X304, X324, Or Something Else?

[andyrc130]

Just moved into a new place on 3.5 acres total - about 2 acres wooded and 1.5 acres newly laid sod. I don't have many obstacles to mow around, but I do have a couple of slopes to deal with and a 800ft+ driveway that will need snow removed a couple of times a season. Of course I would love to buy a compact diesel tractor (used to own a Kubota B7610), but the wife shot that down pretty quick.... I also looked for a Deere 455 in good shape for a while, but was not able to find one close to me for under 5k. So I came back to reality and am now looking for the best mowing lawn/garden tractor for around 4k that won't roll over on hills. Anyways, the sod is gorgeous - like carpet, and I don't want to mess it up. I was originally looking at a zero turn, but ruled them out because of the hills. I have narrowed it down to the John Deere X304 or X324 because I heard they were good on hills. Here are the best quotes I have received so far:

X304 - $3295
X324 - $4295 with free cover

I am wondering if the X324 is worth the 1000 dollar difference for what I need. I am also open to any suggestions. I know there are a lot of CC 2500 series fans out there, but I heard they weren't that great on slopes. I know this is a garden tractor and the Deere is a lawn tractor, but I am comparing them since they are in the same price range. Help me spend some money - Thanks!

 

[ChipSmith]

I'm not sure where you're getting your information regarding slope handling abilities of JD vs. CC, but I think they had it backwards. I recently bought a CC GT2550 just because I have some serious slopes to deal with. It sticks to my hills (35%+ grade) like glue - much more stable than my last tractor. The GT2550 also does a remarkable job cutting grass.

The same day my Cub was delivered, my dealer delivered another GT2550 like mine to a customer who just bought a JD x320. When he got there the JD dealer was there picking up the x320. Apparently the JD couldn't make it up the customer's hills (it would just spin tires). The JD dealer was embarrassed, especially when the GT2550 climbed the hills with no problems.

Lanham Cycle & Turf Equipment in White Plains should have some GT2500's in stock. You should check them out.

 

[coasterez]

Did you also look for used JD 445's or 425's? Same as 455 except not diesel. Excellent on slopes.

 

[andyrc130]

Thanks for the input so far! ChipSmith - I got my info on the stability of CC 2500 series on hills directly from the posts on this site from jj1 titled "JD X304 VS CUB CADET 2542" and "4 Wheel Steering on Hilly Terrain?." I have seen both the CC's and the Deere's up close, but haven't test driven either - maybe I need to. It sounds like your CC does very well on hills, and of course the idea of a beefier machine greatly appeals to me. The story about the X320 not being able to handle the hills is funny, but is it completely applicable since I am looking at the AWS models in the X300 line? I don't know, but hopefully some owners will chime in. I am not brand loyal, I just want the best machine at the right price for my applications. Coasterez - I haven't looked at the 445's or 425's. The main reason I was looking at the 455 was because of the diesel and the rave reviews it gets on this site. Would a used 425 or 445 be a better fit for me than a new x324 or x304? I am open to any suggestions. Bottom line I am looking for something around 4k or less that is very stable on hills, cuts grass very well and could handle light snow removal.

 

[ChipSmith]

I just read the threads you mentioned. It looked like jj1 was sold on the Cub until he got it home and he felt it was "unstable" on hills because of the high seating position. I can tell you that I was worried about the very same thing when I was sitting on the GT2550 at the dealer. That is why I was originally looking at the CC i1050 since it is low and wide, but I did not feel that it's hydro would have held up well on the hills. The Cub GT's do feel like they might have a high center of gravity, but the one of the reasons the seat is higher is to make room for that huge cast iron transmission. The transmission is very heavy and that weight is low on the tractor. Even the gas tank is smaller than on the CC LT's because the transmission is so big.

When I test drove the Cub on my hills, I found I did not have to shift my weight around on the tractor like I did with my old lightweight box store tractor. I use to have to scoot over until I was sitting on the fender when side tracking on the hills, just to maintain traction on the uphill rear wheel. With the Cub I can stay in the center of the seat and just lean enough to be comfortable.

Another thing I have noticed while mowing the hills is the front end also was a good bit of weight to it. My old tractor's front end would get light when going up hill and the front wheels would skate instead of turn. The Cub is heavy enough up front that I am able to steer normally going uphill.

I looked at the John Deere's also, but I thought the Cub's offered a better value for the features offered. The 4WS is nice, but still not a zero turn like the CC i1050. And in either case that is just one more thing that could potentially go wrong.

 

[coasterez]

Thanks for the input so far! ChipSmith - I got my info on the stability of CC 2500 series on hills directly from the posts on this site from jj1 titled "JD X304 VS CUB CADET 2542" and "4 Wheel Steering on Hilly Terrain?." I have seen both the CC's and the Deere's up close, but haven't test driven either - maybe I need to. It sounds like your CC does very well on hills, and of course the idea of a beefier machine greatly appeals to me. The story about the X320 not being able to handle the hills is funny, but is it completely applicable since I am looking at the AWS models in the X300 line? I don't know, but hopefully some owners will chime in. I am not brand loyal, I just want the best machine at the right price for my applications. Coasterez - I haven't looked at the 445's or 425's. The main reason I was looking at the 455 was because of the diesel and the rave reviews it gets on this site. Would a used 425 or 445 be a better fit for me than a new x324 or x304? I am open to any suggestions. Bottom line I am looking for something around 4k or less that is very stable on hills, cuts grass very well and could handle light snow removal.

