John Deere X485 with Johnny Bucket

[Hardscrabble]

I have a John Deere X485 with the 25 hp Kawasaki direct injection engine. It is a real work horse for a tractor its size. I use it to haul fire wood from the wood lot to the trailer. It comes with the locking differential but I have yet to use it with the wheel weights and suitcase weights (4) on the back of the tractor. Have gone up and down some pretty fair inclines with no problem. Also, have a ROPS which weighs in at 80 lbs. Really impressed by the handling and ease of operation of this tractor. I believe it is classified as a Heavy Duty Garden Tractor by John Deere, but in my opinion, it is the equal of some SUBCUT machines. I have a Johnny Bucket on the front that it carries very well. I was interested initially in a John Deere front loader but the price from Deere cured me of that notion real quick. The Johnny Bucket coupled with the X485 tractor provides all the loader needs for any application I have.

[JDFANATIC]

Very nice! :congrats: Thanks for sharing the pic with us. :bannana:

[Hardscrabble]

:thanku: JD FANATIC:
Appreciate your thoughts!

[Jim_WV]

Fantastic machine Hardscrabble !, looks like you take really good care of it too. Thanks for sharing the pics with us :fing32:

[Sergeant]

hey how much where the r.o.p.s. if you don't mined me asking

[Shawk]

Cool setup Hardscrabble... handy tool ;)

[Rocko]

Nice setup ;)

[Hardscrabble]

Hi Sergeant,
Don't mind you asking at all. Got the ROPS from FEMCO MFG. ordered by internet and confirmed by telephone. Great company to deal with. I was very pleased with their service. The price for the ROPS was $299 plus shipping. There web site is: www.femcomfg.com/fops.html
The ROPS arrived within a week of ordering and it fit perfectly with one exception. The engineering dimensions on the ROPS were exact to the factory drilled holes on the tractor frame so that the ROPS could be bolted right on. The only problem was that the tolerance on the ROPS was so tight (it was about 1/8 inch to narrow from side to side) to slide on the rear frame. A hydraulic jack to spread the ROPS and it went right on. The ROPS comes with a seat belt and is certified. Also, the ROPS weighs about 80 lbs. so a hoist or a buddy to help lift it in position is a must. I used a come-a-long that I have in the tractor shed mounted to the rafter to install mine.
Thanks,
Hardscrabble