John Deere X700 Series

[NYBOB]

First, I had a lead on a used JD 455 Diesel garden tractor that fell through.

Next, I was looking at an X700 that had 11 hours on it but I lost my company and Deere's rebates so new looks better, unless I can find a good deal on a used one.

So, I have started looking at the X700 series new tractors. I have asked my dealer to quote me on the X700, X720 and X740. I will strictly be a mowing machine for my property. I have a JD 3720 for the rest of my workload.

Does the carb vs fuel injection vs diesel make a huge difference? I love my diesel 3720 but with diesel fuel selling for 70 cents more then gas in my area, is it worth the $1100 difference?

What other benefits do one model have over another.

Any price quotes would be great also.

Thanks
Bob

 

[Crash101]

I've looked at the John Deere 700 series and could only form one word, overpriced. For that money one could buy a heavy duty zero turn such as Kubota Z or John Deere Commercial Z Trak series, both of which will mow circles around the 700.
If you do decide on the X700, there is no better choice than the diesel. Even at fuel costing more, it will use much less, and as a mechanic at my local kubota dealer told me when I asked about lawn mower diesel or gas, "a gas with 1000 hours needs a new engine, a diesel with 1000 hours shows no wear at all".

 

[NYBOB]

I was told zero turns were not good on my hilly terrrain. I started looking at the X500 Series but they didn't fit my big butt as well as the X700's.

Thanks

 

[Dargo]

I was told zero turns were not good on my hilly terrrain. I started looking at the X500 Series but they didn't fit my big butt as well as the X700's.

Thanks

That really depends on the ZTR. I'd bet huge money that I could mow considerably steeper hills with my ZTR mowers than is possible with any of the X700's. I've mowed hills that you can't hardly stand on or walk up without using your hands to help. There again, I am not certain how the different mid-mount mowers would be on hills though. All of my ZTR mowers are front mounts where the deck is completely separate from the actual machine.

I've also compared fuel usage between the same hp gas mowers vs. diesel machines. I get just over twice the mowing time on the same amount of fuel with diesel as compared to gas. In other words, I can mow longer with the same hp mower with 4 gallons of diesel than I can with 8 gallons of gasoline. Obviously the diesel engine will cost you more up front, but it will last longer and use slightly less than half the fuel.

 

[Fordlords]

Go with the diesel on the X700 line if you are sold on the tractor and you can't go wrong- they are REALLY nice GT's, but the last post where I stated they were a bit overpriced, my post was removed. I just found it funny that a few months after that, JD dropped the overall prices on the X700 line a bit

-Fordlords-

 

[skidoo]

If you have hills, consider the X749. If you are already in the upper X7xx price range, this one is a little more, but has 4Wheel steer plus All Wheel drive. I only have a couple of hours on it. But, so far its great! Even with the great traction, I am still working it through some areas carefully The loose pine needles create a slippery surface. I'm thinking it may be better to burn them first.

 

[ccsial]

I have a 748SE and would only consider diesel. The fuel economy and long life are worth it to me.

I mow about an acre of my tigher areas with it. I use it all winter though. I have a snow blower on a larger tractor but I like the 748 in the winter for the light snows of an inch or less. I have the hydraulic blade with a rubber edge and it does a great job on the blacktop. In 4WD it has lots of traction up the grades with no chains. My 355 2WD was a real problem on slopes.

I really love the suspension seat on the SE too. The 355 was not much fun to ride for me. I had to slow down to avoid the pain of bouncing around to hard. But that's just me, I'm older and have IBS.

 

[JiminGa]

I was kind of in the same situation last summer. long story short I ended up with the 2305. the ROPS on the hills is a must in my opinion. the price of the x700's just made it easier to move to the 2305. and I agree diesel only at this level.

 

[NYBOB]

I am trying to think long term also. I may down size at some point in time and I could take the X740 with me, and being a diesel it will last a very long time.

I was also going to look at the G2160 from Kubota. Anyone have any experience with this machine?

Thanks

 

[ccsial]

If your thinking of downsizing and having one tractor I'd consider the 2305 since you'd have a 3PH and rear PTO.

 

[JiminGa]

physically the 2305 and x700 are very close to the same size. think of a 2305 as a pimped out x740.

 

[NYBOB]

I drove the X740 this past weekend and made a deal for it. I should have it hopefully the end of this week. The tractor is in stock but they had to order a mulching kit I wanted.

I just thought for my purpose the X740 worked best. I spent the extra money to get the diesel model.

Between the $ 350 JD rebate along with my $600 company discount along with my dealer's discount, I think I did pretty well. MSRP with a 54 inch mulching deck is around $ 11,300 and I got it for $ 9,300.

