Well I'm A Deere man myself but do own two Simplicity machines as well. I don't own a X500 but do own a 2003 X485 which is the same as the Current X720 and it 2wd with diff/lock and I do have a hilly property and have not had to use the diff/lock yet. There are alot of X500 owners out there that have a simialr situations and have not had many complaints about there machine's other than the X500 has the X300 series hood which interfers with trying to put on the the X520 and aboves front weight bracket. And I have heard from owners that the GR glide steer from kubota is another nice machine for hill's but that they don't care for the front dozer blade. Where I'm from you just don't see many kubota's under the BX series compacts and even those are few and far between. The one other complaint I have heard about the Manual spring assisted lift on the X500 or X520 is during blade operations it get a little tiresum using there leg. But I'm guessing they didn't ajust the spring right. The price of the Kubota GR2100 with 48inch blade is $8,393.00 A 4WD Simplicity Conquest is $7,050 MSRP with a 50inch deck Don't know what your price range is But it look's like you want to stay at or Below $,6000 and the Deere X500 will do what you need it to do in that price range and should hold up just fine for mowing and snow plowing your property.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kubota

The GR2000 would be a more direct comparison to the Deere or the Simplicity with the CH20 Kohler gas engine.I'm on the 3rd season using mine on a piece of property similar to what you describe-numerous steep hills up to 30deg(measured)and a 300ft driveway that's also pretty steep.Thoroughly satisfied with the plow so far,plowing up the long drive 2 days after a 10" snowfall with an ice layer halfway down from freezing rain.All 4 AG's filled with WW fluid-no chains.I'll try to post a link w/video of the plowing session.There's another video that shows the tractor in action with the power angle/power lift blade mods I engineered for it.As for the integrity of the blade,I accidently hit a 1" abandon sign bolt while plowing and didn't tear it up so it's good enough for me.

As far as durability,all these brands of tractors are quality machines.I bought the GR for the 4WD and extemely tight turning radius,plus,at the time i bought it,it was more than 3 grand less money than anything in its class.My local dealer has a leftover GR2000 that can likely be had for 6K including a front blade.

Here is a link that might be useful: GR seat time

I have to disagree with locknut about the quality of the GR. I have one also...mine has the disel engoine, but I have no complaints about that. The transmission is WEAK to say the least. It has virtually NO power in reverse and in forward it is hard pressed to even spiun the tires over on a manicured lawn. By that I mean if you were trying to pull a piece of concreate out of a hole with a peice of chain and it was too heavy, the machine should have at least spun the tires over. No only did it not do that, it didn't even lug the engine down...not even a little bit. It has been checked at the dealer and everything is adjusted properly. It has been back to the dealer twice for oil leaks in the transmission and is about to go a third time...it just now turned over a 100 hours. A little premature I would think and no, I have not dogged it, it has been well taken care of. It is not really TRUE 4WD, unless you are driving stright ahead. The system is designed to release traction on the wheel(s) that are most likely to cause skuffing during a tight turn.

Now...all that said, I consider it a high end LAWN tractor. If they have worked out the problmes with the tranny....both related to power and the leaking, I would tend to give it a higher rating. One other thing you might consider.....I cut accross a slope with this machine on a regular basis....maybe a 10 or 15% grade. The deck always leaves ridges...one side cuts lower then the other when the machine is leaned to it's side. As far as I am concerned, for the price, that is totally unacceptable. The deck is undamaged and adjusted properly. I ahve a 35 year old Gravely that STILL cuts flawlessly on that same slope.

I am sure that locknuts is everything he says it is, but there ARE issues what that machine. Good luck whatever you deicde!

Chris

What model year of the GR do you guys have?

A local dealer is selling a left over Conquest 4wd for $5900. I am considering this now but have not found much information on how well this new 4wd systems works in the Conquest.

I bought mine new in August of 2005.

for reviews on the conquest I would look mover at(my tractor forum DOTcom) its one word. under the simplicity forums

Chris,
I figured you'd show up and tell your story about the GR you have,as you do on all the threads on all the forums.Sorry about your luck,and others that purchased early 2100's that had some ill-designed bearings and seals in the hydro.The problem has been remedied since '06 on the 2100's and I've never heard of the issue on any 2000's since day one.
As far as spinning all four wheels on an immovable object,it's not designed to do that.If it were,there are people out there that would try climbing 45deg hills and end up flipping over backwards.Mine weighs right at 1000Lbs with me on it and will climb up to 32deg before the hydro stalls,which is way past what any manufacturer recommends for any lawn or garden tractor.Concerning 4WD,the GR series tractors are as close as anything on the market.A locked 4WD system would be useless trying to mow a yard,as even slight turns would rip the turf with front end push.

The 4WD system on the Simplicity is a conventional system with open drive axles on both ends and continually engaged all the time.Not sure if it uses some sort of viscous coupling for differing axle speeds,or not.If it doesn't it will have huge front end push.I've kept an eye out on the net for some user feedback on the system they use,but haven't seen anything yet.
With side slope mowing,mine has the 48" deck and I mow up to 20deg on the tilt meter with no noticable uneveness in the cut.
Now back to putts the OP,
The best and only good way to compare tractors is to try em out at the dealers lot,or better yet on your own property,then decide for yourself.

locknut

LocknutÂ.

