I had this thread going on the John Deere section at "the other site". I wanted to move it over here and share my experiences with a new tractor that is capable of being what I consider a modern garden tractor. Plus my thread might help out fellow tractor enthusiast as well if they plan on purchasing something new and I know a lot of people don't have much faith in new products. I want to share how this tractor holds up to my use. I hope to update this every so often with a little report of what I have experienced.
I started my journey last fall. I started searching out all the different tractors that I felt were heavy enough for my intended use without experiencing a failure due to over working it. I took to the forums for suggestions. All kinds of ideas came in ranging from don't buy new junk, to check these out. I traveled all over visiting different dealers. Simplicity, John Deere, Cub Cadet, ect ect. Everyone offered a nice tractor, except to me the Cub Cadet X3 series is called a garden tractor but speaking with cub they do not suggest this tractor to be used for ground engaging implements.
After searching long and hard, reading specs. I ended up buying a John Deere X350. I settled quite a bit. I decided I didn't want to spend nearly 7 grand, and went for a lawn tractor. Quickly found out before the 1 month "John Deere Promise" was up that this tractor was not what I wanted, and it was undersized for maintaining nearly 4 acres of lawn between myself and my dad. My key deciding factors for this wasn't exactly the tractor size, deck size, engine size, performance of the unit, but mainly the non-serviceable transaxle in the X350. One afternoon I spent nearly 4 hours on the X350 and when I got off I decided to see how hot the transaxle was. I was astonished to find that I could not keep my hand on the transaxle for more than a few seconds before it became too hot to touch. I thought to myself that this non-serviceable unit was not going to make the cut! Saying that, the X350 is a FANTASTIC lawn mower. It had the best cut I have ever seen. It would be fantastic if you have a smaller yard to maintain such as 1 or 2 acres.
I went back to the dealership and turned my X350 in on the JD promise, and got a X570. Bigger engine, Bigger Deck, Bigger body, and the fully serviceable transaxle(with larger axles, and a much higher torque rating). After cringing a little handing over another 3000 dollars for this new machine I scheduled delivery.
A few days later my new tractor was delivered. Initial impressions were that this tractor is several times the machine that the X350 was. The K72 delivers much more punch. Especially on the small bank in my yard new to my house that I mow up and down. You can creep up the start of it, floor the tram pedal and the tractor will shoot up over it like a scaled dog. The 48" Deck offers a nice cut. It doesn't scalp or drag, it however I do feel the 42" deck offered a slightly better cut. It is super comfortable. Easy to steer. The twin touch hydrostat pedals are very comfortable and smooth. The foot operated deck lift is fantastic. The ground speed feels quite quick. I have done some tests cutting straight lines as fast as it will go, and at a more reasonable speed. The difference isn't much. You can quickly bang out some grass if you have a smooth area to cut. The Kawasaki engine is fantastic. It is smooth, quiet, easy to start, and just plain seems to have plenty of power for the application. The one option that I thought was a waste was the differential lock. I never had a tractor with one before, and after owning one with it, I don't think I want to not have one. It is a very useful feature that I imagine will be even more useful when using the plow or sleeve hitch implements.
So far I have skidded some 8 or 10" diameter by 6' long trees. Pulled a small trailer loaded down with tree branches, cut 30 hours worth of grass, and hauled around some wagon loads of rocks and dirt. I have not experienced a single issue. This thing takes whatever I want to throw at it with no problems. Always feels ready for more! I can cut for 4 or so hours and the transaxle is slightly warm.
I have since bought a Johnny Products electric sleeve hitch, and a John Deere plow. I have not used either yet. I need to install the sleeve hitch, and do some work to my box blade, rear blade, and other items I have for the sleeve hitch. One day.
I will keep this thread updated as I put more hours and time on it, as a long term review.
I started my journey last fall. I started searching out all the different tractors that I felt were heavy enough for my intended use without experiencing a failure due to over working it. I took to the forums for suggestions. All kinds of ideas came in ranging from don't buy new junk, to check these out. I traveled all over visiting different dealers. Simplicity, John Deere, Cub Cadet, ect ect. Everyone offered a nice tractor, except to me the Cub Cadet X3 series is called a garden tractor but speaking with cub they do not suggest this tractor to be used for ground engaging implements.
After searching long and hard, reading specs. I ended up buying a John Deere X350. I settled quite a bit. I decided I didn't want to spend nearly 7 grand, and went for a lawn tractor. Quickly found out before the 1 month "John Deere Promise" was up that this tractor was not what I wanted, and it was undersized for maintaining nearly 4 acres of lawn between myself and my dad. My key deciding factors for this wasn't exactly the tractor size, deck size, engine size, performance of the unit, but mainly the non-serviceable transaxle in the X350. One afternoon I spent nearly 4 hours on the X350 and when I got off I decided to see how hot the transaxle was. I was astonished to find that I could not keep my hand on the transaxle for more than a few seconds before it became too hot to touch. I thought to myself that this non-serviceable unit was not going to make the cut! Saying that, the X350 is a FANTASTIC lawn mower. It had the best cut I have ever seen. It would be fantastic if you have a smaller yard to maintain such as 1 or 2 acres.
I went back to the dealership and turned my X350 in on the JD promise, and got a X570. Bigger engine, Bigger Deck, Bigger body, and the fully serviceable transaxle(with larger axles, and a much higher torque rating). After cringing a little handing over another 3000 dollars for this new machine I scheduled delivery.
A few days later my new tractor was delivered. Initial impressions were that this tractor is several times the machine that the X350 was. The K72 delivers much more punch. Especially on the small bank in my yard new to my house that I mow up and down. You can creep up the start of it, floor the tram pedal and the tractor will shoot up over it like a scaled dog. The 48" Deck offers a nice cut. It doesn't scalp or drag, it however I do feel the 42" deck offered a slightly better cut. It is super comfortable. Easy to steer. The twin touch hydrostat pedals are very comfortable and smooth. The foot operated deck lift is fantastic. The ground speed feels quite quick. I have done some tests cutting straight lines as fast as it will go, and at a more reasonable speed. The difference isn't much. You can quickly bang out some grass if you have a smooth area to cut. The Kawasaki engine is fantastic. It is smooth, quiet, easy to start, and just plain seems to have plenty of power for the application. The one option that I thought was a waste was the differential lock. I never had a tractor with one before, and after owning one with it, I don't think I want to not have one. It is a very useful feature that I imagine will be even more useful when using the plow or sleeve hitch implements.
So far I have skidded some 8 or 10" diameter by 6' long trees. Pulled a small trailer loaded down with tree branches, cut 30 hours worth of grass, and hauled around some wagon loads of rocks and dirt. I have not experienced a single issue. This thing takes whatever I want to throw at it with no problems. Always feels ready for more! I can cut for 4 or so hours and the transaxle is slightly warm.
I have since bought a Johnny Products electric sleeve hitch, and a John Deere plow. I have not used either yet. I need to install the sleeve hitch, and do some work to my box blade, rear blade, and other items I have for the sleeve hitch. One day.
I will keep this thread updated as I put more hours and time on it, as a long term review.
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