I am dealing with my dealer on a new (different) lawnmower. I currently have a 2005 GX345 54in cut with 254hrs. My two options are a new X540 54in cut or a 2006 X720 62in cut with 265hrs no PTO no 3ph. I mow three acres. My main question is which one is the best value and would be worth more in 3-4yrs? I'm getting $3,300 on my trade and bringing $3,000 to the table total $6,300 for each option. What should I do looking for any help and advice.
new X540 or 2006 used x720????
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JDTank
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In this situation, I would suggest neither. Here is why.
The X540 is kind of, out to the pasture so to speak in terms of pricing. It is a VERY expensive lawn mower, and your still getting a riding mower, not a full blown garden tractor like the X7 series. It is still a belt driven deck, with a dry clutch. No hydraulics, and no shaft driven implements.
The engines in the X540 tractors are very good engines, but to be honest, I have read a lot of complaints over them. Some of those include excessive smoke, oil consumption, high fuel consumption, and general overall problems. There are some people on this board who have returned X540's to John Deere because of "gremlins" that could not be figured out in the machine.
Overall, I feel the X540 price is just way too close to an X700 series, to even consider the X540. If you step into an X720, your getting WAY more machine. One big plus on an X720 is fuel injection, so no carburetor issues.
The X720 IS a much better move, but I wouldn't suggest a 2006. Right now, John Deere is clearing out X700's like crazy. With a bit of shopping around, I would be willing to bet you could find an X720, new, or very close to new, for very close to the same price as a new X540. I just picked up an X740, and I can't tell you how glad I am that I walked right past the X500 series.
Keep in mind, this is just how I feel about the situation. If money is tight or you really don't want/need an X700 series, than that's up to you. If you do opt for the X500 series, I strongly suggest the X530, and not the X540.
chin
Banned
I agree with jdtank. This is one of those situations where personally I would have to eat another year or 2 payments and step up to the x700. However, you make no mention of doing anything but mowing. So if this is the situation, I see no reason that I would get rid of the machine your using now. especially with low hours. I mowed 2 acres for 10 yeaars on a jd 325 with 48 inch deck. Only reson I sold it last year was because I have over 10 acres now and needed a bigger machine
JDTank
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The OP indicated he is mowing 3 acres.
With that kind of land to cover, your much better off with an X720. You will pile on the hours quite fast with that amount of grass. I only have 2.5 acres to mow, and I opted for an X740.
Value? There is no question, down the road, no matter what, the X720 will be worth more money. Even a high hour, fairly worn X720, will sell for more than a great condition, low hour X540.
I have never seen any machine hold it's value so well, as these X700 series do. They hardly lose any value.
With that kind of land to cover, your much better off with an X720. You will pile on the hours quite fast with that amount of grass. I only have 2.5 acres to mow, and I opted for an X740.
Value? There is no question, down the road, no matter what, the X720 will be worth more money. Even a high hour, fairly worn X720, will sell for more than a great condition, low hour X540.
I have never seen any machine hold it's value so well, as these X700 series do. They hardly lose any value.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
JD,
The thing is the GX345 only has 255 hours on it and unless their is some issue with it I think I would keep it and save a bunch of cash. Since the new diesel x7xx machines are rated at 24hp (below the 25 hp threshold) I would consider moving up after the bugs are worked out in a year or two.
RonS
Member
Well I might as well be the odd man out here. I had an X540 and loved it. High oil consumption? No (actually, none). Hard on gas? No. Did it smoke on start up? Sometimes but that had nothing to do with oil (as it was explained to me by the service manager). The motor is quiet and had lots of grunt. It was carbourated but so what. It had a 54" Edge which produced a good cut.
Now I own an X740. Do I like it better than the X540? Yes, some. I didn't really need it, just more of a want than anything else.
The 540 is a good capable machine. and like anything else there is bound to be a lemon in the works somewhere. I can't speak to the price differential since I bought my 540 used. I do know that for a mower it will be a first rate machine. For me probably would go for a new 540 before I bought a 7 year old 740 unless you are sure that you may want to eventually add some ground engagement implements.
I feel that sometimes we are too quick to spend someone else's hard earned money. Ultimately it it comes down to what you decide fits your needs and wallet better.
Just my $.02 worth.
Now I own an X740. Do I like it better than the X540? Yes, some. I didn't really need it, just more of a want than anything else.
The 540 is a good capable machine. and like anything else there is bound to be a lemon in the works somewhere. I can't speak to the price differential since I bought my 540 used. I do know that for a mower it will be a first rate machine. For me probably would go for a new 540 before I bought a 7 year old 740 unless you are sure that you may want to eventually add some ground engagement implements.
I feel that sometimes we are too quick to spend someone else's hard earned money. Ultimately it it comes down to what you decide fits your needs and wallet better.
Just my $.02 worth.
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Mechanized ME
Bronze Member
I must agree with Ron S I would buy a new X540...my thinking is was it really takin care of and was it operated properly!
JDTank
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It is definitely a perk of buying new.
If you plan to just turn over the machine, and buy another one in 3 or 4 years, buying used is for you. If you want to keep it for a very long time, I think new is your best option. You can take care of it exactly how you want to, right from day one. There is also a special feeling you get when you know you are the only person who has owned that machine.
I suggest looking into a new X720 though, just so you know the dollars and cents of it.
Here is an example. 2012 X720 with only 75 hours on it. They are asking $7,490. I bet you could get it for $7,000 or so. The new X540 will equal that. At 75 hours the X720 is still brand new. I am not sure if I am allowd to post the link to this machine but here it goes.
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=7469345
Carl Bert
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Just to answer your question, the X720 is going to be worth much more in 3-4 years than the X540. Reason being is because you're comparing buying new to buying used. The used X720 already took the initial hit in depreciation and will have very little loss over the next few years, where as the X540 is being purchased new, so it will take a big hit.
I would not trade the GX345 for an X540 for the simple reason that I believe the GX345 is a much better built machine. What's the benefit of getting the X540? Same size machine and cutting deck, so what are you gaining?
The X720 is another story. It's a bigger machine with a bigger deck, but what else are you going to use it for? If its ONLY going to be used to mow the lawn and NOTHING else, then you should be looking at a zero turn mower. They can't be beat for quality of cut and for how much faster they can get the job done. Once you use one, you'll never want to cut the lawn with anything else.
IF you do plan on using the new tractor for other things, such as pulling a wagon, tilling, aerating or snow blowing/plowing, then the X7xx series can't be beat.
Let us know what you decide and good luck.
js5020
Platinum Member
I think the best approach is to consider the tasks a machine is going to be required to do and total cost of the tractor and tools necessary to get it done. If you are considering a loader for example then only one of the two will do, however if mowing is all you need but need to cover more ground then maybe a trailer type mower in conjunction with the deck on the present machine will get the job done. The X5 (likely the GX?) series can be had with the sleeve type hitch so many tools can be used with the machine they just wont be of the 3pth type, which is not necessarily a bad thing depending on how often/duration they get used. If snow removal is a task, I believe there is a major price difference in blowers and blades between the two, and depending on the hours used for such "seasonal" tasks you might find your answers once you figure out the cost of the tractor and the required tools for your tasks. I think many apply the bigger is always better approach buy one of these super GTs and then find out tools for them are quite expensive also and get limited use of their machine because total costs get way to high for their budgets/cost tolerances. Just my opinion.