[polarisjoe]

I am looking at 06' 193 hrs. 54" deck 20 hp. liq. cooled power streering, lift, and diff. lock for $4995. or 08' 540 48" deck 170 hrs. liq. cooled 3 bag power flow power lift, steering diff. lock and brush guard. asking $6900. what sounds like the better buy? I want to put a snowblower on the front. both are at a dealer. thanks

 

[Sergeant]

Are you in up state NY you may want to go with the X540 just to get a two stage snowblower. The GX takes a single stage snowblower. Which is a great blower as well. You can also get a aftermarket Bercomac two stage for the GX345. Either one would be a good buy with those low hour's But the X540 is coming with a Powerflow already so if you like to bag you may want to just go ahead with the X540

 

[KHodges]

Two questions to ask yourself:

Does the size of the yard justify a wider deck? A 54" deck will significantly cut your "time in the saddle" if your lawn is more than 1/2-3/4 acre. The larger deck won't save you as much time on a smaller yard, and you may also have tight spots it won't fit through.

Do you have a lot of trees, and hence, leaves to pick up in the fall? If so, the Power Flow is definitely worth what it costs. It's also nice to have if you like to bag your grass clippings, but mulching blades are a lot cheaper.

Both have the diff lock, PS, lift, liquid cooling, hydraulic lift, so are pretty equivalent. Time on both tractors is essentially the same, so again, pretty equal. Snowblower will fit both, equal there, too.

Brush guard is pretty, but does little in terms of actual work, and my guess is that you don't get into areas where it would do what it's designed to do very often, so it doesn't factor in for comparison of value.

So.... the biggest difference in cost of the equipment is the Power Flow, because both GT's were available with either 48" or 54" decks for about the same.
If your need for the Power Flow is valid, go with the smaller deck and more expensive tractor, but I think the better value is the GX345 with the larger deck for $1900 less. You can buy a Power Flow for much less than that.

 

[joeydominick]

I had similiar delema, went with 540x 2008,50 hours,added powerflow bagger and got free shipping. Total cost about 6800. Got itnfrom dealer in iowa,right outside of john deere plant. Best deals -ve ever seen

 

[polarisjoe]

are these tractors a good value? I am leaning toward the gx because of the price.

 

[KHodges]

are these tractors a good value? I am leaning toward the gx because of the price.

**** yes. I have a GT235, similar generation, but much more basic (air cooled, no PS or hydraulics), and it's dang near bulletproof; I've worked it harder than it was designed or intended for, and it did great. I decided to keep it, rather than sell or trade it, when I got my newer, bigger JD, because it is such a good machine. It now lives in the lap of luxury, so to speak, at my Mom's house in an air conditioned garage, and only collects maybe an hour a week of use.

I really think the 345 is the better deal of your choices. I have a Power Flow, so I know how useful it can be, but you can buy one for the difference in price between the two setups you're looking at, and have some change left over.

When you gave the comparisons above, the amount of hours are very similar. I am making the assumptionthat the "quality" of the hours is also similar, meaning that the slightly older GX has been treated "normally" and not dogged. If it looks as nice as the newer one, I'd certainly go for it.

 

[polarisjoe]

thanks for all the input.

 

[wngnut]

I was debating between the exact same machines almost exactly a year ago. I went with the X540 and have been VERY happy with it after a year of mowing and winter of pushing a lot of snow. Here's the thread where I posted about my choice. http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=57984&highlight=wngnut

I think you can find a better deal on the X540...that price sounds a little high to me.....maybe buy one a year or two older and you'll still get a newer model mower than the 345 for the same or less money as the one you're looking at.

 

[farmer69]

I have a GX345 and just love it. Power steering, turns fairly sharp, you can really mow grass with the 54" deck.