Thoughts on JD 425

[hunt4570]

Trying to find a used mower, I mow 3-4 acres, mostly flat but with lots of obstacles. I have an inground pool so I'm also wanting a collection system to keep stuff from blowing in the pool. I found a JD425 all wheel steer with 20hp liquid cooled Kawasaki a 54" deck and the powerflo bagger system. He's asking $2900, a concern to me is it has 600 hrs..looks good though.

So tired of looking at these "box store" mowers everyone is selling off.. lots of plastic and none seem to last too long .

Whatcha think? I'd do Zero Turn, but again such a big gap between "big box" units and "better" units, and most have no bagger.

 

[KEYBEAR]

I have a 2016 X-758 with 60" deck also a power Flow 14 bl. The Power Flow does a great job but is a total pain . First the weight of the Power Flow pulls the right side of the deck down so the deck has to be adjusted for it . Second it is or can be very dirty a real mess if dry . Also the bags are heavy and get full fast I really wish I had bought a pull behind with a motor on it not the mower deck .
As for the tractor 600 hours is not a lot of hours if cared for it should go a long time . I put 80 hours a year on my tractor mowing and other stuff . If the 425 is clean and the power flow is in good condition the price is not bad .

 

[beenthere]

IMO that is a great price for a 425, 54" deck, bagger setup and in addition.. low hours. That 400 series I've found are classic designs that the X tractor models that follow have dropped in favor of a one-piece hood. The dust, grass, and other debris get into the radiator much easier than with the older 400's..
I have an X485 and won't use it to mow.. the 54" deck is a poor design compared to the older 54" decks.
Check, if you can, on the s/n of the 425 with the dealer, and get them to look up the history to see if the plastic part in the engine has been changed out or if it is a later model 425. What are the last 6 digits of the s/n ? can "x" out the last three for security if you'd prefer.

 

[hunt4570]

IMO that is a great price for a 425, 54" deck, bagger setup and in addition.. low hours. That 400 series I've found are classic designs that the X tractor models that follow have dropped in favor of a one-piece hood. The dust, grass, and other debris get into the radiator much easier than with the older 400's..
I have an X485 and won't use it to mow.. the 54" deck is a poor design compared to the older 54" decks.
Check, if you can, on the s/n of the 425 with the dealer, and get them to look up the history to see if the plastic part in the engine has been changed out or if it is a later model 425. What are the last 6 digits of the s/n ? can "x" out the last three for security if you'd prefer.

Its for sale by a private owner, I'll see if he'll give me the serial #.

Where is the break off on the serial# for earlier or later models?

He does have it listed as a 1997 model..

 

[beenthere]

That is after the time they switched.. but the seller should give you the s/n.. he/she can leave off the last three digits. The 4th and fifth to last digits tell the year.. '94 was 20xxx and year 2000 was 80xxx.. so '97 was 50xxx Deere keeps a pretty good record of past work, if that work was done by a Deere dealer.

My first 425 was a '96 and was s/n 40083.. never had a problem with it.

 

[Gittyup]

I used one for 20 years. Loved that tractor. It's a grass cutting machine. And good at snow too, if you put chains on it. I did have to put a new cam in it at just shy of 1000 hours. It was '94. I think the price is great or the low hours. It's a way better machine than anything you'll buy new for that kind of money. Just change the fluids regularly and keep the screens clean. It'll last you a long long time.

 

[hunt4570]

I'm going to try to go look at it this weekend, anything in particular I need to keep a look out for?

 

[hunt4570]

IMO that is a great price for a 425, 54" deck, bagger setup and in addition.. low hours. That 400 series I've found are classic designs that the X tractor models that follow have dropped in favor of a one-piece hood. The dust, grass, and other debris get into the radiator much easier than with the older 400's..
I have an X485 and won't use it to mow.. the 54" deck is a poor design compared to the older 54" decks.
.

Why wont you use it to mow? Then what do you use it for?

 

[Gittyup]

IMO that is a great price for a 425, 54" deck, bagger setup and in addition.. low hours. That 400 series I've found are classic designs that the X tractor models that follow have dropped in favor of a one-piece hood. The dust, grass, and other debris get into the radiator much easier than with the older 400's..
I have an X485 and won't use it to mow.. the 54" deck is a poor design compared to the older 54" decks.
Check, if you can, on the s/n of the 425 with the dealer, and get them to look up the history to see if the plastic part in the engine has been changed out or if it is a later model 425. What are the last 6 digits of the s/n ? can "x" out the last three for security if you'd prefer.

I now have an X739 and the mower deck on it is much better than the one on my old 425. Not that the deck was bad on the 425, but the new one spins faster and cuts cleaner with less clogging.

 

[hunt4570]

IMO that is a great price for a 425, 54" deck, bagger setup and in addition.. low hours. That 400 series I've found are classic designs that the X tractor models that follow have dropped in favor of a one-piece hood. The dust, grass, and other debris get into the radiator much easier than with the older 400's..
I have an X485 and won't use it to mow.. the 54" deck is a poor design compared to the older 54" decks.
Check, if you can, on the s/n of the 425 with the dealer, and get them to look up the history to see if the plastic part in the engine has been changed out or if it is a later model 425. What are the last 6 digits of the s/n ? can "x" out the last three for security if you'd prefer.

So this is what I got from the owner if there is anything you can tell me about it that would be great!

Product Identification Number
*M00425B041354*

425 AWS Tractor