Thoughts on John Deere X749

[LBrown59]

My wife and I test drove the 2305 at the dealer last Saturday. We like it. Now we are waiting on implements and assembly. Once delivered the Salesman said he would give me 30 days to try it on my property like the X749's John Deere Promise. I think I will only need a Saturday-Sunday to know for sure. Prime concerns at this point between the two tractors are pucker factor on hills and how much the MFWD tears up the yard on turns.

The fan seems to have a guard under and toward the tractor rear, but the lower half of the fan front is unprotected. I laid under the tractor for literally 10 minutes inspecting this setup from both sides and determined it to be an acceptable risk. I really think for every 1 stick that reaches that fan 10-15 are going to strike something else on the undercarriage. Knowing about the tractors weakpoints will REALLY help me manage the risk.

At this point I am really more worried about using the 200CX for plowing snow. We usually do not get much snow in St. Louis. I know if I buy a blade I will not get nearly as much use out of it as an FEL. My wife and I plan to make do with the FEL for snow this year and if it is a real problem we'll buy a quick-tach blade or blower next year. I believe a 3PH blade is worse than a FEL for snow. My driveway is asphalt and concrete. Someone confirm?

Thanks,
Bill
St. Louis, MO

1 One thing about the attachments is you would have to get all new ones if you ever went from the x748 to a 2305.

The x748 implements are also more expensive.

 

[saskman49]

My wife and I test drove the 2305 at the dealer last Saturday. We like it. Now we are waiting on implements and assembly. Once delivered the Salesman said he would give me 30 days to try it on my property like the X749's John Deere Promise. I think I will only need a Saturday-Sunday to know for sure. Prime concerns at this point between the two tractors are pucker factor on hills and how much the MFWD tears up the yard on turns.

The fan seems to have a guard under and toward the tractor rear, but the lower half of the fan front is unprotected. I laid under the tractor for literally 10 minutes inspecting this setup from both sides and determined it to be an acceptable risk. I really think for every 1 stick that reaches that fan 10-15 are going to strike something else on the undercarriage. Knowing about the tractors weakpoints will REALLY help me manage the risk.

At this point I am really more worried about using the 200CX for plowing snow. We usually do not get much snow in St. Louis. I know if I buy a blade I will not get nearly as much use out of it as an FEL. My wife and I plan to make do with the FEL for snow this year and if it is a real problem we'll buy a quick-tach blade or blower next year. I believe a 3PH blade is worse than a FEL for snow. My driveway is asphalt and concrete. Someone confirm?

Thanks,
Bill
St. Louis, MO

A 3pt hitch blade is just as good as a front blade except your are constantly having to turn around. They can be angled like a front unit to windrow the snow and then you could do final cleanup with the FEL to push stuff back. Given the small amt of snow you get the rear blade would be much cheaper as you don't have to purchase a quick hitch like you do for a front blade. Of course if you plan on needing a sweeper or any other front attachment the QH will be required anyway.

Good luck with your decision making and enjoy whatever you decide to go with.

 

[stlbill]

I think I am going to try and use the 200CX for snow removal the first year. I ordered the 61" bucket to have something wider than the tractor. I understand the 2305 will not lift the 61" bucket full of wet snow. I am hoping to not let the bucket get that full before dumping. We'll see.

Of course St. Louis has to get enough snow to find out. Here is to hoping for a white Christmas!

 

[LBrown59]

The fact is that it is not that special. I believe there are other specialty brands that are supposed to be excellent on slopes. The X7XX are not necessarily marketed for slopes either. In fact, JD states up to 13 deg slope is safe.

Yep just a plain ole Garden Tractor with garden tractor characteristics.
Not a special JD contribution.

 

[turbo36]

Yep just a plain ole Garden Tractor with garden tractor characteristics.
Not a special JD contribution.

Yup, another all knowing all seeing observation from the resident John Deere naysayer. Thanks for this most insightful information.

 

[Builder]

I'm also looking at the X749. Dealer has a 748, but I think i'll order a 749 if I go this route.

If you look at Kubota, they have a GR2160 R48S. It's AWD/AWS 21HP Kubota diesel. It could be a serious competitor if it had a 60" or larger deck. Unfortunately, it only has a maximum of 54" deck. Also doesn't look like the knobby turfs are available. The tires unlock from 4x4 in turns and it'll turn a whopping 70*. Once the wheels are straigtened, it goes back into 4WD.

Not quite a X749, but cheaper. Problem is, I really want a 72" deck, but the 62" might have to suffice as I can't find a tractor that matches the X749.

Anyone think the 7 iron drive over is worth it just so the deck can be removed for cleaning?
I hate cleaning my mid mount 48" as it is.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The back over feature of the 7 Iron deck is really nice according to all that have used it. It is not available on the 4 wheel steer models though, and I don't know if material collection systems are available for it. Just a couple of things to ask about. The new JD decks do come with a fitting for a garden hose to wash most of the junk from the underside of the deck. I'm not sure how well these work, but another thing to ask about.

 

[Builder]

The back over feature of the 7 Iron deck is really nice according to all that have used it. It is not available on the 4 wheel steer models though, and I don't know if material collection systems are available for it. Just a couple of things to ask about. The new JD decks do come with a fitting for a garden hose to wash most of the junk from the underside of the deck. I'm not sure how well these work, but another thing to ask about.

Please explain more. You mean like some kind of wand/scraper?

 

[jenkinsph]

I have read here where some people say the X74X diesels are the same as the 2305. From what I have read the 2305 has cast in block liners where the X74X mowers have replaceable liners, anyone know for sure?

 

[ChuckinNH]

Please explain more. You mean like some kind of wand/scraper?

The decks have a fitting that accepts a regular garden hose. You screw the hose to the fitting, and start the deck up with the tractor. When you turn the water on, the blades really throw the water around under the deck, and it's supposed to clean most of the accumulated grass, etc. out of there. Most of the newer JD decks have this feature. I haven't heard how thoroughly it cleans things, perhaps mostly because folks that use it probably don't take the decks off just to look. Still, it can't hurt things, and saves some deck removal times. The material collection systems will still attach to the tractor with the 7 iron deck on, but I'm not sure JD has deck boots, and pulley set ups that fit that deck. Here are some pictures that another member posted about removing his 7 Iron deck though.