Collection System for John Deere 445 Garden Tractor

[fleminj2pa]

I am searching for a collection system for my John Deere 445 garden tractor. The used bagger setups seem to be about as plentiful as hen's teeth. I've seen this tractor on a YouTube video with a 3 bag, 11.5 bushel system but my Deere dealer tells me that it's not currently available...only a 2 bag, 6.5 bushel system is offered and that is not quite enough capacity for my needs. I've considered a Trac-Vac system that offers a 16 bushel capacity through 2 Rubbermaid plastic trash containers and attaches via a 3 point hitch (which I would need to add) but I have concerns about weight with that unit. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[MechE1]

Deere indeed did quit making these. I see used units every now and then on govt surplus sites and ebay (although getting rare). There was a thread a couple months back about this very thing. I'll try to find time to do a search, you should too. As I recall, there is an outfit out of europe selling something similar.

 

[Dutch445]

there are quite a few trailer type collection systems,
even thru the JD dealer they have one based on their 17" cart,
add on a tented enclosure, engine on the tongue and it's about 42 bushell
capacity...

 

[fleminj2pa]

I'm not crazy about the whole cart thing. In fact, I just sold a tow behind DR lawn vac because my wife (she does most of the mowing) didn't like the trailer following her around. I had looked at the Trac-Vac 662-PRO unit that is available locally through an equipment dealer. I have heard good things about Trac-Vac products but my concern is the weight. It has a Briggs & Stratton engine mounted on the frame in front of the collectors which hold 16 bushel and it mounts to the tractor with a 3 point hitch. I am concerned that the 445 might decide to take my wife for a ride down the hill with that much weight pushing. I think I may need a 4X4 tractor for that setup, e.g., X595, 585, 748, etc. I was hoping to find someone who had a JD 445/455 that mowed hilly terrain with at least a triple bagger attachment to get some first hand feedback on that issue.

 

[bigtiller]

I had a john deere material collection system (MC519) with my 425 years ago. It was a cart with 2 swiveling wheels and a special hitch that would not move on corners but would allow movement up and down that worked great. But I don't know if they still sell the MC519

 

[fleminj2pa]

I had a john deere material collection system (MC519) with my 425 years ago. It was a cart with 2 swiveling wheels and a special hitch that would not move on corners but would allow movement up and down that worked great. But I don't know if they still sell the MC519

I realize that there probably are not many hills in central Iowa but maybe you can tell me if the 445 would tend to run away down a grade with weight pushing/pulling it? The avatar on your profile shows front suitcase weights on the tractor. I was thinking about doing the same thing if I put the Trac-Vac on the back.

 

[bigtiller]

Weight never created a problem for my 425 and MC519, it was bolted to the frame. Doesn't the track-vac just pin to the draw bar?

The front weights on my 2305 in my avatar are just for show while I was plowing a garden.

 

[TCowner]

The collection system I have on my 1026R is the 3 bag system and came off of a 455 John Deere with a 60" deck. I used it on my my X748 before it was traded for the 1026R. I think the system works well but of course the biggest drawback is the frequency at which you have to stop to empty the bags. I am in the process of building a larger collection wagon that I can use for my large areas and quickly convert over to the 3 bag system for the areas that require more turning and working closer to the house, LP tanks, etc. I was using mine over the weekend on freshly fallen maple leaves and the 3 bags would fill in about 3 minutes. With my new wagon design I hope to lengthen the time to 15 minutes.

I see these systems show up for sale on craigslist from time to time so they are available. Its just a matter of how far you want to go to get one. But overall, if you can accept the high frequency in which you stop to empty I would say they work well.

 

[Dutch445]

i have a video on youtube of a customer using the current X730, which is basically
the same design as the 425, and a 3 bag hopper. this is a very steep slope, and i'm sure
in wet conditions and full bags the tractor may slide a bit.
http://youtu.be/LNDftTeKaos
my tractors have always had chains on year round, never hurt the lawn while mowing but
added traction on hills, and i've mowed some fairly steep areas with my old 445 and current X585.