IMHO the dealer will make more difference than performance between the 2 mowers. The larger tires of the Conquest will have a better ride. The only drawback to the Simplicity deck I've read about is if you are backing up over an obstruction you have to be careful, otherwise it is a good deck. I'd vote Conquest between the 2.

im a jd guy but for what your doing the conquests resemblance to a garden tractor seems best..aka....bigger tires, heavier frame, bigger/tougher tranny then the jd. although if u are worried about decks the jd deck is as u said close to indestructable in my expperience. i can also see the striping rolers on the back of the simplicity deck being turn off easily in that horse field.now that i think about that roler maybe u would be better off with the jd. more details on whether u need the heavydutyness of a garden tractor would maybe make this decision easier....do u really need ground engaging capaptability.??

I use my Conquest to mow my fields occasionally. It work great. I usually just leave the deck in the up position so it doesnt cut quit as close as the lawn, but still does great for the field. It's a tough deck and I wouldn't worry at all about tearing it up in the field even if you left it down. I have a bush hog as well, so I have options for mowing and like the performance of the Conquest.

I'd second the recomendation about comparing the Conquest to the X500 series.

I'd go for the Simplicity for two reasons, the first and biggest is the dealer, second, of those two I think the Simplicity is the better machine. I also prefer a full floating deck, adjusted correctly they give a better cut IMO. The locking diff is a handy feature, wish mine had it.

To Yetty724 - as mentioned i never had a new machine and might consider a ground engaging piece as time goes by and i like the machine - i like the option of being able to do it. I want to have this machine a while and want to know what the weak spots are on each machine--including the servicablity..To Aesanders - i don't know what an X500 cost but the X340 is a stretch for me now. Like you i don't mow pasture every week only 1X month if that. I was going to check about mowing with the deck up (rollers off the ground and mowing in reverse.) Don't remember what the safty mech. is for being able to mow in reverse on the Conquest. Thanks for the input.

It's very simple to mow in reverse on the Conquest. When you first engage the PTO all you have to do is turn a key 1 time that disengages the backup safety deck shut off. It's a one and done turn of the little plastic key and then you can mow in reverse all day long. If I remember correctly, on the Deere you have to turn the key everytime you wish to backup (pain in the rear).

You can leave the deck up or drop down to a preset cutting height. With the deck up it is still adjustable to different cutting heights. Mine is set for somewhere around 5 inches, but you can raise or lower it soemwhat with the chains that hold the deck up in the front. Just shorten the chain for a higher cut or lengthen the chain for a shorter cut. With the deck up, it makes a good pasture mower if the pasture isn't too rough. My back field at first was too rough for it as it had branches and small trees growing that my bush hog cleared. But since I've reseeded it and it is all grass with some weeds now and the Conquest does great mowing the grass. I used it for the first 4 cuttings now as I wanted the lighter tractor to cut on the fresh seeded field.

For what you have described as your usage, I would strongly recomend the Conquest over the X340 Now the X500 will give the Conquest a run for it's money, but then you go back to the pricing and the Conquest still shines. It's a good machine that is priced right.

bubbajo,

I'm a Conquest owner and very pleased with the tractor. I have some rough areas to mow - converted horse property. I have had no problems with the mower deck construction. It is one well built unit and mine has taken a few bumps and hits. Still mows great!

Comparing a Conquest to the X340 is apples to oranges and the JD dealer should know this. As mentioned, a fairer comparison is the Conquest to the X500 series.

Dealer support is very important, maybe the most important for your decision. Ask your dealers if you can test drive the tractors you are interested in. See if they will bring them to your place and test drive them on you field area. With the deck up, the Conquest should have no problem.

So, IMO, the best bang for you buck is the Conquest!!!!!!

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT

I am a very satisfied Conquest owner. The machine is well built and runs perfectly every time. My dealer is also top notch and I believe that this has made all the difference in the world. The dealership is a family run business and I now use them for all my service and have purchased other implements and machines from them as well.

The dealership is the most important factor.

Do you have a Cub Cadet dealer nearby? If so, you might consider the Cub Cadet 2554, which is a garden tractor and also has a shaft drive (from the engine to the mower deck). I think those run about $4,000 - $4,200. (Ignore anyone who comes on here and says you can buy one for $3500. You might get lucky, but you might not.)

Between the two machines you are looking at, I'd go with the Conquest, especially if the Simplicity dealer is better.

1*They say if I want to compare machines I should look at the
2*JD X500 which I can't afford to spend more on.
3* I did look at the CC GT2554 but was not impressed with the dealer and had to narrow down the choices
Posted by bubbajo W PA
**********
2*That's not the point - the idea is to compare apples to apples not apples to oranges .
If Simplicity is offering the features of a JD x500 in the Conquest for the price of a JDX340 then the Conquest is the lead dog.
3*The best choice between the 3 tractors.
I looked at Simplicity, JD and CC.
I got a CC GT 2554 for $4950 and added the AG tires for another $100.
I Bet you can't get the Simplicity or the JD you're lookin at for $5050 with a front blade and a rear tiller on it!

