Replacement JD opinions

11 years ago

To start my lot is 3/4 acre and is relatively flat with the exception of the ditch by the road which is fairly steep. I currently have a JD LA145 with about 300 hours. In addition to mowing I pull a fert spreader, dethacher and 42" core aerator a few times a year. This fall with the aerator the tractor did not seem to like it. I had much more trouble pulling it around than before, although the transmission has always moaned when pulling. Even had to pull some weight off it. I knew I was stretching the capacity of the LA series. Now looking at more tractor. I like the idea of the AWS in the 324 and 534. For the work I do, will the 300 series be enough or do I need to step up to the 500 for piece of mind and longevity?

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Comments (9)

rexlex
11 years ago
might also want to ask over on weekendfreedommachines forum - lotsa JD users hang out over there..
User
11 years ago
An X3xx will definitely work but it won't work indefinitely.

Slammer's Rules:

1. Carefully evaluate the size mower you need and buy at least one size larger.

2. NEVER buy a mower from ANYPLACE that will not let you test drive it or at least a similar model. Ergonomics are just as important as performance and capability.
(Vitally important!)

3. DO NOT base your purchase on price or brand name alone! Do proper research and find all of the available models that fit your criteria and haggle, save, or trade to get the right equipment for the job. Do not compromise!

If you follow these three tips you will end up a happy camper with just the right unit for the job. If you disregard this advice your gonna end up with One or the other of the following problems:

A. Buyers remorse. Stuck with a piece of junk or simply a unit inadequate for the task at hand.

Or..

B. A teed off spouse when you start shopping for another tractor just 3 - 6 months down the road because you didn't buy the right unit in the first place.

I vote for an X500. A true GT with a ground engaging transaxle. Wait for a JD promo, save money, and be done with it.
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greatplainsturf
Original Author
11 years ago
Is the x500 series a overkill for 3/4 acre? I hate to have to jump all the way to the x534 to get AWS. I have lots of trees. I guess I need a nonexistent x504. I'm afraid I get a x324 and hook up the aerator and then it moans and struggles like my LA145.
User
11 years ago
2. NEVER buy a mower from ANYPLACE that will not let you test drive
it or at least a similar model.

I'm not a fan of 4 wheel steering. My X500 is pretty agile and steers VERY easily.

A test drive at your property will tell you a lot.
exmar zone 7, SE Ohio
11 years ago
IMHO, look at a GT that's "not green," less $$ and on 3/4 acre you don't need a monster. "Tight turn" mowers are getting pretty common, trade off is the front ends aren't as strong as they used to be. You could also pick up a used GT just to pull the aerator and other "ground engaging" work.

Anything in the "LT" line used for ground engaging like pulling a plug aerator if you load it up with weight is going to fail early. Question is, are you spending additional $$ just to pull the aerator? You could CL it and buy one of the "star" type ones, load it up and it'll pull easier.

However, if you're someone who's mesmerized by "green," overkill isn't a bad thing in a tractor. e.g. My brother shares your fascination/obsession, he spent $4500 for a machine to cut grass. I spent $2700, cut grass, push snow and dirt, and do some very heavy hauling. Mine's Craftsman gray though.

Good luck and have fun

Ev
tomplum
11 years ago
The 4 wheel steer x series are nice tractors if you have the use for them. 324s have a heavier transaxle than the base. K58 vs K46 I think. The LA you had was probably one of the wonderful TuffT40s. My only gripe is I wish the 42" was a better deck for the class of tractors they are.
greatplainsturf
Original Author
11 years ago
For those 2 reasons I'm not even looking at the x304. K58 and the 48" deck are much better. I really think with the number of obstacles in my yard I would benefit greatly from AWS.
lt150
11 years ago
I agree with Exmar. I have a JD LT150 that I use to cut my 1 acre lot. About 8 years ago I picked a JD 265 for $600. I bought it more for a project to work. I put some money in it but it can cut grass and work as a second mower. I use the 265 to pull a 48inch plug aerator and load it with 160lbs. The 265 pulls it with no problem. It is nice having two tractors for the reason of maintenance and if something happens there is a mower that is still running.

This time of year I can do a real nice job getting the LT150 maintenance done and put in the shed for the winter. The 265 I will use till it is to cold to need anymore and do it's maintenance in the garage.

I use the 265 more than the LT150 because I like the size better. I would like to pick up another one like an old CASE or Simplicity for another project. Those old garden tractors would pull that aerator you got with no problem.
thammel
11 years ago
I have a 2005 JD LX280. My lot is 1.3 acres. I've used it to tow a full cart and have aerated with it with no problems. This is the predecessor to the X300 line, so I think you'd be ok with a 300 series. But if you can, go for the 500 line. If I had a large storage building, I'd accumulate things like this; get a nice ZTR for cutting the grass and keep the LX280 for hauling stuff and plowing snow.