Price on a X749

[LBrown59]

nothing against the BX but it doesent turn like the X749 or ZTR i want this machine to mow lawns for my company and im not to sure a tractor is the way to go..

I'm not sure I'd want speed. /\\/ Especially if charging by the hour.

 

[John Deere 3520]

I always thought the better you do something the more someone will respect you and realize how good of a job you do and if i can cut mowing in half with a ZTR and half a good result then I can move on to the next lawn i would like to build my little company up and make it my carrier. So time is money.

 

[John Deere 3520]

most people around here charge my the min.. the going rate is a dollar a min.

 

[LBrown59]

most people around here charge my the min..
*the going rate is a dollar a min.

*IE 60 dollars an hour.
So why would you want to mow it in half the time and only collect 30 bucks?

 

[JiminGa]

*IE 60 dollars an hour.
So why would you want to mow it in half the time and only collect 30 bucks?

lawn care is a dog eat dog business. you have to be fast and efficient. if you can cut a 1 acre yard, edge and trim in one hour, then $60 should be a reasonable rate. however, some jerk with no license, insurance, or certifications will come along and do the same job in 2 hours and charge $30. you have to know your costs and over head and be willing to turn certain work down. knowing that, you have to be as efficient as possible and price according to the local market.

 

[Gittyup]

ZTRs are obviously the fastest for mowing, and what almost all mowing companies have, at least for a lot of their jobs. But, there are job sites where the ZTR may not work (steep, rough, hilly, etc.). Here, sometimes a walk behind or a tractor might be the best fit. The tractor also can serve as a tiller, spreader, etc. making it a pretty versatile machine, and both GTs and subcuts fit this discreption. Guys in business to make money have to pick the right equipment for their situation. Some guys might chose to forgo opportunities that don't suit a ZTR just because they don't want to keep equipment that is better suited to that situation, or where using the ZTR is a money loser. There is no one size fits all, and this includes ZTRs, walk behinds, GTs, and subcuts.

If I were starting out in that kind of business, I'd start with a ZTR or two, a couple of good walk behinds with gurneys. Then maybe a GT or subcut but only if I planned to use the tractor features (tilling, etc) of these machines or had enough difficult mowing opportunities to justify it.

I'd also buy good used, low hour equipment (originally not used commercially) to start out with. This maximizes the pieces of equipment per available dollar to buy.

 

[ccsial]

Obviously, you have to look at your own needs and what you can afford.

My dealer let me borrow a X748 and 2305. I chose the X748SE for the following reasons.

It was more nimble and felt more stable.

No ROPS to hit tree branches. I have many.

Yes, the suspension seat is well worth the cost to me. The 748SE rides like a Caddy compared to the 2305. I'm older and I really like the smoother ride.

I wanted the 4WD to use a snow blade for winter on the light snows that I don't use my L3400 and blower on. That eliminated a ZTR for me.

They are not for everyone, but there are those of us who love them.

 

[Dominique01149]

If your going to cut lawns commercially, buy a ZTR. They are much faster then a conventional machine, and do a better job.

My father bought a Kubota ZD326 and we're really happy with it.

But since your set on green, the ones we looked at were the 757, 997 and the new 800 series. the 997 is a serious machine, and its what you want if your going all out lawn mowing. We had a loaner model with a 60" rear discharge deck, it seemed good, until we couldn't start it to send it back to the dealership. It was only the seat switch, and a simple jumper cable got it going. the 800 series seem good. Look at the specs. Make sure to buy the 7 Irons deck from JD, its the best deck on the market.

We also tried out the 749X and 748X SE. From what we determined, they would be ok for someone with only lawn and landscape to work. The 749X was low to the ground due to the rear steering, and you can not install as much attachments (no 7 Irons deck) as the 748, but it does turn tighter. Not only are the X series machines expensive but so are the attachments. For reference, we were quoted 16500$ at the dealer for the 749 and I think that included a 54" deck. There was not much "dealing" compared to the prices online. They would play with the trade in value, and that's pretty much it.

All machines have their purpose, the hardest part is to determine what you really need.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'd HIGHLY consider diesel, you'll burn much less fuel which really keeps your overhead down. A ZD326 burns around 3/4 gal/hr. An equilivant torque gas engine burns 1.5-2gal/hr.

