? 4310 + e130 = x590 ? = x790 ?

doggonedeb said:

Trying to keep this decision based in reality because 15 years ago we succumbed to John Deere fantasy. (Mr. Beef, we watched your video series on buying a JD, so we know you understand.)

Hubby and I are in our seventies. We have seven acres we maintain here in New England. The lot is mostly field surrounded on three sides by stone walls and forest on the fourth. Two acres flat at the top slope down (three acres) to a two acre field. On the flat section up top we have a tiny cottage with foundation plantings, a one-car garage with a 12 x 10 shed attached, and a dog yard that is an eighth of an acre. The soil is poor; the grass is nothing special. In our forty years here we have done nothing more than lime the field and feed the older maples and oaks.

Fifteen years ago the neighbor who had been brush-hogging the field passed away so we traded in our little JD for a 4310 with center mower deck (72”), bucket (430 loader), hydraulic power pack bagger (S1323), 47 backhoe, post hole digger, 72” blade, and 3 PT spreader. Considering the fact that neither one of us is mechanically inclined (We don’t even change the car oil ourselves.), and we were both working jobs with long commutes, you can reasonably ask, “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?”.

A few weeks ago our John Deere dealer came out to replace the potentiometer and we started talking. The 4310 with 72” mid-mount mower is great for mowing the field but is getting heavier and bigger every year for Hubby to maintain. We prefer the mowed look/feel to the brush hog trip hazard, but can’t manage the dog pen and cottage area well so a Honda walk-behind and hand-held rake do duty for that acre. The $4700 bagger long ago stopped working because the motor just didn’t stay fixed. I really miss it for fall clean up. Hubby loves the bucket to carry fallen tree limbs and barrels of fall leaves to the brush pile. Every other attachment remains untouched. Nothing is protected from the elements. The plan for building a barn got set aside somewhere between hip replacements and carpal tunnel surgeries.

The dealer suggested replacing the 4310 with a 2000 series. When we went to the showroom to look at it we decided it was jumping from the frying pan to the fire. Hubby has the idea of cutting a pass through from the garage into the shed so the next machine can be kept out of the elements, but it has got to be small enough to fit in the space, along with built-in cabinets and hanging tools.

We looked at the x790, but think even that is more machine than we need. We plan to mulch mow; pick up leaves in the fall, and transport fallen tree limbs to the brush pile. Period. Hubby prefers the walk-behind snow blower. Gardening is just one raised bed.

We looked at the x590, thinking a garden cart could replace the 4310 bucket. The trouble is twofold: Hubby hurts just sitting on the x590 because the deck requires a leg/hip spread that is painful (don’t know if the x790 would be more comfortable.), and a 54” deck for the field is too big for the around-the-house tasks. But he says he’ll suffer through if it is the best option.

I suggested we consider:
- buy a 100-series mower with 42” mulching deck and a bagger (NOT powered with a blower) for around the house and to maintain a walking path around the seven acres for daily walks with the pup;
- keep the 4310 with mid-mount 72” mower and bucket — paying the local dealer to strip the extra hydraulic lines (which always seem to leak) for the unused attachments, service the thing so it is ready for use, buy a cover to protect it somewhat, and just let the dealer service the humongous beast & deck (spring & fall?). Drag the unused accessories to the curb with “Make Me an Offer” sign so we can put “PAID” to this boondoggle.

Questions:
1. Any idea what 100-series would work?
2. Is there another tractor that would replace both? (I had hoped the x790 could be equipped with a 48” deck that would be a compromise but I guess it is not wide enough for the wheel base.)

In a perfect world we’d have one machine to do it all that could be housed in the shed.

Hoping knowledgeable people might help us make a good decision.

Thanks

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Junky said:

Thats a tough spot to be in. I also would keep the 4310 and find a comfortable mower. I myself find a zero turn to be much more comfortable to run than a tractor mower. But they also have limitations. Try out whatever you consider buying. Also, don't put your attachments at the end of the driveway with that sort of sign, or they'll probably just be gone and fast. Rather take some pictures, research pricing a bit, and put up a craigslist ad. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

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doggonedeb said:

Sergeant, you are right, of course, we were looking at the x738 because there is no convenient source of diesel locally.

Thank you for all the suggestions and helpful links. Why did JD discontinue the loader for the x700 series? Is there a problem putting on the after-market bucket?

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doggonedeb said:

Sergeant, you are right, of course, we were looking at the x738 because there is no convenient source of diesel locally.

Thank you for all the suggestions and helpful links. Why did JD discontinue the loader for the x700 series? Is there a problem putting on the after-market bucket?

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doggonedeb said:

Thank you, all. We are cogitating, measuring, and trying to think outside the box. We are headed back to the dealer to see how Hubby feels aboard the x738 vs the zero-turn mower. It helps to hear what you knowledgeable John Deere people think and do yourselves.

According to the John Deere on-line “What Deere is right for me” program, the x738 should hold up to all the mowing — and it sounds as though Sergeant was doing 5.5 acres with a comparable mower for many years — so we guess that is a viable option if we choose to downsize.

Again, thank you all for taking time to help us make our decision.

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