X - SERIES

[CAJUN]

I am in the process of purchasing a tractor to cut around 3 1/2 acres (flat no hills) and do a little gardening. I am looking at the X-Series, 4010, and 4110. We do not have the 2210 down here yet. This is my first tractor purchase and I would appreciate some pointers in what to consider in making my decision. I would also appreciate any comments from current owners of these models.
Thanks

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Cajun,

I was in your shoes about 6 months ago. I went in looking at the x-series and ended up purchasing a 4010. By the time I would have set up an x series tractor to handle the attachments I wanted (the x-series does not come standard with some of the basic equipment needed to run certain attachments), I was within $500 of what a 4010 would cost me. The x series is "in my opinion" the ultimate lawn and garden trator. The 4010 and 4110 are compact utility tractors capable of doing much more, but equally capable of mowing your lawn and taking care of your garden.

I have done extensive landscaping with my tractor. In addition, I have a $500 foot gravel driveway and I need to maintain it in the summer and clear snow from it in the winter.

You on the other hand are talking about mowing and gardening. You may be able to spend less money and get a tractor that will be sufficient (smaller lawn and garden?). Try to envision other things you may want to do. I figured my first landscaping project would have cost $5000 (based on estimates). I justified my $5K downpayment and the purchase of the tractor with that one project. It comes down to needs, but if you are going to spend the money needed to take home an x-series, I think for a little more money, you get a lot more tractor in the 4000 series.

 

[SethO]

Look at tractors from other manufacturers too in the price range of the X series.

Seth

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Good point SethO,

I didn't mean to infer that JD makes the only good tractor. I don't think I would have purchased a different tractor had I discovered this site prior to my decision, but I definately would have had a lot more knowledge and would have known what questions to ask. I also know that I would have given the other brands more consideration.

 

[bigpete]

Hi, Cajun.

I have nothing to add to the good advice Bob mentions except that the 2210 is available for order regardless of whether your dealer has one yet. I just placed my order for a 2210 with a dealer who has not seen one yet, but another dealer 50 miles away had one in stock for me to see.

The 2210 is the roughly the same size as the X series but constructed more like the 4010 and 4110. They all have their place and the key, as Bob says, is to match your needs with the machine and then buy one notch above that. It's not a bad thing to buy a little more tractor than your current projects and your imagination can justify.

 

[TresCrows]

Both dealers have the 2210 here. I would not pay that price for the X series. If you want a JD product look closely at the 2210, you ought to look at the Kubota BX as well but the new 2210 may be just what you want. If you decide to go with a 4 series I would suggest the 4110 over the 4010. I have looked at a 2210 right beside a 4010 and there are some obvious differences--smaller tires and wheels and some other things--but they sure seem to be the same basic layout. You will not regret getting a sub-compact or compact over the garden unit. I cannot speak for the 2210 but the Kubota BX is a fine mowing unit in addition to being a hard worker, I imagine the 2210 is at least as nice. I would bet that after Christmas those dealers will be more willing to bargain, don't wait till late Febuary though because then the early worms are out in force and prices may be firmer--could be wrong. J

 

[Rus91]

I would have to second the comment on taking a 4110 over the 4010. I have the 4010 and am very happy with it, but there are some differences that I now know about that would have made me look a little harder at the 4110.

 

[CAJUN]

Thanks for all the advice. On my way home friday I passed by the JD dealership and he had a 2210 sitting in the yard. Very nice machine. I will seriously consider. Thanks Again.

 

[cowboydoc]

If you're looking at deere I would only consider deere. You aren't going to get anything else with a kubota, nh, etc. that you won't get with a deere. Deere now, in my opinion, has the greatest choice of lawn tractors, subcompacts, etc. that you could ask for.

With regard to your question if all you are going to do is cut some grass and do some gardening I'd get the X. I was looking last year and went through the same decisions. I ended up getting a 455 but only because it was a closeout and I got a great deal. I used the x and a 4100. For mowing I liked the X better. It was a little smaller and easier to get around trees and such. Very easy to hook up rototiller, blade, etc. I also thought the X was more comfortable as well. I haven't driven the 2210 so I can't comment about that. Overall I liked the X much better for what I needed it for, mostly mowing. Controls were easy to use, easy entry and exit, and the ride was very good over rough ground as well.

 

[bigpete]

It's an interesting challenge to sort through all the product positioning hype and factual info to make the best decision. Two weeks ago, I was on a B7500 that I really liked. It and the BX felt spartan, but real solid as if I could never damage it. However, I didn't feel like the orange machines were as responsive as the 400 series I own and the new X series and 4110 I tried. The comfort and responsiveness was definately less at a gut level for me.

When I operated the 2210 including use of the 210 loader and 62C deck, it seemed to bridge the gap between the comfort and convenience of the X series and my 400 series garden tractor and the "industrial" feel of the Kubotas. So the 2210, albeit a bit more expensive than a similarly equiped BX, was the best tractor for my needs and my gut feel.

