Considering an x500

[NHNinja]

Hi all - new to the site, wonderful content. My riding lawnmower gave up at the end of last season, and now that we're getting toward spring, I'm thinking about what I would like to replace it with. Currently mowing about 3 acres of varying steepness, but will probably be looking to add a snowblower attachement next season, as my snowblower is about to die as well.

My local dealer is offering an x320 for $3649, and the x500 for $5229. Apparently Deere is having a $500 off promotion until the end of February.

My question to this group is, are these good prices? How much negotiation room is there? Am I correct in my assumption that the x500 is the right tool?

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:

No good way to know if the X500 is the "right tool" for you, ...
but for myself, as I have steepness on my 6 acres in places, I would opt for all-wheel-steer and look for a used 425, 445, or 455. More tractor, rugged and dependable, and possible to find them with 500-600 hours. Get hydraulics for dual rams, power steering, liquid cooling, and in another league altogether.


I also have an X485, which is a step backwards IMO. But it has bigger tires and is more comfortable ride as a result. Don't care for the one-piece hood.

 

[mjm1]

I went through a similar process and chose the X530 with powerflow (3 bag) as the best value. My GT 225 gave me 11 seasons, zero repairs and got about half of what I paid for it in the trade with my same dealer. Simple to maintain, cheap to run and bullet proof. I just wanted a wider deck and creature comforts. Do not like the stock seat, dealer ordered the X540 seat & springs, gave a credit and only charged $125 for it. The traction assist is an important feature too. Just my two cents.

 

[Scooby074]

another vote for a x540. I traded mine last year on a BX but kind of wish i kept it.

I have a sloped property and the locking diff was great. The deck is awesome too. Powersteering and lift make life easy.

Its a very excellent mower.

 

[psdx]

:welcome:

No good way to know if the X500 is the "right tool" for you, ...
but for myself, as I have steepness on my 6 acres in places, I would opt for all-wheel-steer and look for a used 425, 445, or 455. More tractor, rugged and dependable, and possible to find them with 500-600 hours. Get hydraulics for dual rams, power steering, liquid cooling, and in another league altogether.

I also have an X485, which is a step backwards IMO. But it has bigger tires and is more comfortable ride as a result. Don't care for the one-piece hood.

What about the X485 is a step backwards from the X500? Is it just the hood? I would have thought the X485 was more machine but maybe not, or maybe there's some things about the X485 that have been improved?

 

[beenthere]

I meant the X485 is a step back from the previous 425, 445, and 455 models.
In effect, it is the same "size" tractor but a model change to get the lines similar to all the Deere lines. Going to a one piece hood lost the great filtering of incoming air that the older models enjoyed.
The X500 is not even in the same class as the higher number X models. Window dressing for sales, to me.

 

[murphy1244]

Try a Simplicity Conquest.:thumbsup:

 

[mjm1]

Where I live the Simplicity Dealer cannot be trusted (put that very politely - based on personal experience). They may be great, but dealer trumps the manufacturer. I would not look beyond Deere, Kubota or Cub Cadet. And I would not buy from a big box store either. I have owned all three and for mowing I chose the Deere X530.

 

[DW530]

Hi all - new to the site, wonderful content. My riding lawnmower gave up at the end of last season, and now that we're getting toward spring, I'm thinking about what I would like to replace it with. Currently mowing about 3 acres of varying steepness, but will probably be looking to add a snowblower attachement next season, as my snowblower is about to die as well.

My local dealer is offering an x320 for $3649, and the x500 for $5229. Apparently Deere is having a $500 off promotion until the end of February.

My question to this group is, are these good prices? How much negotiation room is there? Am I correct in my assumption that the x500 is the right tool?

I have 2 acres of grass that I mow with some inclines and semi difficult terrain. I purchased a X530 last year with the 54" deck and for the winter the 44" dual stage snow blower, chains, grill cover and 3 42lb suitcase weights. I bought the entire package for $8000 which was $1000 off retail from my local JD DEALER.
I'm not sure if you are aware of the differences of the 500 series models. X500 is 26hp Kawasaki air cooled with either 48 pr 54 deck and turf tires. For $800 more, the X530 gives you, power steering, hydraulic deck/snowblower lift and the aggressive multi terrain rear tires. The x540 adds everything on the 530 plus, different seat and liquid cooled motor.
I LOVE my x530 in every way!! The only people who say you are buying the name when you buy a John Deere are the ones who have never owned one. Operate any other manufacturer and read any reviews out there, when it comes to lawn/garden tractors John Deere blows everyone away hands down!

 

[beenthere]

Try a Simplicity Conquest.:thumbsup:

Ahhh
A comedian.

 

[mjm1]

@DW530: I agree with you. Still debating buying the Snowblower, Airens walk behind has been great, but I would like something wider. Curious that you have 44" blower, Deere pushes the 47". Did you have much resistance from your dealer?

 

[DW530]

@DW530: I agree with you. Still debating buying the Snowblower, Airens walk behind has been great, but I would like something wider. Curious that you have 44" blower, Deere pushes the 47". Did you have much resistance from your dealer?

Well I just went with the 44" to save the $300. My dealer was great and honest, they told me the 44" and 47" are identical in construction. When you get into the x700 series that's when the blowers are different the way they are constructed, shaft driven instead of belt ad a metal snow shoot instead of plastic. They only push the 47 because it's a $300 mark up from the 44" and only 3 more inches of steel for their cost. No matter what type of snow or how much snow there is, with the 44" blower the tractor will never bog down and can throw powder about 30-40 ft !

 

[DW530]

Well I just went with the 44" to save the $300. My dealer was great and honest, they told me the 44" and 47" are identical in construction. When you get into the x700 series that's when the blowers are different the way they are constructed, shaft driven instead of belt ad a metal snow shoot instead of plastic. They only push the 47 because it's a $300 mark up from the 44" and only 3 more inches of steel for their cost. No matter what type of snow or how much snow there is, with the 44" blower the tractor will never bog down and can throw powder about 30-40 ft !

However I have a 200 ft long driveway with a large parking area so I needed a tractor to snow blow with. If you can comfortably do your driveway with a walk behind blower(Aries is #1!), id say stick with the Aries. Between my blower and other winter accessories for the tractor, that's an additional $ 1600 ! My dealer would have sold me just the x530 with the 54" deck for $6000! Which was $800 less than retail.

 

[Tim640]

I handled about 1.5-2 acres with my X500. With the 54" deck I could knock it out in about 1 3/4 hours. Southern Missouri/Ozark foothills, some steep parts in the yard. With the differential lock, I haven't gotten stuck yet.

I've got a 3/8 mile long asphalt driveway, which I plowed with the X500. We don't get very heavy snow here - 5-6" max I guess.

I *did* have an issue with traction on the driveway, since there is one portion that goes up a very steep hills. I just couldn't get any grip on the asphalt and I wished I had an AWD.

Now, I do, since I went out and got a 4310.