Newbie looking for recommendations on a purchase

[Badfinger]

Hi All,

I just happened to stumble on to this forum as I was surfing the web for pricing and information on JD equipment. What a great site! I'm buying a place and will need equipment to maintain or mow four acres and clear snow from about a 250' of recently repaved driveway. The mowing is all grass and pretty flat with maybe 20 trees and includes the areas around the house and barn. The current owner mows it all with a Toro Z Master and " never has to get off ". I'll try to attach pictures.


I went to a local dealer and they were very nice, no pressure kinda guys. They recommended either A X485 AWS or the x585 4WD with a 62" mower, 3 Bag System w/ blower and click-n-go, 54" blade w/ rubber squeegee, rear weight kit, and possibly the 47" snowblower. They said the blower doesn't do well with a small snow of a few inches and recommended the blade. I live in South West Ohio near Dayton and we get some pretty good snows.

My question is about the trade offs between the two tractors. I stuck between the advantage of the all wheel steering for the mowing and 4WD for plowing snow. Obviously, I'll be doing more mowing than plowing...I hope. I'm wondering how the X485 will do pushing snow with the blade as opposed to the X585. Also, would I still need the 47" blower?

I would really appreciate your thoughts or suggestions about these tractors or other recommendation.

I orginally considered a Zero turn and a walk behind 2 stage snow blower.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[browns40]

Hi badfinger,

When I was originally looking around I was looking at those models as well, and the JD dealer said:

"if that was in the price range you would do well to look at the 2210's d/t more capabilities down the road, without a huge price jump."

I ended up going as big as I could swing, but have large long-range projects in mind that I needed at least a mid-size for, so got the 3320...

That's as far as I got with the 485 & 585... nice machines though... I would have gone diesel for sure...

Good luck!

 

[Badfinger]

Thanks Browns 40,

I've just been reading on here about that very tractor. Would it be too big for mowing the yard around the house? I don't want to have to buy a second smaller rider if possible.

How do these prices sound?

2005 X485 w/ 62" mower = $ 9,969

2005 X585 , HDAP tires, 62" mower = $10,449
54" Blade w/ quick hitch & angling = $ 1,206
3bag system w/click-n-go = $ 1,491
Rear wheel weight brkt and weights = $ 360

Thanks for the quick response,

Jim

 

[keerym]

The 2210, and now the 2305 are great little tractors. BUT, not everyone needs one. If your just planning on mowing grass and plowing snow, get an X series. Thats what they do best. Do you have alot of things to trim around? If you do, I would look hard at the AWS version. 4 wheel drive is great for plowing, but before the X500 series and the 2210, people got by without it. Diesel is also nice, but in all honesty will probably outlast the useful life of the tractor. Diesels do burn less fuel, but you will need to run a LONG time to make up the difference in purchase price. Unless your a commercial user, the EFI gas engine should serve you just fine.

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I have a 3320 with a 72" 7-iron MMM and it is great. I mow around many obsticles including house, shop , 30+ trees, a pond, tons of culverts, lots of obsticles on grade, etc. It is great. With the loader I can also use a 72" snow plow, and the 3320 offers a 59" two stage snow blower, tons of rear mower options, not to mention tillers, Post hole diggers, chippers, sprayers, etc. It is an awesome machine for sure. I wanted it to be a versatile machine that will handle about any job I will need to do around the hobby farm I have.

If you have the room I would not think twice about a 2210 or larger on your four acres. Right now 2210s are prime items to buy as they will be replaced soon. I bet for 10K you can get a sweet 2210 with mower deck. Not much more money than an X (maybe cheaper with those prices) and sweet possibilities. Loaders and Cat1 hitch, and dual PTOs open a world more possibilities. My dealer was saying the2210 has all but killed his homeowner X sales. 10K is a chunk for a mower - might as well get the most you can from it. Those that jsut want the best mowers usually buy zero turns. Those that want functionality are buying SCUT and CUT according to the dealer. Price a 2210 locally.

Just some options.

If you go X I bet you will love it - with 4 acres a bunch of possibilities will exist! I know with the 6 I have it is crazy.

Also check financing options - may get some nice numbers in a SCUT like the 2210 or 2305.

Check out the info on John Deere's 7-iron deck. It is really really nice!!
John Deere 7-iron mowing deck

 

[al3]

Had a X485 for two year, a 2210 briefly, and now a 4110.

For mowing and snow removal (with a thrower or blower) only, it’d be hard to beat the X series. Previous poster addressed the gas vs diesel issues of longevity and fuel usage. Do a search and read previous posts about mower deck adjustments, lockup, cutting radius, ROPS/tree clearance and such. Might want to look up thoughts on resale value also, if that’s of any importance to you.

Joysticks are great for FEL work, but the two lever system on the X is easier (IMHO) for snow removal using the blower. One lever puts the lift in float; then you can use the other lever to direct chute rotation. A bit less user friendly (in cold weather, covered with snow) to do that with a joy stick without taking it out of float occasionally.

X is physically shorter (storage space), lighter (transporting on a trailer), squatter (lower center of gravity).

So if you don’t need a FEL or 3-point hitch set up (roter tillers to grow some great Ohio tomatoes) or the need to do some occasional off-road/lawn excursions where the lack of ground clearance will bite you, take a serious look at the X.

Mine had some cold weather surging issues at below zero; because of it’s compact nature it was also a beast to change out a broken hyd steering box hose. You’ll have to live with or address the reverse PTO lockout that comes with the X---not the best idea for winter snow-blowing. My 2WD X had some traction issues in severe ice and deep untracked snow that wouldn't ruffle a 2210/2305. The 2210 didn’t give up very much in the turning radius comparison either. And there was the cup-holder issue…….

Good luck

 

[Badfinger]

Thanks for the comment and suggestions. I have the room for it I just don't know how to gage or size the tractor to my needs. I'm getting there. I think it will fit in here:

http://jimmylee.smugmug.com/photos/44127563-M.jpg

 

[BloomingtonMike]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks for the comment and suggestions. I have the room for it I just don't know how to gage or size the tractor to my needs. I'm getting there. I think it will fit in here:

http://jimmylee.smugmug.com/photos/44127563-M.jpg )</font>

Typically those are built for a reason and mowing/snow plowing usually does not command that size of a home. Are there large tractors about??

 

[JDFANATIC]

badfinger,

Why not have the dealer drop off an X and a 2210/2305 for you to try out around your yard? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[ronjhall]

One thing to consider when you are purchasing, is how much time you want to spend on your task. A 60"ZTR will cut 4 acres of lawn in less than 2 hours.
A 2 stage walk behind snowblower will take hours to clear the amount of drive you show in your picture.
A tractor to mow at the same speed would require a 72" mower.
That same tractor would clear your drive and parking area in about 1/2 hour with a 72" front blade.
Any of the tractors mentioned will do the job for you. But if time is a concern. Consider a tractor with 72" MMM and FEL or front blade.
Did you notice when you found TBN, that we like spend other peoples money? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Badfinger]

Thanks guys I really do appreciate the discussion. It's funny I began thinking the X series were too big for my needs and most of you are leading me to bigger units. You make a persuasive argument and I'm going back to the dealer today to look at the 2210.

Yes, Ron I noticed how effortlessly you guys were willing to spend my money. I heard that when a person comes here for good advise, as long as they take that advise everyone here chips-in to make up the difference in cost. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Right?

Here's a view of the largest lawn area: http://jimmylee.smugmug.com/photos/44534941-L.jpg

Mow well,

Jim

 

[roermo]

welcom to the forum, I am new here too.
I have a 4110 had a 455, I will post a picture her later of my front yard in town that I cut with my 4110, it is so small I cut it with 4 passes, if this size tractor can move around there it can any where.

I am not the best person for advise but I have not bee unhappy with a tracotor that give more hp and attachments than need today for the chance you can use it tomorrow for things that pop up. an example, I move my 250 pound wood stove in my bucket out of my garage by myself.
My boat trailer and boat feel off the front crank wheel to the ground. Used the tractor to pick that up and repair the jack. the list goes on and on.

Good luck and keep reading her.
check back to the blood curderling photo of how small of yard this tractor can cut. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> as long as they take that advise everyone here chips-in to make up the difference in cost. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Right? </font>
Your almost right. You have to collect the money from TBN members that did not offer advice to you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[roermo]

Ok here is a picture of my front yard and it shows how small of an aera a 4110 can worki in. Keep in mind I am very carfull here there are two drop offs 2 ft or more at the walls plus on a slope which I go up and down. The total lot is 100x120 but then I have 4 acres at a river cabin site with lots of other acres to room around on and cut fallen trees.

In any case listen to other here on whats the best fit for you but maybe this will show you that tractors about the size of 4110 can get around in small areas or tight areas

Roger /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rvtech]

Don'y make the mistake I almost made with a zero. I was all set to buy a new zero and a used beater tractor for loader/attachments. My dealer cautioned me about a variety of differences in properties not usually talked about in the acre per hour times of mowing. I tried a zero steer first and found that my property was simply too rough to be able to mow efficiently with it. I don't have a lot of obstacles to mow around either. I mow about 4.5 acres. It's a little early to comment, but after mowing 6 times I'm pretty happy with my 2305 and 62" mmm. I can mow in about the same amount of time as my neighbor who mows the same size lot with a 60" zero steer gas.
I'm very pleased with my 200CX loader. I have about 35 hours of loader time and find I use it for many more things than I thought I would. I was even able to dig a trench in my building to move water lines and drains with the loader.

 

[NewJDGuy]

I'm located just a bit south of Dayton, and just took delivery of a new 2520. It is surprising how much I've used the loader in the few hours I've been running the machine and can see much more work ahead. The thing turns on a dime, or at least very close to it. You are making a purchase that should last you many years, if not decades (my "old" tractor was a then new LoBoy that is 30+ years old). It sounds like the 2305 would do everything you need well and provide for future capabilities. Good luck.

 

[daTeacha]

Help me out here if I'm mistaken, but is the 2305 the replacement for the 4110? Or is that the name of the remodeled 4115? Or something else entirely?

 

[Badfinger]

I went back to my dealer today and looked at the 2210/2305 and the X585. I drove both and we went over the specs and looked at my place etc. We really don't think I need anything any bigger than the X585 for mowing and pushing some snow. If neccessary I'll get a 47" blower and the only thing I would use an end loader for would be moving mulch or something light. The one available for the 585 would suffice and for anything bigger I'd just get into trouble. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

So I'm going with the X585 with HDAP tires, 62" deck, 54" blade, 6 weight kit for the rear end and associated hitches and hardware. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks again to everyone for your opinions and help you're a great bunch of guys and an excellent resource.

Best regards,

Jim

 

[Shawk]

Glad you found your machine... guess it's to late to put my vote in for a 2210 as well /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Good luck with your new machine!

 

[keerym]

I think your going to enjoy your machine. Let us know how it works out for you once you have a chance to put it to work.