X700 series mower deck interchange

[KennedyDiesel]

It is no deeper of a profile than the current 60 inch 7 Iron deck. Why would they increase room under the tractor, when the 7 iron deck already fits 2008 to 2012 models? That right there negates any purpose for changing the underside of the machine itself. I am not saying John Deere didn't change anything, but since we know the 7 Iron already fits, and it's bigger than any other deck out there, why would you change what works?

Do you know this to be a fact? Until we see the decks side by side we won't know. The reality is the new HC decks could well be an improvement over the 7 iron with even more volume or a profile change therefore creating clearance issues that don't allow them to fit prior models which seems to be the case.

 

[Dutch445]

With a heavier frame and potentially more welding than bolts less fasteners are needs and less supporting structure is needed. Displacement of the engine does not necessarily affect weight depending on if the engine family changes or not. Of the engine is same and a larger bore is used then you trade cast iron for aluminum.


Can anybody confirm with absolute certainty that the 60" 7 iron deck will fit the new models at least with 2ws?

yupper, at least according to our internal sales info, from my post above highlighting 2013 changes:

An upstop kit, BM24370, is required to install the 48X Mower Deck or prior year 54X, 62X, or 60-in. 7-Iron™ Mower Decks.

 

[JDTank]

Do you know this to be a fact? Until we see the decks side by side we won't know. The reality is the new HC decks could well be an improvement over the 7 iron with even more volume or a profile change therefore creating clearance issues that don't allow them to fit prior models which seems to be the case.

Why would John Deere release a deck better than the 7-Iron, and charge less for it? They would never do this.

There is no way the new decks are BETTER than the commercial grade 7 Iron. The 7-Iron deck makes John Deere a lot of money, and they aren't going to charge $1,500 for a new HC deck if it is better than the $2,500 7 Iron. If the new deck was better than the 7 Iron, it would be equal to or greater than the cost of a 7-Iron deck. Anything else means JD loses profit, and we all know they won't let that happen.

My stance is the new deck is the same shell design as the 7-Iron, in a thinner gauge metal, with drive over ramps, nothing more. I can't see the new HC decks having more volume than the 7-iron, because as I said before, JD would be shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[RonS]

Do you know this to be a fact? Until we see the decks side by side we won't know. The reality is the new HC decks could well be an improvement over the 7 iron with even more volume or a profile change therefore creating clearance issues that don't allow them to fit prior models which seems to be the case.

You are right in that we won't know until someone actually sees one of he new decks. However, if I was a betting man I would be siding with JDTank on this one. Better than the 7iron? Hard to imagine.

 

[Oldoak]

Prices per John Deere web-site:

60 In. 7-Iron Shaft Driven Mower Deck for X700s (60D) SKU23646 $2,200.00

60HC Mower Deck X700 for Signature Series (Model Year 2013 and Later) 9075M $2,100.00

Also note the new 60HC Deck for Model Year 2013 and Later.

 

[JDTank]

I think the new decks is a strategy to increase X700 series sales.

These machines are premium machines, so every deck available for this series should be a high end premium deck design as well.

I have no doubt the HC decks will be better than the previous generation decks, but it's all so much speculation right now.

Someone hurry up and buy one so we can see!

 

[KennedyDiesel]

With the price that close I'd say that there is a good possibility that there is an improvement but you never know. The 7 iron deck is great and it would make sense to clone it in a lighter material, but why stop there? Surely it was not perfect...

I'll have to go back and view my quotes, but from what I saw the 740-7I was almost $2000 less than the 750-60HC . The 750 is $500 more list and there is $1000 program so that's $1500 of it but I'll have to ask the dealer where the extra $500 comes from.

 

[Gittyup]

The front wheels are already far out front on the 2008 to 2012 models, I can't imagine them being any further forward.

If or why they might have moved the wheels is pure speculation on my part, and not really the point. The point is that the 7 iron on older models won't work with AWS. So, in a pre-2013 tractor if someone wanted AWS they had to settle for the inferior mower deck (relatively). This is what has kept me from pulling the trigger. Now, these new decks, while maybe not the deck that the 7 iron is, look to be a big improvement over the standard decks of prior years. What's disappointed (but not a total deal breaker) is they have now taken away diesel AWS/AWD models. I don't know why they wouldn't support that configuration, at least on a special order basis given all the parts are there.

 

[RonS]

With the price that close I'd say that there is a good possibility that there is an improvement but you never know. The 7 iron deck is great and it would make sense to clone it in a lighter material, but why stop there? Surely it was not perfect...

I'll have to go back and view my quotes, but from what I saw the 740-7I was almost $2000 less than the 750-60HC . The 750 is $500 more list and there is $1000 program so that's $1500 of it but I'll have to ask the dealer where the extra $500 comes from.

Perhaps some or all of the extra $500 is for autoconnect?

 

[sklunk]

What's disappointed (but not a total deal breaker) is they have now taken away diesel AWS/AWD models. I don't know why they wouldn't support that configuration, at least on a special order basis given all the parts are there.

It could be because of weight issues. The diesel engine package is heavier than the gas package, and the AWS rear transaxle is heavier than the standard rear transaxle. Maybe the combination of these together put them over the ROPS weight threshold.

Perhaps some or all of the extra $500 is for autoconnect?

I don't think so. Autoconnect is about a $300 option on all X700 Signature Series tractors (it is not standard on any of them so isn't included in Deere's MSRP prices).