Fun Engineer 859 #1 Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) Some of you know I've been in the market to replace my 1996, 314-H, blower and cab with a "new" tractor. Nothing wrong with the 314. I just needed something that was easier to get in and out of and that would last for the next 20-30 years. I wanted a tractor similar to the 314-H with hydro Trans and lift, at least a single stage 40+" blower and snow cab and lots of power. I narrowed the field to the John Deere X300 and X500 series. The 500 series has a locking transaxle. After researching the different models I decided on either the X530 or X540. The difference between the 530 and 540 was water cooled and tilt steering. After looking at new and a couple of used models I decided that if I was going to spend this kind of money on the last "new" tractor I intend to have I might as well get a new one. I decided on the John Deere X530, 24hp, air cooled, hydrostatic Trans, power steering, HDAP rear tires, 54" deck, 47" two stage snowblower with a 4 year warranty. I added suitcase weights and an Original Tractor Cab, snow cab. Coming soon are a pair of LED lights that were on my Polaris. Here are the obligatory pictures. Here's the cab. I love this cab. It's even sturdier than the cub cab that was on my 314. Edited October 8, 2014 by Fun Engineer 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Desko 608 #2 Posted October 8, 2014 Is that a vertical shaft under the hood and why are you moving away from red snow removal equipment(nothing wrong with it)? That's a really nice tractor we have a John Deere 455 diesel and id love to use that as snow removal (also a locking diff) but blowers are expensive and diesels are hard to fire in an unheated garage (but it has glow plugs just thick oil) hope it last you many happy trouble free years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #3 Posted October 8, 2014 nice! Hope to see it in action this coming year .. Might be green but ... I've considered getting a new one too, lets hope it gives you many many many years of service Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,032 #4 Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) I decided on the John Deere X530, 24hp, air cooled, hydrostatic Trans, power steering, HDAP rear tires, 54" deck, 47" two stage snowblower with a 4 year warranty. WOW!... Nice tractor, Dave. Edited October 8, 2014 by dclarke 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #5 Posted October 8, 2014 Thanks Denny I'll have Mrs Funengineer shoot a video this winter [emoji1] 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #6 Posted October 8, 2014 I think everyone knows how I feel about the green tractors. I spoke with the moderator/admin staff and the ruling is that you lost your membership here on RS . LOL just kidding. I have to say it is a nice looking machine for sure. Good luck with it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,043 #7 Posted October 8, 2014 I was thinking thats what that was 'in your mirror'. My dad got a X500 w/48" deck and plow a couple years back when he needed something he didnt have to work on (I got his horse, so I'm happy). Its a beast of a tractor and seems very durable. A joy to drive. With that diff lock for just plowing he hasnt even added any wheel weights or chains. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #8 Posted October 8, 2014 Should have bought that 520xi in your area that was for sale. I'm curious about the HDAP tires in the snow. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #9 Posted October 8, 2014 I think everyone knows how I feel about the green tractors. I spoke with the moderator/admin staff and the ruling is that you lost your membership here on RS . LOL just kidding. I have to say it is a nice looking machine for sure. Good luck with it. The "horses" are not too happy about sharing their stable with a Deere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #10 Posted October 8, 2014 A few cans of this will help. Think of it as "camo" paint to ease the horses. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #11 Posted October 9, 2014 Gotta be honest.... I have been eyeing the X595 model. Even though that is not made any longer, it is still holding it's value incredibly well. Locking front and rear difs. to boot! But I am not gonna pay what I keep seeing them advertised for WOW! Rob 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #12 Posted October 9, 2014 Rob, There's a X595 with a Curtis cab in ND for $9K. Isn't that close to Cleveland? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #13 Posted October 9, 2014 $9k is still way over the price I am looking to spend. Especially since the tractor only sold for a little over $10k brand new! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
floor-it 11 #14 Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Fun Engineer, You made a wise choice to buy the larger tractor! You live in a snow belt and still get some lake effect snow. The larger tractor with the wheel locking mechanism is great for plowing or snow blowing. I did the same thing about 4 years ago, and I purchased a JDx575 with 4WD used with about 180 hours on the tractor. This machine does not need tire chains and it can handle any snow job in Michigan. The JDx575 was a nice addition to my Wheel Horse collection. I mainly use the JD for plowing and hauling with a dump cart. The Wheel Horse machine do all of the lawn cutting as the mower deck designed by WH is far better than the JD. Even my wife noticed that the WH does a better job of cutting the lawn. I think this is because the WH mower deck is deeper or taller and does not fan the grass prior to cutting it. It seems to cut the grass without tearing it. Tell me what you think about the difference. I have some real nice videos of the deep snow last year and I used the JD 95% of the time to plow the driveway. Hope you post some good photos and videos of the JDx530 this upcoming winter. Gary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #15 Posted November 2, 2014 Nice tractor Gary. I'm right in the middle of the lake effect snow belt. We always get more snow than what Gaylord records [emoji3] I won't be able to offer a comparison of the decks as I'll never use the 54 inch JD deck. My lawn is only 5000 square feet so I have a self propelled walk behind. We got a light dusting a few nights ago unlike my brother in law from western North Carolina. They must have had over 6 inches [emoji15] I'll make sure to have Mrs FunEngineer take some videos. My Wheel Horse single stage would throw the snow 30+ feet. Can't wait to see what this beast will do. Sent from my tractor seat using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #16 Posted November 16, 2014 http://youtu.be/ii3t0p2SqDE We've had 24 inches so far this year. Here I am cleaning up after Mrs. Funengineer did her cardio shoveling. What a difference power steering makes[emoji106] Sent from my tractor seat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #17 Posted November 16, 2014 Gary - could care less about color... Nice garden tractor. Did you get the 3pt. hitch also? Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom. 70 #18 Posted November 16, 2014 Great video, I really like the John deeres, it's doing a great job aswell! Tom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,496 #19 Posted November 17, 2014 Nice video, and nice tractor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
