Mechanical vs hydro front axles in the 4x4 X-series tractors?

755 · Oct 20, 2020

Hello-
New guy here. I'm in the market for a used 4X4 X-series tractor and could really use your opinion. My gut says that I should limit myself to the mechanical front axle versions (X585) vs the newer (X7-Series) tractors as the mechanical version will (in my opinion) be stronger and more robust over the long term than the hydro version. Is this correct thinking, or am I just not being open to the newer style of a hydraulic driven front axle?

I plan on using this tractor mainly as a mowing/power-flow tractor on a hilly two acre yard. Snow blowing may also eventually be part of the equation, but I have another tractor for that right now.

Have the hydro front axles been trouble free? What about the mechanical front axles? I do understand the benefit of the hydro front axle in that it adjusts during a turn so that it doesn't bind and scrub like it would in a standard mechanical front 4X4 axle.

I am more interested in any thoughts on longevity and or problems you have encountered with either style. If you do comment, let us know how many hours are on your tractor so we know how long you've used it. Thanks for your help!

burned300 · Oct 20, 2020

They are both great! I have X595, The x748 /728 can come either way depending on year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

jgayman · Oct 20, 2020

If your intended usage is for mowing, that alone would seem to dictate the choice of hydraulic FWD if you don't want your yard torn up.

BigBlue · Oct 20, 2020

I've never seen reports of common or significant problems with the AWD setup on the newer x7-series. It's a fabulous setup that constantly gets praise. It just works transparently and very well. In a garden tractor used mostly for mowing and snow blowing it is exactly what I'd want. On a larger tractor like a CUT the mechanical part-time system makes more sense.

I'm not saying anything negative about the older mechanical setup. Just that it isn't as automatic and the newer one is wonderful.

Rob

badgerland01 · Oct 20, 2020

For mowing on hills the newer hydraulic AWD setup wins hands down. The turn radius is much tighter with the hydrauilic AWD vs mechanical 4x4. Scuffing doesn't exist with AWD and it is flawless. I have nothing against the mechanical 4x4, but the AWD is better for your needs.

x738 · Oct 20, 2020

I've not run a mechanical fwd system on a lawn tractor.
I'm used to the mechanical systems on larger ag tractors and TLB's (and pickups, if that counts) and agree 100% with above comments about how well the hydraulic awd system works.

It just works. It's there doing it's thing, before you even know you need it. No need to plan ahead for hills or dampspots and no issue scuffing.

I might feel different if running a plow or cultivator but certainly not for lawn work.

wizzo · Oct 20, 2020

I don't own either, but I think the mechanical in 4x4 mode increases the turning radius (like it does on the 1 series) while the AWD turns as normal. If true, I'm not sure I'd want to use the mechanical for snow duty where you'll be turning often.

x738 · Oct 20, 2020

On the X73x's, the spec'd 'uncut circle' is the same for 2wd and 4wd.

burned300 · Oct 20, 2020

wizzo said:
I don't own either, but I think the mechanical in 4x4 mode increases the turning radius (like it does on the 1 series) while the AWD turns as normal. If true, I'm not sure I'd want to use the mechanical for snow duty where you'll be turning often.

Come to plowday in less than two weeks and drive X595

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

drano38 · Oct 21, 2020

Hydro AWD works great.
I've had mine since 2012, and no issues. Puts down the power, and does not tear up the lawn when mowing as mentioned above.

gtunney · Oct 21, 2020

I have the X585 and I just use the 4wd when I need it. In 2wd the turn radius is pretty **** tight. Even when cleaning snow on my driveway I only engage 4wd when needed. Yes, 4wd turn radius is longer, but not horrifically so. Also, there is an old saying here that if you get stuck in 2wd, you still have 4wd to get you unstuck. Get stuck in 4wd and you are really stuck.

Sethro · Oct 21, 2020

I was in the same boat as you last fall. I thought I wanted the X748 with MFWD, but did a bunch of searching on here and ended up with a 2011 with HFWD. It really is awesome. The only negative I can say is full steering in reverse seems to have some issues with tearing of grass...no matter the intensity of backing up, but worse at higher speed of course. It also kind of "drags" on pavement in full steering in reverse, so I'm pretty sure it's the design. There are also lots of comments about this in threads I found here while searching. That being said, it's something I easily work around but that's the only limitation I would say about the HFWD.

It's clearly superior for mowing over my 1025R with MFWD when I'm using front wheel assist with that tractor.

RT3360 · Oct 21, 2020

I can tell you mowing even on steep hills with an X730 you have sufficient traction, but for towing a lawn vac on the same yard, I was glad I had my 2014 X738 275 hrs with no issues. It had 95 hrs when I got it. The X730 with 4 suitcase weights handles a 47” snowblower on the drive shown in the attached photo. Just saying that the extra weight of the tractor makes a huge difference. An advantage of the HFWD and HDAP tires is NO weights or chains are required. I don’t think I would want a PowerFlow and bagger going up this kind of hill. Hope this helps.

cnymowinplowinsailin · Oct 21, 2020

While I really like the MFWD on the X595 and it works really well pushing snow and mowing non turf areas, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone that is convinced they need 4WD to mow their turf. I use it very sparingly when mowing turf and have to be very careful when I do - I don't make 90 degree turns no matter how wide on turf with it engaged, not an issue at all mowing non turf or pushing snow.

Fwiw, I was highly skeptical of the AWD system when I bought my machine two years ago but in all the loitering done here since I have yet to hear of anyone report any issues with it and if someone is going to complain about anything they typically do it here. With the early ones over a decade old now, that seems to be fairly strong evidence albeit anecdotal. Good luck.

