So far I've got about 8 hrs. on my X530 and no regrets yet. I've even made a payment already and am completely happy with my purchase. 47 more to go and it's mine. I even started mowing my neighbors yard to get more cut time. I've been considering the lawn sweeper as well, but would only be sweeping weeds (don't think I have any actual grass). Here is a pick with the front bracket brush guard, and weights. You have some thinking to do and very little time to do it.

{{gwi:323396}}

Great pic Tubby175. Your tractor's a beauty. The lawn looks pretty darned nice too, btw.

I have a love/hate thing going on with mine. I love the tractor,,, but I hate the fact that I'm not getting much seat time. It's literally taking me less than 10 minutes to do the flat sections of my lawn. That section has never looked nicer, btw. As for my very steep (and dangerous) slopes, my new Toro 21" self-propelled commercial mower is doing a great job. Overall, I've reduced my lawn-mowing time from 8 hours (slopes and flats), to 1hr/45 mins. I've not attempted to do any parts of the slopes with the tractor, since it's just too steep.

The only "issue" I've had with the tractor, is the hour-meter. It advances 1/10th of an hour every time I turn the key. That's not a big deal if you're running for a while, but since it only takes me a 1/10th of an hour (or so) to do my flats, then proportionately, that auto-advancing meter is reflecting 50% of my actual operation time. If I "park" the tractor at 1.0 hours, and I start it up to move it a foot or two, it will read 1.1 on start-up,,,, shut it off, then restart,,, it will read 1.2, etc.

Overall, with my tricky slopes, I think I would have been much better off going with a front-deck mount, rather than a belly-mower. 4 w/drive would have been nice too.

Sounds like you have enough doubt to possibly return it. Your the only person that can decide this. A lot of money to spend on a lesson you don't learn anything from. I think this process may have been harder than choosing my wife and house? Day 29 is like the ninth inning with the bases loaded and no strikes (for the opposing team).

I will have to check out my hour meter to see if it does the same thing. I've never really paid attention to it. I just picked up my power integral hitch and placed an order for a box scraper. I think I will wait a year on the Johnny Bucket and keep my eye out for a small used tractor with a FEL. I could have easlily picked up a used tractor with everything on it for what I paid for my X530. I spend 50 hours a year probably mowing (and hopefully a few hours blowing snow), but would only use the other a few times a year.

Yes, if it wasn't for my back-injury, I would never have considered a tractor for doing my lawn,,, but that's the way it goes sometimes. My doctor is now talking about another year of difficulty for me, with possible permanent issues. In that regard, the tractor is a blessing. I just wish I had more work for it, to justify the expense. Most of my neighbors don't need help, since they already hire contractors for their lawns and snow-removal.

I've looked around the yard to try to find other jobs for the tractor, but in reality, I'd need a much higher capacity tractor, to do some of the jobs I'm considering. (small excavation/ landscaping). I'd probably be better off hiring out those jobs anyway.

Today, I'll contact my sales-rep to find out about a spreader, lawn-sweeper, thatcher. He's a great guy on a personal level, but when it comes to guidance on the accessories,,,, well,,,,

Lord,,,, gimmee strength,,, I'm on my way to the dealership, and my rep is going to show me a new Series 1 tractor, with loader and backhoe. He's also talking about some pretty interesting financing options(at last). (1.9% lease, etc) Apparently, there is also a 3 year 0% purchase-plan. Hmmm.

We also talked about a Cargo-Mount spreader for my X-500, and a few more items. He says the suitcase weights should be all I need for the front-end,,, no need for a bracket. He says the weights will fit on the existing bracket. Hmmm.

Once again your salesman opens his mouth to change feet.

The stock front bumper on the X500 and X530 are not intended to take suitcase weights. That's qhy JD came out with the oprtional front weight bracket for those models.

Series 1 = paying beta tester

Well,,,,I went,,,,, I saw,,,,, and I balked. Well,, sorta. I did come home with the 42" lawn-sweeper. (probably overpaid it, too.) There were no "bargains" to be had today, so I figured I'd wait 'til I have a genuine need. ;-))

The Series 1 with FEL was veeeery nice, but I decided to hang tough with what I've got.

I did manage to have a fun ride on a Gator though. ;-))

You'll have to let us know how that lawn sweeper works. I'm thinking about getting one. Looks like you are the owner of the X500 with the 30 days being up. Should be some weight lifted with the process being done?

