x748 or x749 - 7-iron or AWS

[jenkinsph]

I would still say fix the problem areas since they are not going away by themselves. Get a good used tractor to accomplish this or rent one.



Steve

 

[WH401]

Not if you need a tractor to plow snow or pull a tiller, small plow, or garden cart. Not if you are operating on hilly terrain either. ZTs are great at cutting grass, and little else. So, yeah if that's all you need it for, and terrain is amenable then that would be the way to go. But, when you need a tractor, then you need a tractor.

I agree with you there. I would have rather bought a ZTR as 70% of my tractor use is cutting grass. But I needed another tractor to maintain my property, so in the end I had to make a compromise. I don't mind cutting with the tractor though, it cut my total mowing time by 3 - 4 hrs from my old machine.

I would find it hard to believe that the standard deck on a $13,000 tractor would be any thing short of high quality. Yeah, maybe not up to the abuse that a commercial user might put one through. But, it should still last 20 - 30 years or longer for even a rough use home owner. Of course, anything will break if abused.

The key to deck longevity is:

keep it dry to control corosion
keep the blades balanced to prevent stress fractures and bearing failure
don't run into things with it
keep it lubricated

Do these things and even a cheapo will last a very very long time.

I agree, the standard deck on any tractor should be adequate, but as you said it all depends on the user. The OP sounds like hes gotten his money's worth from the 318 deck, even welding it numerous times when it broke. If he's throwing that kind of abuse at it, then it only makes sense to spend the money on the 7 Iron. Unfortunately, you can't get the combo of AWS and the 7 Iron anyways, so it has to be one or the other.

 

[LBrown59]

I would still say fix the problem areas since they are not going away by themselves.
Steve

The OP sounds like hes gotten his money's worth from the 318 deck, even welding it numerous times when it broke.
*If he's throwing that kind of abuse at it, then it only makes sense to spend the money on the 7 Iron.

Perhaps if the OP were to take steves advice to fix the problem areas that would avoid the abuse of a mower and the regular standard mower would suffice.

 

[ccsial]

. I guess if i got the x748, i would dump the money on the SE (might as well, the tractor already costs a fortune) to get the seat, in hopes it would make the ride less bumpy. If anyone has input on that, i'd appreciate too.

Thanks

I have a 748SE and the ride is MUCH better than the 355D I had before. I don't get jarred on the bumps any more.

 

[Gittyup]

I went back and read the OP and the thought came to me that ground clearance might also be a consideration. Another drawback of the AWS is significantly reduced ground clearance where the AWS mechanisms operate down low (at least on my 425). The 400 series could be equipped with larger diameter tires when not AWS. Some guys like the bigger tires for ground clearance and 3PH lift height. If this is the case with X700s, it's another thing to consider.

Given the money to be spent, maybe the OP should consider a subCUT with a rear finish mower and perhaps a small bush hog for the rougher areas. Either of these can be set up with a floating toplink (chain) that will let it more easily ride over rough spots.

 

[LBrown59]

Originally Posted by kevin-kc
. I guess if i got the x748, i would dump the money on the SE (might as well, the tractor already costs a fortune) to get the seat,
1* in hopes it would make the ride less bumpy. If anyone has input on that, i'd appreciate too.
~~~~~~~~
1*perhaps if you fixed the problem areas the ride wouldn't be so rough that you needed the SE!

Thanks

Re: x748 or x749 - 7-iron or AWS
I have a 748SE and the ride is MUCH better than the 355D I had before. I don't get jarred on the bumps any more.

Fixing the bad spots will eliminate the jarring too.

I went back and read the OP and the thought came to me that ground clearance might also be a consideration. Another drawback of the AWS is significantly reduced ground clearance where the AWS mechanisms operate down low (at least on my 425). The 400 series could be equipped with larger diameter tires when not AWS. Some guys like the bigger tires for ground clearance and 3PH lift height. If this is the case with X700s, it's another thing to consider.
2*Given the money to be spent, maybe the OP should consider a subCUT with a rear finish mower and perhaps a small bush hog for the rougher areas. Either of these can be set up with a floating toplink (chain) that will let it more easily ride over rough spots.

2*I believe a sub cut for about the same money is nearly always a better option than a garden tractor.
I made the mistake of buying a garden tractor once when I should have gone with a sub compact .
A regretful expensive experience.
Wound up paying for 2 machines when I could have gotten by with paying for just one ; ouch that hurts.
The Garden tractor was a whole lot less that the price of the x700s.
It makes me shudder to think about having another 5 to 7 thousand dollars in the garden tractor had I gone with something like the x700.
Just be sure The x700 is the right choice for you before you pull the trigger because if it's not it will be an expensive hurting lesson.
Buying the wrong machine is no fun-I know/been there done that.

 

[Engine_Tech]

The standard deck on the X749 is a lot tougher than any of the decks offered on the 318, so you area actually upgrading in strength there regardless of what deck you get. The 62" is a good deck, and it received some reinforcing in the spindle pocket area I think a couple years ago to make it even tougher.

 

[LBrown59]

The standard deck on the X749 is a lot tougher than any of the decks offered on the 318, so you area actually upgrading in strength there regardless of what deck you get. The 62" is a good deck, and it received some reinforcing in the spindle pocket area I think a couple years ago to make it even tougher.

In veiw of this it seems senless for the OP to give up the A W S he really wants in favor a 7 iron deck that would offer him little or no advantage over the 62 inch deck.

 

[x595]

Hi,

First time poster. I have a 318 that i'm upgrading. i have 4 acres, very steep hill, bumpy, obstacles/roots, etc.

I had to weld my old mower deck a handful of times from the abuse over the years, so i thought the 7-iron would be good, however, i also felt that the AWS might really help me cut around trees, and make the mowing experience better and faster.

Any thoughts on which way i should go? The 7-iron or the AWS? I guess if i got the x748, i would dump the money on the SE (might as well, the tractor already costs a fortune) to get the seat, in hopes it would make the ride less bumpy. If anyone has input on that, i'd appreciate too.

Thanks

Hi kevin-kc ,

Have you made a decision yet ???

Will you be using this Tractor for anything besides mowing ???

Later,x595

 

[kevin-kc]

I haven't decided!!! Typical me. Getting spun around in circles in all the options. I also have a little rx75 tractor that i've been using to mow
since the 318 is toast, and i think i'm killing that one too now.

I got to thinking that i could want to do some dirt moving, and maybe one day tilling, so i started thinking about the 2320 - but it would all depend on whether it would be stable going sideways on my hills. Not sure how i'd figure that out. As the 318 scares me a bit on the hills but has always stayed shiny side up, i'd guess the 2320 may take me for a ride. I heard some dealers may let you try them out, but i don't have any close dealers, and i'd think they'd want a real good profit if they were going to the expense of lending you their tractor.

Thanks again for all the responses. I do have a new question - i heard the all wheel drive on the 749 spins the wheels slower on tight turns to prevent gouging the grass. Does anyone know if the 748 has this too?