If mowing is primary duty, most here are going to suggest the X758 due to better cut, maneuverability and extra stable feeling on slopes. I've seen a few 'hog' type mowers on X7s, but I'm guessing they're small ones... If you didn't have that need, I'd vote X758 all the way.

 

Thanks, Wizzo. Honestly the smaller hog might be better for me anyway, given the possibility of maneuvering through trees. But I can see where the 1026R is probably the best “value” if multiple functions were called needed.

 

15-20 degrees is quite steep. I have a CUT that is a little bigger than the 1 series. I won't go side slope with it on that steep a hill.

I have an X749, it almost feels like it would turn over at 15+ degrees. On the same slope in the same points, my X300 and X534 both feel stable.

So, the 1 series is higher seating and CoG than the X700 series. If you ONLY EVER go directly up and down the hill (like it says I the manual) side slope handling doesn't matter. If you live in a world that is not described by the manual, you will likely experience operating on a side slope. You will also experience pucker factor. You might also need to purchase new pants if you survive.

I have learned where I can take my CUT and the places I need to avoid. This is what lead me to get the X749. It is a very capable "baby" tractor. Equipped equivalently (loader, 3PH, rear PTO) you will pay more for an X758 than you will for a 1 series.

I would (and did) separate mowing tasks from tractor tasks. While you can find one machine to do them all, it won't do any of them well. I think something in the x500 series class machine is great for mowing and would probably be fine for your standard mowing.

How much brush are you going to be doing and how frequently. I find that if I don't let areas get out of hand in the first place, my X300 and/or X534 handle them fine. For areas that I am taming, I like using my Stihl bike handle brush cutter with a carbide blade. It slices through just about anything. It is much safer on a slope too.

 

15-20 degrees is quite steep. I have a CUT that is a little bigger than the 1 series. I won't go side slope with it on that steep a hill.

How much brush are you going to be doing and how frequently.

We have ~2 acres of old pasture between the top homesite area and the bottom relatively flat area, plus ~1 acre of sloped woods. The mountain goat aspects of the X7XX seem more and more appealing, even with a small rotary cutter (not sure a flail would work in the thick Timothy).

 

X758 with a 42" brush hog. I have heard of people using a 48" one on an X700 series. I thought a 42" one was too big for my CUT. I would consider a flail mower.

 

I have an X585 with 3-point and PTO. I tried my JD RC1048 cutter on it. It had the power to run it but it sure felt like the brush hog was in control. The tractor had a hard time lifting it and when using it on a field with 6" grass it really felt like the X585 was taking a beating. I decided it was not to be as I did not want to tear the X585 apart.
It can be done but I wouldn't recommend it.
I think Frogmore's suggestion of a small flail is an option although pricey. Another option would be a tow behind cutter. I think this would be less strain on the tractor.
I think if you were going to go with a CUT then go up to a 2 series that can handle some equipment, if you need it. I really don't see the 1 series being a useful jump over a top end Garden tractor other than a loader maybe.

 

I have an X585 with 3-point and PTO. I tried my JD RC1048 cutter on it. It had the power to run it but it sure felt like the brush hog was in control. The tractor had a hard time lifting it and when using it on a field with 6" grass it really felt like the X585 was taking a beating. I decided it was not to be as I did not want to tear the X585 apart.
It can be done but I wouldn't recommend it.

Very helpful perspective. Thanks, Wirlybird.

A 2 series, or keeping 2 tractors, are not options for us.

 

If 90% of your needs are mowing and plowing/snow blowing I vote the x7. They are a superior mowing tractor and operate and handle much better mowing than a 1 series. The all wheel drive make them billy goats on side hills. I have cut some steep ditch sides with my x739. I have mowed with my buddies 1 series and couldn’t wait to mow with mine instead.


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With the primary duty being mowing I would run with the X758. You could rent a CUT and mower once a year to mow the fields and be time and money ahead.

I routinely take my X758 on 25 degree slopes with not issues.

Didn't think to grab an angle reading until I was headed back the other way. Sat the phone down on the operators station floor to measure the angle.

 

With the primary duty being mowing I would run with the X758. You could rent a CUT and mower once a year to mow the fields and be time and money ahead.

I routinely take my X758 on 25 degree slopes with not issues.
View attachment 2517196
Didn't think to grab an angle reading until I was headed back the other way. Sat the phone down on the operators station floor to measure the angle.
View attachment 2517197

Are your rear tires loaded? Any ballasts?

