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Guambomb

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello all. I really like all the good information on this forum and decided I better join.

Last weekend, the transmission on my 2004 Simplicity Prestige met it's maker. Luckily I was on my last row of grass when it puked all over the place. Now, I'm looking to replace it with a new or newer 700 series 4x4.

Right now i have my eye on a 2011 X728 Ultimate SE with a 60" 7 iron deck and 165 hours on it. I test drove and cut some grass with it at the dealer for about 20 mins the other day. I admit that part my attraction to this particular unit is that it just looks badass. Once I stopped drooling and actually took it for a spin, I was surprised at how buttery smooth the power steering was compared to the power steering on my Simplicity. I was also surprised how forgiving the ride was through the bumps and how quiet the deck was once engaged.

The other options I'm looking at are the X738 or 739. The dealers in my area are telling me the 7 iron deck is not available for 2014 so I guess I would go with the 54 inch deck. I'm not sure how I feel about the 4 wheel steering though. I've read several complaints about it tearing up grass excessively around trees.

The X728 is going for a little over $8K
The X738 is going for $12,225 with the 54" deck

I'm going to be buying this weekend so I would greatly appreciate any opinions on what and why you think one is better over than the other.



(BTW my yard is 1.5 acres, sloping/hills, 90 plus trees in the backyard, mixture of fescue, zoysia and bermuda. I'm frequently pulling large loads of dirt and rock in a dump trailer. I also pull a heavy spiked roller twice a year for aerating and seeding)
 
#2 ·
Do you mow around those 90+ trees and is that in addition to the 1.5 acres or included already? Either tractor will likely outlast you since you won't be putting many hours on (relatively speaking), so I'd say save some coin and go used as that tractor should still have a bit of warranty left in case something pops up in the near future. Your back will like the SE seat, too. Good luck with your tractor purchase.
 
#3 ·
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Diesel Powered said:
Do you mow around those 90+ trees and is that in addition to the 1.5 acres or included already? Either tractor will likely outlast you since you won't be putting many hours on (relatively speaking), so I'd say save some coin and go used as that tractor should still have a bit of warranty left in case something pops up in the near future. Your back will like the SE seat, too. Good luck with your tractor purchase.
Click to expand...
I only really cut around 10 of the trees near the back porch and use a weedeater and/or spray round up rings around some of the others. The warranty is still good until April 2015 and I could purchase another 2 years for around $800 from the dealer. If I get the SE, I will probably purchase the extra warranty just for peace of mind.

Flintlock1776 said:
With the property size you described the 7 series is nice but it is a big budget item.

You may want to consider the5 series new from your local dealer.

I went to the JD site for tractor selector for your description of land and this is what I got

http://www.deere.com/wps/portal/dcom/productselectorresult?siteName=en_US&showAllFilters=true

The 534 was just around 7K and the 7's were at 12k all new.
:greendr:
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I'm planning on purchasing some land (5 acres or more) within the next few years and thought the 7 would be good to have especially for that (145 loader/tiller etc). I'm getting the transmission fixed on the Simplicity but need something to replace it asap so I figured I'd get something for now and the future. I will take a closer look at the 5 series though.
 
#5 ·
Could you just forward the $800 to me? I'd warranty any x7 for another two years, for that much coin, if the hours were that low.

In other words, don't waste your money on the extra warranty; the Cubs have a better chance of winning the world series than your tractor does of needing major warranty work.
 
#6 ·
Get the X7**.
Some day the Cubs will win, but probably not in the lifetime of a X748:)
 
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#7 ·
Go with the X739. The four wheel steering is so worth it if you have even a few trees to cut around. I've driven tractors with all wheel steer and it's so much faster than two wheel steer. Saves a ton of maneuvering.
John Deere replaced the 7-iron deck with the 54inch high capacity deck on the new x7 series.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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#8 ·
Diesel Powered said:
Do you mow around those 90+ trees and is that in addition to the 1.5 acres or included already? Either tractor will likely outlast you since you won't be putting many hours on (relatively speaking), so I'd say save some coin and go used as that tractor should still have a bit of warranty left in case something pops up in the near future. Your back will like the SE seat, too. Good luck with your tractor purchase.
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:ditto:

And I think with the extended warranty my suggestion would be to take the $800 and stuff it somewhere, in a book on a shelf or a mason jar in the backyard and if it breaks use it.... if not in two years put that cash toward a fun attachment...
 
