When I worked for deere, I was one of the people who influenced some of those deck design changes on the HC decks. At world hq we were having terrible issues with stepping when mowing steep side hills. They changed the tire design and went with a more heavy ply tire but also lowered the gauge wheel setting( wanted them closer to the ground, wanted to even say close to a 1/4 inch) this was to reduce the flex of the deck on the down hill side of the mower. When they came back with a redesigned deck they added those fine notched wheels as well as made them grease-able in order to prevent that stepping affect. They also changed the hanger design like you mentioned and when we ran them hard we were seeing cracking in those hangers (at the point of the drilled hole on the center few even split in two) hence why they went back to the solid hanger. I know ROPS regulations played a lot in the red design of the 758. They went to a smaller fuel tank and put holes in the frame in order to stay below that magic number.
Thanks for all the insight on the design changes for the deck. I've known weight was a problem for the X758's and I am sure it will continue to be a problem in the future. The smaller fuel tank is slightly frustrating based on the two fill ups so far. Good gph but less than ideal run times on a tank.
I am very impressed with the overall build quality of either of those decks. The flip-up/removable spindle covers are probably my favorite feature of them all...the 48" deep deck on my X570 has the flip-up covers and they make cleaning and greasing the deck so easy. Almost makes me want to design some kind of spring-loaded covers for the older decks on the 300 and 400 series...
Trust me if you run over that wheel it will not tell that mower anything. I ran over a 5/8 chain that was about 8 feet in length that someone left in the yard. My X758 sucked it in the left side & spit it out on the right. Didn't even bog the motor down.
Question. I have a x748 with the 7 iron deck and just recently noticed that the deck started to move more then before causing the deck wheel lock pins to start rubbing on the tires when making turns. Was wondering if you had some insight on that. Ive read in forum's that i would need to adjust the linkage possibly?
Excellent content and well presented. I particularly liked the outtake at the end. That is much more like reality. I typically spend 15-20 minutes on my 748 7-iron deck installation!🤪
The 7iron deck vs the HC deck. They look the same height. Does the HC have different baffles in it or is it mostly just rebadging/renaming the 7 iron deck to a new name also because its 9 gauge now as well.
You did just fine I think Takes some time to learn new equipment I just bought a new x738 Mine has the auto connect. Even with that it took me a few mins to learn it
Does anyone have a blade option that would increase the vacuum of the deck? I have 54HC and I have a continual problem with leaf pickup using a cyclone rake collection system. The leaves just blow out the front right side of the deck or they blow away from the deck before reaching the deck. The leaves are whole not chopped when they blow out the front. I have used varying cut heights, deck is set up correctly and I am using standard blades. I have also used the export baffles to close the open front of the deck all with no improvement. It’s like it has little to no vac. This occurs in light, heavy or windrows of leaf cover dry and wet conditions, leaves, and pine needles and straw.
Just out of curiosity....I assume you don't like the auto connect decks? May I ask why? What are the down sides to the auto connect feature? Thanks for the video. I too love the "pop off" drive over ramps!
Honestly I have very little experience with them. They seem like a nice feature but I’m not sure how I would like it. I didn’t consider it on the X758 since the deck will be under the machine a majority of the time.
Will that tractor lift the deck high enough for the casters to fall out? Hard to tell from the video but it doesn’t look to me like it would. Install and removal of the deck is sure nice compared to my old 455 with the 60” which is a real man killer job haha
Sitting on a flat level surface, no, the wheels will always stay in. Driving around in the yard, moving decks, turns, small holes etc, yes it can happen. We might have to do some experiments to see what it takes. Maybe my assumption that I would loose the wheels is incorrect. However, I know I’ve lost them before with the deck down on the X748. Trees took out the clasp on top a week before, had not found the clasp or been to the store to buy new, a week later I’m blowing the machines off after mowing and the rear caster is missing. The guilty shall remain nameless.
@@mmrbeef the 54” on my 425 is real easy to remove/install with the casters turning 90 degrees and locking, it slides out nicely. The 455 I put a chain hoist in the ceiling and lift the front of it and roll the deck out the front which is the best way I have found for me
One of the reasons I just traded my 455 in for a new X758 is because the deck was so hard to handle on the 455 as I age. I used to be able to do it. I still am convinced that the 455 is still the best garden tractor ever built by anyone. Maybe my new X758 will change my mind when I get it Friday, but I doubt it.
@@screamer2005 I have always said if the 455 was 4 wheel drive it would end up in the Smithsonian as absolutely the worlds greatest ever garden tractor lol. I love mine
I know you can put the 7 iron on the new X700s by changing out the draft arms to the older style, so I'd imagine you can put the HC decks on an older X700 the same way.
Great videos! Thank you! I have a X758 and the 60" 7-Iron deck on it. I bought my tractor used this way. The guyt hat sold it to me indicated the 7-Iron was an upgraded deck. Overkill for my property, but nice to have. I had my tractor in for service the other day and asked them about some convenience accessories. My deck leave crazy widrows if I let the grass get too long before I mow it. I inquired about a mulching kit and said it would not work on this deck. It's the fall now and leaves are starting to fall, so I also inquired about a bagger to help clean up my property. I was also told tha the bagging system would not work on this deck. I've done a fair amount of research on the web and get conflicting information. Do you have any experience with your 7-Iron and mulching or bagging options? Help?
For the older 7-Iron decks there is both a mulching kit and a bagger available. The bagger is identical to the other X series baggers except for the power flow head. I am not sure if you can order the power flow head new OR if the 60HC power flow head fits on the older 7-iron decks. There are lots of folks with experience on these baggers and mulching kits on mytractorforum.com. I have been a member there for many years. They can provide more details etc for the answers you are looking for.
the 60 HC on our x758 is not setup for reliability. the rear mount tabs are so thin. and we have cracks in the deck too. my x748 with 62c is a little better. you are right the decks i had on the x595, 425 and 455 were better. i would like to try a 7 iron. that or we may have to switch colors.
Deere has made a number of changes to these 54 and 60HC decks. All of the changes up to 2021 seem to improve the reliability. I put about 50 hours on the 60HC this summer and looking it over this Fall I see very little in the way of wear. This is in direct contrast to some of the issues I have seen with the early 54 and 60 HC deck that are flat worn out in some places (like the rear hangers).
