Well either one is a lot of money so what is a little more. Over 20 years you won't notice. One of the rules posted a while back said to always go one size more than minimum requirement. If your looking at a x720 you really should look at the 2305. More for your money than the 700 series. I have the X500 and would be ok for 3 acres of cutting. Definitely need the blower for snow.

Just an idea for you if you are willing to buy used since you have considered the X700 series.

I was looking at the previous line to the X700 series which would be the X400 series. The X475 and X485 are what the X720 is and you can pick up a low hour in good condition w/54" deck in the $6K range. You will get similar trannys and the liquid cooled engines. You can even pick up the all wheel steer models which are capable of other ground engaging attachments that the X520 will not accept.

Go to www.Machine Finder.com and take a look at some of the used models/prices for yourself.

Just another option for you. You will find you would save some $$$ and get what you are looking for in the X720.

Good Luck to you!

I am not at all a fan of the X500 series. Deere cheapened then too much and they are not even close to a 700 series. The 700 series is still serious tractor with attachments designed to do real work rather than lightweight stuff for the homeowner. For example compare a front-end blade on an X700 with a blade on a X500. The X700 can apply down pressure, the X500 cannot. The X700 has good clearance when the blade is lifted, the X500 does not (it is terrible clearance actually). The X700 has hydraulic angling, the X500 blade does not.

The downside of the X700 is that the attachments can get quite pricey.

I'm in a similar situation as you but I have less area to mow. JD dealer recommends the X540 which is $10k with snow blade and 54" mow deck.

Instead I am about to pull the trigger on a Kubota BX1830 for similar money. It is so much more machine that its not a fair comparison. Real PTO and 3 point hitch at back. Real hydraulic snow blade on the front. Real Diesel tractor motor. 4WD standard. Optional real front end loader on BX. 0%/42months vs. 5.4%/36 months. Only place the JD wins is warranty.

The BX compares to the JD2305 which is about $15k configured the same way.

It was eye opening for this tractor noobie to see the differences at similar price points.

Good luck.

Sorry, I meant the BX1850 not the BX1830 in my post above.

Thanks for the posts, I appreciate your input and suggestions.

I looked at the JD 2305, and it will be a couple thousand more with similar attachments I'm looking at on the x720. The x720 is already in the "a couple thousand more" category for me. Plus, the x720 may be one step up from what I really need, the 2305 is definitely much more than I need.

Used JD x400 series is a good suggestion. That's how I started this journey. I've since convinced myself that I don't want to spend that much money (although it would be a few thousand less expensive than new) on a used tractor.

elfii, the price you mention for the x540 seems high to me. I've got a quote for an x720 with 54" deck, 54" front blade (with kit for angling and down pressure), rear quick-tach weights and tire chains for around $10,500 final price including tax (including a $600 discount on x700 series through my job - no, I don't work for JD). I configured a Kubota BX1850 with similar attachments and came in at $12,286 list price. If I assume a price reduction off list and tax off-set each other I'm still at roughly $1500 more for the BX1850. I agree the BX1850 is more tractor, but it's not for free and as I stated in my original post - I'm not impressed with my local Kubota dealer.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I feel like this is a situation where there is no "right" answer, just a matter of choosing what feels like the "best" answer.

I have had a JD X485 for the past 5 years now and it has preformed great for my 5&1/2 acres, Mowing ,tilling using the 45loader and clearing snow in the winter with a 54inch blade. Had a JD425 before the X485. But here a link to used late models deere's

Here is a link that might be useful: used late model Deere's

Well, I purchased the x720 with 54" mower deck and blade. So far I'm very happy. A significant improvement over my old Sears tractor, as expected. I finish mowing in about 35% less time now since the JD moves faster and has a larger deck. I now go up my steep hills with no problems at all - turf tires working just fine (wheel weights on the rear tires). Large gas tank let's me go a long time before having to refill the tank. I even connected an XM satellite radio using the 12V outlet and listened to the Mets game while mowing last weekend.

Only thing I'm a little disappointed in is the quick connect hose input on the mower deck. I thought it would do a great job cleaning the grass on the mower deck, but it doesn't do well at all. I've had to manually spray under the deck after mowing to remove the clumps of grass. Not a big deal, just not as convenient as I had hoped.