Considering JD X744 Purchase - Need Advice!

[JDKu]

The tractor is 3 years old, has 700 hours, and they want $7500. It is all wheel steer.

1) This tractor is more than I need. Before this I was contemplating a X534. I might be able to buy a X534 for close to similar price new. Which is better route?
2) It has a 54" deck. If I was buying the X744 new, I would want 62". I mow 4 acres. Would the 6" make a huge difference? I'm thinking of asking the dealer if he will swap the 54" deck for a 62" deck the next time a used machine comes through his dealership - would that be reasonable deal if I was willing to pay the $400 difference in price between these decks new?
3) At this many hours, what would you anticipate being worn out i.e. what should I look for when I inspect? Should I expect things to start failing, or is 700 hours still very new for a diesel mower and this cutting deck?
4) At some point, I might want a tiller on the X744. Are the hydraulic or PTO tillers any good?
5) Do the tillers work OK with a 2 wheel drive, hydro tractor? I have a Kubota B6000, and I have to lock it in 4WD just so the tiller won't skid the tractor forward! Will the hydro just "coast" when the tiller tries to push it forward? Somehow, I can't imagine the tiller working on these tractors.
6) I currently have a relatively new L-120 mower. Is there any chance I will regret my decision to "upgrade" to the X744.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[ChuckinNH]

I wouldn't be afraid at all of the 700 hours if the tractor has been cared for. I would expect in excess of 2000 hours of good use from these engines anyway. To some extent the all wheel steer will make the 54" deck more useful than it would be otherwise. The biggest problem with the narrower decks is trimming, and the all wheel steers are good at that. In actual use, I doubt you would see a huge speed difference in the two deck sizes, and perhaps more scalping with the larger deck if your ground is wavy. I have considered the X500 series too, but they do seem to be a rather large step down from the X700's ........ just my initial feeling. If I wanted to till, or blow snow, I would choose the larger used tractor myself. Of course my Simplicity is that size roughly, and perhaps I am just used to that. Actually, I have a Kubota 4wd too, and I am debating which tractor to put the snow blower on. ( for me it is having a cab I could fit in my storage area, and manuverability VS having a more capable unit. ) The hydraulic tillers are good, and can be run in either direction, but they are expensive, and don't sell that well around here new.

 

[Gittyup]

not sure the 744 has the hydraulics to run a hydro tiller.

 

[BleedGreen]

The X744 would handle either the 42" Hydraulic Tiller (requires the 3-Point Hitch)or the 647 driveshaft tiller. (requires the 3-Point Hitch and the 540RPM rear PTO) My choice would be the 647.

 

[LBrown59]

The tractor is 3 years old, has 700 hours, and they want $7500. It is all wheel steer.
1) This tractor is more than I need. Before this I was contemplating a X534. I might be able to buy a X534 for close to similar price new. Which is better route?
2) It has a 54" deck. If I was buying the X744 new, I would want 62". I mow 4 acres. Would the 6" make a huge difference? I'm thinking of asking the dealer if he will swap the 54" deck for a 62" deck the next time a used machine comes through his dealership - would that be reasonable deal if I was willing to pay the $400 difference in price between these decks new?
3) At this many hours, what would you anticipate being worn out i.e. what should I look for when I inspect? Should I expect things to start failing, or is 700 hours still very new for a diesel mower and this cutting deck?
4) At some point, I might want a tiller on the X744. Are the hydraulic or PTO tillers any good?
5) Do the tillers work OK with a 2 wheel drive, hydro tractor? I have a Kubota B6000, and I have to lock it in 4WD just so the tiller won't skid the tractor forward! Will the hydro just "coast" when the tiller tries to push it forward? Somehow, I can't imagine the tiller working on these tractors.
6) I currently have a relatively new L-120 mower. Is there any chance I will regret my decision to "upgrade" to the X744.Thank you,Chris

4* 4wd would be better .
5*Tillers and and loaders won't work on an all wheel steer tractor.

 

[BleedGreen]

4* 4wd would be better .
5*Tillers and and loaders won't work on an all wheel steer tractor.

1) Of course 4WD would be "better" but he is comparing the used X744 to a new X534 (which will not take a tiller at all) and both units are 2WD.

