X500 vs X540

[JoeS]

Being a new member, I want to thank everyone for such a helpfull forum. I have decided that the 500 series is the way I'm going to mow, snow blow, & maintain my 2.5 acres. I'm struggling between the 500 or the 540. I have read many posts on this forum and have talked to the salesman at my local dealer. But I want to ask you that own either the 500 or 540 what you like & don't like and why?

As I view this as a long term investment, the price difference is not overly concerning. I don't want to spend $6k & wish I would have spent $8k. My specific issues are that I like the idea of the simplicity of an air cooled engine and mechanical systems. I have talked to several 540 owners and they all tell me they wouldn't be without the hydraulics and systems on their 540's. I don't want to make this too long so here are some perameter on my needs:
1) mowing 2.5 acres mostly flat but w/ a hill on one side about 100' long at app a 30 degree slope
2) snow blowing app 100 yards of driveway apron & lane
3) use of a front bucket & blade for general yard work
4) the tractor will be store in a heated garage
5) I will probably not use it for gardening (maybe)

Thanks for all you thoughts
Joe

[x534Bruce]

Joe,
I really like my x534, which is 1 step below the x540.
The All wheel steer is alot of fun, and I don't have any problems finding someone to do the work, when I don't have the time to do it......
This machine has more torque, than I ever imagined from a garden tractor.....It's more along the line of a small farm tractors pulling ability.....It will stand itself on end, when going up a steep incline.
My only recomendation would be to get heavy duty all purpose tires instead of the standard turf tires.
I have 1.2 acres, w/ a driveway about 120' long and am also on a hill, about 16 degrees, w/ a small 40 degree area.
I'm thinking real seriously about a sleve hitch tho, but JD calls it an integral hitch. A cat 0 3pt hitch would certanly come in handy too....
I also have a 1954 Ford NAA tractor I used before getting this machine, and since the JD came home, I haven't needed the NAA to plow w/. My only thought is, this JD won't be around in 50yrs, like the NAA is.....Sometimes, simpler is better.
I have alot of trees to cut around, so I really like the tight turning radius of the AWS. Just be careful. going full speed, this comes close to throwing you off in a real tight turn.......

[davidg]

as far as the mowing/slope/blowing both will work the same. the big advantage of the 540 is that it has hydraulics so some things are easier. you can also get the hydraulic tiller if you ever decide to garden. either one will take the 30" tiller, but the 540 will also accept the 42" hydr tiller. also teh 540 takes the 47" blower versus the 44" on the 500.

i use my x500 to maintain 4 very rough acres. my land is flat, so i don't have any hills to worry with. but i do have a 100x100 garden that the x500 will be plowing/discing/etc. i did some minor ground work with it last year, but really did not get a chance to put it thru the paces before the ground got too wet. my x500 turns on a dime, so i personally see the power steering option on the x540 as just another thing to potentially fail at some point.

if money is no concern in teh purchase, i have to say i would go with the x540 just for the future growth potential. but another option may be to see if they have a used 22xx or 23xx for a little more. this will step you up to a subcut and give you the option of a real loader!

[X500Driver]

There is a limit to what this series of tractor is capable of doing. When I was shopping, there was no GT model with 3 pt hitch or 2 speed transmission that was in my price range. For my use I did not see adding the extra cost for power steering and the hydraulics. For example, to remove the cutting deck on the 540 you'd have to start the engine to raise and lower the deck. Wasteful from my point of view, YMMV. Though if you intend to run the tractor shovel or johnny bucket the power steering would be nice.

Since the real components I wanted were not available in the price range I wanted, I went as simple as I could (though I could just be cheap too!). My thought is at a later time and when I had more area to justify a larger tractor I'd add a second tractor to my machines and still have a very competent lawn cutter and hauler. The only option I wish I had gotten were the HDAP tires, but whenever I get around to finding an extra set of wheels I'll mount lugs for the times I need more traction.

I also found that the price on the top 500 series put me real close to the bottom of the next price range (for example, there is probably less difference in price between a X540 and a base Legacy than there is between a X500 and X540). You can drive yourself mad with these kind of cost/performance tradeoffs, especially if you don't have a top budget line.

But, at the end of the day, you should get the one you think will provide the most service for the money to you.

Hope this helps.

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by JoeS

3) use of a front bucket & blade for general yard work

Joe,

Are you referring to a Johnny Bucket or something like that, or are you referring to a loader?

[JoeS]

Originally Posted by X500Driver

There is a limit to what this series of tractor is capable of doing. When I was shopping, there was no GT model with 3 pt hitch or 2 speed transmission that was in my price range. For my use I did not see adding the extra cost for power steering and the hydraulics. For example, to remove the cutting deck on the 540 you'd have to start the engine to raise and lower the deck. Wasteful from my point of view, YMMV. Though if you intend to run the tractor shovel or johnny bucket the power steering would be nice.

Since the real components I wanted were not available in the price range I wanted, I went as simple as I could (though I could just be cheap too!). My thought is at a later time and when I had more area to justify a larger tractor I'd add a second tractor to my machines and still have a very competent lawn cutter and hauler. The only option I wish I had gotten were the HDAP tires, but whenever I get around to finding an extra set of wheels I'll mount lugs for the times I need more traction.

