Im buying a new tractor this week. i have a 2009 la145 lawn tractor and a 1970 110. I figured if i want to do any ground engagement i would use the old 110 and if i want to get stranded and push a mower home i will use the la145 haha. Just kidding. the la is a fine mower but its getting worn out. runs and drives great and surprisingly enough the transmission seems to be holding up well. But i want a new mower. i like the new JD 320 they look much more stout than the LA series, but i also wouldnt mind using a zero turn to cut down the mowing time. i have about an acre to mow on a slight incline, nothing the LA 145 couldnt handle for 4 years now pulling a lawn roller and spreader a handful of times a year. What are your thoughts?---Steve.
So really I guess it all comes down to whether you want a lawn tractor or a zero turn. Personally, I prefer the tractor style. I just like the way they ride and sit. But don't get me wrong, my father has a zero turn and it does cut down on the mowing time.
I went through the same situation this year. Last summer my cub cadet blew up and I used my fathers John Deere zero turn. Forget which one it was. I love how fast it was and it took no time to cut my 3/4 acre yard. However, I noticed that the faster i went, the worse it seemed to cut. Eventually I found myself driving about the same speed as a garden tractor. The other problem I had were the inclines in my yard. I kept slipping in portions of my yard where I had no problems with the previous garden tractor.
Once I decided to get a garden tractor it came down to either a husqvarna or an x300. I decided on the x300 but really liked the looks of the x500. When I compared those two, I found that the x500 had the nicer transmission which was serviceable. The x500 also had many other accessories which could be purchased later down the road if needed. In the end I ended up with the x500 for $5400. Quite a bit to pay for a mower, but i'm hoping it will last me for a while.
The x500 is actually really quick for a mower. I still don't drive it as fast as it can go. The kawasaki engine is very quiet and smooth. The steering is great. It is much easier to steer than the cub cadet I had and the turning radius is more than enough.
If you have 5k to spend, I would seriously consider the 500.
I hear ya on the x500 series. My lawn mowing dream machine in JD's current lineup, taking into consideration I'm not wealthy and am being realistic, is the X540. But....it's a little over the OP's $5,000 budget. I didn't realize you could step up into the X500 for under $6,000. Obviously I haven't bothered to price one.
#7
firemansteve6921
the 500 is a great machine but its over my budget. 5k is my limit. I went to the local John Deere place and they didnt have either one i want assembled. guess ill go back this week.
I bought the x320 the first of june and i love it. It mowes so nice my weed filled lawn looks like a golf course. The turning radias is amazing, not a zero turn but darn close. I was using a worn out Ll130 with a 48" deck. My x320 has a 54" deck. between the deck and the tight turning radius, you hardly ever have to back up, it took a 1/3 off my mowing time of 1.5 acres.
#9
firemansteve6921
ok so I went in a completely different direction on my mower purchase. I picked up a 2013 Simplicity Conquest. 27 horse Briggs and Stratton v-twin and a 52 inch fabricated deck, power steering, tilt steering wheel, and a 4 wheel suspension system that is great. I love it so far. leaps and bounds better than my LA145 that I traded in. Thanks for all of your support and input.
That's great!! I can't speak for everyone, but I don't bleed any one particular color. What's important is you found a piece of equipment that not only fills a need, but you like it!! :thumbsup:
