I like the blower mainly because it not only removes the snow in front of the machine I can place it out of the way for the season. A blade will force the snow in an area that will take more space and plan ahead if you get significant amounts those piles freeze into ice blocks and are difficult to remove. A blade does have it's place if you get little snow falls or it melts quickly add the squeegee if you have paved driveway. I do have both blower and blade, the blade is in case of slush mixed with street ice chunks. Cost is always a factor so go with what works for you. CL always has deals just do the research to get all the lifting parts ($360+)those can quickly offset a good deal and set you back with seat time.
2014 John Deere X324
This is my third John Deere to date, after also having an old Hydro 165 and a new LA125. I have 44 hours on it since this past April and thought I would post my feelings on it so far. This tractor has had no difficulty with any work that I throw at it. I have just over an acre to mow, mostly flat and the 48" deck seems a perfect fit for my needs and it cuts flawlessly. I must admit that I wasn't sure if the 4WS was just a selling gimmick or an actual advantage while it was on the lot. I have a dozen plus trees to mow around and the 4WS has been all that and then some and I am doubtful that I will have another tractor without it. I haul firewood from my neighbors in what can only be described as a home made cart, about 18 cubic feet with full size car tires under it, and I fill it well over the top and I have no troubles hauling it home over some hilly terrain. Right after I purchased the tractor I also purchased a 1000 lb. lawn roller. My LA125 was killed by a similar roller last year and I was a little anxious as to how well the X324 would handle it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only will it handle the roller with ease, it also has plenty of power to spare enabling me to mow while I roll in the spring. I have purchased several accessories so far including LED replacement headlamps,
12v adapter, twin 5 gallon bucket holder and seat cargo net. All have suited me very well. I just recently tried out removing the mower deck to sharpen the blades. It works much easier than any previous deck I have had and with the rotating anti scalping wheels it just rolls right out from under the tractor. So easy my 9 year old could do it. To sum everything up, the only bad that I have to report is comments and remarks about the K58 transmission that I have read. I found a slight sludge build up around my transmission vent and was originally worried but it seems to be normal and as of yet I have read nothing about this rear end needing repaired, yet I read negatives on it here and there. I am planning on purchasing a snow blower or a blade along with chains and weights so that I can make use of this thing all year long. Not sure which one will be the best fit for me but I will post what I have learned. Any thoughts on the blade or blower??? Thanks and you all have a good one!
12v adapter, twin 5 gallon bucket holder and seat cargo net. All have suited me very well. I just recently tried out removing the mower deck to sharpen the blades. It works much easier than any previous deck I have had and with the rotating anti scalping wheels it just rolls right out from under the tractor. So easy my 9 year old could do it. To sum everything up, the only bad that I have to report is comments and remarks about the K58 transmission that I have read. I found a slight sludge build up around my transmission vent and was originally worried but it seems to be normal and as of yet I have read nothing about this rear end needing repaired, yet I read negatives on it here and there. I am planning on purchasing a snow blower or a blade along with chains and weights so that I can make use of this thing all year long. Not sure which one will be the best fit for me but I will post what I have learned. Any thoughts on the blade or blower??? Thanks and you all have a good one!
