Buy JD 425?

radman · Sep 17, 2002

I am considering purchasing a used 1999 JD 425 lawn mower for 1 acre of grass. Has all wheel steer, 54" mower deck and 21 hp Kawasaki motor. Appears in very good condition with 275 hours for $5500. Is this a good mower? Any problems with all wheel steer? Price OK?

upgw · Sep 17, 2002

My neighbor says he just paid $8250 for a new X series JD (bigger thant the 400 series). In light of that, $5500 seems a little pricey. 275 isn't that many hours, the 400 series seems well made to me, I almost bought a 455.. don't know about the steering, maybe that is where the extra money comes in. You should look up the 'list price' on the JD site..

- Patrick W.

cowboydoc · Sep 17, 2002

The price is about avg. Other than that it's a great mowing machine. The AWS has been very reliable.

rancar · Sep 18, 2002

I own a JD425, non-AWS. I bought it in 1995 and have over 700 hours on it. This is a great lawn and garden tractor if all you want to do is cut lawn and light garden chores. It'll run all day w/o any difficulty. I've never had any problems with it. I've done all normal servicing myself. Price seems about right for a garden tractor, 3 years old, with 275 hours. I'd go for it if the machine is in good condition.

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

radman · Sep 18, 2002

According to the JD website, the AWS is $1000 more to list price. The AWS with 54" mower deck, leaves a 9" circle according to the spec sheet I have. Still, $5500 for a lawn mower ......

radman · Sep 18, 2002

I read in the archives that the JD 425 may be sometimes underpowered and likes a lot of fuel. What do you think?
The machine is in very good condition. Just a few marks on the sheet metal. I drove it and the AWS makes a very tight circle and will allow me to mow around mulched trees. Not as tight as a zero turn mower, but good enough. I am not in any hurry to buy and won't really need it until next spring.

upgw · Sep 18, 2002

That's interesting, another friend of mine has a JD 345 with the Kawasaki liquid cooled engine, 800 hours, nothing wrong but a worn out steering knuckle. His only complaint was that it really ate gas unlike his diesel 455...

- Patrick

NY_Yankees_Fan · Sep 18, 2002

Check out this site
http://www.lawnpower.com

click on used equipment, then lawn and tractor

they have some listed as follows:

00 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC 60 TURF 89.4 hrs $ 6850.00
'01 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC PS 54 BAR 87.3 hrs $6850.00
'01 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC PS 60 & TURF 46.8 hrs $ 7250.00
'01 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC PS W/54 TURF 62.1 hrs $ 6750.00
01 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC PS W/54 TURF 74.4 hrs $ 6750.00
'01 JD 425AWS 20HP HYDRO LC PS W/54 TURF 235.2 hrs $ 6850.00

Tom

radman · Sep 18, 2002

Thanks for the tip on lawnpower.com. It would seem that the price of $5500 for the one I saw is in line with those listed. However, the listed 425AWS with 235.2 hours for $6850 seems high. It must have some other attachments with it.

rancar · Sep 19, 2002

<font color=blue>I read in the archives that the JD 425 may be sometimes underpowered and likes a lot of fuel. What do you think?</font color=blue>

My JD425 has plenty of power. It cuts through tall grass with ease. If I have any kind of problem at all, it's with the mower deck that gets clogged quite frequently with the early grass of Spring. This grass has a high moisture content and cutting it on this machine is like cutting it after a rain. I've found I have to cut more frequently in the Spring and at a higher height. Having said that though, I'm still pleased with the 425's performance and quite pleased that nothing has gone wrong with it after 700 hours of use.

As for the gas guzzling....this is true. It drinks gas like there's no tomorrow. Capacity of tank is 6.5 gallons and a full tank is all gone in slightly over 4 hours time. I had considered the 445 diesal at the time of purchase and now wish I got the 445.

But, I'm still very pleased with the 425's performance and have no plans on replacing it.

Bob

Buster57 · Nov 22, 2002

If you are buying this from an individual as opposed to a dealer then it is probably a good deal. Check the compression on the engine then go for it. The 425 is a great L&G tractor and the Kaw engine is excellent as well.