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#10 ·
For the price diff I would grad the x728se. Better seat and deck with 4k left in you pocket. As others have said I would skip the warranty. Put the eight hundred in the bank and at the end of the two years you'll still have it.
 
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#11 ·
I have a 2010 x728 with videos and lots of clear pictures on how mine is set up, I don't cut grass with it but the pictures might answer some questions about the tractor itself.

Just click on my website below and scroll down to find them. I guess I could also mention I would give up my car and ride a city bus before I would part with the x728, flat out love this tractor.

Rob
 
#12 ·
I'm planning on purchasing some land (5 acres or more) within the next few years and thought the 7 would be good to have especially for that (145 loader/tiller etc).
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Just in case the dealer hasn't told you, the X738 & X739 cannot take a loader. Only the older X72x and X74x models can take a JD loader. There was talk of someone making an aftermarket loader for the new X73x & X75x, but I don't know if that's happened yet.
 
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#13 ·
rubadub said:
I have a 2010 x728 with videos and lots of clear pictures on how mine is set up, I don't cut grass with it but the pictures might answer some questions about the tractor itself.

Just click on my website below and scroll down to find them. I guess I could also mention I would give up my car and ride a city bus before I would part with the x728, flat out love this tractor.

Rob
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BTW, Rob's photo gallery should earn him commission on all related sales! Good grief. Haha

Budget dependent and what's important to you, there are a many low hour, 3-4 year old x7 series tractors for sale at a good price. I would start there and see if anything strikes your fancy. The new ones are still nice, but that price tag keeps inching upwards. If the budget is a little tighter like some of us, the older (relatively) x4/x5 series tractors are just as capable. I love my x585 but also understand that its not quite what the x728 type models are. Like Rob said, the x585 is the last tractor leaving my property unless its for an x7 series!
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Wow. Just got home from makin the bacon and glad to see so many responses. I guess I have a lot to think about but right now I'm still leaning towards the X728. My local dealer is going to send me a quote on the X729 tomorrow though.

I'm pretty anal about a nice smooth cut and the Simplicity with it's roller did a very good job. After it gave up the ghost, I did lots of googling to see which mower/deck had the best cut. I found the highest praises going towards the 7 iron deck. Hmmm.
 
#15 ·
My vote would be for the x728SE also. Very low hour tractor should last you a very long time. As previously stated, the 728 will accept the JD loader but new x7xx not designed for JD loader.
 
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#16 ·
Just make sure you're going to be satisfied with the cut. I have a neighbor who was spoiled by the cut of his first Simplicity. Over the years he tried different tractors but was never happy with the cut compared to his Simplicity. Maybe it was a combination of the kind of grass he had along with the rollers but he had the most pronounced striping effect I've ever seen.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Well it's semi-official. I made a flat 8K offer and he accepted. I waited for the local dealer to call me with the x739 offer but he never did. It's either coming home tomorrow or early next week. If it cuts anywhere near the quality of the Prestige on my grass, I will be very happy. Here she is:
Image
 
#18 ·
Guambomb said:
Well it's semi-official. I made a flat 8K offer and he accepted. I waited for the local dealer to call me with the x739 offer but he never did. It's either coming home tomorrow or early next week. If it cuts anywhere near the quality of the Prestige on my grass, I will be very happy. Here she is:
Image
Click to expand...
I have a feeling you're going to love that investment! I'd love a 7-iron eventually. [emoji106]
 
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