X540 upgrade to X748se

[jenkinsph]

I think I would use it enough to get past the break in oil before looking at fuel and/or oil consumption.

 

[Carl Bert]

I own an X540 (54" mulch deck) and thought I needed more power so had a test run on an X749 last week. (with a 48" rear discharge).

In the UK this grass cutting season year has been incredibly wet - So by the time you can cut its often very long.
In addition, we've been cutting massively overgrown sites recently where the grass hasn't been cut for a year (4-5ft!).

So, the X749 is a lovely machine, and very capable, but I couldn't really see a huge improvement over the X540 - certainly not the £8K difference I was going to have to spend after PX.

My 540 has impressed me again this week, mulching even the long wet grass whilst climbing or descending fairly steep banks too!

So I guess the X540 can do a lot more than I thought afterall!

Yes as far as mowing the lawn you probably won't see a huge difference, unless you have the 7 iron deck. But when it comes to snow blowing, plowing, tilling, or pretty much anything else, there is no comparison. The jump from the X540 to an X748 is the same as jumping from a riding mower to a tractor. I'm not trying to put down the x540, I am sure it is more then capable, but it just doesn't come close to the X748. Just my opinion

 

[jenkinsph]

Carl,
I agree the x748 is more capable for the other tasks you mention but I wouldn't think the driveway would be very long on a half or three quarter acre lot. The x748 is great running the 48" tiller too but I don't see a homeowner needing to do that very often. Now if the OP really needs to do the other things you mention with some regularity such as snow removal then some of you local guys might offer better advice as to what he needs. I would assume NY has alot of heavy wet snow to deal with, fortunately for me most of our snow is dry powder great for skiing.

 

[Carl Bert]

:newhere:Ok so I had the X540 with 48" deck for a few weeks and being my first tractor i could not get used to the whole carburator with the choke, and enough smoke on start-up to fill my garage every time i started it!. It also eats gas like no tomorrow. I also kind of wished I did get a 54" deck being that I could get closer to the curb without feeling like i'm going to tilt over (the front yard has slight slope).:banghead:

I spoke with the dealer and they were willing to do an upgrade for me. I did some homework and ended up getting the x748se. Its a massive jump from the x540 in machine and money for 1/2" acre:confused2:. I will use it for mowing, snow, fixing the out of leveled yard, and honestly I just wanted the **** thing:licking:. Plus my family is growing and may have to get a bigger house in the near future. So i'm future ready just in case. I work hard and figured why do I have to wait til i'm retired to reward myself. Plus i hear resell on these are great if i ever needed to do so.

I was looking at the x728se and decided on the x478se because i wanted diesel and it was only slightly over $1000 difference. Since I will use it for more than just mowing, i figured the diesel was the way to go.

Anyway just wanted say hello and share my experience. I will take some pics when I get the x748se!:cool2:

I just noticed you're from New City. I used to live there on Sharon Drive, just off Little Tor rd. We moved 7 yrs ago to Stony Point. Big mistake, wish I was back in New City. I thought I was the only tractor nut around here. Pretty much the only John Deeres you see in this area are the ones from Home Depot. The chance of seeing an X748 is about as likely as seeing a Rolls in your neighbors garage. Which dealer did you get it from? I deal with Hudson River Tractor in Goshen, real nice people. Ok well enjoy your new toy.

Carl

 

[Carl Bert]

Carl,
I agree the x748 is more capable for the other tasks you mention but I wouldn't think the driveway would be very long on a half or three quarter acre lot. The x748 is great running the 48" tiller too but I don't see a homeowner needing to do that very often. Now if the OP really needs to do the other things you mention with some regularity such as snow removal then some of you local guys might offer better advice as to what he needs. I would assume NY has alot of heavy wet snow to deal with, fortunately for me most of our snow is dry powder great for skiing.

Oh I totally agree with you Jenkins. The X748 is probably beyond overkill for his needs, but I'm in no position to judge. lol. I was just responding to the poster who said he drove the X5xx and the X7xx and didn't see a big enough difference in the two, to justify the price.

 

[DeereNYC]

I just noticed you're from New City. I used to live there on Sharon Drive, just off Little Tor rd. We moved 7 yrs ago to Stony Point. Big mistake, wish I was back in New City. I thought I was the only tractor nut around here. Pretty much the only John Deeres you see in this area are the ones from Home Depot. The chance of seeing an X748 is about as likely as seeing a Rolls in your neighbors garage. Which dealer did you get it from? I deal with Hudson River Tractor in Goshen, real nice people. Ok well enjoy your new toy.

Carl

Why did you leave New City?

Yeah I rarely see people doing there own mowing to begin with, lol. I got the x540 from Power Place dealer in NJ. Since it was an out of state transaction they didnt charge tax. When I wanted to trade up, they wont even go $5 below list price for any x700. When I spoke with the salesman he slipped by saying that the x540 was harder for them to get rid of. I put two and two together Nd realized thats why he wont drop on price, so they can recover some loses with the x540.

I wonder if I could talk to your dealer? Would they do the trade?

Do you know if you can get the x740with HDAPS. I think its kind of stupid you cant get the se package for the x740, but HDAPS would be nice at least.

 

[Carl Bert]

Why did you leave New City?

Yeah I rarely see people doing there own mowing to begin with, lol. I got the x540 from Power Place dealer in NJ. Since it was an out of state transaction they didnt charge tax. When I wanted to trade up, they wont even go $5 below list price for any x700. When I spoke with the salesman he slipped by saying that the x540 was harder for them to get rid of. I put two and two together Nd realized thats why he wont drop on price, so they can recover some loses with the x540.

I wonder if I could talk to your dealer? Would they do the trade?

Do you know if you can get the x740with HDAPS. I think its kind of stupid you cant get the se package for the x740, but HDAPS would be nice at least.

Can't see why he wouldn't do the trade, thats what he's in business for. They sell a lot of tractors, doubt they would have any problem with your X540. I was very close to trading my X595 for a new X748 myself. Last minute I decided against it, I really like the ability to switch between 2 and 4WD. So let me get this straight, your dealer is the one that decided not to make the deal? If thats the case then you should definitely take a ride to Hudson River Tractor. Its only about a 30 minute drive from here. They usually have a good selection of floor models to look at. The X740 does have the HDAP option and you can also get the deluxe seat, if you want.

When I was looking to buy, about 3 weeks ago, he offered me the X748 with the 7 iron deck, which is $900 more then the 54" deck, for $13000 and giving me top dollar for my trade in. Every time I talk about it, I get the itch to do it. Anyway it can't hurt to take a ride and get some numbers. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

Here's their info:

Hudson River Tractor
26- 6 1/2 station road
Goshen, NY 10924

845 294-2500

 

[DeereNYC]

Thanks Carl. Its not that the dealer doesnt want to trade, they just wont give any kind of discount. I will give Hudson a call.

 

[DeereNYC]

Well I couldn't trade in with another dealer because its covered under the JD Promise. If i wait then I would lose some value on the trade in as well. I went to the dealer and we are working things out on a x700 series. The model is not decided yet. Numbers are crunching, lol.

I notice the x700's don't have the cargO mount system on it. What are you guys doing as far as mounting a single bucket on the back? I know the double bucket can work but then you cant use other rear attachments if i'm not mistaken. Thanks guys.

 

[Carl Bert]

Well I couldn't trade in with another dealer because its covered under the JD Promise. If i wait then I would lose some value on the trade in as well. I went to the dealer and we are working things out on a x700 series. The model is not decided yet. Numbers are crunching, lol.

I notice the x700's don't have the cargO mount system on it. What are you guys doing as far as mounting a single bucket on the back? I know the double bucket can work but then you cant use other rear attachments if i'm not mistaken. Thanks guys.

This is news to me. What the heck is the "John Deere Promise"? First off, do you own the tractor outright, or is it financed? Not that it should make a difference. So you went up to Hudson River tractor and they told you NO, that they would not take the trade in? Something is very wrong when HRT doesn't want to make a deal. I can't walk passed the sales desk without them trying to sell me something. Sad part is, they often succeed. I am a real sucker for a sale, especially when it comes to tractors.

Anyway, give me more details, and if there is any way I can help, let me know.