radius, I'll recover with the 60" deck.

If someone would like to chime in on explanation of various turning radius quotes and why they seem to differ so much, that would be helpful to many. For instance, Kubota BX models quote in the range of 7.2 feet turning radius!

Unless I'm mistaken, Simplicity measures their turning radius at the inside back wheel. At least that's how they used to do it... the outside edge of the back wheel will make that big of a circle when you have it locked in the tightest possible turn. The tire itself and the rest of the tractor's body will be outside that circle. If you have a 60" deck and the tread width is 52" (for example only, I didn't look up their spec) you will leave an uncut circle that is 8" less than the turning radius. Again, this is how Simplicity used to measure it -- I don't think they've changed, but I could be wrong...

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think KentT is right about how the Simplicity turn radius is measured. When I had my BX22 I made circles in the grass with both of them, and the diameter of the inner circle was not exactly the same (Legacy was smaller) but they were similar. Scuts, and Compact tractor turning diameter is measured to the outside of the tractor.

 

[ddodge68]

Another machine that no one ever seems to consider are the articulating riders made by Husqvarna. Although they make a few smaller homeowner models, they also make professional grade mowers with a 48" front mower with rear discharge and all wheel drive. I believe there are several models powered by kawasaki v-twins, kanzaki transaxles etc... The models may be called PF21AWD or something. Check out their international site. they have many models.
Husqvarna Outdoor Power Equipment - Riders

This looks VERY interesting. Any testimonials? How would it handle my VERY steep front yard? And where would a person in rural Iowa get one? Looks like the largest unit is a 48" deck? Sure would prefer 60". I did find this on youtube... YouTube - Rider Husqvarna PF 21 AWD

 

[skidoo]

...Snip. If you have a 60" deck and the tread width is 52" (for example only, I didn't look up their spec) you will leave an uncut circle that is 8" less than the turning radius. Snip...

Not necessarily so...

Like I posted in another thread (see below), many models uncut circle radius is larger than the turn radius (i.e. 10 out of the 14 models listed below). Some are larger, some are smaller. This is because the mower deck is typically forward of the rear axle, so the theory that the Uncut circle radius is simply the additional deck width greater than the track width doesn't hold water. There are other factors as well that determine uncut circle....

Model TR UCCR
X540 22 24
X520 22 24
X340 16 18
X740 25 22
LA100 18 20
LA110 18 20
LA120 18 20
LA130 18 25
LA140 18 25
LA150 18 25

X534 27 13


X748 2WD 28 33
X748 4WD 48.5 43

X749 AWD 21 6