Yeah, the pressure's finally off. I'll live with this configuration for a while, and over time, with a little more experience under my belt, I'll be better positioned to deal with future needs. I would have killed to come home with a Series 1 with a backhoe and FEL, but, I just can't justify that level of expense, given the limited amount of work I'd have for it.

When I was at the dealership yesterday, all of the accessories were going for full MSRP,,,,, no deals to be had, so I'll wait for the next "Green Tag" event. I had been thinking about buying the Cargo-Mount spreader, and possibly an aerator.

I was a little concerned about buying the lawn-sweeper. I had seen several negative comments about some of JD's models. Those were 44" models however. I had come across reasonably favorable opinions of the Agri-Fab 42" model, and I presume this 42" J.D. sweeper that I bought yesterday, is the same unit. I think the Agri-Fab is $299. up here. The J.D. was $365. ($420. tax incl)

I wouldn't mind eventually buying the rear-bagger w/blower system, but it's $1500. here (plus 15% tax = $1725.)

Overall though, given my specific needs,,,, I think I would have been much better of with a front-mount deck, 4 wd machine, like the Stiga Park Pro. Local availibity sucks however.

Fellas, I need a lil' help with accessory pricing. I'm trying to avoid getting ripped off. The suitcase weights and front bracket for example, I was quoted $62. a piece for the weights only. Add the bracket for the weights, and that's probably over $300 plus tax ($345.) Does that make sense? What do these things go for, during a Green-Tag event?

Suitcase weights were $45 for a long time IN THE US.

They seem to have gone up to $52 in the US so maybe $62 Canadian is what they are.

The front bracket is $50

You really can find this info yourself... don't they have Google up there?

Trying to find J.D. stuff up here, is an exercise in futility. Also, most U.S. vendors, don't ship or sell, to Canada.

The Canadian dollar is actually trading for more than the U.S. dollar. $1.05 last time I looked.

I see guys talking about accessories, like the rear-bagger/blower assembly for $850. I woulda been all over that one, in a heartbeat. $1500. is the price up here. Doesn't make sense.

The reason I ask about price is,,, I wanna know the street-price for these things in the U.S. If it's worthwhile, I'll take a day-trip across the border, into N.Y. state, or Vermont, and pick up a bunch of stuff.

You can check street price on JD stuff in the US from Canada just like we do here in the US... it's called the internet and it works EVERYWHERE...

http://www.keepingitgreen.com/

http://www.greenpartstore.com/

http://www.rungreen.com/

... just for starters.

You can also look up JD dealerships in the US at the JD web site and call or email the dealer directly asking for their best price.

"You can check street price on JD stuff in the US from Canada just like we do here in the US... it's called the internet and it works EVERYWHERE"

Ole JL never passes an opportunity to make a condescending remark. He's sooo superior, don't know why he wastes his time on this obviously Creaton forum....

"Condescension is a show of disdain and superiority in which the condescending person patronizes, or considers him/herself superior"....and obviously wants everyone to know it!

"Ole JL never passes an opportunity to make a condescending remark, don't know why he wastes his time on this obviously Creaton forum.... "

First, a mechanical engineer by trade should be able to spell cretin.

Second, no one on this or any other forum is a cretin.
A cretin is a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person. It was cretinous of you to make that remark.

"Never passes an opportunity... really?

If YOU do a search on this and other GardenWeb forums you'll find that I have quite a number of posts offering help and answers to questions only on rare occasion bite and then only when I am attacked.

As a mechanical engineer by trade I would expect you to be more accurate in your criticism of me. My post was not condescending. It said EXACTLY what it said for the exact reason I posted it with no ambiguity whatsoever..

This is a self-help forum not a you look it up for me cause I'm too lazy to do it myself forum

LawnJohnSilver seems a nice guy and in both this thread and a very lengthy thread he previously started http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tractor/msg051535173462.html continuously posts questions to which the answers are a few keystrokes away. He's done it again and again and again yet never seems to bother to get the answers himself and it has been pointed out to him before that the answers to his questions are at his fingertips but he continues to ask those questions and anticipates those answers.

If you want to be a poster's secretary and do their grunt work then go right ahead.

When he's asked a challenging question myself and others on this forum have been quick to give him the answer without reservation.

