445 or X500

[MoreBoostPlease]

What are the pros/cons of these two tractors. The 445 has about 400 hours on it while the X500 has 130 hours. Both are in excellent condition. It will initially be used for mowing(2 acres), snow plowing/blowing(600 foot driveway), and possibly tilling - at least until I purchase something larger like a 2520. I assume I'll need to purchase a rear pto and 3 point hitch for both to run a tiller, and the 445 will need the front hydraulic quick hitch for a snow blade. Does the X500 have front hydraulics?

Asking price on both is around $3800.

 

[beenthere]

I would buy the 445 over the X500 in a heartbeat. Much more tractor.

I've had the 445 (my son bought it from me when I moved to an X485) and liked it much better than the X485. Still have that, but added a 425 and 445 (just because they were better than the X485. If that helps.
You mentioned tilling. Does the 445 have the 3 ph and PTO?

The 445 has held good used value over the years. What year is the 445? What size mower deck?

 

[jenkinsph]

I would do a close comparision but the 445 is more similar to a new x700 series machine. You can add a Cat 0 or Cat 1 hitch and a 540 rear pto kit. It has a 2 circuit hydraulic system too.

The x500 is a sleeve hitch not sure if the rear pto kit is available for it.


If it were me I would lean in favor of the 445 as it has more capabilities, I have the TPH and 540 pto kit on my x749 and it works well enough.

 

[MoreBoostPlease]

I would buy the 445 over the X500 in a heartbeat. Much more tractor.

I've had the 445 (my son bought it from me when I moved to an X485) and liked it much better than the X485. Still have that, but added a 425 and 445 (just because they were better than the X485. If that helps.
You mentioned tilling. Does the 445 have the 3 ph and PTO?

The 445 has held good used value over the years. What year is the 445? What size mower deck?

I think the 445 is a 2000 or 2001, so it's roughly 10 years old. It has the 54" deck but does not have the rear pto or 3ph. I assume it will cost me about $1500 to add both....? Also, will the 3ph be hydraulically lifted/lowered? What tiller would work best with the 445? I'd love to have a 455, but I can't find one in my area.

 

[beenthere]

The 54" deck is a very good size for that tractor, and does a great job of mowing (better than the newer 54C decks by a long way).
Yes, the 3 ph raises with the same hyd. ram that lifts the deck.
Not sure which tiller.
Can look for, and sometimes find, 3 ph and PTO kits on ebay.

(I finally found a low hour 455 last year about this time, and had to drive from WI to OH to pick it up, but well worth the trip. I was particular in that I wanted a 54" deck and AWS (all wheel steer) and low hours.)

 

[kspeters]

There is a hydraulic driven tiller for the 4x5 series tractors (I know, I have one). It works witht he midmount pto which is standard on these tractors. Yopu would not have to spend the money to install the rear pto then. I think mine is a 42" tiller.
By the way, I love my 445 and would not part with it. I would go bigger if anything than the x500.

 

[om21braz]

IMHO, the 445 is the one to choose. Heavier built machine that is just broke-in, providing nothing out of the ordinary occurs. Plus, they don't make them like the 425/445/455 any more.

 

[MoreBoostPlease]

There is a hydraulic driven tiller for the 4x5 series tractors (I know, I have one). It works witht he midmount pto which is standard on these tractors. Yopu would not have to spend the money to install the rear pto then. I think mine is a 42" tiller.
By the way, I love my 445 and would not part with it. I would go bigger if anything than the x500.

What type of attachment requires the rear pto if the tiller can use the mid pto? Also, do you happen to know what tiller you have (model #, etc.)?

 

[beenthere]

I'm curious too (about the hyd. driven tiller). Is it Deere product, and is the hyd. pump on the mid PTO? If so, there must be a tank for hyd. oil separate from the tranny of the tractor. Sounds like an idea.
I don't know of any other rear attachments other than the tiller for the rear PTO (yet )

Yuppers! Found the hydraulic tiller in jdparts. It is 42" and there is a pump driven off the mid PTO and appears the oil reservoir is in the frame. Model 2697, or found under the 445 Attachments. Still need the 3 ph to lift/carry the tiller. But don't see any other rear PTO Deere attachments. Having that auxilliary PTO hyd. pump that runs a motor might open up a lot of other possibilities for hyd. motor driven jobs. Splitter??

 

[jenkinsph]

The 445, 455 x700 series would use the 647 pto tiller if you go that route. Also the King Kutter 48" tiller , the DR 3pt chipper both would work well with these tractors.

I am considering a 647 tiller for my x749 and have done the leg work just haven't committed to it yet.

The pto kit was quick and easy to install took less than an hour total time. The 3PH took several hours to install mostly because of it being on the ground and lots of crawling back and forth. If I had it to do again I would raise it up for easier access.