Looking to Upgrade an L130 to either x500 or x700 Series - Need Advice

[farmbuilt]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum. I've actually used this website forum for research over the last couple of years - mainly to troubleshoot my JD L130 transmission problems. Last year, my L130 transmission, like many others, decided to poop on me. You know.. the classic "After 45 mins of use, struggles and wont go uphill due to the crappy trannys JD put in them years back" -- so I found a used transmission from Atlantic Tractor in PA last May I purchased for $50. Dropped the current one, drained the other used one, put 5W-50 synthetic in it, slapped her on the L130, and got a full season out of the transmission swap.. but then last week, the same thing happened. The transmission I replaced is also having the same exact problem.. and I'm about to the point where I've had enough of having to repair the transmission. It is very time consuming, but I also thought to myself, the L130 has about 750 hours on it, and it was mostly used at my dads old property (he had mostly flat lands - big slope in backyard but was not steep - very shallow). However, my property is VERY hilly and has some big slopes. I believe I may have stressed out the transmission faster than normal due to my steep hills and slopes - basically my yard is mostly on a slight slope - always mowing at an angle.. hardly any flat spots, and of course the bigger slopes on each side of the yard.

Anyhow - enough of the mower's background - and let's get to why I am posting. I could order the main parts to the tuff torq k46 for ~$200ish and cross my fingers to hope that repairs and fixes the problem to the transmission of my L130, but I realized because of my 1.5 acres of hilly terrain, I may be better off biting the bullet and getting a real deal John Deere X series. The question is, which one to get? I have 1.5 acres and I am mowing on hills for the "most" part - they aren't THAT deep.. but some can be somewhat challenging, as I have to cut on an angle and lean the direction where the tractor would be going "upward" when I am going up and down the slopes..

I saw something I thought was a good deal the other day - someone is selling a 2012 JD x720 Series 26hp Kawasaki with a 62" deck on it - 350 hours - for $6500. Looked to be in great condition and thought it was a good deal..

Now, I am not sure if that is overkill for me or not, but comparing that tractor to others - it seemed to be $3000 cheaper than the other X720/730s and those other ones had 1200+ hours on them. I'd prefer a diesel yanmar, but I doubt I'd be able to find one as cheap as the one above for $6500 with 350 hours. Research shows if you go X700.. you're better off getting the Yanmar diesel one.. but that is out of my budget.. unless I get lucky.

My question is: would it be worth buying a x700 series model for my current situation (slope and hilly terrain + would use it for other lawn/garden work/snowblowing/etc) or should I Drop down to a x500 series? Diesel? Gas? Zero Turns look nice.. pricey yes, but I was told ZTRs are no good for hilly terrain with steep slopes. But then.. talking to others.. it was the opposite. People told me ZTRs are excellent on slopes.. which confused the HECK out of me.

Any advice would be appreciated for this newbie. I just want something that is going to last me for a LONG time and would not get stressed from mowing hills/slopes. I love this L130 I inherited from my dad to death but it just cant do the job on my property as it did the job on his. Its about 14 years old and the engine is still very solid. I'd hate to sell it, but I really have no choice due to my situation. Fixing the transmission would probably only get me 1-2 more seasons out of it again..

Thanks!
- Dave

 

[Deere Dude]

I am a Deere guy through and through. Personally I would get a X7XX diesel. A friend of mine had a gasser and with my X740 I used a third of the fuel he used. He finally traded it in for a diesel and is happy as a clam. With fluid in the tires and weights you will have a very nice riding, economical machine that will most take hills easily and you won't wear it out unless there is total abuse. If you can walk on it you would mow it easily set up correctly.

I have a front blade, hydraulic tiller, dirt scoop and other thing that make this very versatile. I have a three point hitch on and can move around a 2000# trailer like nothing.
It really comes down to, pay me now or pay me later when it comes time to buy a decent LG tractor.

Four wheel drive would be another super option I would like but since I have a big tractor now I don't need that feature.

Sooner or later you might find a nice used one. I have a X740 with 550 hours on that if I took it in to a dealer on a trade he would probably only give my $6000 for on a new one. If that is the case you might find somebody in that situation ready to sell to a private party cheaply.

 

[KEYBEAR]

last summer I bought a new X-758 4X4 60 inch deck . Today I have 96 hours on it and do love it more and more . I traded in a 720 with a 62 inch deck and around 400 hours . I found a dealer interested in trading and selling me a tractor .

 

[beenthere]

KEYBEAR
Did you find out what was mis-aligned on that 60 inch deck?

 

[js5020]

X5, or X7 series, it really depends on budget. Don't forget to figure the total package price, example a blower or blade for an X7 series is going to be a fair amount more coin than a blower or blade for an X5 series. Cant beat the X7 series but they and their attachments do come with a price tag. Gas or diesel, well its a wash in my opinion, pay more upfront on the purchase price for the diesel and save a bit every week on fuel or save up front on the purchase price for the gas and spend a bit more every week on fuel. JD usually runs 0% 60 months on the new X7 series and 4.8% 48 months on the new X5 series, which puts the monthly nut pretty close for either (high end X5's), just a bit more time for the X7 and you have several years of warranty service. 60" deck is a hoss compared to a 42" or 48" and if you have scalp issues with a smaller deck it will likely get worse with a 60" and of course the 60" needs a lot more space between obstacles, gates etc. If your needs include a 3pth and rear pto you might as well look at the 1023E sub compact, it and an equipped X7 awd diesel are going to be close in price. As said it all comes down to what you would like to do and how much you want to spend.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

If you want a diesel for not as much money look for an older 455, if you can find one with under 1000 hours you will be golden, same with the old 445s, my dad has one, it has 1050 hours on it and has been trouble free since he bought it new in 99 or 00, that tractor would climb any hill you put in front of it, deff lock works wonders for a 2wd.

A gasser will suit you just fine, sure a diesel would be better but you have 1.5 acres, I think any x7xx would be over kill, if you got a gasser, you will be fine. Keep in mind liquid cool is better.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

On the other side of the spectrum guys are talking big things about the Husqvarna GT48DXLS, it has really high reviews on here, 24hp v-twin Kawasaki engine and it's got deff lock, fabricated deck, new is just over 3k.

I mow with a Husqvarna GTH2454T, it's a big box store version with a 54in stamped deck, it cuts my 2 acres just fine, nothing special. It just turned over 250h. I'm happy with it, I can order any part I need off Amazon for practically nothing.

Just something to think about, I always say only mowers worth buying are the JD x5xx and the x7xx series or a Husqvarna, the rest I wouldn't own.

Also, I would stay away from a zero turn for hills, I mowed with one on my property, a little 42in toro, thing cut fast but man was that thing dangerous, when it looses control on a hill there's no correcting it, you only have control of two wheels, once one starts sliding your in big trouble. I much prefer a lawn or garden tractor for hills.

 

[Teachu2]

Did you actually see the x720 in person? Deals that seem too good to be true usually are.

I had a similar need, except my L130 came with the house. I now own a Husqvarna GT48DXLS. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/husqvarna/377863-another-new-gt48dxls-owner-thanks.html I already have a 34hp diesel 4wd tractor, so the mower is simply lawn and brush cutting - and I didn't consider the x7xx series at all.

 

[Smoothas]

With a hilly property probably better off staying away from a k46, or lessor quality Husky. The X7’s and X5’s cost more but are light years better than them. The X7xx series are the Cadillac’s of mowing, but are usually very expensive. I’d never buy a new X7xx I’d go right to 1 series, but you can occasionally find some outstanding deals on used x7xx - go see a John Deere dealer and see what he can do for you in new product if you can swing it, definitely time to stop putting money into a 14 year old L130, if new isn’t an option here are some CL ads in Maryland

Not sure in Maryland you are- but here is a X500 with only 76 hours and comes with Cab, weights, snow blower, plow and power lift, don’t see a mower deck in picture, ask about it
John Deere X5 Multi-Terrain Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

GT235- it’s an older machine, but nice has a K71 tranny, will easily handle your hills, only 1500 bucks
John Deere GT235 Garden Tractor W/48 In Mower Deck Ex Cond 5 Hours - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Here is a 485 (compares to today’s X700 series) doesn’t say the hours on machine but looks in great shape
John Deere x485 - farm & garden - by owner - sale

And I definitely look at that X720 he says 6500 or best offer- offer him 5K- maybe he needs to money- a X720 with only 349 hours on it ( that X is barely broken in)

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Let me add a cheaper opinion.

Fix your K46. It lasted 14 years. If you tear it down and put most all the new guts in it, it might cost maybe $400 or a bit more. If it lasts maybe another decade, you will have thousands of your dollars still in your pocket.

If you just want a bigger mower, that is a different story.