2) Both the 42" Hydraulic Tiller and the 647 PTO tiller will work with the X744.

3) Loaders will not work on the 4WS X700 series tractors.

 

[JDKu]

Thank you for all of the replies! Several more questions:

The main reason I am looking at a tractor as compared to a zero turn is because I may want a tiller in the future. So several more questions along this line:

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?
10) On a 700 hour mower, would you expect spindles to be going, wheel bearings, etc? Or would you expect everything to be as good as the day it was bought?

 

[JDKu]

Thank you for all of the replies! Several more questions:

The main reason I am looking at a tractor as compared to a zero turn is because I may want a tiller in the future. So I would like to ask several more questions so I can understand how functional/useful a tiller is on these tractors:

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?
10) On a 700 hour mower, would you expect spindles to be going, wheel bearings, etc? Or would you expect everything to be as good as the day it was bought?

 

[radman1]

Something else to consider. I just bought a used 2006 JD2305 with mower for $8250 with 315 hours from a dealer. It also had loader brackets on the tractor and hydraulic lift on the mower deck. It has rear pto, 4wd, 3 pt lift and not much bigger physically than the x744. The tractor and mower is great. By the time you buy a 3 pt and rear pto, you will be easily over 8K. The downside is lack of 4 wheel steer, which is a nice feature.

Saw a 2005 Kubota 2230 with 311 hours on craigslist with mower, tiller and loader for $7950. IMHO, the x500 and x700 series are too $$$ if you are considering other uses rather than just mowing.

 

[bigtiller]

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?

7) The hydro transmission does not free wheel unless you push the lever to alow it to. The 647 tiller will push the tractor forward. Some times riding the brakes will do nothing towards stopping. You will have to turn the pto off.
8) Every type of tire will skid however, R1's will pull you out of a hole in the garden easier than turff's.
9) The 647 will break sod easier than the hydrolic tiller. And they both will need 3 or more passes to get it all churned up.

 

[LBrown59]

1*Something else to consider. I just bought a used 2006 JD2305 with mower for $8250 with 315 hours from a dealer.
It has rear pto, 4wd, 3 pt lift and not much bigger physically than the x744. The tractor and mower is great.
2*By the time you buy a 3 pt and rear pto, you will be easily over 8K.
3*The downside is lack of 4 wheel steer, which is a nice feature.
4*IMHO, the x500 and x700 series are too $$$ if you are considering other uses rather than just mowing.

1*I bought one of these for $7750 and the other for $7850.
2*very true.
3*Which really isn't all that great compared to all the other benefits a subcompact offers over a x744.
4*I agree except it matters not about mowing or other uses either one.

 

[mjncad]

6) I currently have a relatively new L-120 mower. Is there any chance I will regret my decision to "upgrade" to the X744.

Thank you,
Chris

I own an L(emon)-130 and you won't regret upgrading to the X744. I like the 700 series because it's shaft drive and a hydraulic mower PTO versus the crummy electric PTO's (mine went out at 56-hours) on the "L" series toys. I would like AWS, shaft drive, power steering and diesel to replace the L-130, and that leaves an X700 series or a 455 if I can find one in good shape. Oh yes, I have to factor in the budget too...dang reality spoiling things again.

As for tillers, I can't help you on that one.

 

[sargex595]

I started with a 318 w/46" deck, then a 445 w/54" deck and finally a X595 w/62" deck and each time my wife and I noticed a big difference in the amount of mowing time cut down by going with a larger deck. The other big difference was the amount of fuel we were using. I was using 3 gas cans to keep up with the gas tractors and now I use just 1 can for the diesel tractor. I have 1080 hrs on my 2001 X595 and the only thing I've replaced is the idler pulley (think that's what it's called) on my mower deck last year and I just replaced the fuel filter unit on the tractor. I have a very bad back and the seat on my X595 is really nice and comfortable. I mainly use my X595 for mowing and do use a 54" plow in the winter. I actually prefer to plow snow with my X595 than with my 2005 GMC 2500 w/fisher 7 1/2 minute plow. Hope this helps but I would try to get the 62" deck over the 54" if you could.

