Old JD 455 mower reliability

[Gary Fowler]

I am looking a purchasing a 1997 JD 455 diesel with 60" mower and wonder if anyone has info on any problems or reliability issues with this machine

 

[Grateful11]

We had a 425, same series just a gas engine, the only problems we had were probably both flukes, first the mower gearbox smashed the wiring harness in two to the point where they had to replace the entire harness thankfully it was under warranty. It seems that one of the clips that held the wires in place was left off at the factory. The other problem was the piston came off the steering cylinder rod, internally. I was able to get fixed instead of buying a new one. That's the only problems we had in about 200-250 hours.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thanks, I have been told that these were the best lawn tractors ever made by JD and possibly by anyone else, but there seems to be a flaw with every thing made even though they may be minor in scope.

 

[pennwalk]

The tuff torq transmissions in the 4XX tractors sometimes develop leaks. It may be related to them getting too hot. It is usually not too hard to fix, just a pain. There are threads here about that.

It may be that long term the 90s vintage diesel engines won't like ultra low sulfer fuel. I don't know what happens if you run them on straight fuel over time. I have been adding opti lube to my tractor fuel.

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

I have also seen several high hour 4Xx tractors at auction that needed work on the power steering.

Chris

 

[buckshot721]

If is in decent shape and you take care of it, it will last along time. The 425 and 455 are one of the most sought after garden tractors Deere made. I have the 425 and I will keep it forever. I'm always on the look out for a 455, my neighbor has one with over 3000 hours on it, and won't sell it!!

 

[Eagle09]

I had a 455 for just over ten years and never had any reliability issues with it at all. I did have to replace the muffler one time, and other than the fact of it costing $320.00 I experienced no problems at all.

Good machine, cut well and comfortable to ride. The only reason I sold it was to get a zero turn which has saved me time, and I love it.

Good luck !

 

[Gary Fowler]

Well the 455 sold before I could get in touch with the guy. I now have a line on a 332 diesel for $2800 that looks in good shape. I think this 332 was replaced by the 430 and then came the 455. Does anyone know the basic differences or upgrades that came along in this process of model changes. Not much info on Tractordata.com. although it does mention that the 332 had individual left and right brakes which I like that.

 

[pennwalk]

The 425/445/455 have pedal hydro.

Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

These mowers (330, 332, 430) for sale are very rare indeed. I find a lot of 455's for sale, but I have looked at craigslist in every major city in the Southern USA and have found nothing to compare to as far as price wise. This forum showed some folks buying 332 back in 2008 for $2000 which is less than they are selling for now so I guess they are pretty good to appreciate in value in 3 years.

 

[beenthere]

The 455's are hard to find, but available around $5-6000 price range with hours in the 500-1000 range. They are a great tractor and worth investing in, for they do not lose their value.
I finally gave up trying to find a 455, and bought a 425. Soon after that I find a low hour 455 and now have three mowers. 425, 455, and the newer but not as good X485.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I gave up on finding a reasonable priced 455 and looks like I am almost the proud owner of a 332. Just a couple of minor details to accomplish, like flying 7,500 miles then getting my truck and trailer and driving 500 miles to pick it up right after I get to the bank to get $2800 cash. I sure hope it is all he says it is as I am so looking forward to it. I would hate to have to work on it right off the bat as the wife is not to keen on me getting a 20 year old machine as she still thinks new is better. I will try to report some details on it after I get it home and to work.

 

[JD755]

Well the 455 sold before I could get in touch with the guy. I now have a line on a 332 diesel for $2800 that looks in good shape. I think this 332 was replaced by the 430 and then came the 455. Does anyone know the basic differences or upgrades that came along in this process of model changes. Not much info on Tractordata.com. although it does mention that the 332 had individual left and right brakes which I like that.

The 430 did not replace the 332. The 430 is a larger tractor with a 20 hp engine. The smaller 332 has a 16 hp engine. They were both good machines and were sold in the same time frame. BTW the 332 replaced the earlier 330.