I will post some pictures when I get it....

Thanks for everyone's help.

Bob

 

[ccsial]

Congratulations Bob. I'm sure you'll enjoy that tractor. I sure love my 748.

 

[unit40]

For that money one could buy a heavy duty zero turn such as Kubota Z or John Deere Commercial Z Trak series, both of which will mow circles around the 700.
.

Congratulations !! and by the way, That statement above is completely wrong, in a sense. An AWS Deere X744 or X724, or X749 will maneuver so well as to leave only a six inch diameter uncut circle of grass, while the ZTRs mentioned above would tear the grass up trying to mow that tight. A ZTR uncut circle is several feet without doing lawn damage.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I was told zero turns were not good on my hilly terrrain. I started looking at the X500 Series but they didn't fit my big butt as well as the X700's.

Thanks

Just sorta thinking out loud here, but have you asked if the deluxe seat can be mounted on a X500 series tractor? And will that deluxe seat allow you enough leg room, belly room against the steering wheel etc? I mention this because if the X500 will do what you need, but the seat ain't working for ya, it's gotta be cheaper to replace the seat than jump to the X700 series tractors. And I have nothing against the X700 series, I wish I had one.

 

[NYBOB]

I looked at trying to retrofit the X500 and it didn't work out.

When I started looking at the X700 series everyone pointed out that I should go with a diesel, which I ended getting for about $900 more then the gas version.

Thanks

 

[Dargo]

Congratulations !! and by the way, That statement above is completely wrong, in a sense. An AWS Deere X744 or X724, or X749 will maneuver so well as to leave only a six inch diameter uncut circle of grass, while the ZTRs mentioned above would tear the grass up trying to mow that tight. A ZTR uncut circle is several feet without doing lawn damage.

I'm glad to hear the original poster got what he wanted, however, you are completely wrong in your assessment of zero turn radius mowers. My wife can tear up some grass by improperly operating a zero turn radius without a doubt. But, with a quick 2 minute lesson on how to operate a zero turn radius mower, a zero turn radius mower will NOT tear up grass when mowing far tighter than a four wheel steer lawn tractor. This is a non-debatable fact that can be proved by anyone. Again, congratulations to the original poster, but misinformation does not help anyone.

 

[unit40]

I'm glad to hear the original poster got what he wanted, however, you are completely wrong in your assessment of zero turn radius mowers. My wife can tear up some grass by improperly operating a zero turn radius without a doubt. But, with a quick 2 minute lesson on how to operate a zero turn radius mower, a zero turn radius mower will NOT tear up grass when mowing far tighter than a four wheel steer lawn tractor. This is a non-debatable fact that can be proved by anyone. Again, congratulations to the original poster, but misinformation does not help anyone.

Sorry about that. I've been mowing grass for a living - among other things - for over twenty years using many types of equipment. I'm just speaking from experience. But if you want to put it to a test, try this. An AWS Deere with a 62" deck will leave a 6 inch diameter un-cut circle of grass, without ripping up the lawn. Take your ZTR, and see if you can mow around a 6 inch diameter object on the ground, such as a flagpole, birdbath, tree, etc.. If you can, please post it because the subject has recently been brought up at a commercial lawn care forum. There is simply no ZTR that can do that, period. Yes, you can spin around a 180 turn in its own radius, but that's not the same as mowing a smooth circle around something as tight as a 6 inch diameter circle.....

 

[Dargo]

Um, I don't need to argue with you. You need to take up your debate with the tens of thousands of people who earn their living from lawn care. Not many of them load their trailers with 4 wheel steering lawn tractors when they leave for the day.

And, I understand your possible confusion since you are new to this industry in my book.

G'day!

 

[unit40]

Um, I don't need to argue with you. You need to take up your debate with the tens of thousands of people who earn their living from lawn care. Not many of them load their trailers with 4 wheel steering lawn tractors when they leave for the day.

And, I understand your possible confusion since you are new to this industry in my book.

G'day!

Dargo! Dargo! Come back to the table! Don't go running off so fast! This is a discussion my friend. You are most cetainly right that there aren't many AWS tractors out there, especially in the commercial mowing industry where ZTRs are very popular because they spin on a dime and it is a lot of fun for newbies. But take a movie and post it here of you mowing around and up to a six -inch diameter object with your or any other original factory equipped ZTR and you will have proved me and all other AWS Deere X7xx, 62C deck owners wrong. Simple as that. That is a challenge to you my friend. And I insist that you take it. Since I am new to this industry you have now been given the opportunity to enlighten me and also show the members of TBN that you're more than just talk and man enough to take a challenge. . Good sport!!