I also found that the price on the top 500 series put me real close to the bottom of the next price range (for example, there is probably less difference in price between a X540 and a base Legacy than there is between a X500 and X540). You can drive yourself mad with these kind of cost/performance tradeoffs, especially if you don't have a top budget line.

But, at the end of the day, you should get the one you think will provide the most service for the money to you.

Hope this helps.

Boy can you ever drive yourself mad . Your comments on the little things like having to start the engine to remove the deck are exactly the kind of things I want to hear--both good & bad. Keep em coming boys, I really appreciate hearing all thoughts from guys who actually run them.
JD---I'm thinking the LP4000 40" tractor shovel??

[slkpk]

With you looking at this as a long term investment then I would go with the X7 series or possibly a 2305. Buy right the first time and be money ahead & be done with it. It should be the last one you would need to buy. I have just under 3 acres myself and the 2305 fits the bill for me just right. I've had 2 FEL's and a JBSR. Both do a wonderful job for what they are designed for. However the FEL is much more handier than the JBSR. Good luck with your hunt and I wish you the best on whatever brand or tractor you end up with. slkpk

[JDFANATIC]

Joe,

The X5xx will work well with the tractor shovel. The reason I asked about the loader, is that there are a growing number of us here that have bought one tractor, used it well, but really needed/wanted something bigger. Some of us have made more than one wrong purchase along the way and have ended up spending much more than if we had just gone out and bought the right machine. I'm not saying the X5xx isn't the right machine for you -- only you can know that. But, as slkpk (one who know this lesson) points out above, you should look at the X7xx and 2305 -- if nothing else, to have a full frame of reference.

And besides, we like spending other people's money!

[x534Bruce]

Originally Posted by JoeS

Boy can you ever drive yourself mad . Your comments on the little things like having to start the engine to remove the deck are exactly the kind of things I want to hear--both good & bad. Keep em coming boys, I really appreciate hearing all thoughts from guys who actually run them.
JD---I'm thinking the LP4000 40" tractor shovel??

Joe, unless you park in the wide open spaces, and have enough room to take the blade off w/o moving it, then you need to start the machine anyway, to get it out to a place where your going to store or work on the deck. I really like the power steering, and if you spend any amount of time on it, THAt alone is worth the upgrade, esp as we get older, or injured and still need to mow while being hurt.
Of course, as the saying goes, "Speed cost money. How fast do you want to go?"
Only you know what you NEED from this machine. The "what's" list can be endless.....

[GADeere]

Joe, I had an x540 and upgraded to the 2305. my reason for upgrading was to get the 3 pt implements though and you've said you probably don't have a need for that type of work. for a grass cutter with a tractor shovel I'd definately want the power steering. hdap tires are monsters for traction on these machines and I believe are standard on the x540. what ever you do, take the advice already given above and make sure you get it right the first time.

[Carlos]

Tendinitis. Well, when I went from a L130 to the X485, hydraulic steering was a must. I got sick and tired of my forearms hurting. Hydraulic steering is so good when you have a lot of turns to make. You will wonder how you ever got along without it. Worth every penny and will save you time.

Now, I don't know if the X500 steers as hard as the L130 did, so maybe that's not a problem.

If I had to do it over again. I would do the same as I did. I looked at the X3xx's and the X5xx's and I would buy a low hour X485, X585, X720 or similar. I got my X485 with 31 hours on it.

[davidg]

Originally Posted by Carlos

Now, I don't know if the X500 steers as hard as the L130 did, so maybe that's not a problem.

nope, i have both and the X500 steers as easy as my Dodge 1500 on the interstate, while the L130 is like driving a Model T across a fresh plowed field! i usually use 1 hand on the X500, heck i cna steer with my fingertips if i want. while the L130 i have i have to crank with BOTH arms to turn it!

[saskman49]

Originally Posted by JDFANATIC

Joe,

The X5xx will work well with the tractor shovel. The reason I asked about the loader, is that there are a growing number of us here that have bought one tractor, used it well, but really needed/wanted something bigger. Some of us have made more than one wrong purchase along the way and have ended up spending much more than if we had just gone out and bought the right machine. I'm not saying the X5xx isn't the right machine for you -- only you can know that. But, as slkpk (one who know this lesson) points out above, you should look at the X7xx and 2305 -- if nothing else, to have a full frame of reference.

And besides, we like spending other people's money!

to that

4 machines in 4 years till I got it right. Definatly look at a 2305 in your mix. And as a previous X500 owner I don't think power steering was or is required on that machine. It is easily a two finger steerer, even with a blower hung off the nose it turned easier than any of the previous machines I had. The only thing I would say good abt PS on one of these it it will eliminate kick back and almost breaking a thumb when you drop a wheel in a gopher hole (just ask me how I found out abt that one). If you got the bux though either one is a good choice.

[Bigfoot]

My X500 steering is plenty easy enough. I can't imagine power steering on it. That said... I put the JD 48" plow on and after my first back to back storms, my fifty two year old left knee really bothered me from lifting the plow up and down with the pedal. Its not that it takes that much force (slightly more than the mower deck) but it was enough repetitive motion to stir things up. This is where I can see hydraulics would be nice. I probably would not spend the extra money for that though. Not enough snow that I can't deal with a tender knee now and again.

[davidg]

just so you know, you adjus tthe lift assist spring for the plow to make it as easy or even a little easier than the deck! i have not used anything but my deck, but i hear it makes a world of difference when you adust the spring properly.