New to Forum and Thanks

unit40 · Feb 26, 2007

Hello,
I've been reading this forum and had to register so i could thank everyone for your posts and advice about purchasing a new tractor. I have a '92 yanmar...oooops, I meant John Deere 1070 tractor with a 440 loader that i use regularly at work as a municipal groundskeeper in Massachusetts. I love it and have several thousand hours on it. Plenty of tales to tell.
But I have been needing a replacement for my home unit and had a real tuff time deciding. It was what i wanted vs. what I needed. Then I had a serious case of indecisive tb syndrome. I wanted to upgrade, needed something compact. I get spoiled with all the toys at work...the Deere 1445, the Kubota F3060, the Excel4600 zero turn with the range wings. I needed power -steeering, I was worn out pushing a wheel barrow and spreader around the yard.
I almost purchased a shibaura...ooops. I meant New Holland TZ25DA. I mow several acres of nice yard, spread a lot of mulch, fertilizer and stuff, I want to do a few other things. But after reading the forums i realized the NH tractors are problematic. Dealer wouldn't even return my messages regarding the issues. I put thousands of hours on a NH CM224 and was familiar with the product.
Then I had my heart on a yanmar...ooooops. John Deere 2320, 62" bagger, front loader. Even used 2210s and 2305s.
After months of DEEEEEEP thought, I finally have (in a week) a new, wisconsin made Deere X744, 62", 3bagger, PTO and 3pt hitch.
I needed something that mowed well , maneuvered as good as a Z, but could do more. I'm about to order a Johnny Bucket, pto spreader, maybe a splitter, who knows.
Listen, I know what a small loader can do, I work one all the time. I know what a Bobcat and a Deere 544 can do, we got 3 of them at work. But I also need to mow twice a week, collect the clippings so the kids don't track 'em all over the house. And I value a great lawn. Can't wait to get it home. I'm trading in my 2002 Deere..ooops..Scotts L2548.
Thanks again,

TimS · Feb 26, 2007

Congratulations - sounds like a nice unit. If you are going to get a Johnny Bucket, you should probably consider getting the transaxle relief valve that goes with the loader you'd buy from Deere.

Tim

unit40 · Feb 26, 2007

I saw that it comes with the loader. what exactly is it for?

Thomas · Feb 26, 2007

Welcome to TBN unit40.

Nothing like field experience helping to decide your needs....enjoy your new investment.

unit40 · Feb 26, 2007

There was another thing that steered me away from the new 62" decks for the 2320. Those gauge wheels on the deck. Any talk about scalping and gouging and I'm running away. I've never seen more poorly designed deck scalp wheels in my life. Deere makes great mowing equipment, 7-iron decks are superior. But since i have logged thousands of hours on large commercial mowers, i can say that i would have liked to see the scalp wheels from my old MTD Lawn chief than the ones that Deere put on that new deck. They should have just kept the old style. It is tried and true. They don't stick way out like the new style either. I didn't like that.

cast_and_blast · Feb 27, 2007

I was making the same type of decision last summer - opted for the 2305 with a 62C MMM, 200CX loader, ballast box, etc. For my needs, it fit just right.

I like the cut from the MMM - it's quick to remove too for heavier loader work!

Just curious what the deciding factors were for the 744 over the 2305. I know the 744 is AWS, but other than that it seems you're setting it up like a 2210/2305/2320 with the 3-pt, etc.

Again - you're uses may be different that mine so this isn't a criticism (the 744 looks really nice!), just wondering what steered you this way vs. what steered me the other.

Good luck!

Scott

unit40 · Feb 28, 2007

Cast n blast,

I know, I know. It was a tough decision. I needed to upgrade my mower yet add capability. I know those 20 series do a lot of things well. But First and formost, I needed a machine that did one thing REALLY well, and that was mow grass. Top priority was a big deck, big bagger, diesel, compactness, low and stable, with top-notch near zero-turn maneuverability. No ROPS to get hung up on the trees. The added hitch and PTO allow me to run a fertilizer spreader - I can't stand the tow behind units. I don't need 4WD, I have a v-plow on my pick-up, and I don't think that I really needed a loader. I spread 12 yds mulch each year and some loam and gravel, so a Johnnybucket will do the trick. As far as price, I think it is all relative. 30k can buy you a nice van, motorcycle, sports car, family sedan, or a hot-rod. They will all get you around but do something better than the others, not so well as the others. Another thing I liked was that the X is a really thought out design,think BMW designwurks. The ergonomics are top notch. Plus it is one of few Deere tractors actually made in the US. Makes me feel all warm inside.

dtd24 · Mar 1, 2007

Unit,
Hello and welcome. I own a 98 JD 1070 w/ 440 loader and Bb hoe as well. I think you have stumbled to the right spot.

unit40 · Mar 1, 2007

dtd,
While servicing the 1070 and the usual inspections/lubing linkages, I noticed that a lot of the hydro-piping is starting to rust away. A lot of sheet metal has been rusting, especially along the edges. I usually take it off if I have to and repaint. But if those lines start to go....doesn't look like an easy fix. I've got a set of hydro connections plumbed to the rear also. Also, have had to grind some teeth in the parking brake pawl so it catches better...a little worn out in spots. Believe me, the tractor gets a bath often, probably the fertilizer/dust gets in there and eats it away. Even though I've had it since 92 or so, I just noticed the weight adjustment for the seat. I only recently started bottoming out and no, I'm not getting any heavier!!