IMO, Deere is a pretty vanilla ZTR. Exmark is a very well respected brand, Ferris is king for those who like ride, Kubota is leaps and bounds beyond for their driveline.. their deck is insane deep too. Scag's are good... bit a bit more crude. Dixie Choppers are fast... but don't love their decks. Never liked Hustler.

As was said, there is no worse resale machine than a X-Series Deere.

 

[RollTideRam]

I ordered a x744 last week. I don't need the 4wd, and the price was a little over 10k. Dealer offered a used 3pt for $200. I was offered $6500 for my x495 with 281 hours on it. I bought it used 1.5 years ago for $7200. JC

 

[WilliamBos]

nothing against the BX but it doesent turn like the X749 or ZTR i want this machine to mow lawns for my company and im not to sure a tractor is the way to go..

One thing for sure is whatever route you go, make sure it is diesel. We had a X500 loaner with only 18 hours on it, and it drank more gas faster than an alcoholic that fell off the wagon.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[John Deere 3520]

well I think i have it down to 2 models even though the X749 is a nice machine i can use the 3520 for the 3point work, Im looking at a JD 997 with 60" deck or the Scag turf tiger with 60" deck and a cat diesel.. I really would like to have a diesel for the power and reliability and they burn almost half the fuel of what the gassers do.. What machine do you guys think is better i have a soft spot for of them but can only take one at the time.

 

[LBrown59]

I ordered a x744 last week. I don't need the 4wd, and the price was a little over 10k. Dealer offered a used 3pt for $200. I was offered $6500 for my x495 with 281 hours on it. I bought it used 1.5 years ago for $7200. JC

Is the 744 diesel ?

 

[JiminGa]

Is the 744 diesel ?

John Deere products for homeowners: Features for X744 Ultimate™ Tractor

yes

 

[skidoo]

well I think i have it down to 2 models even though the X749 is a nice machine i can use the 3520 for the 3point work, Im looking at a JD 997 with 60" deck or the Scag turf tiger with 60" deck and a cat diesel.. I really would like to have a diesel for the power and reliability and they burn almost half the fuel of what the gassers do.. What machine do you guys think is better i have a soft spot for of them but can only take one at the time.

I see you eliminated the X749 for your use. But, since the title is for the X749, here are a couple pictures anyway. The X749 is great for slopes and such. In the first picture, all my weight from the knee and up is behind the rear axle, yet the front did not even feel light. If you don't have any significant slopes, then other models can certainly fit the job. If you are needing the 3PH work, I would be looking at the 3520 too...

Oh and I wouldn't charge by the hour (or minute). I would get real good at estimating the time necessary to do the job and then charge by the job for what time and OH it would take someone with typical equipment. Then, if you can make it that much more efficient with your equipment, you make more $$ per time. If you can't, then turn that job down... If you get equipment that is too slow, then you may have trouble making good $$... Of course, if you are doing this for full time business, you have to make a return on the initial cost and factor that into your charges.

 

[John Deere 3520]

Thanks for the pics looks like a very nice machine but the only slope that i mow like that is my sand mound..I would like to get those tires on my ZTR when i get it Scag or Deere im leaning towards the Scag becuase it has alot less plastic.

 

[asylum575]

Skidoo,
I experienced some puckerfactor just looking at that picture.

 

[Dominique01149]

The Scag seems impressive. The 997 is nice as well.
These are a few things that I would look at:

How does the deck lift? Is it easy to jack up to clean and sharpen the blades?
How hard is it to install a mulch kit?
Weight and tire sizes, I'm assuming they are pretty close.
Fuel Consumption?
Dealer support. Do they have parts in stock? Does the supporting staff seem competent?


Seems like 2 good products.
For reference, over here contractors offer you the choice of paying one fee for the year to do the lawn, or paying by the minute/hour.

Keep us posted.

 

[John Deere 3520]

Well im really leaning towards the Scag with cat diesel the scag seems to have alot more options and comfort features then deere Im a diehard deere fan for tractors but Scag seems to have a better machine all around.. Both machines are around 14K not cheap but you get what you pay for.. and im thinking of getting a set of carlisle HD field trax tires the size are 24x12-12 the tires that come with the machine are 4ply and these are 2ply will that make a big difference??

 

[Gittyup]

Tire ply can make a difference. 2-ply will be more prone to flats. But, they are also softer. I got tired of fixing flats in my 2-plys and bought 6-plys for my tractor. BTW, I think you are making the right choice.