Garden Tractors

[mjm1]

Evaluating a Deere X530 and X720 or X740. Am concerned about being able to lift the 54" deck from the X700 tractors because of the weight. I like to clean my deck and sharpen the blades frequently. Any advice? Thank you.

 

[KB9UDE]

The x700 series offers a wide range of deck sizes from 48" to 62" however if you get a 60 inch 7-iron deck it has the ability to drive the tractor over the deck for easy removal and install.
See here for 7 iron info:
http://salesmanual.deere.com/sales/...tachments/sku23646_60in_7iron_mower_x700.html

Here is a link to the x740
JohnDeere X740 Select Series X700 Lawn Tractors JohnDeere.com

 

[JDgreen227]

Evaluating a Deere X530 and X720 or X740. Am concerned about being able to lift the 54" deck from the X700 tractors because of the weight. I like to clean my deck and sharpen the blades frequently. Any advice? Thank you.

The deck you mention is probably lighter than the 376 pound 60 inch 7-Iron on my Deere, which is a good thing. Not sure what system the newer tractors use to mount the deck but the one on mine is a grade-A, PIB HEADACHE to remove and replace, much of that is because my tractor is fitted with the FEL. Removing my deck is a half-hour job, replacing it takes 2X as long.

I am 5 foot 7, weight 170 pounds, and I can just barely pick up the front edge of my deck and lift it 14 inches to prop the front edge in jackstands so I can powerwash the underside. I actually use the FEL to lift it now, that example of how I used to lift the deck was just for your reference. I put about 80 mowing hours a year on my tractor, and do not remove the deck for a real cleaning and blade resharpening until done mowing for the year.

May I suggest, that instead of removing your deck for cleaning and blade sharpening, you get a sturdy pair of auto ramps, and drive the front end of your machine up onto the ramps, lock the parking brake, and prop up the discharge chute. This method works VERY well for enabling easier access to the blades and for using a power washer to remove debris after using a scraper with a long handle to knock off the heavy clumps of grass. I do a cleaning in mid year using the ramps method. Hope this helps.

And BTW, for removing and reinstalling my deck, when it is under the tractor, I use a long length of 2X4 as a lever and prop 4X4 and 2X4 wood blocks and assorted wood shims under my deck wheels to get it in the proper position to hook up or remove the linkage. Much easier and safer than lifting by hand !!!

 

[KB9UDE]

Drive over decks are great! I have one on my 3320.

 

[mjm1]

Thanks JDGreen. You have confirmed my fear. (I am about your size, 62 yrs old with back issues). My existing 42" deck on a GT 225 is easy. The 54" on an X530 should be similar. Existing tractor is excellent, I just want to update and cut wider.

 

[JDgreen227]

Glad I could be of assistance. You joined a great site here that has an unlimited amount of information.

 

[jenkinsph]

Evaluating a Deere X530 and X720 or X740. Am concerned about being able to lift the 54" deck from the X700 tractors because of the weight. I like to clean my deck and sharpen the blades frequently. Any advice? Thank you.

Might want to consider the 7 iron 60" deck on the x700 series as it is easy to clean and stays cleaner by design. Never needed to use blocks or levers to remove/replace my deck on the x749.

If you find that raising up the deck is an issue for you with back problems I would find a good work around. Might be just a simple come along or use the ramps as mentioned above.

FWIW, I use to have to sharpen my blades very frequently but now that I have my lawn in good shape I get alot more use out of each sharpening. I think one of the real advantages to having the larger model mowers is the ability to make real improvements to your lawn areas. Which mower you decide to go with imo would be determined by what you need to do long term. My experience is the x7xx model does a great job with attachments and can enable you to make considerable improvements to the lawn.

The x530 is plenty of mower for maintaining and mowing duties but the sleeve hitch is not as good for use with implements. My take is the x530 would speed up your mowing time quite a lot over your present GT225 with the 42" deck.

Which mower to go with depends on your own situation and needs but frequent trading and upgrading can be costly. I recommend you make sure the new mower will handle your long term needs.

 

[JDgreen227]

Only way I can attach the rear lift links and clevises on my 7-Iron deck is to drive the rear wheels up on patio blocks about 4-5 inches high, remove the drawbar, raise the 3-pt arms, then I have enough room under the rear of the tractor to to slide in on my back (upside down) under the rear axle housing and reach the linkage which is crammed into a very restricted space underneath the tractor. Crawling underneath is also the easiest way to install the MMM shaft that connects to the PTO. Since the only way to reach the rear lift link ssemblies is to block the rear wheels up, that means I also have to block up the deck.

The X749 is a MUCH smaller frame tractor than mine, and most likely lower to the ground. My 318 has a 50 inch deck and that is a snap to remove and replace as it is so light. I made the comments about my 7-Iron to warn mjm1 what he MIGHT experience with a heavy deck. I can remove and reinstall the FEL on my bigger Deere in five minutes either way which is why I find the MMM installation and removal such a PIB.

 

[mjm1]

Thank you. I am zeroing in on a X530 now. My GT 225 has been bulletproof for ten years, I expect that a new one will be too. The GT will be going to one of my sons as it still has a lot of life with only 500 hrs. on it. Hope the Kawasaki is as good as the Kohler has been.

 

[mjm1]

The liquid cooled X540 has captured my attention. Is the liquid worth the extra $900 (it sure is in snowmobiles!)
Still also tempted on the X720 or X740 and believe it or not, a Kubota BX. I tested the BX and it seems to ride rougher, requires more steering wheel turns and has a clunky powerflo. But it has an FEL and 3 pt. hitch. Hard to decide.