Curt.

 

[JDKu]

Thanks again for all of the replies.

I have thought about CUT's, but the primary purpose of this tractor will be mowing - and perhaps a little tilling. But if it can't handle a tiller too well, I have my eye on a used commercial, zero turn mower.....

I read in another thread that the AWS don't have much clearance and may get hung up when tilling. Is there any truth to this? Does anyone have direct experience with the AWS and tillers? I suspect it will be a step down from my 12.5 HP Kubota 4x4 B6000 tiller - I'm just trying to gauge how big of a step down. On the otherhand, the JD has twice as much HP, and is 30 years newer. I wouldn't be totally surprised if the X744 put it to shame. I would love any comments anyone has on this - or any experience! Thanks for the comments on breaking sod. The Kubota also takes several passes to break sod.

I haven't seen any comments on the price.....

Thank you,
Chris

 

[jcmseven]

Chris,

There is some division among posters within this forum about the X series machines. Since this is a compact tractor oriented forum by and large, most will favor a compact or subcompact machine to an X series. I am not in that group necessarily, but there are some points to remember.

First, the Yanmar diesel is essentially the same engine in both the 744 and the 2305 sub-compact. It is extremely powerful, fuel-efficient (expect to use about 40% the fuel of the Kawasaki-equipped X series machines for the same work) and very durable. It will likely outlast the tractor itself and is very much worth the money.

Second, any of these smaller machines, including a 2305, would be pushed around a bit by a 647 tiller and hard soil. Adding liquid ballast and wheel weights would really help. It is quite easy to add over 300# of ballast to the rear tires/wheels of the X series machine and it will not move much then. The hydro transmission does have sort of a transbrake effect and is not easy to push around when "disengaged".

Third, this is controversial, the X series machines are just nice. They are expensive and perhaps overpriced in some aspects, but so are Ferraris, and I can tell you I still want one of those cars. The X series tractors are meant for homeowners who mow a lot but need a machine that is comfortable to operate and can do more than just mow. They are 100% American made with the only real outsource being the engine (even the Kansaki transaxle is made in the US) and are in my opinion the top of the lawn and garden food chain. Although I like the X 500 series machines they cannot compare to these. The only problem is that when one starts to upgrade to a rear PTO for tiller, a three point hitch, etc., they start to become cost prohibitive. Many times then it is better to look into the 2305. The only problem I have there (no disrespect to those that own them) is that the 2305 is just not as nice. It is not as comfortable and smooth when mowing, does not steer quite as well, etc. It is a fine and capable machine but not as polished for those homeowner specific tasks. John Deere really did its homework on the X series machines and it shows through. Truly, either purchase direction you consider it might end up being better to just buy new as these machines (X series or 2305) simply do not depreciate enough in my mind to make buying a used one worthwhile in most cases. The MFWD on the 2305 is a nice feature though, but will not hold that tiller back much better than a ballasted X series machine.

Whether you decide to go with more standard features of the 2305 or the high refinement of the X744 becomes a personal choice, but both machines can handle the jobs you mention with no trouble. I also have no heard that the four wheel steer machines offer any significant liability when doing this type work due to ground clearance.

John M

 

[turbo36]

Chris,

There is some division among posters within this forum about the X series machines. Since this is a compact tractor oriented forum by and large, most will favor a compact or subcompact machine to an X series. I am not in that group necessarily, but there are some points to remember.

First, the Yanmar diesel is essentially the same engine in both the 744 and the 2305 sub-compact. It is extremely powerful, fuel-efficient (expect to use about 40% the fuel of the Kawasaki-equipped X series machines for the same work) and very durable. It will likely outlast the tractor itself and is very much worth the money.

Second, any of these smaller machines, including a 2305, would be pushed around a bit by a 647 tiller and hard soil. Adding liquid ballast and wheel weights would really help. It is quite easy to add over 300# of ballast to the rear tires/wheels of the X series machine and it will not move much then. The hydro transmission does have sort of a transbrake effect and is not easy to push around when "disengaged".

