X530/X540 Qustions

[JDTank]

The dealer quoted me $6,420 for the 540. If I can get them to throw in the HDAP tires for that price, I will own a 540 for sure. We shall see shortly as I'm leaving for the dealer now! I'll post back later with my results and pictures.

Thanks again for all the feedback, it's nice to be able to talk to other owners to help with this type of purchase. I may not have a lot of posts but rest assured I get about 2-3 hours of reading a day on this site. I am totally addicted!!!

Enjoy the experience to the fullest.

There really isn't anything quite like getting a new piece of equipment.

I am not sure what your like, but I have buyers remorse if I buy something that isn't truly what I wanted. When I purchased my X748SE, the day before I was going to go into the dealer and put down the deposit and order it, I had told myself I was only getting the X740. I had talked myself out of the X748 with AWD. I hardly slept that night at all, stewing over it. By the time I arrived at the dealership, I had changed my mind, and just went all in. I would have been very happy with the X740, no doubt, but I would have always known I didn't buy the best. I love fully loaded equipment, there's just no other way to go for maximum enjoyment. I have no regrets. It rains here 250 days of the year, so soft ground and mud are all to present around my area, which is where the AWD shines. Saves me from needing weights or chains 90% of the time, so I have absolutely no regrets.

 

[TnWV]

Ok, short story, I bought the 530. I'll give more detail on the decision a little later. After 2.2 hours, I absolutely love the mower. Handled every slop with ease, no slipping and sliding. It more than meets my expectations so I'm a happy camper. Cant say enough good about the power steering. Hot and dry here, so I need to go clean the dust off and then I'll post more pics.

 

[TnWV]

A little more detail......

I tested both the 530 & 540 for 15-20 minutes each on the same slopes at the dealer. There was really no noticeable difference between the two other than the turf tires on the 540 didn't grip as good as the HDAP. I knew right away which tires I preferred. While the 540 was a little quieter, the difference seemed pretty negligible to me and I always wear ear plugs anyway. I actually preferred the seat on the 530. The salesman tried to get them to switch the tires for me, but it just wasn't happening and I just couldn't see paying almost a grand more for the 540 after driving both.

After using it now for 2.2 hours, I am very impressed with this mower. I can't believe how well it holds the slopes. I didn't slip or spin any on the steepest areas. I am truly amazed at the difference the power steering makes. The thing turns on a dime! I just finished mowing a cemetery (about an acre) and man was maneuvering around the tombstones so much easier. Also at 7.2 mph, it's way faster than I can come close to mowing due to how rough my yard is. I considered a zero turn, but I can see now that I wouldn't have any gained much if anything over the 530. I don't mind the RIO too much, but I cannot see where it makes backing up any safer because I was focused more on using the switch correctly than if anything was behind me. It was starting to become second nature as I finished the cemetery. My only dislike is the seat safety switch. Even though there may not be as much need for shifting in the seat on the slopes, I would still feel more comfortable if I could do so. I would have this issue with any mower I would have bought so I can't really count it as a negative I guess. I'll see if I can figure a good way to disable it maybe.

I hear you on the buyers remorse thing, I tend to be the same way but usually because I spent a bunch of money to buy something that is more than I needed. Would the 540 or x7xx be better? Maybe, but I was able to get a much more capable machine than I've ever had that does exactly what I need it to, pay cash for it, and not completely break the bank, so for now its a win-win for me.

At 30 years old, I'm pretty certain this won't be my last mower no matter which one I bought, so not going completely top end gives me something to look forward to later on. Anyway, thanks to all who commented and gave me advice. It's been truly appreciated, and I'm looking forward to many hours of enjoyment on my new machine!

 

[rekees4300]

:thumbsup: Glad you are happy with your new X530. They are awesome aren't they!? Concerning the seat safety switch, you can sit on the edge of the seat and hold down on the center of the seat with one of your hands. That will keep the switch engaged. Use the other hand to steer. There's a whole thread about the RIO and various "fixes". I'm going to try the clothespin fix. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and be sure to read the owner's manual from cover to cover. Also recommend watching the safety DVD. Be careful on those slopes, it would make for a bad day if that 800 lbs. mower rolled over on top of you! :shocked: If you have more questions just post them here. :drink:

 

[Scooby074]

Great choice.. I know you'll be happy (even though its not the 540).

People say these machines are over priced... They say, "Hey, its only a lawnmower"... But once you mow any acreage with one, particularly if its hilly or bumpy, you know where the money went!!

On the interlock issues, I bypassed the seat switch on mine. Its not 100% safe of course. If I still had my 540, I probably would have geared up a dash switch or 2. One to bypass the Seat switch and one to bypass the RIO.

 

[JDTank]

Congratulations!

I can completely understand your logic and you made a perfectly smart choice! Your not really losing out on anything with the X530 because it is just as capable as the X540, it's not as if your stepping down to a smaller engine or transmission.

You truly do get what you pay for. With proper maintenance that machine should last you 15 - 20 years, but you will likely get the upgrade itch long before that time comes haha.

You made an excellent decision and that machine will bring you hours of enjoyment, you will actually WANT to cut grass now. Get yourself a little utility trailer and say goodbye to a wheelbarrow, that's the best part, towing things around!

 

[TnWV]

I agree that they're expensive, but also that you get what you pay for. I like new stuff, so I'm sure I'll get the upgrade bug long before I can ever where this thing out. Without a doubt I believe that the 530 is the best mower under 6K, and I have looked at everything I could. My brother in law has a 2 year old cub cadet (from a cub dealer, not box store) and he is ready to sell it. No quality there at all.

I'll have up try different things for worrying around the seat switch, buy again it's only an issue on my uncles lawn which I only mow 1-2 times a month. I have hollowed the most recent RIO thread closely and may try the pen cap trick next time I mow the cemetery, but it really didn't bother me much.

The x5xx is a fantastic machine if your main purpose it to mow. One of these days I'll probably own an x7xx buy for now I'm very satisfied. I feel like I'm mowing with a cadillac.

I did however forget to weasel the dealer out of a JD hat before leaving. Maybe when I go get the stuff for the first service I'll get him to throw it in.

 

[TnWV]

MariahZ-you got one heck of a deal on your 540. I looked high and low for such a deal and just never found anything close enough for me to go get. I would have bought that in a heartbeat.

 

[Eric Barney]

After looking at the photos of your awesome lawn, TnWV. I wanted to take my X540 for a spin on it! I was fairly sure that it would handle your hills with ease. Same with the X530.... How do you like that K72 hydro trans? Smooth power comes to mind for me! Enjoy your new JD!

 

[TnWV]

So far the trans feels very smooth and powerful. I could stop anywhere on the hills and start again without strain. It is also very responsive when pushing the pedals, and I really like the twin pedals. I had about 3/4's of my own lawn mowed before the Troy built died a couple of days ago, so now I'm out of lawn to mow! I may mow a path to and around my pond tomorrow just so I can ride around on it.