 

[JDgreen227]

The liquid cooled X540 has captured my attention. Is the liquid worth the extra $900 (it sure is in snowmobiles!)
Still also tempted on the X720 or X740 and believe it or not, a Kubota BX. I tested the BX and it seems to ride rougher, requires more steering wheel turns and has a clunky powerflo. But it has an FEL and 3 pt. hitch. Hard to decide.

Given the climate in Maine, I don't know if the liquid cooling would be enough of an asset to justify the extra expense. And you would have to factor in the cost of coolant changes down the road.

 

[mjm1]

Thank you. Economically, the X530 is probably my best choice. I will get the powerflow, 54" deck and perhaps the Snowblower. Plus a comfortable aftermarket seat from Northern Tools. My back cannot take the two piece Deere seat.

 

[JDgreen227]

What you said about the Kubota having a FEL and 3 point hitch...those add a lot of cost to a tractor, much of it because of the additional hydraulics required. Unless you actually expect to really use those two items, there is little sense paying for them. I probably only have my FEL and rear blade WORKING on my tractor ten to fifteen of the actual 110 operating hours I use it a year, but when I need them, I NEED THEM. If you think you may need the FEL and 3 point in the future, get a tractor that has them NOW. It is very costly to trade in a two or three year old smaller tractor and upgrade to a larger one after only a few years.

My first Deere was a 318 with a 50 inch deck and snowblade, I lived on 11 acres and thought it would handle my needs, but after the first year I wanted to kick myself because I should have purchased a 755 with the 3 point and FEL, because once I had a tractor, I kept finding things to use it for that mine wasn't capable of doing because it didn't have the power or hydraulic capacity I needed. Yet I could not afford to upgrade for a long time. My mistake !!

Hope this helps you....and I am happy you want to buy Deere, I would NEVER buy any other brand.

 

[jenkinsph]

The 540 rear pto and limited act 1 hitch work well on the x749, good for 48 to 60 inch implements. These small models are great in close quarters but will not take the place of larger compacts. If considering a fel I would consider a 35hp and up compact tractor.

 

[expedoman55]

Not to rain on the John Deere or anyones parade but I have an 07 TC22da New Holland 3 cyl diesel Hydro. I have a 60 inch deck, FEL, Hydro 3 point hitch. Awesome tractor. New model number is different this year. I will say the mower and FEL are super easy to put on and take off. First raise deck all the way up, pull pins and turn the mower deck wheels turn sideways( cool design), drop deck, pull 6 pins. raise the deck arms(no deck attached) pull back collar on driveshaft slide shaft back. roll deck out the side. poof done. more than 15 minutes.. your cokin and smokin! reverse procedure to put back on. maybe 20 minute to put back on to line it up.
Love my New Holland. I have no experience with Kubota at all and only with my sisters Deere but it has no mower only FEL.. So not knocking any others, just saying.

 

[RaydaKub]

I will say the mower and FEL are super easy to put on and take off. First raise deck all the way up, pull pins and turn the mower deck wheels turn sideways( cool design), drop deck, pull 6 pins. raise the deck arms(no deck attached) pull back collar on driveshaft slide shaft back. roll deck out the side. poof done. more than 15 minutes.. your cokin and smokin! reverse procedure to put back on. maybe 20 minute to put back on to line it up.

Similar procedure to drop the mower off my Kubota BX. If I just drag it out, 2 minutes and it's off. If I take the time to turn the wheels, maybe 4. Drop the FEL off in about 2 minutes too. Mounting the FEL is maybe 5 minutes (still a rookie at lining it up). Worst thing is mounting the mower. The drive shaft can be a pain, but still is less than 5 minutes.

 

[jenkinsph]

Not to rain on the John Deere or anyones parade but I have an 07 TC22da New Holland 3 cyl diesel Hydro. I have a 60 inch deck, FEL, Hydro 3 point hitch. Awesome tractor. New model number is different this year. I will say the mower and FEL are super easy to put on and take off. First raise deck all the way up, pull pins and turn the mower deck wheels turn sideways( cool design), drop deck, pull 6 pins. raise the deck arms(no deck attached) pull back collar on driveshaft slide shaft back. roll deck out the side. poof done. more than 15 minutes.. your cokin and smokin! reverse procedure to put back on. maybe 20 minute to put back on to line it up.
Love my New Holland. I have no experience with Kubota at all and only with my sisters Deere but it has no mower only FEL.. So not knocking any others, just saying.

On a Deere x749, you rotate the deck wheels sideways similar to yours, lower deck, release the front yoke with a lever type binder, release the pto with pull back collar, raise the deck arms and roll the mower out. No pins to pull, no loose hardware.

I find the hardest thing is reconnecting the pto shaft with short arms.

 

[Don87]

Similar procedure to drop the mower off my Kubota BX. If I just drag it out, 2 minutes and it's off. If I take the time to turn the wheels, maybe 4. Drop the FEL off in about 2 minutes too. Mounting the FEL is maybe 5 minutes (still a rookie at lining it up). Worst thing is mounting the mower. The drive shaft can be a pain, but still is less than 5 minutes.

Same with the Massey Ferguson GC series.

 

[XSKIER]

Vastly different with the one thousand series JD. Check out mustangary on YouTube!

 

[murphy1244]

If your just cutting grass and snowblowing check out a Simplicity.Nothing cuts grass better. Nothing.:cool2: