Which model would you compare the conquest to? Not heavy duty like the x700 series. Maybe x500. Wrong color though.

 

The specs would put them sort of in between the X3 and X5 JD's, closer maybe to the X5. They both (Simplicity models) use a K66 tranny.

 

Wow, that is a heck of a lot of money for a 2WD, 2WS Briggs and Stratton engine tractor. It may work just fine if all of your duties are just light mowing and you don't need the things that a JD has. However if that is the case a $800 Sears mower would work for you too.

I could be 100% wrong on this too, as I never seen on it person. But that is a lot of money for something that doesn't have green paint! In fact that isn't far off a Kobota price.

 

Yes, I put this in the Deere forum on purpose.

Why? I don't understand...

 

:ditto:X2!

 

Not sure what you are asking. I have a Simplicity Broadmoor 16hp which I have used for quite a few years. The Vanguard motor is great, overall construction excellent, but the tranny is a K57 and years of going up my hills have taken their toll. I did not use it for other than mowing and light hauling. This year to replace it I bought an older JD345, which I liked b/c it was very heavily built, had a good rep, and seemed like a tractor I could use for a very long time in a variety of ways. However, I found out after the fact that the one I bought was originally owned by a rural school system and had been very poorly maintained. There were problems that I did not care to deal with, so I traded it on a brand new JD X500. Both the 345 and the X500 have heavier transmissions (K71/K72) than the Broadmoor and don't even begin to sweat on my hills. To get a Simplicity with a K72 you need to look at the Prestige = more $$ still. I will say that the frame on the X500 seems to be made from lighter guage material than the 345, although it feels just as solid when I mount it, and more solid than the Broadmoor. Whatever that's worth.

 

They are ok. Not a top model of simplicity. You have legacy, then prestige, and, conquest (the baby). They have free floating decks, however the conquest may either be manual or electric lift. Prestige has hydraulic steering, as well as lift and can even come 4wd. The difference between prestige and legacy is, deck size of 60". You also can have a loader or backhoe for the legacy. I have not seen a tiller for the prestige, but my legacy used to have the 60" tiller.

Conquest is a ok tractor. It will mow good, even blow snow decent. But it's a lawn tractor, it's not designed for much more than simple jobs. Some older conquests came with the k46 tranny, newer one's now come with the k66. But the drawback for a while was, conquest steering wore out and the tranny would burn up. But, I think today's newer one's they sorted a lot of those issues out.

Some people say they want to trade their deere for a simplicity free floating deck. Because going around trees, it doesn't gouge the lawn out. I can tell you personally, that is not always true. My legacy will either leave a spin mark around a tree, or the deck will dig a root out. Not talking the wheels, the deck it's self makes the lawn cut. The deck is long enough that, one side maybe low, other side is a tad higher. The deck will cut right into it. I have actually put bigger adjustable wheels on the deck to help limit that. So some point on my yard where I mow, my deck is no longer free floating in those odd spots.

 

How is it their top model garden tractor legacy xl can have a loader and no rops and JD don't have it for the x7xx series because of it.

 

I'm confused, JD has a FEL for the x72x/x74x series. From what I understand the x73x/x75x tractors exceeded the ROPS weight limit with a loader so they pulled the loader rather than add ROPS. I could be wrong, also CTC makes loaders that fit so there are options.

Sent from my phone.

 

I was a Simplicity guy for years until the newer designs started coming out. Bought my first JD in 1990, a 285. I've been a JD guy ever since as I don't care for the way Simplicity took the real work tractors out of their offerings. Not that the JD's haven't gone the same way on certain models. My 1967 2010 is a real work tractor and the only thing I will pull my very, very heavy roller with (600-800lbs maybe). Straight gears vs. hydro is my main reason on my rolling yard. The 7016/20 is for my FIL to keep his lane open in winter. And, I'd like to sell it to fund a thrower for his "other" tractor.

His "other" tractor is a JD 318, the quintessential "work tractor".

 

That is a good question, not sure what to tell ya. The older legacys could be ordered with a loader, and I assume new one's as well. Unless they have some how lighten them over the years. They would be tippy toeing the weight limit. But from what I've seen, they look about the same weight as the older one's. Plus the new one's have the 4wd option axle that I would think would add weight. They must be very close to that weight spot.

I'd say my legacy with the deck, is right around 1150 pounds. With the loader on it, it's going to be around 1500-1600 pounds, minus deck.

 

I have moved thread to Simplicity Forum

I personally had a Conquest and it was by far the best mowing machine I've ever owned. I had an '06 model with 23hp Vanguard. Again the best air cooled v-twin offered IMHO. The ground following deck gives the best cut, period. Again IMHO from personal use of many, many , many riding tractors.
It was the sharpest turning machine I've operated as well at 18". Steering was easy, sharp, tight and crisp.
Only negative comment I will ad is they did away with the awesome Vanguard engine. isgus:
Mine had the ACT, posi lock K66 trans. It was plenty powerful and never gave issue. I changed oil earlier than recommended and to synthetic.
New ones offer a fabricated deck but I'd got with the 44" or 50" traditional stamped decks. The 50" I had was the best vacuuming, cleanest running deck I've owned next to my 42" Wheel Horse rear discharge. I got little to no buildup whatsoever. The fan assist bagger was of great design as well. No ridiculous twist of belt with huge housing hanging way off right side of deck.


MU

 

Why the heck would you want a loader on a tractor this size? I've never seen one used effectively for anything more than showing off to friends. They can lift wood chips, but that's about it. Maybe there are some very specific use cases but if I ever want a loader I'm getting a full size tractor so I can actually use it... you know... to lift things. lol

 

Seeing that the thread was started in the JD forum I'll add that the JD 45 isn't horrible for it's size:

Lift Capacity:
Breakout Force at Bucket Tip (boom cylinders) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,105 lb. (501 kg)
Breakout Force at Bucket Tip (bucket cylinders) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .740 lb. (336 kg)
Lift Capacity at 36 in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .640 lb. (290 kg)
Lift Capacity at Full Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365 lb. (166 kg)

The CTC loader is comparable so they are not necessarily useless and nice for people that do not have a property large enough to justify (or the room for) a full size tractor.