 

If you have to mow steep slopes I would not go any bigger than the X758. You could consider a Ventrac, but they are really pricey.

My CUT is about the size of the 2 series. It (and the 2 series) has more loader and 3PH capacity than the 1 series, which has more than the X700. The X700 series used to be called the Ultimate series for a reason. It is the ultimate mower, and can do a lot more. But, it is nowhere near the ultimate tractor. It sounds like you mostly need a mower. The 1 and 2 series can do that, but I would not want to use one to do that.

 

Are you wed to the idea of it being a John Deere? Nothing at all against them and I used to own a 455. Ive been pretty impressed with the capabilities/attachments of the ventrac machines via the videos on youtube. Way pricey though.

 

I moved from 1 acre to 9 acres, 4 of which are hilly and require weekly mowing. I had to consider the increased "volume" of mowing, so separated the mowing from all else. I bought a new 60" Zero Turn for the "bulk" mowing, about 40 percent of which is on 15 to 25 degree slopes. My X500 is relegated to snow plowing and yard cart work, and fall leaf clean up with the Cyclone Rake and back pack blower.

I guess I realized the neither machine would do the work of the other's very well at all, but each does its assigned work really well. The only thing left "wanting" is a CUT with loader and backhoe. Maybe a well used basket case CUT with these implements is in my future somewhere.....After all, I tools, a small shop, and have stumps to dig, a quarter acre garden to till, with a border of 30" boulders to roll around. Now, just where do I find the money?

Hope I haven't confused the issue but this is what I did and it seems to be working out.

 

Thanks for everyones' great, helpful advice!

We've opted for the X758. As some of you pointed out, it will handle 90% of our need. As as mrbeef said, we can rent a CUT a few times / year to hog our slopes (maybe even low enough for me to "high cut" it later with the deck on our X758). BL: Given our slopes, undulations, some over-hanging tree boughs, the X758 mountain goat just makes the most sense for us.

Implements-wise, we're getting the 54" deck, 47" snowblower, and probably a 54" quick-hitch blade (already paying for the quick-hitch unit anyway with the snowblower, so...). I'm also going to add the cat 1 PTO because it's cheaper to add it now instead of later, and I am still very interested in finding a maneuverable ~42" brush hog. Might also get the box blade for all the functions it can do for us. And of course, ballasts, weights, etc.

If anyone has a specific brush hog idea we should consider, thoughts on whether to load our rear HDAP tires, etc. please let me know. Thanks again, and "keep her upright!"

 

New TRI 40" Rotary Cutter -3 pt.(FREE 1000 MILE DELIVERY FROM KY) | eBay

I don't have any experience with this one, but it is what came up in a search.

There is also the Land Pride RCR1242. It looks to be about $1500 list price.


My neighbor has a 42" one. Even on my CUT, which is two sizes bigger than the X758, it felt like the tail was wagging the dog.

If your plan is to keep it maintained, I would hire a trained professional to do the initial clearing and then use the X758 for routine maintenance. The rotary cutter will make it easier to see what needs to be done to make it so the the deck on the X758 can handle the job.

 

New TRI 40" Rotary Cutter -3 pt.(FREE 1000 MILE DELIVERY FROM KY) | eBay

I don't have any experience with this one, but it is what came up in a search.

There is also the Land Pride RCR1242. It looks to be about $1500 list price.


My neighbor has a 42" one. Even on my CUT, which is two sizes bigger than the X758, it felt like the tail was wagging the dog.

If your plan is to keep it maintained, I would hire a trained professional to do the initial clearing and then use the X758 for routine maintenance. The rotary cutter will make it easier to see what needs to be done to make it so the the deck on the X758 can handle the job.

I agree here. I found that even though my X585 could run an RC1048 it really felt like the cutter was pushing the tractor.
My biggest fear other than tearing up the PTO/tranny is all of the weight swinging around back there could bend something pretty easily. A brush hog is long and thus creates a lot of leverage against the mounting.

 

I use a tow behind Swisher brush hog. No PTO required and can be towed offset. It cuts much better than that video of the 42" PTO driven one. The fact that you can tow it offset means you push down less grass with the tractor tires. It will chop up anything you can pull it over. I routinely pull it over 1" thick woody sumac.

 

It was Like 414.5 Lbs . They still use it with a X495 to this day . I just don't have the time anymore to go up & cut it for them. So one of the salesmen does the Lawn & brush cutting now