Joined
·
456 Posts
OK, I have finally had enough (and so has my wife) and I have her convinced that it is time to replace the 445. It is a great tractor, but the last couple of years it has started to require more and more attention to fix little things that I just don't have time for. Maintenance is one thing, but the multiple trips to the dealer for parts to fix the annoying little problems is just too much. I have about 1-1/2 acres that we mow (many my wife does the mowing) but I also have a driveway that I plow and I also plow our private lane about 2/3's of the time in the winter. The lane is about 1/8 mile. The 445 has been generally enough tractor for the job, but I will say that the tire chains have been a pain in my a$$. For this reason, I have been considering moving up to 4 wheel drive. Is it realistic to believe that I can eliminate the tire chains for plowing if I go to a 4 wheel drive tractor? The driveway is concrete and the lane is asphalt. What tires are recommended? I have yet to convince her that 4 wheel drive is a necessity, but in the end it will be my decision and she usually doesn't say too much. Now the big question, should I go x728 or x748. I have never been a fan of diesels.....never liked the odor associated with them. From reading here, I know a lot of you claim that the odor is non existent on the x748, but I just don't know. The reason I am even considering the x748 is mainly for the fuel economy, but also because we do have a hill in the back that the 445 does labor on. So the question is, how much better is the fuel economy? Also, living in the midwest where we hit 100 degrees in the summer and 25 below in the winter, will I have a problem with the diesel in the winter? The original reason I went with the 445 years ago was the fuel injection and the ease of starting in the winter. The tractor will be stored in a shed, but there is no power to that shed so if a block heater or something else is needed for the diesel that will be a deal breaker as I am in no physical condition to be digging a 200 foot trench to install power to the shed.
Let the discussion begin, and thanks!
Let the discussion begin, and thanks!