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

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Not sure when the hydraulic lifted deck starts on the JDs, the Husqvarna's have a spring assisted deck, very easy to operate but I suppose not as nice as the hydraulic lifted decks. I personally like the manual deck, I have a faster range of cutting heights without guessing with a hydraulic deck if I want to mow at diff heights.

For example you set the cutting height on the JD, you lift the deck to full height for transport and taller grass, you lower the JD deck all the way down for mowing height, anything in between is a guess. The Husqvarna has 7 diff cutting heights, I mainly cut at 4 but often bounce between 4, 5 and 7 depending what I'm cutting, I edge my driveway on 3. Example: I have a few rocks and roots that 4 hits the blades and 7 just looks too high, 5 is just right without contacting.

So when I get close to those obstacles I automatically raise the deck to 5, mow over them, once I'm past, lower the deck back to 4 and continue, the cut looks really clean and uniform.

Main hydraulic lift diff is with the larger JDs you can buy hydraulic lifted 3pt arms for cat 0 implements, it lifts with the same lever the deck is lifted by. At least the 445 operates this way.

There's a lack of a fuel gauge on the Husqvarna, you get a plastic view port under the seat, the tank is over 4 gallons, I find I can cut about 5 acres on 4 gallons with my 10 year old GTH2454T.

I can't think of anymore differences at this time.

 

[Smoothas]

I understand Broke farmer is a young enthusiastic kid very happy with your 10 year old husky- which in itself is unusual since Husky’s seldom go 10 year or 400 hours whatever comes first. Not sure why you feel compelled to interrupt every thread on JD forum with your husky nonsense- men are talking here, no need for kids. To correct a few of your misstatements The JD 570 weighs 750lbs lbs- you gave weight without mower deck. The X590 weighs 805lbs. The K72 is substantially stronger than K66 ( not sure why you are bringing up x390) - the plastic view port on husky’s doesn’t really work it fogs up- as does the headlights, Steering is a problem on them. Build is substantially weaker on Husky- listen Husky is nice entry level machine made to compete with John Deere D- 100 series and Cub Cadet Xt1’s. Talk to a Husky dealer and he will tell you husky’s are not made to compete with X500 or X700 series tractors- ( true garden tractors) the only product that competes with them really are Simplicity garden tractors

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I understand Broke farmer is a young enthusiastic kid very happy with your 10 year old husky- which in itself is unusual since Husky’s seldom go 10 year or 400 hours whatever comes first. Not sure why you feel compelled to interrupt every thread on JD forum with your husky nonsense- men are talking here, no need for kids. To correct a few of your misstatements The JD 570 weighs 750lbs lbs- you gave weight without mower deck. The X590 weighs 805lbs. The K72 is substantially stronger than K66 ( not sure why you are bringing up x390) - the plastic view port on husky’s doesn’t really work it fogs up- as does the headlights, Steering is a problem on them. Build is substantially weaker on Husky- listen Husky is nice entry level machine made to compete with John Deere D- 100 series and Cub Cadet Xt1’s. Talk to a Husky dealer and he will tell you husky’s are not made to compete with X500 or X700 series tractors- ( true garden tractors) the only product that competes with them really are Simplicity garden tractors

Yep I'm just a little kid with more and bigger toys than you.

The K72 is 30% stronger than the K66. Ox™ - Tuff Torq CorporationTuff Torq Corporation

The engine is the same size and both Kawasaki on the x570 and GT48DXLS

As for weight, I just went by tractor data, looks like the deck was included but that may be wrong. Even at the new weights that's a 23% increase on the JD.
TractorData.com John Deere X57 tractor information

X570 is $5999 MSRP
X5 Select Series Lawn Tractor | X57, 48-in. Deck | John Deere US

GT48DXLS is $2999 MSRP
GT48DXLS 96231 Husqvarna Garden Tractor

Accel 48 JD deck is stamped steel 10g.Guide to the John Deere Accel Deep Deck - Mutton Power Equipment Blog

Husqvarna has the clear cut fabricated 10g deck. https://youtu.be/tjZ3TLa6OYc

Looks to me like there comparable the JD is 20-30% better tractor at 50% more money

I agree I'm not as much of a fan of the fuel view port but it works. Never had a issue of the headlights fogging up, my unit is garaged and I don't mow in the rain.

Steering is an issue? Never heard that on either machine, I know the newer Husqvarna's have a grease zerk for the steering gears.

I won't deny the JD is a better machine, I have proven that many times but we're talking about mowing grass and climbing hills, both machines are more than capable of that task and both will do it well.

 

[crazyal]

I think the difference between the K72A and K72B is that the hydraulic pump for the tractor (deck lift, power steering, etc.) is the pump inside the K72 transmission. The B has ports on it to attach hydraulic hoses and it has an internal filter. A couple months ago I picked up a used X500 (it's now called the X570) with under 50 hours and the original warranty until spring 2020 for $4k. 4 wheel steering would be nice but it's not a deal breaker, neither is not having power steering or a hydraulic deck lift. I have plenty of steep parts of my lawn and it handles them with ease. Having a handle on each side of the seat is really nice. Trust me, being able to hold onto something when you are cutting across a slope makes a world of difference. Without it I would slide out of the sweet spot on the seat where the safety switch is, now it's a breeze.

For me I would have a hard time justifying moving up to the 7 series. At that point either you are buying it because you have the funds and don't mind spending them or plan on using the tractor for a lot more than mowing. I'm not trying to put down anyone who buys a 7 series, life is short so why not get what makes you happy. It's just not for me. I think if you look around you should find a low hour X500 (lots of them made) for around $4000 to $4500. The welded frame, the deck, and other parts on the tractor are made out of much thicker steel. The deck is extremely easy to remove. It just seams like Deere has had a lot of time to figure out how to get it right.

 

[jenkinsph]

Yep I'm just a little kid with more and bigger toys than you.

The K72 is 30% stronger than the K66. Ox™ - Tuff Torq CorporationTuff Torq Corporation

The engine is the same size and both Kawasaki on the x570 and GT48DXLS

As for weight, I just went by tractor data, looks like the deck was included but that may be wrong. Even at the new weights that's a 23% increase on the JD.
TractorData.com John Deere X57 tractor information

X570 is $5999 MSRP
X5 Select Series Lawn Tractor | X57, 48-in. Deck | John Deere US

GT48DXLS is $2999 MSRP
GT48DXLS 9643231 Husqvarna Garden Tractor

Accel 48 JD deck is stamped steel 10g.Guide to the John Deere Accel Deep Deck - Mutton Power Equipment Blog

Husqvarna has the clear cut fabricated 10g deck. https://youtu.be/tjZ3TLa6OYc

Looks to me like there comparable the JD is 20-30% better tractor at 50% more money

I agree I'm not as much of a fan of the fuel view port but it works. Never had a issue of the headlights fogging up, my unit is garaged and I don't mow in the rain.

Steering is an issue? Never heard that on either machine, I know the newer Husqvarna's have a grease zerk for the steering gears.

I won't deny the JD is a better machine, I have proven that many times but we're talking about mowing grass and climbing hills, both machines are more than capable of that task and both will do it well.

While I have had the L130 initially and found it had a nice cut it did not hold up well after 200 hours of use. Everything with the exception of the transaxle was good enough for simple mowing of my lawn. I could have upgraded to the x320 or higher and been okay for my own work. The reason I went to the x749 was some of my customers needed pine needles raked and had much more difficult terrain than I have at home. These customers and their work paid for the larger garden tractor in short order.

I have a quick hitch on the x749 and use cat 1 implements for most jobs. Don't buy your argument about special implements for the x7xx models. I will agree that some special purpose implements that Deere offers are rather high priced but they do seem to work well and also seem to last a long time. Things like the MC519 collection system, snow blowers and front blades are not cheap but are available to get jobs done.

The hydraulic deck height adjustment works very well and is a lot easier to use when raising large heavy decks. Repeatability of height settings is excellent in a wide range of cutting heights, do not understand what you were getting at with your description. I will say that most mowers I have used don't seem to have a problem with deck height adjustments whether manual lift or hydraulic lift, they all seem to work.

I have not owned the intermediate transaxles such as the k66 or k72, I have had a few k46 and the present k92. Having been a member here for a number of years I have read plenty of threads on all of these model transaxles and feel I know a little about them. One of the advantages of the x748 and higher models, x749 and x758 is their ability to control decent going down a hill. As far as mowers go these are hard to beat for steep slopes as far as the transaxles are considered. Ventrac has a wider stance for greater stability and is also a great product.