Posted by passthegravy (My Page) on Sun, Jul 8, 07 at 21:06

The dealership is the most important factor.
Do you have a Cub Cadet dealer nearby? If so, you might consider the Cub Cadet 2554, which is a garden tractor and also has a shaft drive (from the engine to the mower deck). I think those run about $4,000 - $4,200. (Ignore anyone who comes on here and says you can buy one for $3500. You might get lucky, but you might not.)

Between the two machines you are looking at, I'd go with the Conquest, especially if the Simplicity dealer is better.
*( IGNORE ANYONE ON HERE WHO SAYS YOU CAN BUY ONE FOR $3500 )
You might get lucky, but you might not.)
Posted by passthegravy
*******************
*Yeah why take a chance on getting it for less.

Post the name and telephone number or email address for just one CC dealer that I can visit, call or email today and buy a 2554 for $3,500. That's all I ask. Just one.

I have a 2003 Conquest and to mow in reverse you just go backwards. The key thing must be something new. But about the deck question, my "lawn" started out as 4 foot high weeds. You cant imagine the things I mowed over getting that cut down. The floating deck might actually help because it can move over things that you hit. I dont know anything about the JD but the Simplicity deck is very tough.

I agree with the consensus. Go with the Conquest. A neighbor has a Conquest. It's a very rugged tractor.

I also agree with Butch. A full floating deck (one that stays in contact with the ground) provides a superior cut. My Wheel Horse has such a deck. Simply raise the deck (no roller contact) when you're mowing pasture.

-Deerslayer

I also have a Conquest. It has been a great mowing machine. People in the area stop often and compliment how nice the yard looks but most of the credit goes to how nice the conquest mows.

Thanks to all for the information and opinions. Most of the opinions ultimately confirmed my own feeling about which to get. It looks like the Simplicity wins out.

Maybe its just my area (Western PA)but how come i don't see or talk to many who own a Simplicity? Are they more popular elswhere? Thanks again!!

I own old Massey Ferguson garden tractors, talk about odd man out. I think there are a lot of simplicity owners on here. The new Massey Ferguson garden tractors are made by Simplicity or so it says on Masseys web site. I think you'll be happy with your choice, if you've already got her, congrats, may you have a long and trouble free relationship!

simplicity is built by massey

I work at Simplicity for about 9 years now. We (Simplicity) build the Massey. We Simplicity bought Ferris, Snapper, and brought in a Ceo from Briggs to be our Ceo, only to let Briggs and Statton to buy us and Briggs aquired Murray through Bankruptcey. Then tell us (Simplicity) They are closing us down and are going to produce (Simplicity) at their other sites. Good luck with the product of Simplicity from here on in that is all I have to say. It won't compare to the way our tractors were. So to say Simplicity is made by Massey is as far from reality as to say Briggs knows what they are doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Briggs moves the production of their Simplicity machines to the Ferris plant and Snapper plant I really do not thnk it will kill the company. Those factories make good machines already. It ight just be more productive to do it that way. I know another midwest company that moved production to New England (Ingersol) and I don't hear everyone claiming the end is near for Ingersol.

Ferris builds the commercial. Simplicity doesn't make any comercial. They are already made at Ferris. Nothing will most likely not get moved there. The snow blowers are going to Tennessee to a new plant they are opening and the tractors are going to Snapper. We currently make the larger Snapper tractors at Simplicity. Like the one Brett Farve was advertising. Currently Briggs is already using thinner gageing on the hoods, side panels etc. The average worker at Simplicity has 20 years of exp. My father retired with 37. So they have a lot of ground to make up for our exp. years they will be losing. I have so much more in my head but it realy doesn't matter anymore. What is is is. Nothing I can do to change that. Just saying I wouldn't plan on Simplicity tractors to get any better. Maybe cheaper in price and therefore quality as in durablility will have to suffer.

Well, I beleive right now it is all speculation what change will be made if any to the tractors. I haven't seen any changes yet. I guess time will tell. Maybe Briggs sunk a lot of money in newer leen production systems that will make the new products produced in a better flow and drastically reduce the cost allowing some higher quailty components to be built into their machines for the same cost.

Did Simplcity have any leen manufacturing techniques in their current facitly? I know most manufaturing companies are big into that these days. Companies like John Deere are completely revamping many factories changing the way they produce the products. Instead of batch processing they produce products from demand. Makes sense and allows for changing the product designs much easier to keep up with a changing market.