Looking at a 345 with MC519

[MarkCoburn]

Those headlights look like they could use a good cleaning. Easy to do and makes a big difference.

I too am curious about the forward pedal setup you have. Could we get a better picture of that?

I'm looking forward to cleaning those headlights. I've done it to my cars before. Also, only one headlight is working. Made it tough last night, because I came home from work and couldn't stop mowing until I ran out of grass. It was long after running out of light.

Something else I like but have not mentioned... it is fairly fast. That is good because the 2-year-old and I can take tractor rides to Grandme and Grandpa's house.

 

[beenthere]

That pedal extension may just have been added for a smaller person or youngster to be able to reach the forward pedal.
The hydrostatic floor pedals are tough for a kid to reach. My 5 yr old was driving the mower at that age and mowing around 8 yrs old. I should qualify that "mowing" as we had some tough times getting away from the meandering around for a long time at random until the grass was finally all cut.

 

[Mattyj40]

I have a 1996 345 and I am in the process of restoring it. $3500 seems a bit steep to me but I will tell you that I am impressed with how this thing is built. I have to mow about an acre and a half, push a few snowfalls off the driveway, and haul a leaf vacuum around all fall. She's always been a champ and is well worth the $800 I am putting into her.

 

[MarkCoburn]

I have a 1996 345 and I am in the process of restoring it. $3500 seems a bit steep to me but I will tell you that I am impressed with how this thing is built. I have to mow about an acre and a half, push a few snowfalls off the driveway, and haul a leaf vacuum around all fall. She's always been a champ and is well worth the $800 I am putting into her.

I agree about $3500. Bought it for $2500. It came with the MC519. That is good, but it needs quite a bit of TLC. I just dropped some $$ at the dealer for two deck wheels and 3 filters. It also has noisy PTO bearings. I could try to press out and replace the bearings; the PTO is $190 from my dealer.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Those headlights look like they could use a good cleaning. Easy to do and makes a big difference.

I too am curious about the forward pedal setup you have. Could we get a better picture of that?

What is the easiest way to get inside the lenses to clean them out?

 

[MarkCoburn]

Here are some photos of that pedal. After the pictures, I removed it.

 

[Carl Bert]

What is the easiest way to get inside the lenses to clean them out?

Very simple, the whole assembly comes apart from the back, if I remember right.

 

[beenthere]

That pedal really looks to be cumbersome to easily get to the reverse. Expect you will like it better being off, but would appreciate knowing if it is true.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Very simple, the whole assembly comes apart from the back, if I remember right.

Looks like there is a nut in the middle. I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[beenthere]

You got it.

 

[GGB]

Cleaning the lights on your 345 is an easy project, and you won't believe the difference it will make if you are trying to finish mowing when it's getting dark.

I also changed the bulbs to a Sylvania (don't recall the number, but it may have been 2056), and that was a nice improvement over the stock bulbs. But be careful about being tempted to go with some types, as they can melt the lense and defuser. Check some of the older threads if you are wanting more light than conventional bulbs.

 

[sklunk]

Cleaning the lights on your 345 is an easy project, and you won't believe the difference it will make if you are trying to finish mowing when it's getting dark.

I also changed the bulbs to a Sylvania (don't recall the number, but it may have been 2056), and that was a nice improvement over the stock bulbs. But be careful about being tempted to go with some types, as they can melt the lense and defuser. Check some of the older threads if you are wanting more light than conventional bulbs.

Yeah, but it's a pain to have to clean them 2 or 3 times a year. The next time I clean them I'm going to run a bead of silicone around where the clear lens meets the silver reflector. The bulb sockets are sealed so the dirt must be coming in at the lens/reflector seam.

For brighter lights I may try these (factory kit from Deere):
Halogen headlight kit

The kit is supposed to be for a GX345, but I think the headlight setup is the same between the GX and non-GX ones (at least according to jdparts!)

 

[MarkCoburn]

That pedal really looks to be cumbersome to easily get to the reverse. Expect you will like it better being off, but would appreciate knowing if it is true.

I've now used the tractor with and with out; I see the benefit of having the pedal there. Seems easier to regulate the speed, more comfortable leaving your foot there, and the little guard on the right made it easy to feel and stay on the go pedal.

I'll be leaving it off because it is just too clankey looking and after a few weeks of operating the tractor, I'm sure I'll not miss it.