You are correct in that I do tend to saturate these forums with my "story" about my GR. Maybe that is a bit irritating to you and some of the others and for that I apologize. However, if I can keep someone from making the same mistake I didÂwell isnÂt that what these forums are forÂat least in part? I know the early GRÂs had some issues concerning seals and bearings. In fact, mind is leaking again and is scheduled to go into the shop Wed. They are going to see if Kubota will "pre-approve" replacing the transmission with the upgraded model. NowÂas to why youÂve not heard anything about the 2000ÂsÂwell my understanding is that it is exactly the same transmission in both models, so I donÂt know why that would be. Aside from the leaking issues and bearing issues, the transmission is weakÂperiod. I understand that itÂs not designed to spin the wheels over as a matter of standard operating procedure, but there are many many machines in the same class with hydrostatic transmission that will dig themselves in a hold if given the chance. How do I know that I am getting maximum torque to the wheels if it will not spin them over? It is not KubotaÂs responsibility to chaperone all the idiots out there that might try and climb a 45 degree hill and injure themselves in the process. My car will go 150mph, but I donÂt drive it that fast and if I did and was injured or killed, it would not be the manufacturers responsibility because I used their product in an irresponsible way.

As far as the 4 wheel drive, I accept your argument.

The cutting deck is another storyÂ..mine is has the 54" deck it may be that because it is wider the extra weight that is further out provides more leverage with which to cause the deck to tilt. Just a thought.

Back to the OP, I agree with locknut whole heartedly that the only way to find out which machine is best for you is to try them and preferably on your property.

Apologies for the long rant.

Chris

I have a 2005 GR2100 with 270 hours. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I have had no problems with the transmission. I bought it specifically for hills. Does great. I can pull a 12 cu.ft. cart full of stone up hills with no problem. I switched the standard 54" deck for a 48" deck. I cut a 5 acre field twice a year, therefore I thought the smaller deck would be easier for my baby diesel. Well I can plow right through it. I think the GR2100 is a great machine.

Finished up another little project on the GR.It thinks its a BX now.Some pics and video on the the link to p-bucket.If you look close on the video you can see the chisel plow shanks turned upside down in transport mode.Plowed down to 5in deep in the stone drive to dig out the potholes prior to finish grading.Not bad for a Lawn Tractor with a weak tranny,huh?

Here is a link that might be useful: GR upgraded to BX status

locknut you should send your sleeve hitch design to Kubota Corp maybe the will start having a sleeve hitch option for the GR's

Kudos on your hitch design locknut...very ingenius. That said, YES, the tranny on these units are weak...at best. The local dealership here has ordered the upgrade package for mine and it's going back in this week to have it's "face lift". I guess we'll see if it makes a differance, but I doubt it because as I understand it, it's just bearings and a few seals...has nothing to do with the pumps, relief valve or internal running gear. If I can get the dearn thing to just quit leaking at this point, I'll accept the limitations of the transmmission.

Chris,I hope they get it fixed up good for you this time.If you can find a 30deg hill somewhere,it should pull it no problem with the deck disengaged.Let us know how it goes.

Sargeant,don't think I'll be telling Kubota anything.Have another year of good will warranty left on the tranny(everybody gets 4 yrs).

Locknut, that is impressive about your sleeve hitch. I don't have the skills you have, but I sure enjoyed what I saw.

Johnny Products has an electric sleeve hitch kit similar to yours. I just might look into it for the rear of my Simplicity. I already have a JBJr for the front end, but having a sleeve hitch for the rear makes a whole lot of sense!

Thanks for some more great ideas.

Nice design and fabrication on the hitch Locknut. Wish I could weld...I have to rely on others for that part of my projects.

Locknut...It has never had a problem with a 30 degree hill regardless of wheather the deck is engaged or not....as long as it is going foward. It will not back up one. My problem with it is the amount of touque (or lack of torque) it is delivering to the wheels. Aside from the fact that it will not spin them over, if something stops it's forward motion, regardles of how far I depress the hydro pedal, it doesn't even strain the engine. Nothing...it acts like it is running load free, no change in speed sound...nothing. It seems to me that it should at least load the engine down a bit. I don't know. I pushed back the face lift until next week due to the fact I need it this weekend, I'll let ya know what happens.

Chris

Chris, from what I've heard, don't put off the face lift. JUST KIDDING! I don't know anything about your model Kubota, but from what you say, things cannot be right with it obviously. It does sound like a relief letting go too early, or something like that. Unless internal seals are leaking between cavities, I doubt the upgrade will do much good either. Kubota really should stand behind the product and fix it.

I have had to the dealer on more then one occation and he checked the pressures and said everything was within specs. I don't know....I feel like soemthing is amiss as well. He's coming to get it Monday so I guess we'll see.