Mowing Help me justify a new X530

[mjm1]

Now mowing 1.5 acres with a GT 225, 42" deck with 2 bagger. Like the mulch, hate the bagger for leaves. Like the traction assist on the X530, 54" deck (which dealer says does not mulch well), will get the 3 bag powerflow for grass and cyclone rake for leaves. Mowing time (now 1.5 hrs) should be reduced to an hour. New machine will have a 4 yr warranty (or used has 3 years and saves $900.00. Should I stay with current tractor, which is in excellent shape, or upgrade in the Spring?

 

[greg_g]

I'm thinkin' this question would be better addressed in the JD lawn & garden forum.

//greg//

 

[mjm1]

Thanks, I will try to move it.

 

[mjm1]

Thanks, I moved it but do not know how to get rid of original post.

 

[JimRB]

How often do you mow? I bet I mowed 6-10 times last year. For me saving an hour would not justify spending $7,000. Looks like a neat lawn mower.

 

[mjm1]

This year mowed over 30 times, picked up leaves another 6.

 

[WilliamBos]

If you buy the X530, will there be more chores for it to do??

Had a loaner X500 a few years back, like the bigger platform compared to our CC LT1042, liked the gas though.

If you are comfortable with the price, your SO (if you have one...) gave you the go ahead, then I say go for it. You only live once.

 

[jenkinsph]

This year mowed over 30 times, picked up leaves another 6.

Dang! That is alot of mowing, how much growth do you get between cuttings? Like Jim, I mow maybe 6 to 10 times a year.

 

[mjm1]

Since I mulch have to cut more often. Commercial guys in So Maine all estimate 30x / yr. My son is in the business and I agree. Am also looking at a BX. A FEL would come in handy!

 

[Deere Dude]

Now mowing 1.5 acres with a GT 225, 42" deck with 2 bagger. Like the mulch, hate the bagger for leaves. Like the traction assist on the X530, 54" deck (which dealer says does not mulch well), will get the 3 bag powerflow for grass and cyclone rake for leaves. Mowing time (now 1.5 hrs) should be reduced to an hour. New machine will have a 4 yr warranty (or used has 3 years and saves $900.00. Should I stay with current tractor, which is in excellent shape, or upgrade in the Spring?

Some times I get sick of trying to justify everything. If I had to justify everything I bought I would have nothing. If you want it and you aren't taking from the table or the house-payments to get it, just buy the thing and enjoy it. If it's a nice tractor like the 530 you won't regret it.

 

[rekees4300]

It's hard to justify a new mower when the one you have is in good shape. I generally don't replace stuff until I start spending more time/money fixing than using. Try to keep my needs separated from my wants but that's not always easy.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with Deere Dude.
When I bought my first JD425, I didn't "need" it as the JD212 was in good working condition and kept in good shape.
But looking back, I found I could cut lawn in 2-3 hours, instead of 8 hrs. I could add a leaf collector and could stop raking leaves and dragging them off on a tarp. I could mow hillsides that were near impossible before. I could do so many more things with more ease than before and the 425 was so much more fun to drive.
Same happened when I moved from a 2-cyl JD 420 to the JD 4300 with FEL. That opened up a whole new era for me, and so glad I made the move.

 

[VABlue]

Do you 'need' it? No. The only questions are: 1) can you afford it?; 2) is the SO good with it?; 3) will you get use out of it?

Answer those three with a 'yes' and go purchase the thing! But you also mentioned a BX with a FEL, so I have to recommend going that route. Whether its a BX, or a JD 23xx model doesn't matter - they're evenly matched and it only comes down to your comfort on either one. But the FEL option won't cost you much more and would add a tremendously HUGE amount of usability to the machine. You have no idea how much you'll use that FEL (for every imaginable purpose) until you have it. If you can swing that money, get something with a FEL!

 

[jenkinsph]

Some times I get sick of trying to justify everything. If I had to justify everything I bought I would have nothing. If you want it and you aren't taking from the table or the house-payments to get it, just buy the thing and enjoy it. If it's a nice tractor like the 530 you won't regret it.

I agree with this.
The OP just needs to decide what his "wants" are, I prefer to mow a nice lawn with a dedicated mower. Tractors with fels and ballasting can damage a lawn.