Scooby074 said:
Not to argue too much, but i dont buy what your salesman said.
I can understand having to meet price point on the cheaper machines, but there is much more margin on the bigger tractors.
The rear diff on the 540, is a k72a. Rated at the same torque as the k71 in the gx345, but it has increased pump size and a strengthened housing... It also has more fluid capacity for better cooling.. Better overall IMHO.
The engine has more power too.
Seat has a higher back.
The 540 is ~160 lbs heavier... Thicker steel?
The 540 has a longer wheelbase for a better ride, and is wider for better stability.
The 540 has an easier access fuel tank with a large opening on the fender so you dont have to raise the seat. The fuel tank is also 1/2 gallon bigger.
Spec to spec vs. unsubstantiated opinions, one could argue that the x540 is a BETTER machine. Afterall these things are essentially glorified boxes holding a transmission and engine. Thats what matters and id argue that the 540's main components (eng and trans) are better.
All the above can be verified at Tractordata if so inclined. Again, not wanting to start an argument, but the specs speak for themselves.
Ok, again I am not here to put down anyone's tractor. I just feel that the OP has the right to hear what I have been told, so he has as much info as possible to make an educated decision.
I felt that you had some valid points to support your argument, so I decided to call my friend at Deere and see what he had to say. He was in a bit of a rush, so his answers were kind of short.
I repeated what you had said about the specs, and his reply was that specs are not always what they seem. He said it's hard to get into specifics, but if we sat down with the mechanical data, he could show me the differences in detail.
I then brought up ,what he had told me before, about the two machines selling for the same price 6 to 8 years apart. I told him what you had said that the bigger machines have a much bigger margin. He laughed and said, then why is it that only the 300 and 500 series are selling for the cheaper price? He then said, price the X749 and it's 2005 equivalent, and tell me if they are still selling for the same price. Not even close. I thought that said a lot.
He said, come on in, he would be happy to sell me a 500 series. They are still true JD tractors and quality machines. It's just that they were designed and built to match today's economy.
Now this is coming from a JD employee, who is a friend of mine and has absolutely no reason to lie to me. I'm sure, if his boss overheard the conversation, his job would be in jeopardy.
Oh yeah, I also mentioned the weight and HP differences. He didn't have an answer for the weight difference, other then the tires and frame might be a bit larger. As far as the HP, he said you can buy a Craftsmen, they have 26 HP too.( I guess that's what he meant by specs not always being what they seem). I kind of agree with that because I own a Kubota
B26, which only has 26 HP and pulls over 4000 lbs at 11 MPH. If you put it in low range, it has incredible pushing and pulling power.
Anyway this is just second hand info. But you must admit that it has to make you think twice about purchasing one of these tractors.
I think I am going to stick with the X7xx series, or better yet an older X595, as I said before, I need 4WD.
Ok whatever you decide, remember to post some pics.
