Buying Advice Need Advice - 1026R vs. X749

[jenkinsph]

oliver,
Rereading your first post above you might wan't to consider the MC 519 cart with powerflo bagger 19 bushel capacity. I am waiting for a new unit to arrive and should be here in the next few days. Beenthere (poster) has his cart set up with hydraulic dump and I plan on adding this to mine when it arrives. Dumping the bags would be alot more time consuming, I mow about 3 acres at home and have used the bags until now.

Tilling your garden about 6 or 7 inches deep will take about 10 to 15 minutes. I tilled my neighbors garden 50x100 about 6 inches deep in 15 minutes two weeks ago.

I should also mention that the hdap tires seem to work well under all conditions from snow to garden to lawn. Very impressed with these tires overall.

 

[rsewill]

Tough decision but that 80% mowing means the four wheel steer on the X749 is the better choice. And get a cab! You can search YouTube for X749 for a video of a cabbed one snow blowing.

 

[charleyfarmall]

Somebody explain to my why you bag clippings and don't mulch them in? The last time I bagged clippings was 30 years ago. I have always mulched and left them since then. But then again, I don't believe in poisoning my lawn to kill weeds either. Especially since I have lived on well water for most of the last 30 years and I don't want that crap in my water.

 

[jenkinsph]

Somebody explain to my why you bag clippings and don't mulch them in? The last time I bagged clippings was 30 years ago. I have always mulched and left them since then. But then again, I don't believe in poisoning my lawn to kill weeds either. Especially since I have lived on well water for most of the last 30 years and I don't want that crap in my water.

I mulch clippings most of the time but this past year the thatch was too thick. I used my pine needle rake to break it all loose and bagged everything I could get up. The area I tested looked much better. I put all the clippings in a pile with pine needles and steer manure with some fertilizer added. This is later put back on the lawn for top dressing so it doesn't get thrown out.

Some areas such as the Southwest don't have enough moisture to promote breaking all the clippings down fast enough. When I lived in Louisiana you could make anything rot in a heartbeat.

 

[jcmseven]

I love the X 700 series machines and have expressed my affection for them in many posts over the years, but it seems to me that the 1026R is your better option. I have recently had a chance to try out one of these briefly and have familiarized myself with them. The are a marked upgrade from the previous 2305 and have all the creature comfort features of the X series in a very versatile package. I had a 595, which I loved, but really regretted not getting something with the hydraulics to operate a loader and rear implement simultaneously (which my X series could not). I was one who thought he would never need a loader. Now it is the attachment I use most with my current tractor. I think since John Deere has improved the ergonomics, ease of attachment use, and added features to its sub-compact, the X series no longer holds the big advantage in "usability" and comfort that it did over the 2210 and 2305. I now view the 1026R as like an X series in these areas that has a rockshaft that moves, too.

John M

 

[droptop]

Once you own a loader, you will never be without one. They make almost any task easier, even ones you would have never thought about using a loader for.

Another aspect to consider is the better resale value of SCUT's vs Garden tractors. The SCUT's hold their value pretty well.

 

[jenkinsph]

Once you own a loader, you will never be without one. They make almost any task easier, even ones you would have never thought about using a loader for.

Another aspect to consider is the better resale value of SCUT's vs Garden tractors. The SCUT's hold their value pretty well.

Loaders are great tools but I don't wan't them or the extra rear wheel weight on a lawn area. While they are handy everyone doesn't need one. The scut loaders can't pick up much weight anyway.

 

[cjdavis618]

Porportional to the size of the tractor, the 1026R does very well lifting. Obviously, if you were moving hay bales or something you would want a bigger tractor, but for "Residential" uses, and light commercial, it is a nice setup. There a many places that the 1026R could go and deliver materials that the 4520 you have couldn't get to easily.

Like was said above, the 1026 has other features that may be liked more than the X749, such as the seating and creature comforts. It also will allow more tools to be used than the X749 with regards to implements. Regarding the loader, it takes no time at all to remove and reattach the H120 loader and if weight is a concern on the lawn, you can easily remove the loader and re-attach as needed. I have been driving mine around the last few days in 4wd (loader work) and do not see any tracks or ruts being caused by my R4 tires and the turning radius is very tight on the tractor. The front wheels will turn nearly 80 degrees and that is welcome when manuevering around with my loader on.

I have been very impressed with my 1026R for the jobs I have used it on. Mine came equiped with the Backhoe and H120 loader and we ordered the mid mount 60" mower extra. So far, I have not gotten to use the mower as I am waiting on it from the dealer. But I will be removing the other implements when mowing as needed to use it on a regular basis and retire an older JD lawn tractor.

I think the best advice is to have them bring them out for testing. Then you know for sure.

 

[jenkinsph]

Porportional to the size of the tractor, the 1026R does very well lifting. Obviously, if you were moving hay bales or something you would want a bigger tractor, but for "Residential" uses, and light commercial, it is a nice setup. There a many places that the 1026R could go and deliver materials that the 4520 you have couldn't get to easily.

Like was said above, the 1026 has other features that may be liked more than the X749, such as the seating and creature comforts. It also will allow more tools to be used than the X749 with regards to implements. Regarding the loader, it takes no time at all to remove and reattach the H120 loader and if weight is a concern on the lawn, you can easily remove the loader and re-attach as needed. I have been driving mine around the last few days in 4wd (loader work) and do not see any tracks or ruts being caused by my R4 tires and the turning radius is very tight on the tractor. The front wheels will turn nearly 80 degrees and that is welcome when manuevering around with my loader on.

I have been very impressed with my 1026R for the jobs I have used it on. Mine came equiped with the Backhoe and H120 loader and we ordered the mid mount 60" mower extra. So far, I have not gotten to use the mower as I am waiting on it from the dealer. But I will be removing the other implements when mowing as needed to use it on a regular basis and retire an older JD lawn tractor.

I think the best advice is to have them bring them out for testing. Then you know for sure.

I agree with alot of your points you have made but I don't think it is necessary for everyone to have a loader was my point. Those that want one then by all means get it.

I don't have a fel on my 4520 either, it would make the tractor awkward to use in my landscape bizz. The 110tlb is used for these tasks, and at about 8,000 lbs it does a good job. Everything is relative, I can usually get the 110 close to where I need materials and a wheelbarrow will go places my lawnmower won't fit.

About the comfort issue, both the x749 and the 1026R are very comfortable but if you do lots of 3ph work raking, boxblading and so on a lower seat back is preferable. I make most of my living doing this kind of work backing up for long distances between trees. Being able to steer the back wheels is a nice option and is a huge benefit when we rake up pine needles in the fall.

The 1026R and the x749 are very close in their abilities with 3ph equipment but I would think the 1026R would be slightly better if manueverability is less of an issue. Currently I have about ten attachments for the x749 and it does a pretty good job with them. I am sure the 1026R would too.

Having several tractors to choose from makes the choice for the x749 easier for me. I will likely sell the 820 this year and replace it with a 2720 and 200CX fel, thats about as small of a fel as I can make use of. I can easily see why you would like the 1026R with fel for homeowner use and am glad it is working out for you, enjoy your new tractor.:thumbsup: