Strengths Quite and performed excellent. Ergonomics on this was the best I ever had. The seat on the SE model gave the best ride. 4WD and HDAP tires was able to push snow up hill without chains and weights.

Weaknesses EFI light always came on when pushing snow. Oil drain plug extremely hard to get too. Top drive shaft zerks extremely hard to grease, next to impossible.

Overall I bought the X585SE in the spring of 2004 and had 390 hours on it when I traded for my 2305. This was the best GT I ever had.

Strengths 4x4 has been wonderful! Power steering is wonderful! Its a wonderful tractor.

Weaknesses Overheats WAY too much! This needs to be fixed bad! Could use more horsepower. Some safety features are too safe - the seat sensor turns tractor off (pain) and you have to lift the mower button to keep the mower on before backing up.

Overall If it didnt overheat - it would be a GREAT tractor! Maybe a little more HP.

Strengths It's a heavy, powerful machine. Mows like a champ and the powersteering is very smooth. Seat and steering wheel adjustability makes the machine comfy for tall and short drivers alike. The single-stage snow-thrower is great (I have a 600 ft driveway, in Wisconsin, so it sees plenty of use.)

Weaknesses On the snow-thrower: the cable that controls the chute direction snapped the first season due to rubbing against the black plastic cover. Replacing it was a pain and once replaced, the cover wouldn't mate with the frame without rubbing (so I just cut out the opening with a coping saw). The blade is good for moving snow, wood chips, and small amounts of dirt, but it's too small for serious leveling work. The tractor: keep the radiator fins and sideplates clean or the machine quickly overheats. Mine has an odd glitch in the fuel injector - it does not like to start when the engine is already hot. It takes it several minutes to "adjust." I haven't done anything to fix it, though. Machine now has 200 hrs. Parts availability is good, but JD's prices are OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH! ($50 for an airfilter at my local dealer.)

Overall It's a very fine machine. I plant a large garden, and mow about 2 acres per week. The machine is very reliable. As noted by earlier reviewers, changing attachments was very frustrating at first, but one you figure it out, it's reasonably easy and does not require tools.

Strengths Lots of power, excellent turning and maneuvering. Great traction in snow with 4wd. The snow blower works great, easy finger tip controls.

Weaknesses The fuel pump failed completely at 37 hours. Had problems with starting and fuel pick up for months before John Deere acknowledged a problem with the fuel pump. There is now a factory notice on the pumps. Also learned of fuel tank problems on some tractors due to improper installation. In addition some attachments are difficult to install/remove. Most attachments use spring loaded pins, in some cases the springs a too big and even when fully compressed don't allow proper recess of pins to remove implements. Not a major problem, but it can be frustrating when working by yourself.

Overall Great machine when it runs. Overall great tractor for lots of jobs on small acreage. The two stage snow blower is the best I've ever used, a must have for those with long driveways or large areas to clear. Comparing pictures in manual to the machine you can see John Deere went cheap in the manufacturing of these machines. For example metal braces with bolts seen in manual are plastic with plastic push pins on the tractor. I believe the concept and design is great the manufacturing poor.

Strengths lots of power 4 wheel drive stability

Weaknesses noisy light fule injection hunts on start up

Overall great tractor