Third, this is controversial, the X series machines are just nice. They are expensive and perhaps overpriced in some aspects, but so are Ferraris, and I can tell you I still want one of those cars. The X series tractors are meant for homeowners who mow a lot but need a machine that is comfortable to operate and can do more than just mow. They are 100% American made with the only real outsource being the engine (even the Kansaki transaxle is made in the US) and are in my opinion the top of the lawn and garden food chain. Although I like the X 500 series machines they cannot compare to these. The only problem is that when one starts to upgrade to a rear PTO for tiller, a three point hitch, etc., they start to become cost prohibitive. Many times then it is better to look into the 2305. The only problem I have there (no disrespect to those that own them) is that the 2305 is just not as nice. It is not as comfortable and smooth when mowing, does not steer quite as well, etc. It is a fine and capable machine but not as polished for those homeowner specific tasks. John Deere really did its homework on the X series machines and it shows through. Truly, either purchase direction you consider it might end up being better to just buy new as these machines (X series or 2305) simply do not depreciate enough in my mind to make buying a used one worthwhile in most cases. The MFWD on the 2305 is a nice feature though, but will not hold that tiller back much better than a ballasted X series machine.

Whether you decide to go with more standard features of the 2305 or the high refinement of the X744 becomes a personal choice, but both machines can handle the jobs you mention with no trouble. I also have no heard that the four wheel steer machines offer any significant liability when doing this type work due to ground clearance.

John M

As a former 2305 and now X749 owner I could not have said it better!

I don't make my purchase decisions on what someone else sees as the best "value" I make them based on what works best for me.

 

[jenkinsph]

JDKu,
I agree with John M, and turbo 36,,

If most of what you are doing is mowing I would buy the X744 it is a very nice mower. This would be my first choice. I much prefer to keep my lawn mower as a separate entity from my tractor with the mower deck in place and ready to use.

If you think you need a small tractor though then move up to a 2320 or larger one.

 

[LBrown59]

Chris,

There is some division among posters within this forum about the X series machines. Since this is a compact tractor oriented forum by and large, most will favor a compact or subcompact machine to an X series. I am not in that group necessarily, but there are some points to remember.
specific tasks. John Deere really did its homework on the X series machines and it shows through. Truly, either purchase direction you consider it might end up being better to
just buy new as these machines (X series or 2305) simply do not depreciate enough in my mind to make buying a used one worthwhile in most cases.
Whether you decide to go with more standard features of the 2305 or the high refinement of the X744 becomes a personal choice, but both machines can handle the jobs you mention with no trouble. I also have not heard that the four wheel steer machines offer any significant liability when doing this type work due to ground clearance.

John M

The resale value isn't as good on the Xs.
Implements for them are also more costly.

 

[jcmseven]

LB-

Please do not supply misinformation here. The resale value on the X series machines is quite good, especially the diesel powered ones. It is region dependent to some degree though; I will give you that (i.e., those areas where people tend to have larger manicured lawns, etc. tend to sell well) With regard to attachments, the X series and the 2305 use essentially the same attachments: blades, mowers, box blades, rear blades, I match and Frontier implements, including the tiller are all compatable. Therefore, aside from the mounting brackets, which might be a little different but likely not much different in price--they have the same cost implements for the most part. Having had three X series machines over my JD ownership career I can say I got as good--if not better than--the resale percentage that I got on any of my compacts when ready to sell--and it did not take long to do it. The formula here is pretty easy, these are nice machines and when the right person with the right need tries one they feel the same way and frequently buy.

John M

John M

 

[North585]

I have had a X585 for 4 years now and my 2720 for 1 year. To me, they are very different manchines, with different uses for me.

I use my X585 for mowing, spraying and snow work. I have a 54" deck, and really regret not having purchased the 62". I dont have a lot of trees to work around so the added width would have been a help. That said, the X585 is comfortable, quick and very manouverable. The 4 wheel drive work well in the snow...the blade works great and the blower has a high capacity.

I use the 2720 for loader work, dragging trees, landscaping and all kinds of small chores. I wouldnt see the X585 being able to do that type of work, but, then again, the 2720 in my mind wouldn't be too great at what the X585 excels at.

I can't comment on whether the 2305 is a machine in the middle but as has been said by jcmseven and others, the X series is well built and will take good care of you. Good luck in your decision.