John Deere X740

[Bill Stockard]

Does any own or use a John Deere X740 diesel lawn tractor? I am interested in the 7-Iron mower deck and whether or not it clogs mowing thick grass/weeds. Also how much residue builds up under the mower deck?



Bill

 

[rscurtis]

Take a look at Mytractorforum.com, there are plenty of JD experts on there.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I wanted to hear from TDR audience. Many of those on the tractor forums bleed green paint and according to them, if it's green and yellow no matter what it is, there are no flaws. I'm a little skeptical...



I've owned and used a JD 345 lawn tractor for 13 years with almost 700 hours on the clock. Overall, it's been a good mower tractor. It's been to the JD dealer three or four times for replacement of the electronic control board and once to replace an idler pulley in the drive system, otherwise regular maintenance. It is powered with a liquid cooled V-twin Kawasaki engine that has a voracious appetite for gasoline and the 54" mower is bad about clogging from the buildup of residue under the mower deck on lush spring grass and weeds.



I have decided if I buy a replacement, it will only be a diesel... no more thirsty gasoline enignes.



Bill

 

[rscurtis]

Too bad you're so far away, I just sold a Kubota GR2110 that only had 41 hours on it. I replaced it with a 20 year old G series Gravely which is something I always wanted. I found it on ebay 2 years ago. The owner was afraid they would have trouble selling it, and planned to replace it with a JD, but I don't know which one. What can you buy new today for $2000?

 

[Bill Stockard]

Did you restore the Gravely? Great resotration! I'm a Kubota owner and have had excellent service from my Kubota tractor with over 1,000 hours on the clock in less than six years; however, a Kubota GR2110 is not on my list... too many problems.



Bill

 

[rscurtis]

That photo was taken the day after I got it, that's the original powder coat finish. The caption on the instrument panel above the steering column says "MADE IN AMERICA". It is virtually 100% USA content, right down to the Timken bearings on the blade spindles.



I never had any issues with the Kubota, but have heard that some have. Also, I figured the Gravely will age a lot better than the Kubota, as it's already 20 years old. Parts are also readily available, albeit pricey. The transmission probably costs as much as a 5600, and is only slightly smaller.



A NOS 85th anniversary edition, which had a 20HP Subaru/Robin engine and fancy graphics recently sold on ebay for $11,600.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I finally made a decision... yep, another gasoline mower. After talking to friends and relatives about zero turns vs. a lawn tractor I decided to go with a zero turn. Yesterday, I ordered a John Deere EZ-Trak 655 Zero Turn Mower with the 54" High Capacity mower deck from our local JD dealer and will keep my JD 345 lawn tractor with 600 hours in still in very good condition. I will continue to need a lawn tractor to mow slopes around our pond and to tow my yard fertilizer spreader and to tow my 30-gallon boom type yard sprayer.



Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

My wife's mom is on her second or third JD zero turn, after several JD lawn tractors. She trades about every three years. It has to be JD green here, of course - I about wasn't let on the place when I showed up with an Oliver tractor! Anyway, she likes the zero turn better than the tractors and thinks it is much more maneuverable. Between our two places, there are probably 5 acres of lawn to mow and the girls take care of it.



I get to take care of the brush hogging. I just got a new HX20 flex-wing. Hooked it to the 4440 and took it on the inaugural run today. I cleaned up around the machine shed and barn and mowed about 1/2 mile of road ditch. It's a real improvement over the old one - kind of hated when I ran out of mowing! I won't get to do much with it until later when I clip some pastures.



Bud

I've never owned or used a zero turn. It will be interesting to see how it works... maybe my wife will be so impressed she will take over the mowing. :-laf



You have a good deal with the girls doing the mowing. Yep, I'd rather be on the tractor mowing with my genuine Bush Hog too... but it's not a flex-wing.



Bill

 

[Yo Hoot]

I dabble in used garden tractors. Last year I picked up a used 1973 Sears ST16 at auction. 35 years old. Paid 400 for it. Sounds like a lot for an old Sears tractor?
Back then in 73 they were made by Roper. Very heavily constructed with design similar to the Wheel Horse.

Check this thing out ... . ALL ORIGINAL Still had the nubs on the tires and they weren't dry rotted. Sold it on ebay last year for $1875

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[Bill Stockard]

In 1973, I owned a Cub Cadet 127. Looking at your photos of the Craftsman/Roper reminded me of the differences between Cub Cadet vs. Wheelhorse vs. Craftsman.



Has it been restored or is that the way you bought it?



Bill

 

[Yo Hoot]

No it is factory original. An amazing find. Only thing changed on it was the carb. They had bad carbs. A re-designed one fixed the issues.

 

[Bill Stockard]

No it is factory original. An amazing find. Only thing changed on it was the carb. They had bad carbs. A re-designed one fixed the issues.

Amazing!!



Bill

 

[Wingate]

Bill, I purchased a Toro Titan from the dealer in Longview... about a year later, the next door neighbor bought one, then their son bought one, and now my in-laws and my b. i. l. have each bought one...

The neighbor across the street has a bigger JD zero turn with a 60" cut... its had a few issues, but they may have been more of operator error.

Getting the zero turn was the best thing I ever did... I NEVER have to mow the grass anymore... its my wifes' ride now!!.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bill, I purchased a Toro Titan from the dealer in Longview... about a year later, the next door neighbor bought one, then their son bought one, and now my in-laws and my b. i. l. have each bought one...

The neighbor across the street has a bigger JD zero turn with a 60" cut... its had a few issues, but they may have been more of operator error.

Getting the zero turn was the best thing I ever did... I NEVER have to mow the grass anymore... its my wifes' ride now!!.

Hey, I have my fingers crossed... maybe I'll get lucky like you. :-laf



My brother bought a JD zero turn early last summer. He can mow his five acre home place with lots of trees in a bit over two hours. He told me the same thing as others have told me that I'd never go back to a lawn tractor once I get a zero turn.



The JD Z655 I purchased has a 54" high capacity mower deck, the same width mower deck as my JD 345 lawn tractor. I'm keeping the JD 345 for now.



Bill

 

[Yo Hoot]

My next machine will be a ZT for sure.

 

[Wingate]

I usually watch from the door of my fully insulated and air conditioned shop... while working out with a 12 oz. Shiner Bock... .

 

[Bill Stockard]

I usually watch from the door of my fully insulated and air conditioned shop... while working out with a 12 oz. Shiner Bock... .

WOW!! An air conditioned shop... you are ahead of me. Mine is insulated and heated, but no A/C only commercial type ceiling fans. I was too cheap! I do have my shop office air conditioned.



Bill















c/

 

[Wingate]

I got lucky, my brother owns his own a/c business... set two 5 ton units... aaahhhhh, COLD a/c...



you will love your new zero turn... if its your first, make sure you are away from curbs and fences until you get the hang of it!!. .

 

[Bill Stockard]

I got lucky, my brother owns his own a/c business... set two 5 ton units... aaahhhhh, COLD a/c...

I couldn't afford the electricity to run two 5-ton units on the shop plus the 5-ton on our house.

you will love your new zero turn... if its your first, make sure you are away from curbs and fences until you get the hang of it!!. .

It was delivered this afternoon and Janet caught me doing 360s in reverse. :-laf

 

[mwilson]

I couldn't afford the electricity to run two 5-ton units on the shop plus the 5-ton on our house.







It was delivered this afternoon and Janet caught me doing 360s in reverse. :-laf

Now see if you can get some air under those front caster wheels.....



Mike.