Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
Member |
We are looking at acquiring a couple acres of property that is all lawn. Some small hills and swales but nothing crazy. Am considering a JD X350. Are there other better options? Would I be better off with a larger user machine? I would consider ztr, but like the idea of being able to tow a trailer, put on a plow etc., if I ever want to. Talk me into getting the right machine for the job. Thanks! _________ There once was a man from Nantucket... | ||
|
| Member |
If you are doing over three acres, I would recommend a commercial unit. You can get Zero's now that will pull trailers. My company builds some with towing capabilities in the Mass retail area, I don't know about commercial. Always buy more mower than you think you will need, and please keep up your maintenance, and stay away from gas with ethanol. I also would recommend you purchase from a dealer vs a big box store. That way you know the mower should be setup and prepped before you buy, and you will probably get better overall service from a dealer. | |||
|
| Member |
There are a lot of discussions on this subject already up here. This is one: https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/2800047124 The mower deck on the x350 is 42". This is pretty small unless you have a lot of spare time and the engine is a little small on power. A lot depends on what you want to spend. Read the above link. It may help you. | |||
|
Member |
I have had 3 JD riders. Each cost more then the last and turned to junk faster. The last one I had was very similar to the one you are looking at. I think it lasted 3-4 years before it needed serious work. My advice is to run away as fast as you can and buy a quality Zero Turn. Mine is a Kubota ZG222 that is about 6-7 years old and runs like the day I bought it. These are not cheap but it's the last mower I'll buy. I mow about 3 acres in about an hour. Try that with a lawn tractor. The JD has a max forward speed of 5.5 mph compared to 9.0 mph on my Kubota. Yes, I mow at that speed 90% of the time. I mow E to W one week, N - S the next week then I do opposite diagonal cuts the next 2 weeks to very the pattern. The JD will require a 'k' turn at the end of each pass while a zero turn will spin back like an Olympic swimmer. In short, it will probably take twice as long to mow with a lawn tractor which means twice the hours on the machine and twice the wear and tear. There are lots and lots of quality zero turns. A few recent threads talk about them. I picked Kubota because it is the one of the only premium brands carried in our market - and I'm friends with the owner of the business. Good luck Mike I'm sorry if I hurt you feelings when I called you stupid - I thought you already knew - Unknown ................................... When you have no future, you live in the past. " Sycamore Row" by John Grisham | |||
|
Member |
I was making this same decision three years ago and looked the little Deere tractors pretty closely before finely deciding. The X series is better built than the lesser D series, sold at box stores as well as Deere locations. However an additional $800 for an X370 or better yet $1,200 for an X380 would be money well spent and actually save you money in the long run. The weak link on lawn tractors is the transaxle and when it fails the tractor is pretty much done. X350 uses a Tough Torque K46 transaxle which is just ok and in fact is used in the cheaper D series as well. It's non serviceable and has a pretty poor reputation for long term durability, especially when doing anything other than just mowing on relatively level lawns such as on hills, pulling a loaded cart, or heaven forbid trying to push snow. In order to get the better transaxle you'll need to move up to an X370 which is about the same tractor (42" deck) as the X350 only with the heavier, serviceable, longer lasting K57 transaxle and it lists for $800 more. What I ended up buying at the time over an X302 was an X310 (42" deck Kawasaki engine) in order to get the K58 transaxle and we mow about 1/2 acre at this location with it. With 2 acres what I would suggest for you is the X380 which has 22hp, K58 transaxle, and 48" deck. The 48" deck projects out only 3" farther on each side than a 42' but has some definite advantages for you beyond just mowing faster. Compared to the 42" (which is about the same width as the tires) the 48's extra 3" out makes it easier to trim up close. The 48 also has 4 anti-scalp wheels which I really wish my 42" deck had, the 42 only has two both in the front. LOL I know it's always easy for someone else to spend your money but I really think if you can swing the extra up front cost you'll be better off with an X380, or at least X370, either of which will command far higher future resale negating the extra up front cost. No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | |||
|
Member |
If you wish to avoid engine issues, I'd recommend you look at something with a Kohler engine at least. Change the oil every 50 hours or so, keep the air filter serviced and they'll run at least 12-15 years no problem. As far as the K46 axle, it can be rebuilt and serviced. Tufftorque's can have some simple mods made (no machining), that allow them to hold up longer in rough service. http://www.tractorbynet.com/fo...-guide-pictures.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL0B_1pqADo ___________________________________________________________ Your right to swing your fist stops just short of the other person's nose... | |||
|
Member |
I have a Kubota TG1860 diesel with a 54" deck that has been faithful for the last 17 years. It's been in the shop once because of my stupidity.  It's no longer made but the new model like it is the GR2120-2. Pricey, yes, but well worth the money. | |||
|
Member |
OP: How much of that 2 acres are you planning to mow?
A serviceable transaxle is why I went with an X310 as well. Coming up on my 3rd year of ownership and still really like the machine. | |||
|
| The Constable |
The rear axles CAN be owner serviced and really quite easily. There are even a few videos on YouTube that run one through the process from start to finish. Buy the rebuild kit from the Company that manufactures the transaxles for JD. FAR cheaper than having JD remove the old and install a new one. I had to service my 5 yr old JD's tranny/axle as everything else was fine. The engine always starts, lots of power. Keep blades sharp and the deck clean and I have zero issues. My mower does far more than most ask of a homeowner type 42" mower. And has held up well, short of the bodywork and transaxle. But the transaxle is surely the weak mechanical link. Sadly ,as others have stated , the JD line of homeowner type tractors/mowers is really cheapened up these days. Little metal short of the frame and deck. Hit something with the PLASTIC bodywork and it shatters. Pure garbage. I will use my old JD now as a spare. Getting a new Kubota Zero Turn in a few weeks. My Kubota 26 hp, diesel tractor has been flawless. So I'll take a leap of faith and try their Kommander zero turn. | |||
|
Member |
A ZTR with a fabricated deck. Lots of good ones out there. If ground is fairly even I would want a 61" deck. _____________________ Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you. | |||
|
| Semper Fidelis Marines |
i mow about 4 smooth flat acres and LOVE our husqvarna (SP?) it is the lawn and garden series w 54" deck thanks, shawn Semper Fi, ---->>> EXCUSE TYPOS<<<--- | |||
|
| Member |
Email sent _________________________ "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." Mark Twain | |||
|
| Why don’t you fix your little problem and light this candle  |
I made the decision to go with the X300 a few years ago and the thing runs like a champ. I live in the Virginia hills and nothing is flat so it mows up and down and sideways. (somedays I miss my flat Texas property). I settled on the X300series for the warranty, and the serviceable parts. That four year warranty is hard to turn away from. This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
© SIGforum 2024