Thoughts on John Deere X749

[arrabil]

I just put my first fuel filter on my x495 diesel. It has 200 hours on it. Oil filter and oil are the same price as filters for gas burners from deere. It may take a little more oil, not sure, but I did not have to buy any spark plugs. JC

Gotta agree that there is no maintenance cost difference between the X475 (gas) and the 4200 (diesel). Personally I can't wait to get an X749 in 2013.

 

[Whitey]

One more tidbit.......the 425 is a shaft drive mower configuration. No slippage when cutting grass. I will never own a belt driven mower again.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

Used machines no depreciation here.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Gotta agree that there is no maintenance cost difference between the X475 (gas) and the 4200 (diesel). Personally I can't wait to get an X749 in 2013.

There is a huge difference in maintenance and operating cost between a gas tractor and a diesel. To begin with, there are no spark plugs. The hours between services are extended. You cut more acres per hour. You get longer life. You get more torque. What is there to want in gas unless it is the initial sticker?

 

[LBrown59]

I think I am leaning to the x749 .

How r u leanin by now?

 

[LBrown59]

We thought about trading it in and getting a 2305 and she drove it and there was no comparison in handling so she said no. So I bought a used CUT TLB . Now if you want to dig that is a different debate.
1*Buy two like I did

Or 3 like me.

 

[Dude Man]

Well... I don't know... So many decisions. JD shouldn't make so many models. I will go diesel for sure. I do think, that I am going to go with the X749. Just for the fact that it is really for snow blowing and cutting grass as a second task. I have a lot of trees in my yard and I think that with all the turning I will tear up my grass with a 2305. I also have to mow in a pretty steep ditch that, in my reading people complained about puckering (If that is the correct term) saying sub compacts do that easily. The biggest thing is that the 2305 won't fit in my enclosed trailer to haul around if needed, due to not having a folding ROPS. That doesn't really matter cause either tractor there will be a cab. No more snow in my face getting wet and cold period!! Also I don't think I can get the 2305 with a blower on in my garage with everything else in winter and get it out easily due to being so much longer than the 749 and not turning as sharp. Wish I had a bigger garage about now.. maybe next year.

Plus I really don't need a FEL. My father has a CASE 646 5 minutes away. I also know plenty of people I can get a skid loader from easily enough. I figure if I need a bucket all it will take is a little fore site to get something lined up for the next day to use.

Thanks for all you suggestions and thoughts.

 

[LBrown59]

1* One of the reasons I was in the x74x series is because I can get fuel for the tractor off the father-in-law's farm for cheap or next to nothing.

2*Is that true about the diesel motor? Running longer while operating on a tank of fuel? and lasting longer down the road?
Thanks guys!

1*The fuel will work in the 2305 won't it?
2*Certainly !

 

[VABlue]

<i> "...all the turning I will tear up my grass with a 2305."

Disagree... With no 4wd, no loader, and not slamming the go pedal, the 2305 won't make any more dents in the lawn than the 749 will. Especially if you run with turfs! As for the loader, keep in mind that borrowing your nieghbors will grow old when they realize that you didn't spend the money they spent simply because they had already spent it.

Just a couple of more things to make the decision that much harder!!

 

[JDFANATIC]

The biggest thing is that the 2305 won't fit in my enclosed trailer to haul around if needed, due to not having a folding ROPS. That doesn't really matter cause either tractor there will be a cab.

Dude,

There are aftermarket folding ROPS for the 2305 if this is really a hang up, but you mention a cab. I think you'd better check on the height of the cab. It may be no different than the ROPS and might not fit in your trailer or garage.

 

[LBrown59]

As for the loader, keep in mind that borrowing your nieghbors will grow old when they realize that you didn't spend the money they spent simply because they had already spent it.

Just a couple of more things to make the decision that much harder!!

He will let a lot of small loader jobs go because he won't want to bug the neighbor about borrowing their tractor.
Get the 2305 with the loader now -/- it's better than getting the x749 and wishing later he'd gotten a loader.

 

[msengstock]

FWIW, I have an x728 - had no need for 4ws and wanted the ability to add a loader. Mainly a lawn mowing machine on some pretty rocky, bumpy, root infested NE land - about 2.5 acres. I bought mine with the 45 loader - and use it all the time. Beats using a wheel barrow.

I debated the 2305 when I bought it, but had no need for a backhoe (and still don't) - BUT - due to some of the operational peculiarities on the X728 (3ph and loader curl simulataneaous operation, having to remove the loader to remove the mowing deck, the 3ph depth control requires getting off and turning a screw about 50 times to lock it in the up position, etc) and some restrictions of the loader - lift height mainly - can't dump mulch over my 6 foot fence by the pool ... sure I can lift it that high, but not when you uncurl the bucket to dump it (I think the 2305 is basically the same in this regard) I would consider the 2520/2720 for the lift height and the ability (at extra cost) easily switch from loader to 3ph work with out them moving at the same time. But then you are officially out of the ballpark in regards to the x7XX price range.

