Considering JD X744 Purchase - Need Advice!

[JDKu]

The tractor is 3 years old, has 700 hours, and they want $7500. It is all wheel steer.

1) This tractor is more than I need. Before this I was contemplating a X534. I might be able to buy a X534 for close to similar price new. Which is better route?
2) It has a 54" deck. If I was buying the X744 new, I would want 62". I mow 4 acres. Would the 6" make a huge difference? I'm thinking of asking the dealer if he will swap the 54" deck for a 62" deck the next time a used machine comes through his dealership - would that be reasonable deal if I was willing to pay the $400 difference in price between these decks new?
3) At this many hours, what would you anticipate being worn out i.e. what should I look for when I inspect? Should I expect things to start failing, or is 700 hours still very new for a diesel mower and this cutting deck?
4) At some point, I might want a tiller on the X744. Are the hydraulic or PTO tillers any good?
5) Do the tillers work OK with a 2 wheel drive, hydro tractor? I have a Kubota B6000, and I have to lock it in 4WD just so the tiller won't skid the tractor forward! Will the hydro just "coast" when the tiller tries to push it forward? Somehow, I can't imagine the tiller working on these tractors.
6) I currently have a relatively new L-120 mower. Is there any chance I will regret my decision to "upgrade" to the X744.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[ChuckinNH]

I wouldn't be afraid at all of the 700 hours if the tractor has been cared for. I would expect in excess of 2000 hours of good use from these engines anyway. To some extent the all wheel steer will make the 54" deck more useful than it would be otherwise. The biggest problem with the narrower decks is trimming, and the all wheel steers are good at that. In actual use, I doubt you would see a huge speed difference in the two deck sizes, and perhaps more scalping with the larger deck if your ground is wavy. I have considered the X500 series too, but they do seem to be a rather large step down from the X700's ........ just my initial feeling. If I wanted to till, or blow snow, I would choose the larger used tractor myself. Of course my Simplicity is that size roughly, and perhaps I am just used to that. Actually, I have a Kubota 4wd too, and I am debating which tractor to put the snow blower on. ( for me it is having a cab I could fit in my storage area, and manuverability VS having a more capable unit. ) The hydraulic tillers are good, and can be run in either direction, but they are expensive, and don't sell that well around here new.

 

[Gittyup]

not sure the 744 has the hydraulics to run a hydro tiller.

 

[BleedGreen]

The X744 would handle either the 42" Hydraulic Tiller (requires the 3-Point Hitch)or the 647 driveshaft tiller. (requires the 3-Point Hitch and the 540RPM rear PTO) My choice would be the 647.

 

[LBrown59]

The tractor is 3 years old, has 700 hours, and they want $7500. It is all wheel steer.
1) This tractor is more than I need. Before this I was contemplating a X534. I might be able to buy a X534 for close to similar price new. Which is better route?
2) It has a 54" deck. If I was buying the X744 new, I would want 62". I mow 4 acres. Would the 6" make a huge difference? I'm thinking of asking the dealer if he will swap the 54" deck for a 62" deck the next time a used machine comes through his dealership - would that be reasonable deal if I was willing to pay the $400 difference in price between these decks new?
3) At this many hours, what would you anticipate being worn out i.e. what should I look for when I inspect? Should I expect things to start failing, or is 700 hours still very new for a diesel mower and this cutting deck?
4) At some point, I might want a tiller on the X744. Are the hydraulic or PTO tillers any good?
5) Do the tillers work OK with a 2 wheel drive, hydro tractor? I have a Kubota B6000, and I have to lock it in 4WD just so the tiller won't skid the tractor forward! Will the hydro just "coast" when the tiller tries to push it forward? Somehow, I can't imagine the tiller working on these tractors.
6) I currently have a relatively new L-120 mower. Is there any chance I will regret my decision to "upgrade" to the X744.Thank you,Chris

4* 4wd would be better .
5*Tillers and and loaders won't work on an all wheel steer tractor.

 

[BleedGreen]

4* 4wd would be better .
5*Tillers and and loaders won't work on an all wheel steer tractor.

1) Of course 4WD would be "better" but he is comparing the used X744 to a new X534 (which will not take a tiller at all) and both units are 2WD.

2) Both the 42" Hydraulic Tiller and the 647 PTO tiller will work with the X744.

3) Loaders will not work on the 4WS X700 series tractors.

 

[JDKu]

Thank you for all of the replies! Several more questions:

The main reason I am looking at a tractor as compared to a zero turn is because I may want a tiller in the future. So several more questions along this line:

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?
10) On a 700 hour mower, would you expect spindles to be going, wheel bearings, etc? Or would you expect everything to be as good as the day it was bought?

 

[JDKu]

Thank you for all of the replies! Several more questions:

The main reason I am looking at a tractor as compared to a zero turn is because I may want a tiller in the future. So I would like to ask several more questions so I can understand how functional/useful a tiller is on these tractors:

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?
10) On a 700 hour mower, would you expect spindles to be going, wheel bearings, etc? Or would you expect everything to be as good as the day it was bought?

 

[radman1]

Something else to consider. I just bought a used 2006 JD2305 with mower for $8250 with 315 hours from a dealer. It also had loader brackets on the tractor and hydraulic lift on the mower deck. It has rear pto, 4wd, 3 pt lift and not much bigger physically than the x744. The tractor and mower is great. By the time you buy a 3 pt and rear pto, you will be easily over 8K. The downside is lack of 4 wheel steer, which is a nice feature.

Saw a 2005 Kubota 2230 with 311 hours on craigslist with mower, tiller and loader for $7950. IMHO, the x500 and x700 series are too $$$ if you are considering other uses rather than just mowing.

 

[bigtiller]

7) With a Hydro, will the transmission "free wheel" and allow the tractor to be pushed forward with the tiller? Do you have to ride the brakes?
8) With the 2WD and turf tires, do the tillers tend to skid the tractor forward much?
9) Are the tillers and tractors solid enough to break sod?

7) The hydro transmission does not free wheel unless you push the lever to alow it to. The 647 tiller will push the tractor forward. Some times riding the brakes will do nothing towards stopping. You will have to turn the pto off.
8) Every type of tire will skid however, R1's will pull you out of a hole in the garden easier than turff's.
9) The 647 will break sod easier than the hydrolic tiller. And they both will need 3 or more passes to get it all churned up.