Glad to hear it! I just mowed with the X740 w/7-Iron yesterday for a few hours. Puts a smile on my face every time I use it. Great old machine. Also can't go wrong with an X495 (earlier) or X750 (later) if you're cruising marketplace and find one in good shape. Note, the 7-Iron will fit on an X495.

Thanks for the comment. I haven't heard of anyone put the FD750D (X700 gasser) into a 425/445 before. That's pretty cool. How did the install go? Did it bolt up to the original engine mounts, driveshaft coupler, muffler, cooling, etc...? Curious to know how much fab work and improvising that required. Thanks.

Thanks for the comment. The X495's are also great tractors. I don't currently own one so didn't have one in the video, but have owned them in the past. I've noticed a few differences. There were a few different engines used, with slight variations in displacement and torque as they progressed through the years due to emissions standards. You'll notice this when you buy fuel filters, need to know the year to get the right filter. A guy on MTF posted this cheat sheet: 2003 - 2004 x495/x595 1.0 liter Yanmar U.S. EPA Tier 1 2005 - 2010 x495/x595/x74* 1.1 liter Yanmar U.S. EPA Tier 2 2011 - x74* .9 liter Yanmar U.S. EPA Tier 4 Personally I like the big 1.1L which is what's in X740 in the video, the torque and fuel efficiency are just awesome. Those early Tier 1's are a little smoky when they start up and I've had more front main crank seal and valve cover leaks on those, but I love the way they throttle up and sound. The dash monitor is a little different on the X495 and some of them had that dumb maintenance minder reset button inside the cooling pack. If you have one of those you know what I mean. People have brought me mowers asking why it's flashing fault codes because of that thing. There's also something different about the rockshaft setup. The X495 will accept the 7-Iron, but it's not really made for it. I think you need to use the shorter P-bolts and even when it does bolt up, the lift height range is less than on the X740. It will mow just fine at standard heights, but this can make it more different for clearance getting on/off trailers. Overall a great machine, I do like the X495/595's. It has all the important stuff (modulated PTO engagement, tilt hood, more robust hood plastics, longer wheelbase, etc...) that made some nice advances over the 455. Just a few differences from the X740 which came later. I'm sure I've missed some other minor differences, hopefully someone else can comment. This is just what I've noticed while owning both.

Hello. It probably depends on what you're doing with it. The old 445/455 mowers are great machines overall, especially 445 with factory steel cam and either machine with 60" deck. I'd stay away from the 48/54" deck and older 425/445's with the plastic cam, unless it's a super deal and you have time to mess with it. Also keep in mind that these machines are going on 20-30 years old now and some of the parts are going obsolete. Parts availability on the X700's will be much better, they ride nicer due to the longer wheelbase, and the plastics are more durable. Also, if you're in the snow belt and need 4WD for a plow and/or snowblower, the X700's are your only choice (X728/38 and 48/58). The 7-Iron decks are bulletproof beasts on the X700's. Personally I don't like AWS machines because I do all my own repair work, and those add a lot of linkages and wear points, and sort of block access for certain repair and maintenance tasks. I believe the AWS system on the 400's also ran smaller rear tires (like the 425). I prefer the larger, non AWS 26x12-12 rubber. My property is too large to do snow removal with these and I only mow, so I prefer the simpler 2WD, no AWS models. But every lawn and application is unique, so purchase what fits your needs best. Overall I love the nostalgia of the 400's but on days where I'm mowing for 6-7 hrs straight, prefer the ride quality and endless smooth torque of the Yanmar diesel. In my area, $4k for a 445 would be about average, $3.5k a good price.

@@StevesFarmShop I have 3 properties i want to prep for new grass. I'll probably will be using a box scraper to clear and level the ground and then I thought about possibly getting a "Rotadairon" tiller to do the rest. Ofcourse mowing duties would follow soon after, so a mowing dech would be in order. A friend suggested to consider an Ingersoll 4020 or 4018 for these projects. Have you ever worked with an Ingersoll 4000 series tractor? If so, what have been your experiences with these machines? I appreciate your help :)

Hello. Sorry I haven't ever worked on one of those. It looks like a beefy old machine, but older and with an Onan engine. You'll get lots of opinions from people, but for me I own so much stuff... I don't have time to chase obsolete parts and dicker with Onan engine problems and parts availability. All depends on your situation. In my area, Deere has an extremely strong dealer presence and support / parts availability is good. There are other good manufacturers as well, but I tend to lean towards stuff that I know I can keep running without always being in parts search mode and avoiding always having to repair it vs. using it. I will only also buy equipment made in the USA by US companies to support our economy and our jobs. All I have are larger tractors and heavy equipment now, but I used to maintain 3 acres with a Deere 3720 w/72" 7-Iron mid mount deck. Turbocharged Yanmar, Danfoss HST, made by Deere in Augusta, GA. That was a great little unit for what I needed at the time. Older models would be like the 4100-4700 and later 10 Series. Now you're probably aware that new models are still designated 2, 3, 4 Series followed by engine Hp.