425 or GT275

[tlj87]

One of the two machines below would be used to occasionally clear a portion of my camp driveway of snow in the winter (once a month or so). I use an IH Cub Lo-Boy to plow the majority of it, but there is a creek between the two portions that can't be crossed in the winter (there is a footbridge). One of the two machines below would be used in the summer for trim mowing. I currently have a 2001 JD Sabre 1742HS with 130 hrs that I would sell.

1999 425 with ~750 hrs, 54" deck, 54" blade, rear wheel weights, bar tires (worn), and chains. Appears to be in good shape. $3700
OR
1997 GT275 with unknown hours, 48" deck, 42" blade, chains. Good shape. $1600.

Both machines would cut grass fine. My dilemma is how much difference would there be in snow plowing (yes, I realize the plow width and hyd lift/angle on 425)? Will there be a GREAT difference in plowing ability (of course, weights would be added to the GT275)?

 

[beenthere]

By far, get the 425.
You will be glad you did, and it will be an investment that you can get back at anytime. They are solid tractors.

 

[Dutch445]

Agree with other posters,
that 425 is a much heavier machine,
and also has the rear diff lock which
will make it a better snow machine.
also, it comes with hydraulic lift, power
steering, tilt wheel, liquid cooling, cruise control,
guess you could say it's fully loaded!

the 425 will also has full hydraulic
down pressure that you don't get on the
GT, makes a big difference pushing hard
packed snow with the blade

 

[pennwalk]

I have both of those machines. Those are both great machines at pretty good prices. Have you got a need for hydraulics? You pay a big premium if you don't need it. If the 425 had the 47 snowblower it would be hard to resist.

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

I think 1999 is beyond the plastic timing gear issue which would be a big plus on the 425.

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

I have only used the 54 plow on my 425 once because as the local dealer says "The 47 snowblower is all the snow equipment you need" so I can't really tell you much about how it plows, I did use the 275 to clean up 6" to 8" drifts in the farm driveway. With bar tires and no weight and the 48" plow it struggled to move the drifts. I got it done but it was work. I think turfs and chains would be better. Plenty of weight would help.

Chris

 

[tlj87]

Thanks all for the advice! I ended up buying the 425. Will post more info and an interesting video this evening.

 

[beenthere]

tlj
Good decision.

 

[tlj87]

So, Saturday morning, I got up and drove north to my camp (about 1.5 hr). Of course, here in Pittsburgh, there is practically no snow. 1.5 hrs north, there was about a foot. 8" of heavy, wet snow and 4" of packed ice/snow underneath. Anyhow, I got all that off of the truck and took off the cap - a chore. I hope by fall I will have a building built to store the truck (barn is full and on the other side of the creek). Loaded up the ramps and straps and I was off to Ohio.

About 2.5 hrs later and I was back with a 1999 JD 425, ag tires, chains, weights, 54" mower and 54" blade. The tractor has 782 hours. Asked 3700, got it for 3500.

The machine has some flaws: Corner of hood is cracked. Black trim on hood near dash is loose and rattles (can fix with some superglue). One of the tabs holding on a side panel is broken off. Skids and blade edge need to be replaced. Seat is loose - it seems the holes where the bolts for the seat pivot are are wallered out. Not sure if there are bushings there or not?

I tried plowing some snow, but was not overly impressed. The machine needs more weight - the 55lb wheel weights don't cut it. Of course, the type of snow I was trying to push is not common. Any suggestions on a weight box?

Mower deck appears to be in good shape - new blades and mulching provisions.

Oil in engine and transmission was clean, but will change both this spring when all my machines get their annual oil change.

Everything needs a good washing and waxing, and perhaps some touch-up paint (on the mower deck). Must get warmer first!

The attached video will show the machine and how we had to get it to the barn for storage. The creek, during late spring/summer/fall is usually 6" and can be crossed by auto, but - it's winter. Had to drive the tractor across the footbridge.

I had to use the IH Cub Lo Boy to plow the drive from the barn to the bridge (which is all downhill) Since the JD 425 couldn't plow uphill from the bridge to the barn.

Enjoy...

YouTube - John Deere 425 - Winter Arrival

 

[mfreund]

When I had similar problems with my blade. I was able to turn the blade edge over top to bottom amd get more life out of it. I also welded wider steel to the bottoms of the feet to help it float better on my gravel drive. I think I used 1 1/2 inch wide flatstock and bent the front edge up in a vice. Congratulations on the new tractor. I was voting for the 425 too.

 

[hizoot]

what is the music for the video? I cant place it...been too many years

 

[Gittyup]

You need more weight. Also, try a piece of pipe added to the cutting blade to keep the edge from cutting into the stone.

I plow snow with my 425. It'll easily move over a foot at a time. Last week I did 5 driveways, 75 -100 ' long in less than an hour. Snow was 6" deep. But, this is on pavement. Plow is way faster than a blower. But not as neat, and several deep snows become a problem when you don't have a place to push it as it piles up. Where you are, the amount of snow might say get a blower.