Read my posts on the topics concerning 455's and AWS on hills for my experience with my 425. As to whether a 445/425 is a better choice than a 300x series, that's subjective. The 4xx's are heavier, and perhaps a bit more capable. But, there is nothing like a new machine - warranty and so on. But, you should be able to find a good used 445/425 within your price range. For me, there are zero concerns with AWS on the Deeres. 14 seasons and counting without any problem at all. So, by all means get the AWS. It's worth every penny in terms of improved performance and reduced trimming requirements. I saw one last week on eBay with a buy-it-now price just over $1000. That one was in need of a little TLC, probably a grand worth of new parts, but well worth it. One's in really good condition seem to be fetching $3K-$4K. Some include pricey extras, like a power angle dozer blade or power-flow bagging system.

Can't speak to the new CC's. I don't know anything about them. But, it would be hard to get better performance on hills than I do with my 425 AWS. I did look at CC's when I was shopping way back when. At that time, there was no comparison. The 425 was way more tractor than the "comparable" CC. The CC was a whole lot cheaper. You generally get what you pay for.

 

[andyrc130]

I know this is an apples to oranges comparison, but I think it's between the Deere X324 or the CC 2554. I feel like the CC is much more bang for my buck, but I am hesitant as there are more than a few unhappy posts on this site about the newer CC's. I really like the Deere, but I wonder if I will want something bigger in a couple years? As far as stability on hils - I think there must be an advantage to AWS or why would CC push their new AWS i models as being so good on hills? I still haven't given up on a used Deere 455, but they are just so hard to come by. Should I just suck it up and get a Kubota BX model? The wife would kill me, but it might be worth it..... That would more than double my budget! Let me know what you think.

 

[Fordlords]

The reason they are saying the i series are good on hills is because of their rear end weight- the setup uses two Hydro-Gear transaxles, thus nearly doubling the traction weight over a typical lawn tractor. Plus the setup is like having posi-traction all the time, there is no differential slip to worry about . The AWS is not doing anything advantageous for hills, it is to give the tractor greater maneuverability around tight spots.

There really are few complaints here about Cub's 2500 and 3000 series GT's, and what issues there are are usually minor and solved quickly. It's also not all gold stars over at the JD camp, so I wouldn't let that be a deterrent from considering a Cub. The Cub 2500's are big and heavy, and are a difficult tractor to outgrow- (oh, they climb hills VERY nicely too.) kind of the right size when you want something not too big, but bigger and better than a toy lawn tractor. As far as for what a Cub 2500 CAN do, most owners never even take advantage of things like big snow blowers and rear ground engaging stuff, and only use them for mowing which is sort of overkill but who cares- the price is right for a very sturdy tractor.

-Fordlords-

 

[Fordlords]

The reason they are saying the i series are good on hills is because of their rear end weight- the setup uses two Hydro-Gear transaxles, thus nearly doubling the traction weight over a typical lawn tractor. Plus the setup is like having posi-traction all the time, there is no differential slip to worry about . The AWS is not doing anything advantageous for hills, it is to give the tractor greater maneuverability around tight spots.

There really are few complaints here about Cub's 2500 and 3000 series GT's, and what issues there are are usually minor and solved quickly. It's also not all gold stars over at the JD camp, so I wouldn't let that be a deterrent from considering a Cub. The Cub 2500's are big and heavy, and are a difficult tractor to outgrow- (oh, they climb hills VERY nicely too.) kind of the right size when you want something not too big, but bigger and better than a toy lawn tractor. As far as for what a Cub 2500 CAN do, most owners never even take advantage of things like big snow blowers and rear ground engaging stuff, and only use them for mowing which is sort of overkill but who cares- the price is right for a very sturdy tractor.

-Fordlords-

 

[coasterez]

I think AWS does provide bit better traction on hills when turning is needed while on the hill. Having the rear tires turn in the direction of travel allows the torgue to be applied more directly in the direction of travel, and will thus improve traction.

Also, not sure why this is the case, but my 425 AWS will plow snow effectively when my friends 455 non-AWS will not if the snow is beyond a certain depth. Perhaps it's because the 455 is heavier up front??? For snow plowing, in tight spaces, AWS is superb. You can easily plow sideways on an 11 foot wide drive if you need to. If you are going to put chains on the JD 4xx AWS series, you have to add rear spacers so that the chains clear the 4WD mechanisms. This makes for a wider stance, which also helps on hills. Not sure if this is required for the new Deeres. But, something to be aware of.

To the original poster: Don't buy too small and regret it. If you can swing a BX, go for it. You won't be sorry. Also, consider used. I'd rather buy a bigger used machine than end up with a new one that is too small for all the chores I need (want) to do with it. I made this mistake when I bought my 425. I really needed a little bit bigger, but budget pushed me to the 425. Years later, I finally went bigger (overkill really) by purchasing a Kioti CK25 TLB beast. Now I have two very nice machines, but at probably twice what it would have cost to have simply bought bigger (BX size) to begin with. However, if you are only looking to mow and plow snow, then you don't really need anything more than a good, heavy garden tractor.