I have joined the dark (green) side: x739

[bmsgaffer 2,065]

Last November, I made a purchase that solved a few problems for me. My beloved 522xi (converted to a 525exi) was starting to really show its age and needed a complete overhaul. All the linkages were loose and worn for steering, motion control and implements, and it was starting to wear ruts into my hill where I would have to turn and spin the tires. I am in a stage of life (3 young kids, and my job is an hour away) where I don't have enough time to do major projects like that (even though I want to!) and I don't have the storage space for a spare (I already have 2 WH's at my dad's house that I intend to keep!). I just needed a reliable worker. 

 

I found a KILLER deal on a tractor and I bit the bullet. Drove from Cincy all the way to East Peoria, IL for it. 

 

 

It came with the 14 bu power flow bagger, 54" plow, and 54" mower deck and only had 180 hours on it. The extra track width alone allows me to side-cut my hill with zero tipping issues (had wheel weights on the WH just to make it manageable). The AWD/AWS makes it very sure footed and no more turf tearing. 

 

The only issues I have are a) complexity, I really like the WH simplicity and it felt like the frame was beefier, b) parts are expensive, but at least they are available and I don't have to hoard an entire spare everything in my garage, c) low range on the WH 522xi was a beast and this thing really needs a low range. 

 

Here it is pulling out the rented aerator that blew a drive belt and took me on a ride down the hill:

 

 

 

 

[WHX?? 53,343]

Gotta  like the rims & tires on it. 

[953 nut 63,025]

3 hours ago, bmsgaffer said:

(3 young kids, and my job is an hour away) where I don't have enough time to do major projects like that (even though I want to!) and I don't have the storage space for a spare (I already have 2 WH's at my dad's house that I intend to keep!)

Nothing to be ashamed of. Got to put the family first and when the time is right you have the start of a good herd stashed away.      With three children you will probably need to buy a couple more.            

[ri702bill 10,575]

Can you sell it locally for more than you paid for it & buy a nice WH instead?? 

[JoeM 9,318]

5 hours ago, bmsgaffer said:

it was starting to wear ruts into my hill where I would have to turn and spin the tires.

same problem when it is not dry. I use a 4x4  kubota on the damp mows. I call it my billy goat machine. 

I looked at those x700 series JD machines and could not find a good used one at a decent price. Those green runners are proud their stuff. Seems to be a lot more kubota machines around me and one popped up as a repo. 

I will say the xi machines are pretty tough. I just wish they had a diff lock.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,690]

The X700 series from Deere are probably the best GT out there, currently.  No other manufacturer has one in their product line that can match it.  The problem is, the price of a new one is just a bit less than a 1 Series Deere, so it's hard to justify one over a 1023 or 1025 JD.

[bmsgaffer 2,065]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Nothing to be ashamed of. Got to put the family first and when the time is right you have the start of a good herd stashed away.      With three children you will probably need to buy a couple more.            

 

They are already laying claim to them! I will have enough to plow the whole dang neighborhood when it snows. 

 

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Can you sell it locally for more than you paid for it & buy a nice WH instead?? 

 

Honestly, I could sell it for more than double what I paid and buy 5 WH's, but the WH just isn't as confident on those side-hills! Also, I don't have to store spare parts, so for now I'm happy to pay the premium to get one off the shelf. We will see if I feel the same in a few years! 

 

22 minutes ago, JoeM said:

same problem when it is not dry. I use a 4x4  kubota on the damp mows. I call it my billy goat machine. 

I looked at those x700 series JD machines and could not find a good used one at a decent price. Those green runners are proud their stuff. Seems to be a lot more kubota machines around me and one popped up as a repo. 

I will say the xi machines are pretty tough. I just wish they had a diff lock.

 

It does feel like a billy goat! Zero concern at any angle on the hill. They are quite proud of their stuff, most of them are way pricey. I did look at Kubota and several others on marketplace as one does, and this one just popped up. An older fella looking to downsize and willing to make a deal for a real person who called him on the phone as he had had so many scam attempts. 

 

The Xi machines are tough. I loaded mine up with weight and it plowed like a freight train. The frame seemed beefier than this one does. I still cant believe WH never had a locking diff. It would have been a game changer. 

[bmsgaffer 2,065]

4 minutes ago, T-Mo said:

The X700 series from Deere are probably the best GT out there, currently.  No other manufacturer has one in their product line that can match it.  The problem is, the price of a new one is just a bit less than a 1 Series Deere, so it's hard to justify one over a 1023 or 1025 JD.

 

I agree. The weight savings and turning radius of the x700 though is what makes them amazing for smaller yards especially.

 

While I understand why Toro/WH called it quits, I could only imagine what their competition would look like at this point. 

[ri702bill 10,575]

1 hour ago, bmsgaffer said:

I still cant believe WH never had a locking diff. It would have been a game changer. 

Excellent point. Under the correct low speed conditions, that would be a huge addition, even if it were manually operated like old school 4wd front locking hubs.