X748 to replace IH Cub Lo-Boy

[tlj87]

Hello,

I own a 100-acre property of which I regularly mow roughly 10-12 acres on a bi-weekly basis. Tractor-wise, I currently have a 1970 Ford 3000 gas (2360 hrs) for which I have many 6' and 7' implements including a 7' Woods finish mower; a 1966 IH Cub Lo-Boy (Yellow and white, offset) with a 5' IH belly mower and 54" front blade; and finally a 2001 JD/Sabre 17.5hp/42" Hydro lawn tractor (110 hrs) (directly comparable to the current JD "L" series).

I have been weighing the pros and cons of upgrading the Cub to a newer machine. While it runs well (engine has been rebuilt and body painted in last 15 years), it is slow, and I am always tinkering and replace small parts (pulleys, belts, bearings, tires, clutch, and so on...)

I would like to begin migrating to diesel power for all of my machines (tractors, utility vehicles) as I replace them. Since I already have large implements (6' and 7') for the Ford, which I plan on keeping (and, if replacing, replacing with a tractor that would use that size implements), I don't know as if it a small compact (i.e. 2305, 2320, or 2520) would be the way to go, as they wouldn't effectively handle the 3pt implements I own.

The JD x748 seemed to be a slightly smaller-size replacement for the Lo-Boy and would also allow me to rid of the JD/Sabre as well. Since the Lo-Boy and JD/Sabre don't have 3pt hitches, I would not be loosing any functionality. I would be gaining speed, traction, hydraulic angling for snow plow (Lo-Boy has only hyd. up/down), diesel efficiency, and comfort. This would be a supplemental mower to the Ford 3000/Woods combo, used for mowing smaller areas and occasionally some larger. I am thinking either the 62D deck or 7-Iron, 54" blade for clearing the long driveway, weights and chains. May consider a cab a later date.

SO, do you think this is a good idea - consolidating 2 machines into one with the X748?

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

SO, do you think this is a good idea - consolidating 2 machines into one with the X748?

It only matters if you think it is a good idea. You will find there will be those who will agree and others who will feel you need to buy what they own.

 

[jdboy4410]

if your ground is'nt too rough or has big hills,a zero turn mower would be the way to go.they mow with incredible speed.a friend has two zero turns,they mow 12 acres in two hours or less.so for mowing,you could use one machine instead of three.snow removal could be left to the ford with a 3 pt snowthrower.myself,i like to get the stuff done fast and over with so i can move onto something else.i hate that it takes me 3 hours to mow as it is.unfortunately,i cannot use a zero turn mower on my property,everything is on hills and i have off camber slopes.i use my X320 to handle the mowing chores and wagon/cart duty.i used to use my 4410 to mow the back plot with,but i found i could do it all with the 320 faster.i use the 4410 for snow removal,log skidding,and general bucket duty.i bought it new in 04 and put most of the hours on it in the first year i had it.it still does'nt have 300 hours on it yet.just got a 3 pt snowthrower this past winter,glad i did,now all i need is to get some tire chains for it and i am set.the X748 is an expensive machine to buy new,more that the cost of a good zero turn,just a matter of what you need and how fast that you want to get it done ,,,,,,,

 

[jenkinsph]

Long term I think an X748 with the 62" mmm and front blower for the light work and a larger tractor such as the 4520 cab would be ideal. I am in a similar situation and don't wan't to have too many tractors that are so close in size. I plan to replace my older 820 and Deere L130 with a X748-749, the 4520 is able to use the older 6' and 7' equipment I have had for several years. Most new equipment I buy or build can be sized for the 4520 to start with.

My setup for next year would be my trimmer mower (JS45), X749 riding mower, 4520 cab with implements and the 110tlb. I can do most anything I want for landscaping with this combination.

Some of the zero turns are good mowers too but I need to do a variety of things other than mowing. These ztr mowers are great for wide area finish mowing and are really fast too.

 

[tlj87]

Thanks for the responses!

Unfortunetly, the ground is not that smooth and there are some pretty good hills, so the Z-turn is out. I also like having two machines for mowing, so if one is down, there is still a backup and the option to have two people mowing (I am lucky enough to have some volunteers). I would also like to stick with a snow plow and not a blower for additional functionality (pushing non-snow material) even though I have a back blade and box blade for the Ford 3000.

I guess I am limiting myself to a four-wheeled tractor with mower and front blade, the question is, is the X748 the right way to go?

 

[om21braz]

Well there are similiar units in a couple different colors, but no machine matches up to the x700 series exactly for a brand-to-brand comparison. If it's what you're really interested in, you probably won't be satisfied with anything else - if possible get a demo just to make sure.

 

[Baucom]

The only other GT that matches up to the X700 series is the Simplicity Legacy XL & its MF/AGCO clones. Pricing may be a bit less than the X748 but it should be pretty close. I'd give JD the edge on ergonomics over the Simplicity built machines, but it isn't a huge difference.

 

[tlj87]

I am not necessarily dead-set on getting an X748 - it just seemed to be a good 'fit'. For my application of mowing, snow plowing, and towing - would a 2305 or 2320 offer any advantages other than 3pt and rear pto? These models seem to be roughly in the same price category (12-15k). Ultimate budget is 10k, figuring $2000 for the Cub and $500 for the Sabre on trade.

Also have been keeping my eyes open for used 7/8/955's and similar models.

 

[om21braz]

The 2305 or 2320 offer more capability, but sacrifice a little getting into tight spots when mowing. If I was pretty much set on the x748, but wanted to save some money - start looking for a x595 (the previous model, manual 4WD vs. full-time 4WD w/automatic detection on x748). You probably can save at minimum $3k and maybe as much as $5k.

 

[bp fick]

First, your property sounds wonderful!!!

The choice is yours entirely, but be sure you take the time to get the right machine the first time. Not just the regret and the expense of re-trading, but life is too short to muscle around trying to do your chores with an under sized or wrongly applied tractor.

Is there a finer Super lawn tractor in the world than the X7xx JD? I don't think so. Saying it is the Porshe of lawn tractors doesn't even do it justice.

That said, too many of your tasks and those which WILL COME later are tractor oriented. FEL, dirt, gardening, and all those future implements you will collect and use, tells me you need to give serious consideration to the 2320.

It may seem too large in the showroom, but on your property doing work, you might even wish you'd bought the 2520 or the 2720. I am not a bigger is always better guy. Your land and the described tasks just point my thoughts, based on my life experiences here on our relatively recent relocation to our property, to the tractor in the 20 series.

In a year, I suddenly have a 3 pt tow bar, a cultivator, a middle buster plow, a rear blade, a FEL, a rear finish mower, and so forth. While I could see much of it going in, I could not see how much I would need all these things, and more.