Buying Advice Need Advice - 1026R vs. X749

oliveriv · Apr 15, 2012

Long time lurker and dreamer here, and now it's time to turn to you guys for some insight...

Last fall I accompanied my brother-in-law to a local JD dealer to pick-up a lawnmower that he bought from them. I got talking with the salesman about my 3.5 acres and what I used to maintain it - currently a Craftsman 48" ride on mower with bagger for the grass, a Craftsman walk behind front tine rototiller for the garden, and a walk behind 30" Ariens snowblowerfor the snow. After chatting for a bit he put me onto either the X749 or the 1026R.

The general usage of the machine would be for:
1. Mainly the machine would be used for mowing grass, about 2 acres, and bagging the clippings.
2. About five times per year I would want to till my 64' x 40' garden
3. If it ever snows again in Wisconsin, which it can do seemingly anytime of year, I would love to blow snow from the seat of a tractor - 150' driveway, relatively flat.

After pricing both units, there isn't too much of a difference, and I would plan on getting:
1. 54" or 60" Mowing Deck - I'd appreciate thoughts on one vs the other
2. 14 Bushel Power Bagger - Maybe keep my current tractor for this purpose only?
3. Rear Tiller - From JD or Land Pride - I like the Reverse Tilling of the RTR0550
4. 54" Snowblower

While I have a terrible back, and don't lift much, I can't see me needing a front end loader for enough projects that would make it worth the investment. Being able to till and take care of snow from the comfort of my tractor, are back savers enough.

In talking with the salesman, he likened both units to having things they do better on a scale from 1-5: X749 cuts grass best, and digs worst. Conversely, 1026R digs best, and cuts worst.

I was all set on the 1026R, but am still a bit nervous that I will be disappointed with the turning radius, etc. for cutting grass - the tractors job 80% of the time.

Given my intended uses, my question is then (in addition to those above), what are your thoughts about one versus the other for my needs? Am I missing something - such as resale, etc. down the line?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and direction.

rockshaft · Apr 15, 2012

With 80% turf duty, and no need for a loader, I would go with the 749 if I was in your shoes.

Kyle_in_Tex · Apr 15, 2012

Welcome to the board! I am out of the loop on the smaller new 1026 and such. I would say at my age, looking into the future, I'd be looking at the drive on deck and quick attach stuff. I would think that these features would hold their value if they prove reliable. I hate having to hook up my sickle bar cutter. I'd almost rather go into the lion cage at the circus than hook it up.

revitupfaster · Apr 15, 2012

With having a bad back, you need a loader. You may not think you have many uses for it but believe me they will present themselves.

I have a JD X495 with the 62C deck. It is certainly my primary mowing machine. I also had a 27hp 4wd Yanmar Compact tractor with a 72" rear mount mower, but no loader. I always sort of wanted a loader, but the cost to add a loader to my Yanmar, was half way to buying a whole new rig, so I ended up trading it in on a new JD2520 with loader and a 62D drive on deck. Best thing I ever did, shoulda' had one of them loaders years ago. I immediately gave away my wheelbarrows, and don't miss them at all.

I also had the 54" front blade and quickhitch for my X495, which I upgraded to fit the new 2520, so I could use the bigger tractor for snow removal. I think I have the best of both worlds, as the X495 is a better grasscutter, but the 2520 handles the bigger jobs, and I can still cut grass with it if need be. I actually have an area I can't get at until later in the spring, and by that time the grass is usually pretty tall, so the 2520 works better in that stuff.

If I was only going to have one tractor, my choice would be for the 1026R, with the loader and either the 62C deck or the 7 iron drive-on job. The wider deck not only cuts down on the mowing time, it also lets you get closer to things as the deck will extend out farther from the tractor itself so you can get in closer.

Granted, the 7XX series is a better choice for mowing, but in my mind, it certainly can't compete with the 1 series stuff as far as a multipurpose tractor. Trust me, you will love having a FEL.......best thing since sliced bread.

REV

k0ua · Apr 15, 2012

+1 on the loader, I cannot imagine going thru life without a Front End Loader! It is such a useful thing. Kinda of like a self powered wheelbarrow, that you can also use to pry out rocks/roots/small trees. and Lift all kinds of outdoors things with a chain and some chain hooks.. Why use your back when you can use hydraulics.? I consider hydraulics one of the worlds greatest inventions. Just my 2 cents. (having owned a loader for over 20 years)

James K0UA

Zebrafive · Apr 15, 2012

I'd ask to demo each, even if a used unit from the used side of the dealer's lot. Mow your lawn once with each and you will know which one to get.

Is the 749 all wheel drive? Is that need to snowblow? I dont know, but those that do (snowblow) will know.

ejb69 · Apr 15, 2012

I went with the 1026r, it works great for mowing, and is awsome for blowing snow. I looked at the x7xx, but wanted 4x4, rear pto and 3 point, so the 1026 seemed to be the way to go.

I am very happy with the 1026r, but the x749 would likely work just as well for me.

jenkinsph · Apr 15, 2012

I chose the x749 with 4x4aws, 3PH and rear 540 pto. Very manueverable with plenty of power to run my Howard 60" tiller and newly built 48" landplane grader. I was able to use my 5' rearblade to push 12" of snow this year clearing customer driveways too. Another issue for me is the mountain terrain I have to deal with, the x749 has a low center of gravity, that combined with the 4x4 and all wheel steer works great.

Heres some pics of a job we started Friday, this project includes a new brick paver walkway with sitting area and a revamp of the lawn area. Tilled, smoothed and seeded the lawn area and rolled it with the 749. Also spread about 9 yards of fill and sand for the pavers making it much easier for my helper to finish out.

That said the 1026R or x748 is best for those wanting a fel, the 749 is best for manueverability and steep hills. All of these will work with front and rear implements and the 1026R with autoconnect deck is a plus in its favor.

dmrp6510 · Apr 16, 2012

I would take the auto connect deck for all other task the 1023 or 1026r would be better for general purpose use your making the step from lawn and garden to scut by the time you add all the stuff you need to the x series the 1026 may be cheaper. Btw I did not see much difference between the x series mowing quality verse the 2305 only thing is that when you get the larger decks there more prone to scalping in uneven ground so if that's a problem I would not go over 62"

jcdogfish · Apr 16, 2012

The 1026/23 is easier to get on and off of. Pretty comfortable. Resale will probably be better too because of the attachments. A few years ago I went with a zero turn because 90% of what I did was cut grass. Well short story, today I am back in a tractor.

jenkinsph · Apr 16, 2012

oliver,
Rereading your first post above you might wan't to consider the MC 519 cart with powerflo bagger 19 bushel capacity. I am waiting for a new unit to arrive and should be here in the next few days. Beenthere (poster) has his cart set up with hydraulic dump and I plan on adding this to mine when it arrives. Dumping the bags would be alot more time consuming, I mow about 3 acres at home and have used the bags until now.

Tilling your garden about 6 or 7 inches deep will take about 10 to 15 minutes. I tilled my neighbors garden 50x100 about 6 inches deep in 15 minutes two weeks ago.

I should also mention that the hdap tires seem to work well under all conditions from snow to garden to lawn. Very impressed with these tires overall.

rsewill · Apr 16, 2012

Tough decision but that 80% mowing means the four wheel steer on the X749 is the better choice. And get a cab! You can search YouTube for X749 for a video of a cabbed one snow blowing.

charleyfarmall · Apr 16, 2012

Somebody explain to my why you bag clippings and don't mulch them in? The last time I bagged clippings was 30 years ago. I have always mulched and left them since then. But then again, I don't believe in poisoning my lawn to kill weeds either. Especially since I have lived on well water for most of the last 30 years and I don't want that crap in my water.

jenkinsph · Apr 16, 2012

charleyfarmall said:
Somebody explain to my why you bag clippings and don't mulch them in? The last time I bagged clippings was 30 years ago. I have always mulched and left them since then. But then again, I don't believe in poisoning my lawn to kill weeds either. Especially since I have lived on well water for most of the last 30 years and I don't want that crap in my water.

I mulch clippings most of the time but this past year the thatch was too thick. I used my pine needle rake to break it all loose and bagged everything I could get up. The area I tested looked much better. I put all the clippings in a pile with pine needles and steer manure with some fertilizer added. This is later put back on the lawn for top dressing so it doesn't get thrown out.

Some areas such as the Southwest don't have enough moisture to promote breaking all the clippings down fast enough. When I lived in Louisiana you could make anything rot in a heartbeat.

jcmseven · Apr 18, 2012

I love the X 700 series machines and have expressed my affection for them in many posts over the years, but it seems to me that the 1026R is your better option. I have recently had a chance to try out one of these briefly and have familiarized myself with them. The are a marked upgrade from the previous 2305 and have all the creature comfort features of the X series in a very versatile package. I had a 595, which I loved, but really regretted not getting something with the hydraulics to operate a loader and rear implement simultaneously (which my X series could not). I was one who thought he would never need a loader. Now it is the attachment I use most with my current tractor. I think since John Deere has improved the ergonomics, ease of attachment use, and added features to its sub-compact, the X series no longer holds the big advantage in "usability" and comfort that it did over the 2210 and 2305. I now view the 1026R as like an X series in these areas that has a rockshaft that moves, too.

John M

droptop · Apr 19, 2012

Once you own a loader, you will never be without one. They make almost any task easier, even ones you would have never thought about using a loader for.

Another aspect to consider is the better resale value of SCUT's vs Garden tractors. The SCUT's hold their value pretty well.

jenkinsph · Apr 21, 2012

droptop said:
Once you own a loader, you will never be without one. They make almost any task easier, even ones you would have never thought about using a loader for.

Another aspect to consider is the better resale value of SCUT's vs Garden tractors. The SCUT's hold their value pretty well.

Loaders are great tools but I don't wan't them or the extra rear wheel weight on a lawn area. While they are handy everyone doesn't need one. The scut loaders can't pick up much weight anyway.

cjdavis618 · Apr 22, 2012

Porportional to the size of the tractor, the 1026R does very well lifting. Obviously, if you were moving hay bales or something you would want a bigger tractor, but for "Residential" uses, and light commercial, it is a nice setup. There a many places that the 1026R could go and deliver materials that the 4520 you have couldn't get to easily.

Like was said above, the 1026 has other features that may be liked more than the X749, such as the seating and creature comforts. It also will allow more tools to be used than the X749 with regards to implements. Regarding the loader, it takes no time at all to remove and reattach the H120 loader and if weight is a concern on the lawn, you can easily remove the loader and re-attach as needed. I have been driving mine around the last few days in 4wd (loader work) and do not see any tracks or ruts being caused by my R4 tires and the turning radius is very tight on the tractor. The front wheels will turn nearly 80 degrees and that is welcome when manuevering around with my loader on.

I have been very impressed with my 1026R for the jobs I have used it on. Mine came equiped with the Backhoe and H120 loader and we ordered the mid mount 60" mower extra. So far, I have not gotten to use the mower as I am waiting on it from the dealer. But I will be removing the other implements when mowing as needed to use it on a regular basis and retire an older JD lawn tractor.

I think the best advice is to have them bring them out for testing. Then you know for sure.

jenkinsph · Apr 22, 2012

cjdavis618 said:
Porportional to the size of the tractor, the 1026R does very well lifting. Obviously, if you were moving hay bales or something you would want a bigger tractor, but for "Residential" uses, and light commercial, it is a nice setup. There a many places that the 1026R could go and deliver materials that the 4520 you have couldn't get to easily.

Like was said above, the 1026 has other features that may be liked more than the X749, such as the seating and creature comforts. It also will allow more tools to be used than the X749 with regards to implements. Regarding the loader, it takes no time at all to remove and reattach the H120 loader and if weight is a concern on the lawn, you can easily remove the loader and re-attach as needed. I have been driving mine around the last few days in 4wd (loader work) and do not see any tracks or ruts being caused by my R4 tires and the turning radius is very tight on the tractor. The front wheels will turn nearly 80 degrees and that is welcome when manuevering around with my loader on.

I have been very impressed with my 1026R for the jobs I have used it on. Mine came equiped with the Backhoe and H120 loader and we ordered the mid mount 60" mower extra. So far, I have not gotten to use the mower as I am waiting on it from the dealer. But I will be removing the other implements when mowing as needed to use it on a regular basis and retire an older JD lawn tractor.

I think the best advice is to have them bring them out for testing. Then you know for sure.

I agree with alot of your points you have made but I don't think it is necessary for everyone to have a loader was my point. Those that want one then by all means get it.

I don't have a fel on my 4520 either, it would make the tractor awkward to use in my landscape bizz. The 110tlb is used for these tasks, and at about 8,000 lbs it does a good job. Everything is relative, I can usually get the 110 close to where I need materials and a wheelbarrow will go places my lawnmower won't fit.

About the comfort issue, both the x749 and the 1026R are very comfortable but if you do lots of 3ph work raking, boxblading and so on a lower seat back is preferable. I make most of my living doing this kind of work backing up for long distances between trees. Being able to steer the back wheels is a nice option and is a huge benefit when we rake up pine needles in the fall.

The 1026R and the x749 are very close in their abilities with 3ph equipment but I would think the 1026R would be slightly better if manueverability is less of an issue. Currently I have about ten attachments for the x749 and it does a pretty good job with them. I am sure the 1026R would too.

Having several tractors to choose from makes the choice for the x749 easier for me. I will likely sell the 820 this year and replace it with a 2720 and 200CX fel, thats about as small of a fel as I can make use of. I can easily see why you would like the 1026R with fel for homeowner use and am glad it is working out for you, enjoy your new tractor.:thumbsup: