X748 or X495?

MBTRAC · May 3, 2013

Interested in your thoughts/opinions: -

I recently purchased at the "right" price s/h a X748 3cyl Yanmar diesel 4x4 62" cutting deck @ 693hrs in great condition & runs so sweet I reckon it will outlast me.

As luck would have it, now in lieu of cash payment/exhange for some earthmoving work for someone doing it "hard", I've been offered an "inherited" X495 3cyl Yanmar diesel 54" deck with only 161hrs in pristine/as new condition & (although they're no use to me) fitted with aux hydraulics/Cat 1 limited 3PL.

Now the question, as I'll only keep one, which is the better machine & why ?

JDTank · May 3, 2013

MBTRAC said:
Interested in your thoughts/opinions: -

I recently purchased at the "right" price s/h a X748 3cyl Yanmar diesel 4x4 62" cutting deck @ 693hrs in great condition & runs so sweet I reckon it will outlast me.

As luck would have it, now in lieu of cash payment/exhange for some earthmoving work for someone doing it "hard", I've been offered an "inherited" X495 3cyl Yanmar diesel 54" deck with only 161hrs in pristine/as new condition & (although they're no use to me) fitted with aux hydraulics/Cat 1 limited 3PL.

Now the question, as I'll only keep one, which is the better machine & why ?

What year is the X748? If it is 2008 or newer (I believe it is 2008?) it will have the hydraulic AWD on the front. This is a far nicer setup than the old shaft driven front axle. See my comment below on 2WD.

Also, the X748 will accept a 7-Iron deck if you so wish to purchase one in the future. The X495 will not accept a 7-Iron deck.

The X495 is 2 Wheel Drive, your X748 is All-Wheel Drive, with approximately 30% greater traction in tough spots.

Other than that, not a lot of difference at all. The X748 has more hours, but is still well within it's useable life span. These machines could likely run for thousands of hours before major work is needed. Unless your a commercial landscaper, and even then, I doubt you could wear out the X748 before you want to move on or use it less.

willi67 · May 4, 2013

If your property is flat I would keep the 2WD X495, the 4WD/AWD X748 on the other hand is the best hillside mower that you will find, more stable than a Kubota or John Deere outfront machine.

MBTRAC · May 4, 2013

Thanks, your input is much appreciated.
You've confirmed what I was thinking as I was swaying towards staying with the X748 (it has the hyd AWD, I believe it's a 2009) as it seems just a little heavier constructed & versatile - having said that the X495 also seems a really good model & this one's as unmarked/as good as new (it's a 2003 that seems at an easy @161hrs to have spent more time in the shed than working).
I'd guess I was really looking for an excuse/justification to keep both, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to add to or replace my other riders & CUT's when judging by used values here selling this X495 should realise c.$6K.