JD X729 alternatives???

[ddodge68]

My experience is that a bigger deck allows you to cover more ground (of course) but the reduction in time is affected more by the smaller uncut circle (fewer K-turns) and the fact that the larger deck sticks out more, so can trim into areas in which you might otherwise have to use a trimmer or a push mower. Of course, that can work in reverse too if the 60" deck won't fit between trees or other obstacles.

Point is, your time savings (or increase!) will depend on your particular mowing situation.

Tim

Which brings me right back to wondering what the uncut circle is on the Kubota. Hey LBrown59, can you tell me what the uncut circle is with the Kubota GR2110?

 

[ddodge68]

So I just called the Kubota dealer in Sioux City, IA. He is recommending the BX2350 with a 60" deck. Gave me a price over the phone of $12,500. The only real advantage for my situation with this unit, over the JD, is that it is a diesel. I have been quoted a price on the JD X729 of $11,500 with a 60" deck, and the only real advantage to this unit, over the Kubota is the AWS. Decisions, decisions...

 

[ddodge68]

Wow...looks like the first dealer I called was more of a stealer, than a dealer. Now have a price on the 2350 of $10,800.

 

[bx24d]

I am currently mowing 6-7 acres at my home. Included in this area are about 50 oak trees, and one VERY steep hill in the front yard. The hill is steep enough that my JD 445 AWS will lose traction (even with the differential locked), and will end up sliding to the bottom. When you're lucky, it does not end up going down sideways. So, I am looking at a different tractor. I would like something that is 4wd, to handle the trees better, but I know that I will miss the AWS, if my new unit does not have it. This has led me to the JD x729. But they want a lot of money for that unit!!! Are there any good alternatives out there? Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot for your help,
Dan

I went back to your original task list (i.e. mowing challenges) because this should be the real driver of your decision making process. Even though this steep hill is a small part of your property, if you want to be able to tackle it with confidence, you will likely select a tractor that has characterisitics that do not make it easiest to mow around 50 oak trees. (would love for you to post a picture of this hill). If the hill is your main focus, you want a machine with heft, definitely diesel for torque in cutting tall grass up hill and a rops. This excludes the GR2110 right off and 2350 with loaded tires and wt box is the best option. Not sure if JD x series comes with rops option. Then again, rops must be foldable if you have low oak tree branches. That brings you back to the BX24 or Agco/Simplicity 2027. Now the question is, how much maneuverablity do you want around other obstacles. No machine will optimize your operation on hills and around obstacles. You'll have to give up something.

 

[ddodge68]

I'm new at this "posting pictures", so bear with me.

If you look along the right side, you can where my tractor has lost traction, and torn out the grass as I slide to the bottom.

Here are a couple looking from the top down.

 

[LBrown59]

1*If the 2350 is "a bit tippy", I'd prefer to steer clear of it. This leaves the GR2110, BX1850 and the BX1500.
2*I'm gonna have to throw out the BX1500, and the GR2110 as they don't seem to be listed on Kubota's website???
3*So I'm down to the BX1850. Does this really compare to the JD X729?
We are comparing a 18 horse diesel to a 27 horse gas.
4*this seems like a HUGE difference.
5* BX only comes with a 54" deck, where the X729 comes with a 62" deck.
6* according to web sites, the list price of the Kubota BX1850, with 54" deck is $9,933.
7*The Deere X729 with 62" deck is $12,400.
This is a grand total of $2500 difference.
8* So which is the better deal?

1*The BX2350 is the same tractor as my BX23 with out the BH.
I don't consider it as being tippy ; however I do feel more comfortable with my BX1500 on some places of my land so I mow that with the BX1500 and keep the BX23 off those spots.
2*Or you might get lucky and find a new left over BX1500 like I did.
Mine only had 2 hours on it when i got it.
You could also go with a used BX1500.
One of my BX1500s is new and the other one is used .
Can you tell which one is new and which one is used from the picture links I posted of them?
3*The 1850 is a sub cut and the JD is a garden tractor.
4*Not when you consider a diesel is more powerful than a gasoline engine.
The 1850 has more than enough power so why jump it up to more HP and more fuel consumption?
The JD at 27 HP is more HP than the tractor can handle all you do here is buy more fuel to burn with no benefit.
The JD 27 HP GAS motor is a real fuel guzzler compared ti the 1850 diesel.
5*I mowed for 2 years with the 60'' mower on my BX23.
In 2006 I bought a new Cub Cadet GT2554 with a 54'' mower.
I can't tell a real huge difference between the 54'' and the 60'' mowers.
I now have the BX1500 with a 48'' mower.
For some reason the 6'' difference between the 48'' and 54'' mowers is more noticeable to me than is the 6'' difference between the 54'' and 60 inch mowers.
6*Before I made the deal on the BX1500s I got a price from the Kubota dealer here.
1850 $7450 54'' mower $1650 total $9100.
A few days After I got the 1500s he put the 1850 on sale.
1850 $6945 54* mower $1650 total $8595.
7*In this case the JD is $3300 to $3805 more than the 1850.
I can't see paying more for a garden tractor than a Sub Compact.
8*My vote goes to the 1850.

 

[ddodge68]

I now have the BX1500 with a 48'' mower.
For some reason the 6'' difference between the 48'' and 54'' mowers is more noticeable to me than is the 6'' difference between the 54'' and 60 inch mowers.
6*Before I made the deal on the BX1500s I got a price from the Kubota dealer here.
1850 $7450 54'' mower $1650 total $9100.
A few days After I got the 1500s he put the 1850 on sale.
1850 $6945 54* mower $1650 total $8595.
7*In this case the JD is $3300 to $3805 more than the 1850.
I can't see paying more for a garden tractor than a Sub
Compact.
8*BX1850 gets my vote.

Isn't this somewhat of an unfair comparison? You appear to be comparing your negotiated price on a Kubota to the list price on the Deere. I'm sure both prices are negotiable.

snip... You'll have to give up something.

My wife tells me this too...

 

[LBrown59]

Isn't this somewhat of an unfair comparison? You appear to be comparing your negotiated price on a Kubota to the list price on the Deere. I'm sure both prices are negotiable.

Maybe and may b not depending on how ya look at it.
At least it tells me what negotiated price to shoot for on the Deere.

 

[Gittyup]

Photos can be deceiving. But, I don't think you need a ROPS nor a diesel in the JD X700 series. Actually, I still think all you need is some weights and chains for what you are using now. I would cut the steepest spots going down hill.

I cut some spots just as steep without chains, but with weights. I only slide if it's wet. I even do much of it sideways. The tractor is stable, but it's hard staying in the seat. So, I just sit on the up hill edge of the seat. Whether I do this or not, the tractor has never felt like it was coming of the ground. The AWS with wheel spacers really helps a lot too.

You don't need a new tractor. Or course, it's always fun to get a new one. However, your ground looks a lot sandier than mine (mostly red clay based in my neck of the woods). So, it might be softer than my conditions.

 

[ddodge68]

snip... Actually, I still think all you need is some weights and chains for what you are using now. I would cut the steepest spots going down hill.

Got the weights yesterday. Suitcase weights for the rear. Added 160# with 4 weights. It's been too wet to go out and give it a try. I'm sure hoping that this solves the problem. Then I can wait until the x749's are a few years old, and buy a used one at a much better price.

I'll keep you posted on how it works.

Thanks all...