No one will learn anything as long as they get other people do their work for them. Not knowing the answer to a question is one thing, but not getting the answer to that question when they can Google as well as anyone else is another entirely. It is abusing the forum and the people who take the time to help those who ask for help and appreciate that help.

There is a difference between being ignorant and lazy.

JL.

In future, please do not feel "obliged" to respond to any of my posts, unless you have something constructive to offer. Sorry I'm wasting your precious time.

John,

Showing you how to help yourself instead of doing it for you is the most constructive thing anyone can show you.

Having repeatedly pointed out to you how to find the answers to your questions while answering those questions with you making no effort to find the answers yourself you showed that you were intent on the forum doing your homework for you.

I don't feel obligated to respond to anyone's posts but I draw the line when it's obvious that answers are expected and not appreciated.

larso1=troll

{{gwi:335614}}

JL, if you re-read my posts, I HAVE BEEN SCOURING THE NET. Your remark is unfounded. As I said, most, if not all American JD websites, do NOT SELL INTO CANADA, "shipping to U.S.A. only" etc. John Deere on-line purchasing, is only available in the U.S.A.,,,, not Canada. Most, if not all J.D./eBay dealers, sell to "U.S.A. only".

Furthermore, some of the prices that some of the guys are getting on this forum, are FARRRRR LOWER, than anything I've ever seen posted on ANY vendor website. THAT sir, is why I'm asking this forum.I specifically mentioned the rear-bagger w/blower assembly, for $850. Just TRY to find a price like that on ANY website,,,,, American OR Canadian.

NONE of the Canadian John Deere dealerships, post their prices,,,,, you only get the "link" to J.D. U.S.A., which also shows M.S.R.P., so that's useless.

The two local dealers up here, seem to ask FULL M.S.R.P. for their accessories.

As I said in my other post,,, NONE of my friends have a Garden tractor,,,,,, and this is my FIRST EXPERIENCE owning a tractor. I chose to come to this forum for information from a VARIETY of forum members,,,,,,,,, not to participate in a 2-man-only debate. We could have done THAT sir, via email.

John,

Every answer I gave you regarding price was found by Googling the part description to get the JD part number and then finding the price at one of these three URLs...

http://www.keepingitgreen.com/

http://www.greenpartstore.com/

http://www.rungreen.com/

Are you saying that you can't access those URLs from Canada?

"I chose to come to this forum for information from a VARIETY of forum members,,,,,,,,, not to participate in a 2-man-only debate"

Reviewing your original thread and this one it seems that few others have chimed in to answer your questions and why so few is an interesting question in itself.

To have a debate sir would require at least two people with comparable levels of knowledge on the subject and that is not the case here.

"Sorry I'm wasting your precious time"

I do not consider a single moment of my time on the forums wasted and in this instance you have taught me a valuable lesson... to be more careful who I help.

Hoping your X500 turns out to be everything you expect and then some.

What part of this do you not "get" JL? Those links you gave me, "don't ship to Canada",,,,or,,,, they charge exorbitant shipping fees,,,, therefore, the pricing info is irrelevant to me.

Read this part carefully,,,,, I'm trying to find out what folks are paying "at their local dealers". I'm trying to compare the "actual price paid" vs what J.D. lists those items for. If I can find a J'D. dealer in the north-east, that offers competitive pricing,,,, then I'll drive across the border, if it's worthwhile. (bulk purchase/ several items)

The $850. bagger/blower is but one example. That would save me almost $800. after taxes,, for a SINGLE ITEM,,,,minus the cost of my trip. The border is only 90 minutes away.

What part of this that I posted previously don't YOU get... "You can also look up JD dealerships in the US at the JD web site and call or email the dealer DIRECTLY asking for their best price".

Or simply Google "John Deere dealer in (fill in state here)" and you'll get a list of the dealers in that state. You can contact them and get the best price you can.

More than likely the too good to be true deals you've heard of are on a different piece of equipment or there's more to that story.

JD dealers don't seem to discount anything deeply. Maybe 5% or rarely 10% in a big sale on upscale equipment but L&G stuff doesn't get deep cuts.

Bear this in mind... a JD dealer in Canada may choose not to, or may be contractually prevented from, honoring the warranty on JD equipment not imported by JD of Canada.

silver - go over to weekendfreedommachines dot com - a bunch of antlerheads hang out over there that might help you. Lert's not beat the dead horse here any further else this thread is in danger of going to cyber la-la-land