Rear PTO and 3 Point Hitch worth it on a 2007 X728?

Tom G said:

As the title suggests, I have a 2007 X728 (with 662 hours). I currently have it equipped with a 48" deck, 45 loader, click-n-go brackets and ballast box, soft cab, front quick hitch, and 54" blade. This tractor runs perfect and cuts great, but I find myself wishing it had a 3 point hitch and rear PTO for additional work (tilling, auger, backhoe, etc.).

Do any of you have an X-series with a rear PTO and 3pt? If so, how does it compare to what a 1 or 2-series can tackle? I'm tempted to see what my local dealer would give me for a trade-in value and upgrade to a 1 or 2-series, but respect your feedback more and would like to hear any recommendations and opinions.

I currently have around $11K invested in my current setup.

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Your X7 isn't heavy enough for a back hoe that will do any real digging, and a post hole digger (auger) is problematic due to the limited lift height on the X7 lift. It won't go high enough for the auger on most diggers to clear the ground. However, if all you want is to garden and need a tiller, or use a compact tractor-sized box blade or other 3-point implement, the X7 will do it.

I had a 2008 X748 and ordered it with the rear PTO and 3-point lift, and used it for 11 years for mowing, gardening and light landscape work, got the 45 loader a bit later. For its size, the X7 is a quite capable machine, within its limits. I even used a PTO wood chipper with mine. If you need or want to do anything more than move mulch and loose material (gravel dirt and sand), blow and plow snow till or pull a small plow or cultivator, I'd recommend upgrading to at least a 1-series. If you don't have tight spaces to fit in when mowing or other tasks, I'd go to a 2 series if you can (that's what I ended up doing). One big advantage of a 1- or 2- series is the multi-range transmission. I found myself working against the pressure relief valve many times on my X7 when trying to push the loader into whatever I was working in, and sometimes when plowing or pulling a heavy load. Having a lower gear is a torque multiplier.

If you trade your X7, you'll take a hit, the dealer isn't going to give you nearly as much as you have in it. You'd do much better to sell it outright, and you might consider selling the loader by itself. Seems to be a good demand for them from people who already have an X7, and not everyone looking for an X7 wants a loader, but of course, someone may want both. The 45 loader is no longer made (2013 was the last year), and those who have them won't part with them if they are keeping the tractor.

Thank you for all the great information! I was hoping that someone on here would have first-hand experience with an X7, and I'm very grateful that you took the time to reply! The dealer is building me a quote for a 1025R TLB (tractor, loader, and backhoe) package with a 54" drive-over auto connect deck. I was previously looking for something used to save money, but will see what the dealer comes back with. Thanks again!