X700 series

[willi67]

howdy zlock
got some pics of a friends X595 mowing a boggy gulley ... in 2WD it slid around a bit like you say ... in 4WD it zooms around no problems. I would choose 4WD/AWD ahead of AWS, or both (and HDAP tires). I think I read that the new AWD system has a tighter turning circle compared to the previous X748? I got a BX2360 and it will go across a 25 degree slope but no match for the JD.

 

[zlock24]

Yes those are the kind of hills I'm talking about, nearly 10 acres of that

 

[JDTank]

howdy zlock
got some pics of a friends X595 mowing a boggy gulley ... in 2WD it slid around a bit like you say ... in 4WD it zooms around no problems. I would choose 4WD/AWD ahead of AWS, or both (and HDAP tires). I think I read that the new AWD system has a tighter turning circle compared to the previous X748? I got a BX2360 and it will go across a 25 degree slope but no match for the JD.

Wow, that's risky business! In all honesty, I wouldn't mow that steep grade if it was mine, I would let it grow over. Imagine if that thing ever loses traction and get's away on you, jump off and hope you don't roll into a tree!

 

[JDTank]

Found this over at mytractorforum, it's a good article and may be relative here.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=208653

 

[zlock24]

I may sound like a bit of a dare devil, but I've mowed across slopes instead up and down on my trusty old 445 like shown in the second picture

 

[willi67]

An X748 AWD mows a steeper hill next to my place, up and down, sideways, will try to get some pics.
One thing I found that limits my BX2360 is that the turf tires get clogged up with mud and slide, the HDAP tires are better for hills.

 

[JDTank]

Yea I think when I order my X740 I am going to specify HDAP tires, considering the places I will pulling the utility carts around will be muddy and bumpy.

 

[Deere Dude]

Before I would mow on those hills I would have plenty of wheel weights and the tires loaded. Especially if you want to mow sideways on a steep hill. I don't know if it makes much of a difference, but it seems to with me it would. Another thought, I have a 62" mower deck and it sticks out to the side far enough where if the tractor starts tipping it would dig in and stabilize the tractor. I mow sideways on a 18-20 deg hill and a X740 tractor with weights seems planted very well and never lifted a tire, so the deck never had to stabilize, yet. I tried to get my wife to sit on the tractor and then pull up on the uphill side to check it out the tip-ability but she was to smart for me so I couldn't test it :laughing:

 

[jenkinsph]

My own lawns are almost level and can be cut with anything, some of my customers have some tough places to work. Living in the mountains as I do means lots of use for the x749.

 

[mfreund]

I had a AWS X495. If you ever had one, you would not wonder why people like them so much. They are the best thing since sliced bread! If I did not need a compact utility tractor or could afford both I would have kept the X495. The linkage for the AWS is the same style of the ball joints as on the front axle. Yes, they can wear out just as everything mechanical can. No, there is not any problems with them and will likely last the life of the tractor. I wish when I bought the X495 there was a option for AWS and 4X4. There was not. Cannot offer any advise there. Good luck as all options are outstanding tractors.

 

[North585]

Couple of thoughts.

I can't speak to AWS as I've never owned one, however I do know people who've owned them, and would never go back. The have lots of trees to mow around, and some hills.

I have the 748 with hdap tires. It is excellent in all conditions. traction is amazing. I have a few trees, maybe 15 to mow around, and I find the turning radius fine. Meets my needs. Would AWS make it a bit speedier, yes, but not too important to me. On hills, i don't have too many, I feel safe and never spin out. I never get stuck with the blower or blade on. When rough cut mowing (I kept my 54" deck for rough and tall grass areas), the 748 purrs thru anything vs the gas bogging a bit. The 748 sips fuel--I continue to be amazed how little fuel it takes.

I had a 585 for several years, with turfs. Traction was fine, however the hdaps are better. I didn't get stuck per se with the turfs, however I had to do some back and forthing with the blade the odd time, or get a run at a drift, but nothing too bad. I like the 2/4wd option. Do I miss it, no, but it was fun someimes in 2wd ;-). The 585 turned as well as the 748. The 585 was quieter than the 748. The 585 was very thirsty. I didn't really notice while I had the 585, but now that I have the 748....wow, what a difference.

I enjoyed the 585, love the 748!

 

[JDTank]

Couple of thoughts.

I can't speak to AWS as I've never owned one, however I do know people who've owned them, and would never go back. The have lots of trees to mow around, and some hills.

I have the 748 with hdap tires. It is excellent in all conditions. traction is amazing. I have a few trees, maybe 15 to mow around, and I find the turning radius fine. Meets my needs. Would AWS make it a bit speedier, yes, but not too important to me. On hills, i don't have too many, I feel safe and never spin out. I never get stuck with the blower or blade on. When rough cut mowing (I kept my 54" deck for rough and tall grass areas), the 748 purrs thru anything vs the gas bogging a bit. The 748 sips fuel--I continue to be amazed how little fuel it takes.

I had a 585 for several years, with turfs. Traction was fine, however the hdaps are better. I didn't get stuck per se with the turfs, however I had to do some back and forthing with the blade the odd time, or get a run at a drift, but nothing too bad. I like the 2/4wd option. Do I miss it, no, but it was fun someimes in 2wd ;-). The 585 turned as well as the 748. The 585 was quieter than the 748. The 585 was very thirsty. I didn't really notice while I had the 585, but now that I have the 748....wow, what a difference.

I enjoyed the 585, love the 748!

How old is your X748? Have you ever had any issues with the AWD?

When I run the numbers, it would take about 6 to 7 years for the diesel X740 to pay for the difference in the original cost over a X540. Still, I think I am sold on the diesel. There is nothing I hate worse then a engine that bogs down under slight load.

 

[Martian]

How old is your X748? Have you ever had any issues with the AWD?

When I run the numbers, it would take about 6 to 7 years for the diesel X740 to pay for the difference in the original cost over a X540. Still, I think I am sold on the diesel. There is nothing I hate worse then a engine that bogs down under slight load.

The way I see it, I've never heard anyone say I'd wished I'd gone gas but I've heard people say if wish I'd gone diesel. If I ever have the choice I go diesel.

 

[JDTank]

The way I see it, I've never heard anyone say I'd wished I'd gone gas but I've heard people say if wish I'd gone diesel. If I ever have the choice I go diesel.

That's true.

I'm not certain I will be able to afford the X740, which is exactly what I want, but I know that even if I cant, I will be happy with the X540 too. I would really like the X540, but I would love the X740!

I feel riding mowers are overpriced, I really wish John Deere would drop the price of the diesel X7xx series by about $3,000.

I see people buying brand new mowers from Sears and Canadian tire for $1,500, and it takes everything I have not to go up to them and inform them that they are just wasting there money and buying junk.

 

[Martian]

That's true.

I'm not certain I will be able to afford the X740, which is exactly what I want, but I know that even if I cant, I will be happy with the X540 too. I would really like the X540, but I would love the X740!

I feel riding mowers are overpriced, I really wish John Deere would drop the price of the diesel X7xx series by about $3,000.

I see people buying brand new mowers from Sears and Canadian tire for $1,500, and it takes everything I have not to go up to them and inform them that they are just wasting there money and buying junk.

No doubt you will be pleased with the x5 series if you can't afford the x7 but I agree that I will never own a Sears brand lawn mower - or even one of the JD branded ones the sell at home depot. I like quality.

 

[LBrown59]

1* It may be just me, but I think AWS are for geeks :laughing:

2*Personally I wouldn't bother with AWS.
3*While it does turn a tighter circle, it isn't enough to be significant, in my opinion.
4* I trim around everything with the gas weed trimmer afterwards anyways,
5*I don't need to rub the edge of the deck up against everything to try and save me from firing up the trimmer.
6*I honestly think one good pass of the entire lawn with the riding mower, and a good hand on a gas trimmer, is faster, then trying to trim everything with the edge of the deck.
7*I find it quirky and really not an advantage.
8* The X748 has those individual hydraulic motors on each wheel. It is a complicated design that is likely costly to fix once off of warranty.

1*Are you saying used by geeks.:confused2:
2*I don't think it is all that great either.
3*I agree.
4*Trimming with a trimmer will still be required no matter how close you get with the deck .
5*No sense in rubbing the paint off the deck and rusting it out.
6* Sounds logical.
7*I don't think it's as good as it sounds.
8*That's a good reason to go with a Sub Compact .

 

[zlock24]

Like I said, I'm not looking for less weed eating ( already do 12 hours a month of that) I'm just looking for better turning on hills

 

[jenkinsph]

If you are looking for better turning on hills the x749 would be the best choice.

You need to have your dealer bring one out and try it. It is your money and you should see for yourself.

 

[TimberXX]

Like I said, I'm not looking for less weed eating ( already do 12 hours a month of that) I'm just looking for better turning on hills

That's a ton of hours. What machine do you have? Are your trimming a fence line?

 

[Gonerafting]

If you are looking for better turning on hills the x749 would be the best choice.

You need to have your dealer bring one out and try it. It is your money and you should see for yourself.

I have a X744, if I had hills, the X749 would be my choice, much safer on hills, I totally agree with the above statement. Their are many choices in the X700 line. The AWS and AWD would be the safest choice. It just has to do with individual needs. :thumbsup: