Which John Deere?

[ccarlson]

I need a new lawn tractor with more substance and I need some advice. We live on a hobby farm. I mow about 2 acres plus occasionally our horse pasture which is 9 acres. I have to snow blow about 1800 feet of driveway in heavy drifting areas adjacent to open pasture space. I've considered every option(plows etc) and the costs. My best option at this point is a substantial lawn tractor with snow blower. I've narrowed it down to two used lawn tractors. Help me pick which one to get.

Option 1: Early 2000's John Deere x585. Gas motor. Shaft powered. Fuel inj. 4x4. 54" deck. Power flow bagger system. 47" snowblower. 50?" snow blade, and a loader with about a 365 pound lifting capacity. 700 hours on machine. Lowest negotiated price: $10,800

Option 2: Early 2000's x595. Diesel motor otherwise the same as the 585 with 4x4, this one has a 62" deck, power flow bagger, 47" snow blower, 3 point on back but no PTO. No loader. 475 hours. Lowest negotiated price: $9250

I hadn't looked for one with a loader but I can see it being handy for certain things around the farm. Just not sure I want to pay for it. I suppose I could always sell the loader if I don't end up using it. I have a farmall with a more substantial bucket when needed to move more dirt etc. but it's a trip bucket so its a pain too. I rent or borrow a bobcat once a year to unload our horse hay. Eventually (5-8 years) the plan is to get a bigger more modern tractor with enough lifting power and reach to unload large square bales and to put on a big snowblower. For now I need a good mower and snowblower.

Which one should I get? Or, are these prices still too high and I should keep my eye open? I did sell my old lawn tractor this week so I can't wait too long.

Thanks,

Ccarlson

[Dave S]

That's some steep kaching for machines that are pushing 10 years old, even with the extras. I was just looking at a JD with 4WD/4WS and a 54" mower for $10,250 (last years model). I think it was the X729 if I remember right.

To put the blower on the front you're looking at another $3600.

The new 2013 JD X730 (2WD/2WS) was priced at $9995 with a 54" mower (for comparison sake to the X729 mentioned above).

Since Deere changed their model designations again this year, the X739 4WD/4WS & 54" mower now carries an MSRP of $13,399.

[LunkerCity]

All I have to say is I would never buy a deere. I have a deere unit and working on it is a nightmare. Toro is the way to go IMO.