JD 455

[Mark2428]

Hello. I would like opinions on the John Deere 455 garden tractor. Someone locally is selling one for $4500. Its a 1993 with under 1000 hours. It has a new 60inch mower deck. It is not all wheel drive. Looks to be in excellent shape. I just do not know much about these tractors and any insight is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Traditional Farmer]

Nice tractors to mow with and fuel efficient Yanmar diesel,but the rear end is the weak point if you're going to work it much.

 

[Mark2428]

(quoted from post at 06:37:54 10/25/17) Nice tractors to mow with and fuel efficient Yanmar diesel,but the rear end is the weak point if you're going to work it much.

Thanks for the reply! I probably would want to get a tiller for it eventually. So that is good to keep in mind. What exactly is it that is the weak point you say?

 

[Mike M]

I have known of several people running 455 and loved them. Same with the gas versions.
I can't say as I ever heard of this rear end problem the other fellow spoke of ? I'd like to here the details.
Now the little entry level riding mowers is another story. They do have hydro troubles.
You might also post this down at the JD forum page.

 

[buickanddeere]

Usually thebtractordata site will list the price when new however that info is missing. The John Deere site will price out the 2017 version of that tractor , to help obtain an idea for the 455’s value . http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/000/0/4/46-john-deere-455.html

 

[Rolson]

I have one it has 2850 hours on it ,we have bladed snow,pulled rollers,and even pulled a school bus across the parking lot.I love it,I also have a 445
and it is just as good,with 1700 hours.Go for it you wont be sorry.

 

[2SteveWI]

Have JD 455 with almost 2000 hours on it. Very Dependable, use it with a 60 inch mower to mow 2 acres of lawn in Summer, and a 47 inch snowblower in winter. Neighbor has a year old Compact Utility from JD with same Engine. Bought it used about 10 years ago. Was originally used to mow a Large Cemetery. Hope this helps. Steve

 

[Ken Combs]

I've only heard of two with rear end issues. Both were early production. Mine was one unfortunately. One spider gear and axle gear lost some teeth.

Only available from JD as a full gearset replacement to the tune of around $2400!! This is a redesigned and stronger gearset.

I was lucky to find a complete used gearset.

Sold my ring gear to another owner that had lost some teeth from that gear. Also an earlier production model.

To be fair, mine has a lot of hours, not sure how many but over 1500 and has a model 40 loader so the diff lock is/was used a lot I'm sure by the first owner.

 

[Ray]

I had a nice one with 1400 hours I sold last spring for 4500.It didn't have 3
point or all wheel steer. One with 600 hours and 3 Point sold at an estate
auction near me for 5000.I saw one sell at auction here in ohio that was kind of
common with some scratches and very dirty.It brought 3500.

 

[daisyman]

I'm on my second one, great tractors. I bought a beat up one cheap and fixed it all up. It had 1700+ hours on it. I found another one with 625 hours, so I upgraded. Unless its been rode hard with no care, buy it, you won't be sorry. They ride good, turn short and are pretty light on their feet, and can mow grass till the cows come home. Make sure, as with any mower, that you level and set your deck first. It will look like carpet when you're done.

Irv 8)

 

[Mark2428]

Thank you to everyone who chimed in. I figured out how to attach a photo so here is what Im looking at.

 

[Traditional Farmer]

I busted the rear on my 445 with a loader on it and found a couple parts tractors both had busted rears so its not that uncommon,good tractor to mow with but if I'm really
going to use a garden tractor like a tractor I use my Massey 1650 or Simplicity Sunstar have run both hard and their drive line doesn't give problems.

 

[huntingreen2day2]

I have one. It?s had the shot worked out of it with a fel and 54 inch blade. I have a 519 grass cart for it also. Don?t know what I would do without
it. My brother,sister and neighbor have one. My sisters is the only one that has had any issues and it is the one that has been babied the most.

 

[Ken Combs]

There is a serial number break, early ones, (like mine!)have the weaker gear set. The later ones seem to be fine, have seen none of them broken.