JD X500 vs X700?

[lispro]

All prices are from the JD and kubota sites. Currently there is an offer for $300 off the X500 and $350 off the x700. 0% financing is available for the 2305 and the Kubota. I am hoping to pay 85-90% of list price. Is this realistic?

 

[nmu98]

7-9% off is probably average. 11-14% off is great. over 15% off is really good!

I would check around, in this economy, dealers are either keeping prices high, or giving away the farm. There does not seem to be much in between.

 

[jenkinsph]

lispro, hold firm for 15% off, anyone watching the news should know that purchases like $10,000 dollar lawnmowers will fall short this year. You should get that and 0% financing. The prices for all of this stuff are overinflated IMHO.



Steve

 

[AKfish]

It seems to me that most buyers of lawn equipment do not get the same discount from MSRP that buyers of CUTS generally get.

15% is kinda the "threshhold" for a pretty good deal on a CUT. With some buyers gettin' in on 18%-20%. Lawn tractor "deals" are around 5% less - with 10% being a "threshhold".

Of course, that definitely changes by region/area and as nmu98 noted; the dealerships seem to be "hot and cold" on prices within the current economic situation.

Everything considered - after re-reading your comments - I believe if you're really honest with yourself - a small CUT would make more sense for your purposes.

After adding in $2,000 for a pull behind mower and for occasional snow removal - a blade - likely another $1,500-2,000; the CUT begins to look even better. And your neighbor won't necessarily be available when you'd like or he'll be taking care of snow-mowing, etc. for his own property when you will need his help.

However, if you can afford it - a dedicated mowing machine and a CUT - is really the best of all world's!!

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[LBrown59]

Having come from an X485 JD (equivalent to about the current X720 - 2WD, gas) that I purchased a used FEL for and added a 3PH, to a Kubota BX, I can tell you that if you will EVER 1*contemplate adding a FEL, rear PTO, or 3PH to an X7xx machine, you would come out ahead buying the 2305 or similar BX to start with.
2*Once you start adding those types of options/functions to the X7xx series, you're quickly at about the price point of a sub-cut that comes standard with rear PTO, 3PH, has diesel standard, much better hydraulics and is just a heavier machine.
3*If you are sure you'll never need those types of features/attachments, etc., then the X7xx would be a great mowing machine and general purpose garden tractor.

1*What I've been trying to point out all along.
2*Exactly .
3*But still a garden tractor not designed to do the work of the heaver heavier machine.

 

[LBrown59]

I agree, get a nice mower then add a separate tractor later if you need one. I have never seen the point in mowing the lawn with a tractor fel combo. *I use a separate mower (albeit cheaper than what you are planning on L130 23hp Kohler with 48" deck), .
Steve

Yep it don't have to be an expensive x500 or x700 for just that use.

I have a real nice CC GT2554 that would be ideal for that.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks for all the input. It is very helpful.
*Currently I see my options as

1*X500 54" deck $5899 4 yr warranty

2*X700 62" deck $9999 4 yr warranty

3*2305 62" deck $12652 2 yr warranty

4*Kubota 2350 60"deck (60" N/A on the 1850) $11807
2 yr warranty

*or this

1*X500 54" deck $5899 GT
4 yr warranty

2*X700 62" deck $9999 GT
4 yr warranty

3*2305 62" deck $12652 S-CUT
2 yr warranty

4*Kubota 2350 60"deck $11807.
2 yr warranty S-CUT

5*(60" N/A on the 1850) S-CUT what was the price on this one?
If a 54'' mower is good enough on a JDx500 it's good enough for the BX1850 also.

6*Kubota BX1860. S-CUT. It's the replacement for the BX1850 The dealer here has it advertised for $7735.
It's pictured with a mmm but i don't know if it's included in the 7735 price.

Of the 4 prices you listed the Kubota BX2350 for $11807 is the best buy.

 

[jenkinsph]

For mowing, pulling a small cart, small snowplow or blade there is also the less expensive LA 175 with a 54" cut about $2750. This would leave you enough change on the table to find a good used tractor for other work.
If you look around you can find a good used tractor for $6000 or so, not with all the bells and whistles mind you but a good serviceable one.

'Just sayin'



Steve

 

[wxboy]

The warranty on the 2305 is 2 years of total coverage and 3 years on the powertrain. Just thought I would clarify this.

 

[BarryinMN]

Just another suggestion: get a diesel lawnmower vs a gasser with that 60" deck. I replaced a gas deere 48" mower with a 60" diesel and cut mow time from 4 hrs wk to 1.5. Fuel consumption went from remembering to fill the can to I fill the mower once maybe twice all summer. It's a big deal when you want to do something else...

A cut is good until the ROPS hit the tree branches & fixing the problem may not look right or be safe. The cut loader does not lift much but if you envision wheelbarrow use it's a backsaver!! A neighbors larger machine is more effective and it goes away along with maintenance or storage issues.

I have a Swisher trailmower & drag it around behind my Gator. Mow trails thru the woods and a pond area when it dries out. A lawnmower\CUT does not have the ground clearance or underbody protection for running around in the field. Lots of threads here attesting to damage.

Another site focused on lawnmowers is weekendfreedommachines.org

A ZTR would not work for me either due to hills.

I went from a venerable JD 140 to a venerable JD 455. Bought used with 19 hours on it & added a used 3pt hitch assy. (Dealers typically strip off accessories on trade-in machines.) I added a 6' landscape rake and a 4' box blade, along with a home made 3pt trailer towing attachment.

Did not add anything more until last year when I updated my trailer to a deckover & then made a front weight to handle the new trailer 4k empty weight.