Sergeant · Oct 21, 2020

The reason John Deere went t

755 said:
Hello-
New guy here. I'm in the market for a used 4X4 X-series tractor and could really use your opinion. My gut says that I should limit myself to the mechanical front axle versions (X585) vs the newer (X7-Series) tractors as the mechanical version will (in my opinion) be stronger and more robust over the long term than the hydro version. Is this correct thinking, or am I just not being open to the newer style of a hydraulic driven front axle?

I plan on using this tractor mainly as a mowing/power-flow tractor on a hilly two acre yard. Snow blowing may also eventually be part of the equation, but I have another tractor for that right now.

Have the hydro front axles been trouble free? What about the mechanical front axles? I do understand the benefit of the hydro front axle in that it adjusts during a turn so that it doesn't bind and scrub like it would in a standard mechanical front 4X4 axle.

I am more interested in any thoughts on longevity and or problems you have encountered with either style. If you do comment, let us know how many hours are on your tractor so we know how long you've used it. Thanks for your help!

The reason John Deere went with The Hydraulic driven Front axle was That the AWD system actually had better traction then the Mechanical Drive system = Less wheel slippage and it had Proved itself reliable In the X729 & X749 Back In 2002 I was Looking at a Tractor to replace My JD 425 I hated the Turn radius of the X585 In 2WD while Only 3 Inches Bigger then the Standard 2 wheel drive Model It was Noticeable when Trimming around Objects Put It In 4WD and it went to a 33inch turn radius So I Purchased a 2WD X485 Instead of a X585.

I thought as most did when the AWD came out That it Just wouldn't be as Good as the 4WD for Traction. Well Have Many Friends That work as Design engineers for John Deere they showed me the test Results and It convinced Me that the AWD system was a much better system when it came to Traction and the Fact it also Gave You the same Turn radius as 2WD was a Nice Perk well decided In 2014 to Upgrade my X485 to a X758 or X748 at the time No one Had Made a Loader sub frame to be able to Take a 45 Loader On a X758 so I found a Used X748 with over 2 years of warranty left Just so I could switch My 45 Loader over to a X748. Now I have two 45 Loader sub frame for the Signature series In My Possession.

For You Intended Use the AWD system would be Better suited for mowing a Hilly yard as You'll really never have to worry about having to shift and the 25inch turn radius In Nice don't have to shift out of 4WD to do trimming around objects. My last yard was hilly and Had to trim around trees On the Top of the Hill slopes my current yard In flat except for one side of the house which is Mostly trees and a Peony Garden some Mowing and Plowing snow around the Gates to the Back Yard Mechanical 4WD is just a Old and reliable system But the AWD is also very reliable system Produced By Tuff-Torq I really haven't seen any issue with the AWD system Deere's feedback On the system is it has been super reliable Because if it wasn't Deere would not continue to use it There very Paranoid about there reputation In the Lawn & Garden tractor segment the 317 still give them Nightmares do to the Oiling system in that Kohler engine it really gave a JD a Bad reputation In the Late 70 & early 80's or as some Put it there 1 stain on there reliability In the Lawn & Garden tractor Market.

In snow the AWD system is great Most run HDAP tires Have no need for chains and some don't even use Ballast when Blowing snow I do but that just out of Habit of using a Ballast On 2WD Machines

BTW I have Never used the Diff/lock Pedal with a AWD Machine. Have Used it with My Neighbor at My summer House Simplicity Legacy XL with Mechanical 4WD though Grading gravel with a front Blade and in the same area a X748 AWD never needed the diff/lock because the wheel slippage just wasn't there

But I think you'll be Very Happy to use the AWD system.

c5rulz · Oct 21, 2020

As usual excellent advice from @Sergeant. I agree with everything he said.

I have a JD2305 with MFWD and a X758 with AWD. The latter definitely tracks much better. The former is much more capable pulling very heavy trailers on the hills but then it weighs more too.

SycoCell · Oct 22, 2020

For what it’s worth, I only switch my x595 into 4wd when times get really sketchy with my loader. And even then, I try to put it right back into 2wd. 4wd in this machine tears the ground up and kills my turning radius.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ivel03 · Oct 22, 2020

I have an x585 and do similar to what SycoCell said. When i'm using the loader i use 4wd and when i mow a steep side hill i use 4wd but otherwise i don't as it can tear up the lawn. My wish was to purchase an x728 and i couldn't figure out if i should get the early or later one (mfwd vs AWD) but after some searching i decided that what i could find would be fine. I found an x585 for a price i couldn't refuse with a 45 loader, 3pt and PTO so mfwd it is! Maybe someday i'll find an x728 with AWD.... maybe someday.

I think a lot of the scuffing has to do with the HDAP tires - even in 2wd they can leave some tracks.

Sergeant · Oct 22, 2020

ivel03 said:
I think a lot of the scuffing has to do with the HDAP tires - even in 2wd they can leave some tracks.

I have not found that to be the Case and I run two 2 Wheel drive Garden tractors with HDAP and then the X748 Now My AG on My X485 would only do any damage when I was mowing around a Trees and it was wet out

Trentofdestiny · Oct 22, 2020

x738 said:
On the X73x's, the spec'd 'uncut circle' is the same for 2wd and 4wd.

Those are all hydraulic front axle though, no mechanical.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mechanical vs hydro front axles in the 4x4 X-series tractors?

755

burned300

jgayman

BigBlue

badgerland01

x738

wizzo

x738

burned300

drano38

gtunney

Sethro

RT3360

cnymowinplowinsailin

Sergeant

c5rulz

SycoCell

ivel03

Sergeant

Trentofdestiny

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities