Riding mowers with Tuff Torq K72 or K92 (or K90) transaxles-other than JD X500s/X700s

[TMR]

Looking for riding mowers with the one of the two Tuff Torq transaxles as used in the JD X500 series (K72) or used in the JD X700 series (K90)...(Tuff Torq web site shows a K92 vs K90).

My use is heavy duty mowing in difficult trails and in open but uneven field.

The JD prices appear to be truly colored in Green$$$$$

What other brands and models use these two transaxles? There must be a few? I looked at Tuff Torq web site and found no reference to who may use what product.

Thanks...Tom R

 

[TMR]

Bump...

 

[oldnslo]

Cub Cadet and Simplicity are the only two companies that I can think of that would a make tractor of similar size to the JD X500 series and Cub Cadet possibly for the X700 series. I don't have a clue what transaxle either of these companies use though.

 

[Topcat14]

Simplicity makes tractors that are comparable- but then again so are prices. Cub Cadet XT3 is a good machine for just mowing - but its transaxle is not in class of K72 and nowhere near K92. Just go for 700 series tractor- you aren’t just paying for paint. You are paying for quality and quite frankly the re sale value of the Deere because of that quality is far superior to other brands

 

[TMR]

Simplicity makes tractors that are comparable- but then again so are prices. Cub Cadet XT3 is a good machine for just mowing - but its transaxle is not in class of K72 and nowhere near K92. Just go for 700 series tractor- you aren’t just paying for paint. You are paying for quality and quite frankly the re sale value of the Deere because of that quality is far superior to other brands

Thanks Topcat. Another site mentioned Simplicity...and you are correct...price is not that much different. X590 would likely do the job just fine but I hate writing a check for $7K+...X7xx can be financed over 60 months no interest Going to the MN state fair Thursday and sb able to see all JDs and others. Also, each year I have to go drool over the Morton building they have permanently built on the fairgrounds as a sales site and demo. But...I would NEED a building to store an X7xx if I bought one The X590 would fit through the doors of a shed I already have. Thanks...TMR

 

[oldnslo]

TMR,
have you considered an older X4** series Deere? My son has an X485 and it is built much heavier than my X540, has dual hydraulics upfront, etc..

 

[gtunney]

Looking for riding mowers with the one of the two Tuff Torq transaxles as used in the JD X500 series (K72) or used in the JD X700 series (K90)...(Tuff Torq web site shows a K92 vs K90).

My use is heavy duty mowing in difficult trails and in open but uneven field.

The JD prices appear to be truly colored in Green$$$$$

What other brands and models use these two transaxles? There must be a few? I looked at Tuff Torq web site and found no reference to who may use what product.

Thanks...Tom R

The Simplicity GTs use the K72 for 2WD and the K66-4 for 4WD. The Husqvarna GT52XLS and Cub XT3s use the HydroGear G730. The G730 has a large, external automotive style filter.

Hope you find what you are looking for. I'm doing a similar search. I want a transaxle with an externally accessible filter. It isn't clear to me if all of the K72s use one as the JD sight notes a replaceable filter for the X530, X534, and X590, but not the other models while Tuff Torq's K72 specs state: External Filter Change - Standard. I'll have to find out.

 

[TMR]

The Simplicity GTs use the K72 for 2WD and the K66-4 for 4WD. The Husqvarna GT52XLS and Cub XT3s use the HydroGear G730. The G730 has a large, external automotive style filter.

Hope you find what you are looking for. I'm doing a similar search. I want a transaxle with an externally accessible filter. It isn't clear to me if all of the K72s use one as the JD sight notes a replaceable filter for the X530, X534, and X590, but not the other models while Tuff Torq's K72 specs state: External Filter Change - Standard. I'll have to find out.

Thanks gtunney...interesting to see some of the Hydro-gear equipment GT's. My 10 year ++ Sears is a DLT 3000 with a 25hp Briggs and wheel weights and chains on the back. I have USED it hard for all those years and have been surprised that the transaxle still is working quite well. I have had it stuck and tried "too long" to rock it out and also have kind of used as a brush hog when the situation arose Much of the tractor has been dented, cracked or broken over the years and I have had a extra deck and learned how to replace broken spindles quite well.

When I read how poor the "box store" Tuff Torque transaxles were I researched my DLT 3000 and found it had a Hydro-Gear (don't have the # but I think I kept a sheet somewhere). I am convinced the Hydro-Gear may be part of the reason it is still working well inspire of my heavy use (abuse). Do not think it has an external filter but...I have never searched to see if one was visible.

My local Husky dealer recommends a basic model...I think YTH24/48 or such #. It has a Hydro-Gear a 24HP Briggs and a 48" "reinforced" stamped deck...low $2K price area. Pretty much the smaller frame than the GTs but probably similar to what I have been using and worked well for me.

I also plan on a CUT next spring and having a riding mower for basic mowing allows me to go a little larger and heavier on the CUT as I have 120 acres of woods and trails that I "work" in. Want a trail friendly width and not took big but will likely use the PTO power and weight for dirt/tree etc kind of tasks. Once I buy a ;archer trailer w/twin axles and much longer you never know what I may buy! Now limited by 7'w x10'l single axle which works well for my riding mower and my Ranger XP UTV. Can't put much of a tractor on a 3500# GVW trailer.

Let me know what else you may discover...Thanks...TMR

 

[gtunney]

I just got through looking at the X500 (base model) specs and they specifically state the filter is internal only. I wonder if that is accurate. I mean why would you spec a transaxle to a standard below the standard spec for that unit? But then, that is exactly what JD with their L series lawn mowers - they got a K46 that is down graded to a what was labeled a T40. Oh, well. I won't know the truth on this one until I talk to an owner or see one in the lot.

I would love to have my own CUT. For now, Dad has it. The TC29D is a nice unit. Ours is a 2003 4WD with a backhoe and FEL and it only had 300 hours on it when we bought it. All in for $15.8K at the time - a super deal. We've priced a number of them since and have yet to find anywhere near as good a deal.

I envy the land you have. I only have 6 acres. Almost had another 18, but long story short, missed the opportunity due to not so great real estate agent. Instead, my neighbor has the land.

 

[Topcat14]

The higher end Simplicity GT’s are as good as John Deere X500 series. (And as much or more money) The Cub Cadet XT-3 is a good mower but really isn’t a true garden tractor , in fact MTD doesn’t sell any ground engaging implements for it, it’s more yard tractor, the XT 3 uses Hydro-Gear BDU-10 which falls somewhere between K58 and K66 in strength.

The Husqvarna GT52XLS has a the HydroGear G730 a real solid transaxle similar in strength to K66- again while its suitable for light ground engagement not really a garden tractor (doesn’t have Diff lock)

The John Deere X500 does not have the replaceable filter – it is only 500 series tractor that doesn’t, mainly because it doesn’t have hydraulics ( deck and power steering) X530, X534 X540 and X590 all have replaceable filter

In short the XT3 and GT52XLS are both really solid machines great for mowing lawns handling hills etc, they are however not true garden tractors like Simplicity and X500’s both of who have stronger transmissions, are wider, longer have larger tires, heavier frame and weight. So it all depends on what you want to do with tractor