Deere actually calls the 2210 an "Advantage" tractor which is their way of saying it is an economy spec tractor. I believe they position the tractor this way so as not to diminish their efforts to promote the 4X10s as the premium CUTs on the market. However, the 2210 specs are close, indeed, to the BX which is their way of maintaining what they believe is their competitive advantage. Essentially, they are telling me and other consumers that, if we really want a cheap sub-compact like the BX, they have one too. But if you really want the best of the best, move up to the 4X10 series.

FWIW, I don't feel the BX and the 2210 are "economy" tractors at all and each have their advantages. I will agree with Cowboydoc that you can do a one-stop comparison of all the different sizes, varieties, and perceived "luxury" levels at one dealership now. If I could have three tractors of my choice right now I'd have and X495 for mowing, a 4115 for light loader, landscaping, and snow removal, and a Kubota Grand L for leveling small buildings, trees, and for moving my share of the County around wherever I want it to be.

 

[CAJUN]

I cannot seem to find any speeds for the 2210. Does anyone know how it compares to the X Series in this respect.
Thanks

 

[bigpete]

2210 ground speeds in MPH from a dealer document I managed to get ahold of:

Forward low-range = 0 - 4.4
Forward high-range = 0 - 9.2
Reverse low-range = 0 - 3.8
Reverse high-range = 0 - 7.6

If you would like a copy of the 2210 PDF file, send me a private message here at TBN with your email and I would be happy to share. I have a copy of the 210 loader PDF as well. They are big files and you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to use them.

 

[TresCrows]

Bigpete, congrats on the new unit. I know you have spent a lot of time thinking on your tractor. Gosh, I cannot remember how long ago you started your search but it has ended---and you got a 2210--GREAT. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif . Why not get some pics of it and you. What did you do with the 455? I agree with you, your 2210 is not an economy unit, many folks would die for something as nice. Yeah, I also agree with you the Kubotas feel more industrial and I think that is what attracts me to them, I think their hydros are more responsive though.
Anyway get some pics of that baby before it grows up. J

 

[bigpete]

Thanks, Tres. the tractor is still in the "pipeline" and I hope production isn't too sleepy after the holidays. My dealer says about 3 weeks for delivery. As you know, that might mean 5 weeks but I won't get too impatient until the end of January.

I ended up trading the 400 series in as part of the 0% financing deal offered by JD until the end of February. I'll pay off the balance before a penny of interest is charged unless unforseen domestic expenses blindside me. I started posting about an upgrade about a year ago when I was adding a few attachments to my stable that I wanted to be compatible with my upgrade. With this setup, everything I have invested in, including front blade, sprayer, seeder/spreader, aerator, etc., stays and works with the new tractor. The FEL should just about fill out the roster.

You and the rest of the magnificent denizens around here have been a big help through the process. I did end up buying an undeveloped 10 acre wooded plot in November. I've contracted with a small land development operator to clear and build two road beds and clear two areas for improvements. I was going to be a cowboy and buy a bigger CUT so I could jump into the fray, but I just don't have the time this year. Hence, the sub-compact fits my bill. BTW, I agree that the BX hydro is sharp. As I said, most of the decision was from the gut. The dealer swayed the buy in the end.

You can count on me to report on the performance of the 2210 with as much objectivity as is humanly possible. Have a great holiday.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I just gave my X595 its first heavy workout today. Put a set of JD chains on the back tires. Hooked up a customized drawbar to the 3PH along with a 300# dead weight. Put the 54" hydaulic front blade on.
Then I went after half-dozen poplars that I cut down to clear extra land for a walnut planting. They were 10-12" diameter and 40'-50'. Pulled them sideways on a hillside for 100' to a burn site.
Couldn't have moved them without the chains. The 595 struggled a little -- just too light even with the front attachments, rear wheel weights, the 300+lbs weight, and 210lbs of operator.
The hydraulic capacity is limited and the Cat 1 3PH has small arms and top link, which do the work, but certainly not as capable as standard cat 1 on most CUT's.
I was satisfied with getting the job done, knowing I didn't expect the 595 to perform like a CUT. The reason why I used it was my JD4700 is in the shop. Having the 595 available was better than being idle all weekend. It's still my choice for all the mowing I do, but the grass is growing a little slow in western Wis right now.
There's a message in my comments having to do with X vs CUT's, but I don't want to state the obvious.
jim

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I have the 4110 Hydro and am very happy with it. I was also concerned about what size tractor we needed. I wanted something I could use to clear land and use for FEL work. I have used the FEL for more things than I could have ever dreamed of. I only wish there was a backhoe oprtion for the 4110. I have heard some talk about a hoe for the 2210 that is supposed to be compatible with the 4110. I hope so...