X500-series Feedback Needed

[EquipmentJunkie]

A co-worker of mine is contemplating a mower to replace his high-hour, Deere 345 (it's starting to fall apart at 900+ hours). He wants to graduate to the 4WD X-series for the added traction & durability. I think the X-series is a worthwhile replacement.
According to the specs, it looks like you lose a fair amount of maneuverability with the 4WD. How does well does it maneuver with the 62" deck?
Would you get 4WD again, if you were buying one today?
Are the Heavy Duty All Purpose tires too-aggressive for mowing?
Diesel or Gas? (I vote for diesel, since it runs through my veins. But what does everybody think?)
Has anybody had problems with their X-series? Anything to pay attention to when ordering, must-haves or avoid-at-all-costs?
Thanks for your help, in advance.

 

[beenthere]

I have the X485, for starters.
Unless the 4wd is needed for operating an FEL on the X, then I would forget the 4wd, and go to the all wheel steer. Much more manueverability and either the gas X485 or diesel X495 (easier on fuel cost) will handle the 62" mower (same engines as in the X500's).

With all wheel steer (AWS), the traction is greatly improved as the rear wheels 'seek' the ground that gives it traction. Pretty amazing to get stuck on a slippery root or rock and just turn the wheels to get around it. There is positraction for the drive wheels and in 7 years of using the AWS 400's, I may have used the positraction 15-20 times at best. Just never run out of traction as I used to with the older lawn tractors, namely the Deere 210.

IMO, there are no problems that are danger zones for the X series. The 345 should bring a good trade-in as it is a good solid tractor as well, and IMO the X series is an even better workhorse and very good investment.

My elderly neighbor, who has been mowing about 7 acres of lawn around his farmstead with a 42" yard man for many years, just bought an X485 (not AWS) with a 54" deck. He is in heaven. Way more money than he ever thought he would spend for a mower, but he mows in 20% less time, and gets a lawn that is imaculate compared to what he had. He is very happy (he broke down with the yardman, and it would be two weeks to get parts, so I had him take mine to mow one time - thats all it took).

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I should mention that the 4WD is needed due to the fact that the sides of a large, water detention basin must be mowed. 4WD is almost a requirement for safety reasons.
The detention basin is a new addition to the property and mowing has not been attempted with the 345 since the grass is just getting established. He doesn't think that the 345 will do the job.
From my experience, mowing the sides of a detention basin will cause the "pucker factor" like nothing else.
My father has a JD 455 4WS and he loves it. I know what you mean about turning the wheel to avoid getting stuck. It's like you have opened up another dimension. 4WS blows your mind.
I wish that you could combine 4WD with 4WS, but no such luck.

 

[DJLX]

I also traded a 345 to a X585. The 345 is a great mower but I needed more traction and wanted the hydraulics. The 4WD and diff lock will give less maneuverbility but when not needed is switched off. The HDAP can tear up the tuff if not careful usally in 4WD, steep slopes and turning. I have the 54" deck and it cuts great for me. Also mine is fuel injected gas(which it goes through plenty compared to the 345) which is very quiet. The cutting deck noise drowns out the engine.
I had a problem with sticking throttle which the dealer has replaced. I really like the size of this mower-feels comfortable and powerful. I use a johnny bucket and have no complaints other than the resolved throttle problem and initial cost. I originally wanted the diesel but cost was more and so was the noise and vibration.

 

[beenthere]

"..for safety reasons.." /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I'd wager that the AWS will mow anywhere that the 4wd would mow, including what you mentioned. Now, admittedly, I could be wrong. But the AWS is like being on a mountain goat, and I know where I have been to say that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My suggestion would be to give the AWS a try first, and then move to the 4wd to try second (or try them both before deciding). As I say, unless there is another chore other than mowing, I'd bet the AWS will do the job better. I'm not including trying to mow where there is mud. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Even the 4wd shouldn't be expected to go there, and getting stuck will be just that much 'deeper' in trouble.