A bulldozer, it is not. Can't let the blade dig into the ground - instant stoppage.

 

[tlj87]

hizoot: Can't remember the name of the song but I believe it is off of Marty Gold's Wired for Sound album. The music was copied from an LP a few years back and I didn't enter all the song names into the computer at the time.

Gittyup: I am interested in the idea of the pipe on the blade edge. I did experience the plow digging into the gravel and tripping even with the skids down (ground was not frozen). What kind of pipe? How is it attached? Do you remove the skids?

I have been thinking of how to add more weight. My neighbor (at the camp) has welding equipment, so perhaps he can build be a box or rack that I can fill with concrete. I will of course want to remove it for spring/summer/fall mowing.

 

[RickND]

Hey there,

I don't have a blade but I noticed a big traction difference on my rig when I went to the 26in tire that the 445 and 455 use. I went with a knobby looking tire filled with windshield wiper fluid and 70lb cast iron wheel weights. Pryor to that I had 23in weighted bar tires.
I have a 3 point I could have hung more weight off however I haven't had to with my new set up.

The pic is from our last sizeable snow. My first pass was plenty goofy because I couldn't really see my road. So instead of my normal 2 passes I ended up maken 3. Not sure what my Springer is looken at but if I had to guess it had something to do with grub ... as you can see she doesn't miss many meals

Good luck with your tractor ... I'm sure it will do you fine, I know mine has.

Rick

 

[Gittyup]

Gittyup: I am interested in the idea of the pipe on the blade edge. I did experience the plow digging into the gravel and tripping even with the skids down (ground was not frozen). What kind of pipe? How is it attached? Do you remove the skids?

There are many threads on here about adding a pipe to a blade for removing snow on stone drives. Do a search in the "build it yourself" and "customization" forums. You'll find plenty of info. These leave behind a little snow on top of the stone. Works best the flatter and harder your drive.

The basic concept is to slit a PVC pipe length-wise and simply push it onto the bottom of your blade. I think 2" or so, sch.40, is what most are using. Push it on and go. When it wears through, replace it. This is all that some do. Others add mechanisms to attach it more securely. Still others use different pipe materials for longer life. Some curve the ends back so there is no "edge" to catch on things. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want. A lot of interesting threads on here about it.

 

[tlj87]

RickND: I thought about filling the tires, but figured this would decrease the ride quality. Did you notice any difference?

Gittyup: Thanks - I did some searching and found lots of info on this, as you indicated. I have lots of black ABS that I could use for this - hopefully I am finished with snow plowing for this season, though!!!

On a side note, I ordered a new air filter & pre-cleaner, spark plugs, hydro oil filter and oil, brake pedal pad, fuel filter and oil filter today for pickup on Friday from my JD dealer.
In fact, I ordered three oil filters as the 425, Gator 6x4 and Mule 2510 all use the same one. Got to love parts standardization.

 

[Dutch445]

If you can get into 26" rubber it will help for sure,
esp if you can get them filled with fluid.

that ramp/stairs looked scary! when i had my 445,
with rear tires loaded, it was well over 1000 lbs,
i would have had a hard time taking it down
that ramp, too much pucker factor for me! although
you had a relatively soft landing at the bottom
with the snow. i expected the hitch to really dig
at the bottom, but it sort of glided and you made it
ok.

that snow looks like it was very heavy, and with any ice
underneath, it will be hard with that tractor to really be
effective. once you establish a frozen base, and get some
lighter snow, it will work great. maybe you don't get that
cold during most winters though. we have been very cold this
winter, and my driveway/base was probably 3" thick in places,
but being hard packed snow it worked well for traction for
cars and vehicles, until it rains that is.

congrats on the new tractor.

oh, one thing to check out. pedal travel, for your hydro.
see if you have full reverse, use a short rope and when going backwards,
wrap the rope around the forward pedal and pull up. if you have a "lot" more
travel with the rope, you may need to adjust the bracket under the
footrest to get those pedals back up thru the floorboard further, giving
a little more pedal and ground speed in both forward and reverse.
I "adjusted" mine a couple times while i had it, with long bar or
sturdy board, prying up on that bracket that the pedals attach to under
the floorboard there.

 

[tlj87]

Yes, driving up and down those ramp was scary. Should be the first and last time I have to do it. I had to take the plow off to get extra clearance for using the ramps.
That tractor will stay on one side of the creek for the winter, and, of course in the summer it can go through the creek ford when the creek is at normal levels.

I will check out the hydro pedal travel this weekend when I service the machine. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[RickND]

t,

Seemed like the more weight I placed on the unit the better the ride got.

Rick

 

[Gittyup]

change oil often and she'll last forever. I change about every 25 hours. But, only change the filter every 50 here lately. That filter is pricey for what it is! Oil change takes about 5 minutes. Very nicely designed by JD.