Well the X500 will be a little bit faster and the diff lock would help pushing snow but the X320 should meet all your needs just fine. I went through this when I traded off my X300 I could not make my mind up between the two but I went with the X500 for the diff lock and the K72 trans. and the speed diff.
X320 or X500?
Hello all,
I am in the market for a new tractor and would prefer to get a JD since there is a dealership within 5 miles of home.
I am debating between the X320 and the X500.
I have about 3/4 acre to mow, and both have the 48" cutting deck, which is the deck I want.
I also hope to get rid of my Krapsman walk-behind snow thrower and get a blade for this tractor. I live in Michigan. We tend to get a decent amount of snow, and it tends to come in mass dumpings of 8" or more at a time. Furthermore, when the neighborhood gets plowed it creates that wonderful barricade at the end of the driveway. Sometimes, I am at work when the snow starts coming down and cannot necessarily get to it while still at a "manageable" height. Also, Michigan snow is rather wet and heavy.
I like the X320 for its price. This is a significant consideration.
I like the X500 for the differential locks. I dislike the X500 for its price, and it is a bit larger.
My questions are:
1) Is there going to be any difference in performance between the two as far as grass cutting? I will be bagging grass and understand that I will have to get the Powerflow doodad for either.
2) I may be getting some apple trees in my common area and have to go up a big hill with water to water them. (Say, a 15' incline over 50 feet.) Will the X320 do this adequately with between 20-30 gallons of water towed behind? Will the X500?
3) Will the X500's differential locks help when plowing snow, or is it largely unnecessary with proper chains and weights?
4) With proper chains and weights will the X320 handle snow as I described above?
Is there anything else I should be considering between these two models?
Thanks,
Don
I am in the market for a new tractor and would prefer to get a JD since there is a dealership within 5 miles of home.
I am debating between the X320 and the X500.
I have about 3/4 acre to mow, and both have the 48" cutting deck, which is the deck I want.
I also hope to get rid of my Krapsman walk-behind snow thrower and get a blade for this tractor. I live in Michigan. We tend to get a decent amount of snow, and it tends to come in mass dumpings of 8" or more at a time. Furthermore, when the neighborhood gets plowed it creates that wonderful barricade at the end of the driveway. Sometimes, I am at work when the snow starts coming down and cannot necessarily get to it while still at a "manageable" height. Also, Michigan snow is rather wet and heavy.
I like the X320 for its price. This is a significant consideration.
I like the X500 for the differential locks. I dislike the X500 for its price, and it is a bit larger.
My questions are:
1) Is there going to be any difference in performance between the two as far as grass cutting? I will be bagging grass and understand that I will have to get the Powerflow doodad for either.
2) I may be getting some apple trees in my common area and have to go up a big hill with water to water them. (Say, a 15' incline over 50 feet.) Will the X320 do this adequately with between 20-30 gallons of water towed behind? Will the X500?
3) Will the X500's differential locks help when plowing snow, or is it largely unnecessary with proper chains and weights?
4) With proper chains and weights will the X320 handle snow as I described above?
Is there anything else I should be considering between these two models?
Thanks,
Don
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Get the x500. I was in the same situation as you. Traded off the x320 and got the x500. It is more machine, and you will want it in the snow.
The X500! It would be able to plow much more snow than a X320 plus you could add a garden if you wanted. It is better to bigger than what you need than smaller, Been there done that.
I'm trying to understand, please explain that you went through this same decision and chose the X500, but are telling me the X320 is OK?Well the X500 will be a little bit faster and the diff lock would help pushing snow but the X320 should meet all your needs just fine. I went through this when I traded off my X300 I could not make my mind up between the two but I went with the X500 for the diff lock and the K72 trans. and the speed diff.
Do you mean that the X500 was overkill for what I need and the X320 would probably have handled it, and in retrospect the X320 would have been OK for you?
I wonder because you say you had an X300, and traded it for an upgrade...
:MTF_wel:
Some info here.
From what you describe you definitely need the X500, the X320 transaxle is rate at 217 ft/lbs compare to 405 ft/lbs for the X500.
The X320 transaxle is only 27% stronger compare to the X300 (177 ft/lbs).
