Well really Both are equal except the X540 Can Take either a Two stage 44inch or 47inch Blower and the GX345 can only take a 42inch single stage Thrower Unless You go with a aftermarket Bercomac since the GX345 Is a 2005 model It Has Diff/lock Like the X540.

Hey If You still have The X700 series why Not Just Get a 48inch deck for it
:thThumbsU

 

I have reconfigured 100 series 44 " two stage to a GX345- works fine.

 

great info but..I won't be using the machine in the winter, ..(I sold the x728 smaller yard now.)... thanks again.

 

i love the 345 but newer is good and 400 hours is nothing... (as always, ASSUMING it was well maintained)



.



.

 

Thing I should Point Out IMHO though the GX has a Better Hydraulic Lift Lever Than the X540 since You are stepping down from a X700 series I don't think You will Like the X540's Hydraulic Lift Lever The GX300's series Lever Is More user friendly That the X540 it a Little easier to Manipulate a attachment using the Hydraulic Lift on the GX300 series:thThumbsU

 

Thanks, well noted..

 

That's a tough one! I'd love a new X540, but an '05 GX345 is an AWESOME machine in its own right, especially with under 200 hrs! Attachments are more plentiful and cheaper for the 345. I see the 540 is avail in both Liquid and Air cooled versions...is that one Liquid?

Tossup! Carefully inspect both...whichever has been taken better care of is the one I'd go for!

Where in Rochester are ya? Im in Palmyra!

 

...It's a liquid, ..Your close by !..I'm near Spencerport/hilton...,

 

I bought a gx345 with 124 hours because I could get a hard cab for it. They do not offer a hard cab for a x5 series tractor, just a vinyl cab.
I also agree with Sergeant, the hydraulic lever is nicer on the gx345.

 

never been on a x540, but the only reason I would got x540 over gx345 is the 2 stage blower.

Another thing to consider is that a 54" deck sticks out farther, making it easier to trim next to trees and such without you riding right next to them. Not sure, but the decks might swap? May be something to consider.

 

...good point on the 54' deck, Probably neater too, if striping (gettin' fancey)
thanks !

 

X540 Engine Rev question.

Hello. New to this, I have a X540 for a couple years now with the 47" blower, 48" deck. LIke the way the smaller decks cut. Holgen lights!, Problem lately, stopped hard last week and ever since the engine rev's up and down. changed plugs, air filter, gas filter shot some carb fluid, no change. any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Re: X540 Engine Rev question.

Hello. New to this, I have a X540 for a couple years now with the 47" blower, 48" deck. LIke the way the smaller decks cut. Holgen lights!, Problem lately, stopped hard last week and ever since the engine rev's up and down. changed plugs, air filter, gas filter shot some carb fluid, no change. any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm looking for a x540 but ..Check the gas cap vent,...

 

GX345 all the way. The hydraulic lift lever on that machine is way better than an X7 even.

 

I 2nd that...Oh wait, I said that 8 years ago and still think that.

 

So,
what did you end up with??
(Not sure when the OP was last active...)

 

So,
what did you end up with??
(Not sure when the OP was last active...)

OP hasn't been on since December 2018

 

I've had several of both and my fave is the GX345. The X540 is just a tad larger but offers nothing better than the GX has. Plus, EVERYONE hates that terrible hydraulic lever on the X500 series and now on the X300 series. What a piece of garbage. It offers no finess like the turn signal GX lever has. There are many times when I want to just bump up the deck a 1/2 or so and it is easy with the turn stalk lever. Neither offers hydraulic ports so I would go with the GX. Also. 400 hours using the national yearly average is 8 years of use, I40 hours is less than three. That means a lot to me especially if I know the owner. Having sold more than 50 JD's the 48-inch deck is by far the more popular of the two. I've even had buyers call back in a few months asking if I will trade their 54 for a 48 deck. You really can't go wrong with either.