I am not trying to knock your Husky but it's build is no where near the construction of an x7xx series mower. Understandably it is not as expensive either. Others can comment on the x5xx series comparisons as I have no experience with those models.

 

[buickanddeere]

The Deere 380 and higher are respectable as they use a heavier duty transaxle than the wimpy K46 in the lower tractors .

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I have a quick hitch on the x749 and use cat 1 implements for most jobs. Don't buy your argument about special implements for the x7xx models. I will agree that some special purpose implements that Deere offers are rather high priced but they do seem to work well and also seem to last a long time. Things like the MC519 collection system, snow blowers and front blades are not cheap but are available to get jobs done.

The hydraulic deck height adjustment works very well and is a lot easier to use when raising large heavy decks. Repeatability of height settings is excellent in a wide range of cutting heights, do not understand what you were getting at with your description. I will say that most mowers I have used don't seem to have a problem with deck height adjustments whether manual lift or hydraulic lift, they all seem to work.

I am not trying to knock your Husky but it's build is no where near the construction of an x7xx series mower. Understandably it is not as expensive either. Others can comment on the x5xx series comparisons as I have no experience with those models.

How much did the quick hitch set you back? Without the quick hitch you would be using Cat 0 attachments and your x749 simply doesn't have the height required to run various Cat 1 attachments correctly, Cat 0 is best for garden tractors.

And about that special implements argument you said it yourself, if you want to hook a snow blower, front blade or the hydraulic pivot bucket thing, you have to buy JD brackets and JD implements (frontier) at JD prices where the 1R could buy any manufacturers.

As far as deck height goes, do you have settings on the hydraulic lift? For example if your rolling over raised roots, do you lift to full height? Or do you tap the hydraulic lift and guess at a height that will clear the roots?

I just brought up with 7 height settings it gets easy after awhile to know exactly what setting will get as close as possible to the object without contacting it like roots. I wasn't proving either was better just pointing out which I prefer.

I never compared a Husqvarna mower to a x7xx series mower, I never said Husqvarna was a superior mower, all I pointed out is the higher end Husqvarna lawn tractor (AKA Garden tractors) were not so far apart from the JD x5 series and most people think and there half the price at that.

I am not pro any brand, I am pro having separate machines for FEL work and mowing grass, I'm pro a mower that will last a long time and is capable of a uniform cut at the best bang for my buck. For me that happened to be JD on the tractor (bought used) and Husqvarna on the mower (also used).

That x749 is a sweet rig, unlike smoothas in not interested in belittling people or being disrespectful against there purchases.

 

[beenthere]

BFJ
Why the continual push for Husqvarna product on this JD site?

Getting old... and think one thread was finally locked due to something similar.

Give it a rest. pls.

 

[farmbuilt]

Thanks all for the responses and help. I'm going to take a look at a used 2011 X720 62" deck that has 360 hours on it this week - hes asking 6500. I've also found a used 2015 x590 on craigslist with only 79 hours on it - the dealer is asking for $5500 and has a 54" deck and power steering. May try and take a look at that one as well. Another guy is selling a x500 with less than 100 hours on it with 4-5 attachments for $5800 - attachments included are the Cab, Snow Plow, 44" Snow Blower , Chains, Weights, Power Lift..


If I can get the X720 down to 5500 - I should probably go with that one since its a much more powerful machine. But as others pointed out, the attachments are going to be costly. This is a tough decision for me, but BOTH series will work for my terrain.

 

[Teachu2]

Thanks all for the responses and help. I'm going to take a look at a used 2011 X720 62" deck that has 360 hours on it this week - hes asking 6500. I've also found a used 2015 x590 on craigslist with only 79 hours on it - the dealer is asking for $5500 and has a 54" deck and power steering. May try and take a look at that one as well. Another guy is selling a x500 with less than 100 hours on it with 4-5 attachments for $5800 - attachments included are the Cab, Snow Plow, 44" Snow Blower , Chains, Weights, Power Lift..


If I can get the X720 down to 5500 - I should probably go with that one since its a much more powerful machine. But as others pointed out, the attachments are going to be costly. This is a tough decision for me, but BOTH series will work for my terrain.

All of those will be light years ahead of your L130. Sure don't see equipment like that for sale around here, new or used. Best of luck with your search!