The main reason I suggest the X500 is the blade (snowplow), if you get the snow blower instead, the X320 should be enough but highly recommend the X500.
Hope it help.
Some info here.
From what you describe you definitely need the X500, the X320 transaxle is rate at 217 ft/lbs compare to 405 ft/lbs for the X500.
The X320 transaxle is only 27% stronger compare to the X300 (177 ft/lbs).
The main reason I suggest the X500 is the blade (snowplow), if you get the snow blower instead, the X320 should be enough but highly recommend the X500.
Hope it help.
I don't understand. the snow you mention begs a snow blower not a plow.
since I have a Jeep I plow well after the storm ends ( no matter how much )
I have an X520 with the 2 stage #44 blower, nothing has stopped it yet, and nothing stopped my 318 / #49 single stage ( one storm over the drift cutter ) .
IMHO X500 #44 snowblower.
P.S. I have HDAP's and dif lock, and wheel weights.( summer too) Feels like I could go up the side of a building.
since I have a Jeep I plow well after the storm ends ( no matter how much )
I have an X520 with the 2 stage #44 blower, nothing has stopped it yet, and nothing stopped my 318 / #49 single stage ( one storm over the drift cutter ) .
IMHO X500 #44 snowblower.
P.S. I have HDAP's and dif lock, and wheel weights.( summer too) Feels like I could go up the side of a building.
Yeah, it's a cost and a space issue. I think the snow thrower will take up too much room (I have limited garage space) and it is quite expensive. The snowplow is not nearly as expensive and takes up less room.I don't understand. the snow you mention begs a snow blower not a plow.
I am willing to spend the difference on the X500 v and X320 because I think it's a far better machine, and the footprint doesn't change all that much when parked in the garage.
I know it's a lot of finely detailed considerations I'm weighing.
Well then get the X500 and find a #44 blower later on a distress sale on craigslist ( not wishing anyone bad luck, but there are fire sales all the time in this economy) and the blower starts to look not brand new quickly due to salt and crud and stones.
I would go for the X500 because of the trans axle and the diff lock will come in handy in the winter. slkpk:MTF_wel:
Some info here.
From what you describe you definitely need the X500, the X320 transaxle is rate at 217 ft/lbs compare to 405 ft/lbs for the X500.
The X320 transaxle is only 27% stronger compare to the X300 (177 ft/lbs).
The main reason I suggest the X500 is the blade (snowplow), if you get the snow blower instead, the X320 should be enough but highly recommend the X500.
Hope it help.
If you're considering a blower for the tractor, and you're not dead set against another walk-behind snowblower, consider a x320 and a new walk-behind. The x320 to x500 is about $1500 jump and then you've got I believe another $1500 for the blower. If you get the X320, you've got about $3k to work with. $2K buys a nice professional walk-behind and you've still got $1K in your pocket.
I don't know about the plow route. I'm sure there are some pros on this forum with a plow and can do a nice job. My experience is watching my father-in-law in years past. My walk-behind does a far better job and I'm probably done in half the time for the same driveway/storm.
I don't know about the plow route. I'm sure there are some pros on this forum with a plow and can do a nice job. My experience is watching my father-in-law in years past. My walk-behind does a far better job and I'm probably done in half the time for the same driveway/storm.
This is the exact situation I am in with my X500. I spent more $ on the X500 and will upgrade it later on. One plus with the X500 is a serviceable tranny.Well then get the X500 and find a #44 blower later on a distress sale on craigslist ( not wishing anyone bad luck, but there are fire sales all the time in this economy) and the blower starts to look not brand new quickly due to salt and crud and stones.
Where in MI are you at?
Near Brighton. Lots of MI people on here, it seems?Where in MI are you at?
Don, this is critically important for me. I plow all winter with my X500. I use no chains in the winter because I don't want to tear up our blacktop driveways, and I use turf tires primarily because of the summer tasking. I do use 50-lb weights in each rear wheel for plowing.3) Will the X500's differential locks help when plowing snow, or is it largely unnecessary with proper chains and weights?
Yup! Lots of smart/knowledgable folks from all over the US too!!Near Brighton. Lots of MI people on here, it seems?
