x360 and x530

James Runchey · Aug 4, 2014

What is the essential difference in these two machines? Am I correct in that both have hydraulic lift and power steering? I'm not too young anymore and want to get a snowblower to use. I'm a little concerned about hooking one of these up, but could probably get my son to do it. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

js5020 · Aug 5, 2014

The x360 is a lawn tractor with the K58 transaxle, the x530 is a full blown garden tractor with a heavy duty transaxle and diff lock capable of operating ground engaging attachments. If you don't mind the price the x530 is a sweet machine. Hooking up a blower or blade on either would be a snap even for an older person. Both machines can use the 44 blower and the x530 can use the larger 47 blower, both blowers are belt driven, both mount a hitch on the tractor and you can attach/detach the blower with tractor power from the seat, no bullwork by hand with a heavy blower. If you don't need the capabilities of the x5 you should also look into the x310, same axle as the x360 (K58) hyd lift, and power steer just a few hp less than the 360 and less cost. The x 310 would also run a 44 blower and the better 48 blade would mount on any of these even though JD doesn't recommend the 48 for the x3 series.

rekees4300 · Aug 5, 2014

I got an X500 3 years ago and it's a beast. I agree with js5020, if you can afford X530 then that's my recommendation. HDAP rear tires would be worth the extra cost (perhaps the dealer would include them for free?).

drhjmacleod · Aug 5, 2014

I purchased an X500 and upgraded the rear tires to HDAPs and I am very happy with it. Plenty of power, very stable on hills and the diff lock is very useful. The main reason for my purchase was the stout hydro with diff lock. If you are concerned about the hydro based on your usage, I would highly recommend the X500 series. In fact, I would have bought an X530 to have the hydro lift and power steering, but it is only available with a 54" deck and I only wanted a 48" deck. I did not want the added maintenance and cost of the X540 because I do not put many hours on it a year (probably about 30hrs/yr).

jgayman · Aug 6, 2014

drhjmacleod said:
I would have bought an X530 to have the hydro lift and power steering, but it is only available with a 54" deck and I only wanted a 48" deck.

Same here. I've also heard a lot of similar claims.

It's shame JD is unable to recognize that they would sell a lot more X530's if they offered a choice of deck widths like they do with the X500 and X540.

James Runchey · Aug 8, 2014

I think I probably need the hydraulics so I'm leaning toward the 360. A concern I have is connecting a blower. I am 81, but still in good shape. Another concern with connecting the blower is removing the deck. For the last 18 years I've had a 345, which I really loved, but had to leave the new owner of my farm as part of the deal, so I'm familiar with removing a deck. The only problem is we have downsized to a much smaller home with a garage not large enough to store the mower, or blower, or deck, so I'll have to keep them out back in a shed about 100' feet behind the house. How to transport the deck/mower, to the shed and back?

rekees4300 · Aug 8, 2014

The mower can't be driven to the shed and back?

beenthere · Aug 8, 2014

James
Easy. Get a mower tractor and a blower tractor. You will have more years of enjoyment just parking the blower/tractor in the shed during the summer and the mower tractor in the shed during the winter. Forget changing out decks and blowers.

js5020 · Aug 8, 2014

Perhaps you could set it up that the dealer could get them back there when they drop it off? Most dealers would as a courtesy.

sparc · Aug 14, 2014

I am confused by a couple statements in this thread, as I have a X534 and I don't believe it is much different than the other 500 series models other than I have 4WS.

I can not attach/detatch my 47 snow blower from the comfort of the seat. I don't think the way my blower connects is different then the others. I have to manually remove the belt front the drive pulley and manually pull the pins to disconnect the blower from the mount.

To remove the mower deck requires reaching under the machine to release the drive belt tension and remove the belt, then pull the pins for the rear connections and up front pull the pins also. Then you have to drag the deck out from under the tractor. I don't know about other models but I have to trunk the wheels full to the right and drag the mower out the left side with the gauge wheels rotated 90 degree so the deck can roll sideways on them.

I like the power steering and power lift for the mower deck and blower. I wish the snow blower lifted a little higher but I can get by with the way it is. I have the linkage adjusted for max lift in case you are wondering. The x534 has plenty of power for the 47" blower.

One other thing mentioned by others is that they could not get a 48" mower deck with some models. I had no trouble getting the 48" deck with mine, it was not special ordered either. I don't know why this deck width would not be available with any 500 series machine.

The power flow bagged is the best, don't leave the dealer without it. It's pricey but worth it if you have leaves to deal with.

I have 107 hours on mine after 3 years now and no problems at all. I've done all maintenance myself and not had anything other than scheduled oil changes, filter replacements, etc.

I would have bought a 700 series machine but the weight stopped me. The x534 with my butt sitting on it is close to 900 pounds, fill both grass bags and I'm sure its close to 1000#. That has me worried about ruts developing in the lawn so I use 5 different cutting patterns so I'm not running over the same paths from one cutting to the next.

I can understand the concern about moving the mower to the shed during seasonal changes. I have the same issue as I don't have enough room on my garage up Gunther house to stow the mower deck when the blower is mounted. I take the mower deck off back by the shed on the back of the lot and keep the blower in the garage on a low, flat cart when it's not mounted. The cart lets me roll it back outmoded the way during the spring and summer. Come winter I roll it out and mount it at which point I have enough room to park the tractor with blower in the garage where I can just open the door and go to work on the driveway. If I didn't have a couple hunfred board feet of oak and walnut stored in the garage I could keep the mower in there too, but that's not the case so I keep the mower deck in the shed over the winter. In mowing season which is about 9 months here I keep the tractor with mower mounted in the shed and the blower lives in the garage tucked away in the corner.

Please excuse the typos as I am typing this on my tablet and its not as easy as a full size keyboard.