 

[Grateful11]

Thanks, I have been told that these were the best lawn tractors ever made by JD and possibly by anyone else, but there seems to be a flaw with every thing made even though they may be minor in scope.

I don't know, we have an X720 now and I think the small improvements they made with the X700 series are a definite improvement over the 4_5 series. The weird hood arrangement, the odd hydro pedals, etc. of 4_ 5 series makes the X700 series that much better to me. About the only thing the feels cheesy to me on the X700 series is the tilt wheel lever, I don't think it's going to last.

OT: To anyone that's never looked at the 4_5 or the X700 series from underneath with a creeper and the deck off, they have a killer frame under there built as strong as many SCUT's I believe.

 

[JB2]

I don't know, we have an X720 now and I think the small improvements they made with the X700 series are a definite improvement over the 4_5 series. The weird hood arrangement, the odd hydro pedals, etc. of 4_ 5 series makes the X700 series that much better to me. About the only thing the feels cheesy to me on the X700 series is the tilt wheel lever, I don't think it's going to last.

OT: To anyone that's never looked at the 4_5 or the X700 series from underneath with a creeper and the deck off, they have a killer frame under there built as strong as many SCUT's I believe.

I have both a Deere 455 AWS and a 2007 Deere X744 AWS, and will agree that the improvements on the X700 series are very nice, especially the Hydro Petal set up, side by side, also I really prefer the deck height adjustment set up on the X700's vs the 4X5 series. Still, I really like the 455 as well, its easier to get to the rad on the 455 to clean out, then the X744. I really like the one piece hood on the X700's, but find its a pain to remove the side pannels on both sides of the rad on the X744 to blow out grass clippings and debris.

Its easier on my 2305 to blow out the rad then the 744, but thats just my observations. Still I love my 07 Deere X744, which I bought last June with 692 hrs on it, and currently has 803hrs on it. I have been using the 2305 to cut grass as well to keep some hrs off the X744.

Take Care Jason B

 

[Gary Fowler]

JD 755: you are right about the 430. It looks like they dropped the smaller model 332 diesel series in 1992 and just continued on with the 455 series. to replace the 430. I guess the hp genie hit and everyone wants more power. Anyway, I think I will like it and thanks to everyone who contributed info.

 

[Grateful11]

I have both a Deere 455 AWS and a 2007 Deere X744 AWS, and will agree that the improvements on the X700 series are very nice, especially the Hydro Petal set up, side by side, also I really prefer the deck height adjustment set up on the X700's vs the 4X5 series. Still, I really like the 455 as well, its easier to get to the rad on the 455 to clean out, then the X744. I really like the one piece hood on the X700's, but find its a pain to remove the side pannels on both sides of the rad on the X744 to blow out grass clippings and debris.

Its easier on my 2305 to blow out the rad then the 744, but thats just my observations. Still I love my 07 Deere X744, which I bought last June with 692 hrs on it, and currently has 803hrs on it. I have been using the 2305 to cut grass as well to keep some hrs off the X744.

Take Care Jason B

You're right about the newer side panels, I'm just waiting for one of the pins that go through the rubber grommets to break off. The first time I cleaned the radiator screen I was a bit shocked at cheapness of the panels.

 

[Peterselgey]

I recently bought a 20 year old JD455 on eBay. But I can't turn the PTO off. The mower starts OK and the seat safety switch has been bypassed. The blades turn all the time. I took it to a mower shop who tried a new PTO solenoid which they said didn't work, so they gave up, charged me $120 and gave me the mower back saying the problem was internal. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Kish318420]

I would get the JD TM on the tractor along with the CTM and also the Manual on the hydro/transmission because the problem is in side of that (bad spring/internal linkages).

 

[beenthere]

Sydney, Australia ? or ??

:welcome: to TBN

I also suggest the service tech manual to trouble shoot.. hope it is something simple.. 20 years old isn't "old" for that Deere