Welcome to the forum!
The practice wife was from Pinckney....not too far away from you.
If it helps, I too am jumping ship from the X300 to the X500... There's nothing wrong with the 300, just my needs have changed some and it will be better to upgrade now before I do break/over-work it. I know its' a good bit more $$$ over the X320, but waiting a year to find out you really need the X500 will cost you an extra $1k. That means that for the price to upgrade from the 320 to the 500 you could have bought a X530 to begin with.:banghead3
My dealer is giving me $2000 for my trade in, so the one year's use cost $1300. Add that to the X500 and accessories price of $5640 and with tax and trade in I will have spent $7300 for a $6000 tractor.:crybaby:
Its probably needless to say that I have a very understanding wife!!!
But, if all you can afford right now is the X320 then go with that or look for a used garden tractor.
My dealer is giving me $2000 for my trade in, so the one year's use cost $1300. Add that to the X500 and accessories price of $5640 and with tax and trade in I will have spent $7300 for a $6000 tractor.:crybaby:
Its probably needless to say that I have a very understanding wife!!!
But, if all you can afford right now is the X320 then go with that or look for a used garden tractor.
That's what I think too.Well the X500 will be a little bit faster and the diff lock would help pushing snow but the X320 should meet all your needs just fine.
I'd go with the most expensive machine you can afford and then spend another 10% on one. It's what I counsel folks to do when buying computers and it works with tractors too.
We have a tendency to "grow into" a machine and end up using the tractor for things we never imagined.
I bought a used GT series machine. I'm quite happy with it but every now and again I wish I'd bought more machine. I bought it to mow with and now I plow dirt and snow, spread salt, sand and fertillizer, pull timber out of the woods, pull a stone boat, drag scrap metal trailers around the yard and use it for moving anything I can't lift. I use it so much I haven't had time to wash it or fix the rust spots. I have to schedule oil changes that I do. It's nuts but that's what happens.
These aren't throw away machines that you keep for a few years and toss. Because of this, your needs change over time and it's nice not to have to trade in a machine (and lose your investment of attachments and etc) and be saddled with a payment.
Take your time to decide and even miss the winter plowing season if you have to but try to consider everything now and haul out the crystal ball for the future.
I've been looking at a 2305 with FEL & Backhoe. Wife says no, buy the 2500 series machine with the attachments. Love that woman with all my might.
We have a tendency to "grow into" a machine and end up using the tractor for things we never imagined.
I bought a used GT series machine. I'm quite happy with it but every now and again I wish I'd bought more machine. I bought it to mow with and now I plow dirt and snow, spread salt, sand and fertillizer, pull timber out of the woods, pull a stone boat, drag scrap metal trailers around the yard and use it for moving anything I can't lift. I use it so much I haven't had time to wash it or fix the rust spots. I have to schedule oil changes that I do. It's nuts but that's what happens.
These aren't throw away machines that you keep for a few years and toss. Because of this, your needs change over time and it's nice not to have to trade in a machine (and lose your investment of attachments and etc) and be saddled with a payment.
Take your time to decide and even miss the winter plowing season if you have to but try to consider everything now and haul out the crystal ball for the future.
I've been looking at a 2305 with FEL & Backhoe. Wife says no, buy the 2500 series machine with the attachments. Love that woman with all my might.
The Trans went out on the X300 so I traded it. What I ment was if I would have bought a X320 when I bought the X300 I'm sure the tougher K58 trans would not have gone out at 85hrs and I would still have it and be mowing fine. Like I said I chose the X500 over the X320 for the K72 trans and to make sure I didn't look back and say should have got the bigger tractor. With that said I think the X320 is a good machine, like everyone says on here IF you can afford it go one bigger than you think you need.I'm trying to understand, please explain that you went through this same decision and chose the X500, but are telling me the X320 is OK?
Do you mean that the X500 was overkill for what I need and the X320 would probably have handled it, and in retrospect the X320 would have been OK for you?
I wonder because you say you had an X300, and traded it for an upgrade...
The x500 is the way to go, when in doubt always buy the next level up than what you need.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
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