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[ChuckinNH]

Feedback on JD X530, and X540

I need some help with a garden tractor purchase. I'm looking at the John Deere X530, and X540, and think that one of those will be in my garage soon. I would like any feedback, help, or advice on those tractors, good, or bad. I found both yesterday, but the X540 had the smaller deck, and the X530 had the older, smaller seat, and that is important to me since I have some tumors on my hip, and lower back. One had HDAP tires, and the other regular turfs........ any opinions there? So, fire away with any input at all.

 

[ding2520]

Hi Chuck.
I bought a used X540 last week. It was a 2007 54" deck with 85 hrs. I was looking for a X530 but finding one used is next to impossible, I guess they haven't been around long enough. I wanted to save some money is the reason I was looking for the X530, the X540 I found was just to good of a deal to pass up.
The only differences mechanically between the two tractors that I found were tilt steering wheel and liquid cooling on the X540. I understand that the new 540's have an air ride seat that is available. Maybe just what you need to make seat time more comfortable for you. The HDAP tires would give you extra traction for sure, but with the differential lock you might be hard pressed to find an area where regular turf tires won't give you enough traction. The tractor I bought has the turf tires and I have a couple of steep areas that I mow and the differential lock made all the difference in the world. My previous tractor was a JD 175 Hydro, the X540 is considerably heavier unit which equates to traction also. Good luck with your purchase, and let us know what you decide to buy.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for the input. I know that I got hung up a bit on the looks of the HDAP tires......... they look meaner on a garden tractor, and that is why I'm asking for honest input. I guess in the winter I would probably use chains too. Do you have any problems with the X540 handling the 54" mmm in heavy grass? I currently have a 48" deck, but after removing a pile of native New England landscaping articles made from granite, I can fit a 54" deck everywhere now I think. ( I am mowing something over 3 acres.)

 

[Danald]

I had the X500 for 29 days then traded for X540. The x540 is quieter than the 500, but it is a little harder to start. Need to use choke even if warmed up. Also have to let x540 idle for about 30 sec before throttling up or it will die. Did not have that problem on the 500. Overall though I find the x540 worth it

 

[tomd999]

Chuck,

Rosencrantz in Kensington has a few really nice used Diesel 4 and 5 series lawn tractors.

I have to go there Saturday to "visit" my new cab tractor and give them a boot in the butt to get it done and delivered. If you want I can take a few pictures for you but if there is only one left we may have to wrestle over it ... :laughing:

Hope all is going well with you.

Tom

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for the offer Tom, I might be interested in the 500 series if they have one. There was one at RN Johnson, but it was gone as fast as it came in.

 

[jcmseven]

Chuck, I have some experience with these mowers. Both are nice. We each have our personal opinion, but to me, though I like the liquid-cooled engine on the 540 and it is more quiet slightly than the 530, it is not enough nicer to justify paying hundreds more for it. Kawasaki engines, in my experience, are cold-natured in general--some more than others. It does not surprise me that you see postings about a prolonged "warm up" time in them. I will also warn you that in general the carbureted Kawasaki twins are among the more thirsty engines in power equipment in this range, but they do offer exceptional torque for gas engines. I am aware of no problem areas with these tractors, they are very good machines. The new high back seat is really nice and in my opinion a huge improvement over the previous open back mid-height. I think you would find it comfortable and much more ergonomic. As for the tires, there is no question in my mind that the HDAP tires are the way to go. I have had them on several machines and have found them very easy on grass but exceptional in traction. They really make a difference on a relatively light machine such as the X 500 series. I can highly recommend these machines; in fact, I am driving to my dealer friend tomorrow with instructions to bring back a 540 for one of my colleagues here. He is enamoured with a liquid-cooled engine, so wanted to pay the extra money. My advice is to look at new mainly because the used ones are very rare as they are bought quickly after being traded, though now might be the time to keep a lookout for a good used machine as we approach the end of mowing season and people start to review whether they want to keep an expensive mower idle through the winter (which, of course, they do not have to with these machines). My problem with used is that in most cases, one cannot save much money v. new on them and JD frequently offers promotions which make buying an unused machine more appealing. I personally am not much on financing, but have done so on occasion in response to JD 0% deals. I do not know if there are any deals going on right now, but that may further shape your decision.

John M

 

[ChuckinNH]

Thanks for your input John. I respect your judgemet as always. If I didn't have my Kubota, I would be buying an X700 series for sure, but this will be for just mowing, and perhaps dealing with lighter snow falls since I have a short driveway. I looked hard at the X300 series on the other end of the scale, but my land is rough enough to eat lighter front end components. I destroyed a Sears tractor here in a year......... well the front end anyway. My next mower was a small Simplicity that lasted 1500 hours, and I got a good trade in on it since I do usually take pretty good care of things, and my time as an aircraft mechanic on small planes in Vietnam taught me the value of regular oil changes. I bought a Simplicity Legacy next, and thought it might take care of my tractor needs with the Cat 0 three point, and we know where that went. It feels strange to be looking at smaller mowers than I have, but the ease of attaching the material collection system, etc., and the more nimble character make sense for me. I may get a rear mounted finish mower for my B2620 to get some places easier at some point. I have to spend about 1K on the front end, and mower deck on my Simplicity to get it back in shape, and that is what is driving this now. That has been an OK tractor, but I have wished many times that I bought the JD 500X series I was looking at too at the time. I have a love / hate relationship with the full width roller on the Simplicity decks. It leaves my rough yard looking great, but it can catch on every little thing, and will pick up things like apples, and not let them go. It is surprising, and irratating how deep a groove you can leave in the yard with an apple! The extra hours of warranty on the X700 series is meaningless since few put much more than 100 hours a year on a mower, though I have some years. If worse comes to worse I will use the JD 30 day return policy to move up to an X7xx.

Edit to ask what you mean by thirsty John. I get around one hour per gallon now, but this Simplicity uses less fuel than my old one.

 

[Gonerafting]

I used the John Deere Machine Finder to locate my used Tractor, the shipping from the MidWest was expensive, but pretty much a wash with saving Sales Tax. They have alot of X540 for sale. The liquid cooled tractors have a warranty of 700 hours and five years, air cooled 500 hours and five years. Obviously, that is probably a moot point. I really like the X744 and the Diesel while being expensive, uses probably a 1/4 the amount of fuel the gas ones are reported using in what folks have reported to me on their gas tractors. Mine starts quickly, idles well and I absolutely love it. I think you are making a big mistake not buying a X700 with the heavier frame. I figure I bought what I wanted and at 61 will never replace it or regret buying what I wanted to begin with. If you can find a SE addition, it comes with the air suspension seat which I think would be a wonderful option. Also, I've heard the X700 rides a bit better due to it's weight and with a bad hip, I think you should consider that. Just my opinion.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The points you made are all good ones, and I will sure consider them. I'm 64, and nearly 4 years ago they gave me perhaps a year to live with treatments......... I blew that away, but I really don't need a 20 year tractor probably. I sure have looked at them! M' Simplicity is the same size / weight, or very close to it so the smaller ones do feel small, and light to me. My neighbor has done a lot of my mowing for me with a smaller Cub Cadet when I haven't been feeliing so good, so I know that size will work. I do like the larger tires, and weight of the larger ones.