Your purchase price is important but remember it's only a piece of your total cost of ownership.

 

[lispro]

Thanks for all the advice. One issue is that I do not see using an FEL if that helps the GT vs SCUT issue. I have not tested any of my tractor options but have read that the X700 series is "more comfortable" than the 2305 or Kubota BX which migth be important for long mowing stretches. I should clarify that I have 3 acres to mow and several acres of "pasture" that I was told I could mow or someone might cut it for free for hay. I have a few acres of a wooded area and a small pond. I am very new to all this and am wondering if I really need the PTO. This is a tough decision of GT vs. SCUT vs Diesel vs warranty vs price. Again, I appreciate all the advice and have learned a ton.
Thanks

 

[ChuckinNH]

I don't have a lot of input here, but I do mow 3+ acres regularly with a Simplicity Legacy that has a 48" deck. ( that was necessary when I bought it to get between large rocks, etc. on the property) I also have owned a BX22, and have used both on the same land. The Simplicity is roughly the equivalant of the X700 series JD in size, and weight. I found a huge difference in the smoothness of the steering over a long day of use in favor of the SCUT. Most GT's use cast spindles in sleeves that sometimes need to be greased more than once per mowing in my experience. I would look closely at the ruggedness of those components, and the ease of mounting the mower deck, material collection system (if you are interested in those), and other things that you will use every time you use that tractor. I have rough ground, and many obstacles, and small areas that are a bit steep, and a Sears GT lasted one year here so that flavors my opinions too. I also own a Kubota B2620, and the original intent was to perhaps mow with that. After using it for a while on my land, I'm not so sure that I want to do that now, though I still haven't decided for sure. If your ground is rough at all, I wouldn't look much at anything below the X700 series, or the various SCUTS. My Legacy has been OK, but I have replaced the fuel pump, and now need to replace the starter solenoid, and a few other cheaper parts this spring. I have between 500-600 hours on it now. I had the Simplicity version that is roughly compared to the X500 series, and I replaced the steering components three times in 1400 hours. I may trade my Simplicity in this spring so I'm following this thread with interest.

 

[MikeB64]

I would say look around. I started off with a John Deere X500. Due to the winter ice storm here in New Hampshire, we ended up taking down 40 pine trees and we are going to be totally re-doing the whole landscape.

We quickly decided that a compact tractor with a loader, backhoe & mower was more in line with what we wanted to do
.
With the amount of land you have, if I were you, I would strongly look at a compact tractor. They are able to mow, bag and do many, many other things that if you went with a John Deere X series tractor, you would be limited as to the attachments. Maybe you don't need a front end loader or a PTO now, but in the future you might, and if you do have the capability, there is just no limit, you're better off to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

We traded our X500 with 28 hours on it for a Massey Ferguson GC2420TLB compact tractor. We searched high and low, the John Deere's were roughly $3000 MORE doing an apple to apple comparison.

We got more for the John Deere X500 with a mere 28 hours on it at the Massey Ferguson than we were going to get at any of the 3 John Deere dealers we visited.

We had gone with a John Deere because the "hold their value" That can be debated, it was not the case with us.

Massey Ferguson is currently offering 0% for 72 months, very attractive numbers....John Deere is currently doing 0% for a year. (Massey has JD beat by 5 years)

Just our experiences....be 100% sure on what you want right out of the gate....it's costly to change your mind! Good luck with the big decision!!

We don't have any sour grapes with the John Deere product, just trying to let you know our experiences and save you the frusterations we went through.

 

[Hardscrabbble]

I am not going to get into the debate about the Cut tractors versus what I consider the John Deere Subcut tractor the X700 series. I can only relate my experiences. I have 17 acres of which 3 is pasture and the rest is timber. I have an X485 (now X720 I believe) with 62" deck and a Johnny Bucket. I have had no trouble with any application I have asked of it. I keep the 3 acres mowed as well as trails through the timber maintained. Also move wood with the Johnny Bucket attachment. Would I like a larger tractor - sure - but the X485 does all I need and more. It all comes down to your needs versus wants.

 

[thendricks]

I am usually not in the "bigger is better" camp. However, in this case i would be leaning in the direction of a sub-cut. They mow well, have 4wd for hills, and can do some loader work/3 pt work.

Heres my main point: If you like to work outside you will find all kinds of projects that will utilize the sub-cut 3pt hitch and loader. If you dont, get a "cheaper" gas x700(or equivelent) to mow quickly and comfortably and just hire out the brush cutting/haying.

T

Edit:
Never mind i see you want a warrenty.

 

[LBrown59]

have read that the X700 series is "more comfortable" than the 2305 or Kubota BX which might be important for long mowing stretches. Thanks

I haven't found the BX23 uncomfortable even after 9.5 hours of use.

 

[RollTideRam]

I thought the prices you listed were high also. Find a dealer that wants to deal. I bought a X744 last month for 10,500 out the door with a brushguard. List price was 12,600 plus 200 for the brushguard. That is only $500 more than the price listed for the X700. The X744 is diesel and 4 wheel steer. JC

 

[Keef]

Dont' you hate going on JD forums and the same Kubota guys troll the forums on a regular basis and push a Kubota on you every where you go. Sure they have good products, but if someone wanted one, they would go on the Kubota forum. We go on the JD forums, because we want JD.

 

[RollTideRam]

You will stay out of trouble if you just ignore certain post instead of replying to the nonsense. JC

 

[nmu98]

You will stay out of trouble if you just ignore certain post instead of replying to the nonsense. JC

Yet no one on this board puts him in his place. He is on my ignor list, but i still read a post or two like this about 4 times a day. Its sad.