Big decision

[Smittys D140]

Hi everyone i have a big question to ask you all. In may 2013 i purchased a new John Deere D140. I only planned on using this tractor for mowing grass, but that soon changed. For snow removal, i have been using an ATV with a blade. But the ATV is old and getting tired, it feels like it is broke down more than its running. I know that people bash the 100 series Deere's a lot. But the D160 is in my price range. I dont want a bigger deck than a 48". Basically i want to buy a newer JD to use as my main plowing machine and save the quad for a back up. So my question is, Should i use my D140, or should i buy another tractor? And which model? My price range is whatever trade in i can get for my D140 and maybe $1500 on top of that. If i can, i would rather keep my current machine, because it has been doing a great job for me and i hate to get rid of something that is working, to buy a piece of junk. Please help!!

 

[jenkinsph]

Keller,
I recommend you sit tight and focus more on mowing lawns for now. Try to limit your D140 to mowing and limit your towing of carts and aerators as much as possible. If you still wan't to pursue the traction type jobs later save up for an x500 and up or a good used scut. Don't kill your new D140 pulling the aerators.

 

[Smittys D140]

Keller,
I recommend you sit tight and focus more on mowing lawns for now. Try to limit your D140 to mowing and limit your towing of carts and aerators as much as possible. If you still wan't to pursue the traction type jobs later save up for an x500 and up or a good used scut. Don't kill your new D140 pulling the aerators.

Ok thanks, if i do have to tow aerators twice a year, how should i do it, to not kill my transmission? (less weight, less speed)

 

[Yellowfever440]

As he said I would save up for at least and X500 for plowing snow. There just a better built tractor for tbat, light snow pushes easy but heavy wet snow can really wear a transmission out on a light tractor.

 

[Big Barn]

Keller. I'm not familiar wit J D models whatsoever but everything the members have said above is the route to go. Hang tight. Dont kill your new machine. Small steps. You'll be farther ahead in the long run. Good luck.

Terry

 

[Smittys D140]

Ok thanks everyone, i will save up for a x500 or higher.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

How much would it cost to upgrade the ATV instead of the lawn tractor?

Not sure how much snow and what type you get in Greenwood, BC, but I don't see many people around here plowing with a lawn tractor. Snow blowers on the front yes - but not blades. My most similar experience was with a Honda 6522 with 60" power angle blade. The Honda was much heavier than a D140/160 or a X500, plus it had 4WD.

 

[oldnslo]

Depending on your driveway size is a walk behind snowblower an option? Good used ones in this area are less than $400.

 

[Smittys D140]

How much would it cost to upgrade the ATV instead of the lawn tractor?

Not sure how much snow and what type you get in Greenwood, BC, but I don't see many people around here plowing with a lawn tractor. Snow blowers on the front yes - but not blades. My most similar experience was with a Honda 6522 with 60" power angle blade. The Honda was much heavier than a D140/160 or a X500, plus it had 4WD.

I am running at 1997 yamaha big bear 350, it is beyond upgrading. I have priced out other atvs and they are way out of my price range. Plus i would like to maybe get a johnny bucket on the future tractor. We mostly get anywhere from 1-2 feet of snow each winter, falling in 3-8 inches at a time.

 

[Smittys D140]

Depending on your driveway size is a walk behind snowblower an option? Good used ones in this area are less than $400.

I already own a newer craftsman two stage snow blower, it does a great job when i am just doing our driveway, but i am a small lawn care company that also removes snow. So i have LOTS of snow to move each snowfall and the little snow blower is just to slow, plus we don't get enough snow at a time to make it beneficial to use.

 

[Smittys D140]

Whats everyone's opinion of a X320

 

[Yellowfever440]

OK now that adds more to it. It you remover snow from driveways for money I would move up to the x700 series or get an older model x405 or x505 series garden tractor. Even a 425 445 or 455 because then you get differential lock and a heavier machine I plow driveways with a lawn tractor for cash and I used to use a go 2nd with a 48 in plow and it was OK manual loft and manual angle then I got a 318 with hydraulic lift and angle and a hand hydro and I could do driveways 2 times faster. Now I have a 425 with hydraulic lift and angle with a foot hydro and I can do a standard 2 lane drive 50 ft in about 10 minutes in 4 to 6 inches of snow. You can get a 425 with 700 hrs or so for around 3000 bucks and a brand new blade and quick hitch with angle for about 1500. They are pretty good little tractors for snow. Just an opinion.

 

[Yellowfever440]

X320s are heavier than the d series but they are still pretty light. If that's all you can afford though then it would last longer than the d140.

 

[oldnslo]

Not sure how prices compare in BC but my son recently purchased an X485 w/64" MMM with 1500 hrs for $2200. He also purchased the 54" 2-stage blower for around $1000. His only complaint with snowblower on the X485 is that is doesn't steer very well, the front wants to slide unless he lifts the blower slightly.

Yesterday he purchased a 425 with 700 hrs as a back-up machine included the 48" MMM and front snow blade for $1500.

A boy and his toys

 

[Smittys D140]

So you guys think the x320 is to light duty for my light commercial use. Maybe ill look for a 318-332-400-430 for ground engaging and snow plowing and keep my D140 for grass cutting.

 

[TimberXX]

Not sure how prices compare in BC but my son recently purchased an X485 w/64" MMM with 1500 hrs for $2200. He also purchased the 54" 2-stage blower for around $1000. His only complaint with snowblower on the X485 is that is doesn't steer very well, the front wants to slide unless he lifts the blower slightly. Yesterday he purchased a 425 with 700 hrs as a back-up machine included the 48" MMM and front snow blade for $1500. A boy and his toys

That's a good deal on the x485.

 

[Smittys D140]

Something like this maybe

 

[Yellowfever440]

A 400 has power assisted steering and it isn't that great. I would go with a 420 or a 430 for the power steering and the high lo transmission. Those run like 12 mph in high that would be perfect for driving around town and doing driveways.

 

[jim98]

A 400 has power assisted steering and it isn't that great. I would go with a 420 or a 430 for the power steering and the high lo transmission. Those run like 12 mph in high that would be perfect for driving around town and doing driveways.

The 400 Deere has high/low also but u are right the power assist steering isn't that great