Oh, and the Deere dealership here won't sell me an imatch because it's "not recommended" on the X series - so attaching and removing heavy implements can be a bear - or at the very least a knuckle busting, bloody profanity laced experience.


Anyway, just my novice 2 cents.

Mike

 

[JDFANATIC]

BUT - due to some of the operational peculiarities on the X728 (3ph and loader curl simulataneaous operation

Mike,

There should be a diverter valve under the right footrest that you close off so the 3PH becomes more isolated from the scv functions.

Which dealer in CT did you buy from?

 

[msengstock]

JDFAN'

Yes, when I close the diverter when I use the loader it works great so long as I have nothing on the 3ph (and use the click and go weight box vs. a 3ph weight box) ... but with a heavy implement or weight box on the 3ph, the diverter only dampens the effect ... so if I'm using the loader I need to lock up the 3ph using the depth control "screw" on the 3ph to keep it from moving when I curl/un curl the bucket. Locking the mower deck is no big deal because the knob is right there on the floor board, but the 3ph requires you to raise the hitch to its highest point, getting off, and screwing the depth control in which is on the lower left of the rock shaft then getting back on and using the loader ... and if you need to use the 3ph, after a loader operation, you have basically do the same (raise the hitch/curl the bucket unscrew the depth control and be very aware of where your bucket is when your are lowing the 3ph because the bucket will uncurl at the same time roughly)

The easy answer is to take the loader off when useing the 3ph or unplug the bucket hoses, but when moving topsoil and wanting to grade it with a box blade - it becomes a chore and just seems like a design oversight/flaw. Still easier that using a shovel and wheel barrow though which is the only reason I haven't traded "sweetness" in on a 2XXX tractor.

I bought mine from WestEnd Power Equipment in New Milford/Danbury even though Martinka and sons is about 10 miles from my house - got a better feeling from West End.

 

[LBrown59]

One more tidbit.......the 425 is a shaft drive mower configuration. No slippage when cutting grass. I will never own a belt driven mower again.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP

Used machines no depreciation here.

Aren't the blades belt driven?

 

[nmu98]

Aren't the blades belt driven?

Yes the blades are belt driven, but those are run by pto shaft and gear box..


BTW, GFY

 

[arrabil]

As someone who can't wait to get his hands on an X749, I'd just like to say the only reason I want one is because it will be a kick *** mowing machine. Period. My hilly, rocky, uneven, full-of-obstacles terrain demands a riding mower as opposed to a ZTR. Unless you have a need for maneuverability in difficult conditions, you'll probably be a lot better off with a SCUT than the high-end X-series.

I just recently got the 4200 and I am REALLY glad I didn't let my wife talk us into the 45 loader for the X475. I don't know anything about operational quirks, you can just do SO much more with a proper compact tractor.

 

[LBrown59]

Yes the blades are belt driven, but those are run by pto shaft and gear box..

Same as my CC and BX.

 

[jcmseven]

In response to the previous question and posts I will add a couple of comments: first in contradiction to Messick's suggestion that the X series tractors take a huge depreciation hit, I have not found this to be true. In my personal experience of owning two of these machines and selling them for larger tractors, I felt they held their value quite well. There definitely is still a market for these tractors, even in our current economy and the typical buyer will not necessarily be the same looking at a 2305. My dealer continues to sell them at a fair clip despite the economy and he feels they also hold value well. I would say, though, this is partially location-dependent.

Second, I have mentioned to those in this situation to bear one major thing in mind: do you, or likely will you ever need to use multiple hydraulic attachments? This is one area where the X series machines fall short. They are NOT "just garden tractors." These machines have the power and most of the capability of a SCUT tractor and use most of the same-sized attachments--save for their hydraulic capacities, which are modest at best. Most small tractor owners ultimately want or feel they need a front end loader at some point. This creates problems for the X series machines due to their lack of hydraulic power. I have owned a FEL (JD 45) with my 595 and found it better than a shovel--but not by a lot. The 2305 would run circles around the X in this area. I also recall that one cannot mount a FEL on an AWS X series, but I could be wrong about that. Also, there is not as much difference between the X series and the 2305 in mowing manuverability. Many posts over the years have suggested there is a major difference here--there is not. These machines are comparably manuverable and agile and one will not "tear up" grass more than the other. They are also about the same physical size.

John M

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for your experience based perspective John. There is something about the X7xx series that makes me want one when I see them. I guess that the bottom line is that if you can use the AWS they are great, but if you don't want that, perhaps the 2305 deserves a close look.

 

[LBrown59]

:
1* These machines have the power and most of the capability of a SCUT tractor and use most of the same-sized attachments--save for their hydraulic capacities, which are modest at best.
Most small tractor owners ultimately want or feel they need a front end loader at some point.
2*This creates problems for the X series machines due to their lack of hydraulic power.
John M

1*&2*These 2 points leave them setting in the garden tractor class ( though be it in the top of that class ) as they don't measure up to a sub compact in those areas.
All else being equal I fail to see where they offer any advantage over a sub compact.