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

[farmbuilt]

Thanks all for your replies! Really appreciate the help. Will definitely keep looking out for a deal on a used x700 diesel and will check out the huskys as well. I just want something that is going to last me 15 years like the L130 did, and to be able to handle medium sized/large slopes to cut on. The L130 was not made for that (or at least the transmission wasn't).

Smoothas thanks for looking at the CL ads. I see you noticed that X720 ad - you might be right about his reason for selling, question is, how many hours do you think that Kawasaki engine would take in its lifetime? 1000? 2000? Just curious. It looks to be a very nice machine and I should probably go check it out for kicks anyway. Did you see the diesel X700 ad? Only issue I see is the 1200 hours on it - but hes asking $5500: John Deere x744 Diesel 4 wheel steer - farm & garden - by owner - sale

I'd prefer new, but can't really afford a brand new X500 or 700 at the moment - extremely pricey for me. Am hoping to find a great deal on a used x500/700 with low hours. Diesel sounds good to me, since it seems those Yanmar engines will last you a lifetime and are indestructible.

Kyle in Tex - very true. Was considering dropping it again and repairing it this time.. but I just have a feeling with the slopes I have, it may wind up dieing out sooner than normal. I could try to mow to where I am avoiding going uphill, but that will take my mowing time much longer, as I would have to go around and down, instead of down and up, etc. I think a part of me also wants a much bigger machine that can handle the job as well.

I am curious to see what you all think about the x720 Kawasaki 26 hp engine - how many hours do you think that you could put on that engine, or how many do you think it would last?

 

[js5020]

If the x720 "fits" the budget I wouldn't blink, your going to get 2K+ hours out of it easy, Kawasaki makes some real good engines and the K92 axle is solid. The only issue with the X7s vs the X5s is cost of attachments, X7 stuff like blades and blowers are going to run 2x the price.

 

[jenkinsph]

I went from an L130 to the x749 with optional 540 rear pto and 3ph. I actually spent all day yesterday working on the L130 with plans to give it to my niece to mow her flat lawn.

The x749 with diesel, 4x4 and 4 wheel steer is great for steep slopes here in the mountains. The four wheel steer makes a huge difference in turning uphill on a steep slope and turns much sharper than a two wheel steer. The 4x4 models are all safer when running down hill too. I have seen used units for sale on tractorhouse.com so you might look there.

 

[Spindifferent]

Seems like the OP needs a more capable transaxle for the slopes.

A related discussion on a different forum below. See posts from TUDOR (esp. post #24) for good info:

http://www.mytractorforum.com/12-john-deere-forum/1116433-should-i-keep-my-x354-k46-concerns.html

 

[farmbuilt]

I will check out tractorhouse.com and look for the x749. I found this one on craigslist but 1200 hours seems to be a lot for what hes asking, what do you think?

John Deere x744 Diesel 4 wheel steer - farm & garden - by owner - sale

It's not 4x4 though - maybe I should look into both 4 wheel steer and 4x4 as you mentioned.

js5020 - 2000+ hours is def worth it. I REALLY like the k92 transmission - I couldn't imagine what that feels like compared to the k46 I am used to

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

The liquid cooled Kawasaki's are good for 2000-3000 hours.

You would have to be putting some serious hours on one to kill it.
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The Husqvarna isn't a better mower than the x7xx series tractor but it is 1/4th to 1/3 of the price of a new x7xx will run, it will have most of all the perks of the x5xx series.

If you plan to run implements go with the JD, just cutting grass go with the Husqvarna.

If you plan to run implements the x7xx will kill your budget, category 0 attachments are rather expensive and stuff like blowers that were made just for the x7xx series will be outrageous, your better off going with a 1R series and buy category 1 attachments. But then your 12-14k in a machine at that point for mostly a lawn mower.

You really can't go wrong either way, Husqvarna GT (dealer models) and JD x5xx and x7xx are good products that will last a very long time.

 

[js5020]

The X7 is obviously the top of the line GT built with top of the line components, whereas the D+L series are entry level machines built with components that aren't as good but meet a price point. The K92 is used in the 1 series sub compacts last I knew, but they have 2 speed ranges whereas the X7 only has 1. On 1.5ac I wouldn't worry about gas or diesel, you'll never save enough diesel fuel to offset the purchase price difference,,,,, average price difference of the diesel buys a lot of gas. If you were going to run 4 to 10 acres different story.

 

[farmbuilt]

I just noticed that the x500 series has the K72 transmissions in them. Also noticed x500 has a K72B and x540 has K72A - not entirely sure what the difference is between B and A. I think the 72 would probably be more ideal for my terrain situation and more than enough power for those hills. Those huskys look nice too - but are the transmissions comparable to the x500 series? I guess I'll really have to think about it and consider my budget. 4x4/4 wheel steer would be super sweet to have though.. with that K92 transmission.

 

[Smoothas]

The X570-- doesn’t have power steering, the X580, 584 and X590 do. (hence the different letters on tranny same torque on both ) The K72 can handle your hills no problem- 3 times the torque of the L130 and K46. The 5 series you can get 4 wheel steer with a X584.If you want 4 wheel steer and AWD you must go to 700 series

Majority of Husky’s have K46-- and none have K72- they also have smaller cheaper engines, lack Power steering, hydraulic lift, weaker frame, smaller tires, etc - the Husqvarna have more in common with your older L series than a X series tractor. They are not considered true garden tractors. According to consumer reports Husqvarna have very high failure rate in the first 4 years, If you sit on an X 5xx or X7xx series tractor vs a husky you will immediately see and feel the difference- in fact your L130 will probably feel more solid than most husky’s

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

The X570-- doesn’t have power steering, the X580, 584 and X590 do. (hence the different letters on tranny same torque on both ) The K72 can handle your hills no problem- 3 times the torque of the L130 and K46. The 5 series you can get 4 wheel steer with a X584.If you want 4 wheel steer and AWD you must go to 700 series

Majority of Husky’s have K46-- and none have K72- they also have smaller cheaper engines, lack Power steering, hydraulic lift, weaker frame, smaller tires, etc - the Husqvarna have more in common with your older L series than a X series tractor. They are not considered true garden tractors. According to consumer reports Husqvarna have very high failure rate in the first 4 years, If you sit on an X 5xx or X7xx series tractor vs a husky you will immediately see and feel the difference- in fact your L130 will probably feel more solid than most husky’s

The power steering is something that is super nice.

Consumer reports says by the 4th year JD has a 22% chance of failure and the comparable Husqvarna on there list isn't far behind at 35%, troy built was worst at 40%. Most and Least Reliable Lawn Tractor Brands - Consumer Reports

To say JD and Husqvarna failure rates were substantially different is a stretch.

Husqvarna GT48DXLS for example has a FR Kawasaki engine, the JD x5xx has a FS Kawasaki, slightly better. Small Engines - Lawn Mower Engines - Parts - Kawasaki |

The GT48DXLS sports a K66 trans. Not far under the x5xx (K72) but higher than the K58 found in the x390.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/husqvarna/376859-new-owner-limited-distribution-husq.html

GT48DXLS weights around 609lbs

X570 weight is 607lbs so it can't be built that much better.