X300 / X500 bagging options

[kolyur]

We moved to a new home about a year ago and now have a 1+ acre lot with about 3/4 acre to mow. I've been doing it with a push mower up until now so needless to say I'm ready for a change. I've pretty much decided on green but I'm debating between the X300 and X500. My lot is generally flat except for about 1/3 of it which is at a smooth 10 degrees. The lawn perimeter is very curvy and I have a number of trees to mow around so I've decided on 4WS and a 48" deck, which leaves X384 and X584 as my options. At this point I don't intend to do anything with it besides mow and maybe pull a small yard cart, so I think the X384 would fit the bill for this. But there's the issue of comfort--I'm a big guy at 6'3" 240lb and my knees were right against the steering wheel of the X300. I don't anticipate moving snow but I could see getting some small implements for it someday--roller, dethatcher, aerator. These concerns were making me lean toward the X500 even though it would be a tighter fit in my garage.

Anyway, I'd welcome any thoughts on the whole X300 vs. X500 thing but the real reason for my post has to do with bagging. I was planning to get the mulch kit and 7 bu. Powerflow bagger, with the intent of mulching whenever possible but bagging when the grass goes crazy in springtime. Our lot is next to a woods so we do get a lot of leaves on the yard in the Fall but I have a walk-behind blower that makes quick work of sending them all back where they came from. The problem is the shrubs and mulched beds, which are extensive and require the leaves to be vacuumed out rather than blown. Right now I have an old Peco lawn vac that I inherited from my dad (similar to the one in the pic). He mounted it on a cart and attached a long hose with a handle to the intake. It works OK but the bag is hard to empty and dragging it around the yard is a pain.

So... I'm wondering if there's some kind of bagger unit available for the Deere that has the option of attaching a hose for shrub cleanup and the like. The caveat is that I do not want a trailer-style machine. It's going to take some maneuvering of the tractor to reach some of these spots and I know I can't do it with a trailer attached. The Peco unit I have used to be mounted to the back of a Cub Cadet and it would fit the bill if emptying the bag wasn't such a bear. Peco doesn't seem to make this style of bagger anymore. So far the only one I've found that mounts directly to the tractor is the Trac Vac 462, but frankly I'm not real keen on the neighbors watching me mow with a big trash can on my rear end.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on equipment, or just hearing how you guys in similar situations handle it in the Fall.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to TBN

I use the MC519 cart, and it is on wheels but is not like having a trailer-type. Put a hydraulic ram on it for dumping and have it on either my X485 or 425 which are both AWS. IMO it is the only way to go.

The Deere Powerflow system is a very good solid blower, IMO.

 

[rekees4300]

Sounds like the X584 would be best for a big guy like you. I have X500 without a bagger. Property surrounded by trees so have a major leaf problem in the Fall. The X500 mower is so powerful I use the deck as a blower to blow of the leaves back in the woods. Here's a link to bagging options.

John Deere Yard & Lawn Care Riding Mower Attachments

 

[s219]

I just bought an X380 recently, and so far the fit is OK for my 6'1" 215# frame. I have the seat almost all the way back, but it has another 2-3 stops left. I'd think in the farthest back position it could definitely fit you, but you would know better than me.

I really would have liked an X500 for the larger tires, but it was overkill for my yard and the price jump was substantial. I think the model I was looking at was over $6000. The X380 came in at $3700 after rebates and discounts.

 

[Ed of all trades]

s219

How do you think your mower would do with a snow blower? I will only have about a 50 ft drive that is 2 cars wide with some slope but not bad.


Kolyur
Sorry for the hijack. I am looking just like you. Ed

 

[kolyur]

Thanks to all for the replies. I sat on the 300 and 500 again and didn't notice as much difference in legroom this time. But I had just found out that the X584 is $2,500 more than the X384 so perhaps that fact was clouding my judgement. I think the 500 is off the table; realistically it's overkill for my needs. I spoke to a friend with a 345 and he highly recommended power steering and hydraulic deck lift so now I'm looking at the X394 as a compromise.

 

[s219]

Thanks to all for the replies. I sat on the 300 and 500 again and didn't notice as much difference in legroom this time. But I had just found out that the X584 is $2,500 more than the X384 so perhaps that fact was clouding my judgement. I think the 500 is off the table; realistically it's overkill for my needs. I spoke to a friend with a 345 and he highly recommended power steering and hydraulic deck lift so now I'm looking at the X394 as a compromise.

I don't think either of those options are needed at all. And I say that coming from a previous Deere mower before the 380. The deck is easy to lift and adjust with the foot pedal, and I've never detected the need for power steering on such a small mower at all. Bigger tractor, yes, but on something so small with turf tires, there isn't much resistance in the steering wheel at all. Save your $$.

 

[s219]

s219

How do you think your mower would do with a snow blower? I will only have about a 50 ft drive that is 2 cars wide with some slope but not bad.

I don't think I can answer that well, but I suspect it would do better than the walk behind snow blowers I used as a kid. The 380 certainly has plenty of guts. I imagine you'd want tire chains.

 

[Ed of all trades]

s219

Thanks for the reply. I went to the deere dealer today just to look and ended up putting a down payment on a x310. It is a 2015 and I can get it for less than $3000. The x370 that is the same mower almost is over $1000 more. I really like it so far, time will tell. I will get the snow blower later. Ed

 

[DJRuss]

:welcome: to TBN

I use the MC519 cart, and it is on wheels but is not like having a trailer-type. Put a hydraulic ram on it for dumping and have it on either my X485 or 425 which are both AWS. IMO it is the only way to go.

The Deere Powerflow system is a very good solid blower, IMO.

I just picked up a 265 that came with one of these. It has a little pneumatic piston. Does yours not or did you remove it? Here's a pic of it "dumping". I'm actually looking to sell it if anyone local is interested. I just don't have the space or need for it right now.