Couple questions about the JD 455

[lj04]

I'm beginning my search for a yard/garden machine and have a few questions about the 455.

Did the PTO come standard?

What does it take to add a 3PH (Did they come with rear hydraulics)?

Is one year better than another to look for?

I'm sure I will have more questions as I continue to look.

 

[Gittyup]

rear pto and 3ph are both options. For rear 3ph all you need is the hitch (diverter valve too is almost a must). Rear pto can be added at any time, if you can justify the cost. I don't think there is any significant difference from model year to model year. Very fine tractor. One of the best every made.

 

[lj04]

I'm now a little worried now about the cost of adding the PTO, roughly how much are we talking about?

 

[beenthere]

Ditto + what Gittyup said.

A search on eBay may get you the options you asked about. Hours would be important, and anything less than 1000 hours would be a plus. But they will function with many more hours than that too. Could be any year between about 1995 and 2002.

Here is a PTO kit on CL
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/grd/2255730361.html

 

[Gittyup]

From what I've seen the PTO kits are asking $600 - $800, as I recall. 3PH's routinely asking $325 - $400 or so. Best value might be to find one that already has these. You can call JD and get a price for these too.

You might do just as well with a 2305 or a 4100 series. Though I don't like the non-folding rops. Or a Kubota BX.

 

[lj04]

You guys seem to be pretty close with the estimates, probably around 1k to add the 3ph and pto.

I may have to expand my search a little bit more since my grass is getting shabby and probably will be planting in the garden in a few weeks.

Any thoughts on a 2210?

 

[beenthere]

The 2210 a lot more useful 3 ph and PTO in my estimation.

However, I think for a lawn mower tractor the JD 455 is tops.

 

[ovrszd]

I wish I could be more precise concerning model changes by year, but alas I can't.

I had a 455 that was a 2000 model I believe. It had an entirely different steering system and larger tires/wheels than my Son's early model 455. Also had an entirely different mowing deck. So there is some differences.

I lost my 455 in a fire and replaced it with a 2210. I don't see those two as fair comparisons. The 2210 probably outweighs the 455 by 500 pounds. It's several inches longer wheelbase. It's also 4x4.

Two differences that I immediately noticed. The 455 has by far a better suspension seat. it's truly a suspension seat. The 2210 is simply a hinged seat resting on a couple coil springs. The 455 also tilt steering wheel, the 2210 doesn't. Another big difference to me. The result is that the 2210 rides harsher and doesn't offer a good fit for two different sized operators.

If you are staying away from 4x4, I agree that the 455 is pretty hard to beat.

My 455 had PTO and 3pt. I never used the PTO but used the 3pt all the time. As old as the model is you may struggle trying to find a 3pt kit.

Here's a picture of my old 455 and my 2210. Not a great comparison shot but it gives you an idea of the size difference.

Maybe someone can post a picture of the earlier model 455s??

 

[beenthere]

Don't think the shape/size of the 455's changed over their years, so don't know what model your son may have had that you are thinking of.
At least jdparts doesn't show anything different.

There were the AWS (all wheel steer) for each of the 425, 445, and 455 models that came with a bit smaller tires. That may be what you are remembering.

Good comments on the 455 vs 2210.

 

[cooper99]

I will also vouch for the JD455 being one of the best garden tractors ever built. We have owned our 455 for over 15 years. We've never had any engine/drivetrain/mechanical problems- only issue encountered is repairing a few flat tires. We own a small farm and probably mow 2-3 acres of rough terrain during an average week in the spring/summer. Over the years we have mowed several of our friends and neighbors lawns/property and they all comment on what beast of a lawnmower it is and want to take a closer look at it. You really can't even compare it to a standard garden tractor.

The 22hp diesel has loads of power/torque. With the 60" deck, it mows extremely quick. I found that replacing the standard blades with a set of gator blades really improved the cutting quality/performance. The large 26x12" rear tires and the differential lock really give the tractor plenty of traction- I can't imagine how much traction you would have on a newer X748 or X749 with 4wd and HDAP tires. The high back driver seat is really comfortable (for a lawnmower), the diesel isn't too loud at full rpm, the glovebox, power steering, and tilt wheel make driving the tractor a pleasant experience for anyone.

In hindsight it would have been nice to install a 3pt and rear pto at the time of purchase. I'm probably going to upgrade to a set of front/rear HDAP tires this coming season and try to custom fabricate a front brush guard.

If you get lucky, you can get a really good deal on a 455. If the price was right, I would feel comfortable buying a nice looking 455 with under 1500 hours. In my opinion, it's not worth the extra $$$ yet to get the newer X500 or X700 series.

 

[ovrszd]

Don't think the shape/size of the 455's changed over their years, so don't know what model your son may have had that you are thinking of.
At least jdparts doesn't show anything different.

There were the AWS (all wheel steer) for each of the 425, 445, and 455 models that came with a bit smaller tires. That may be what you are remembering.

Good comments on the 455 vs 2210.

I'm sorry, I'm not at home right now so can't take additional pictures. But, his 455 is nothing like mine in regards to the steering setup, and his runs a lot smaller tire. I have no idea what year it is though.

 

[cooper99]

I believe your son's 455 must have been a 455 with AWS. Like a couple other members said, all of the AWS models came with 23" wheels, compared to the 26" wheels that are found on the 445 and 455 with 2 wheel steer.

I've seen 400 series tractors from the early 1990's all the way until the last year of production and I believe they never changed the chasis/transmission/steering system.

 

[beenthere]

cooper99
I too think you are right on.

And jdparts concurs with your comment that there have been no changes.
I have the AWS and have found them to be the best (for me )

 

[jenkinsph]

I can tell you the X749 AWS uses the 26 12 12 hdap tires. When I was looking into a new mower last year I wanted the larger tires and did notice the smaller AWS models such as the X324 had smaller tires than the X320 2 wd model.

Living in the sticks as I do there was nothing available used such as a 455 so I finally decided to buy the new X749. I installed the TPH and 540 pto kits myself and while reading noticed the kit seems to cover several of the older models, there were a few minor differences though.

 

[beenthere]

The AWS system was changed between the 425, 445, and 455 series, when going to the Xseries. That change allowed the larger tires to be used.

 

[LongDistanceRider]

I have a 455 with 1,300+ hours on it and it has been one outstanding tractor. It was expensive when new as I bought the tractor, 60" deck, MC Collection cart, Quick Tach front unit, 54" blade and two stage snowthrower and it was all of $12,000 at the time. Mine is a 1998 model year and it is NOT an AWS unit. I would give it a score of 10 out of 10 for ownership satisfaction and quality.

Two of my neighbors (we all have 2.5 acre lawns) at first bought lawnmowers at the Box Stores. They just loved jabbing me about the cost of mine. Well, they each bought new John Deere's last year (after wearing their junk out), one the x500 series and the other the x700 series 4wd gas model. He had asked me about the Yanmar and I told him that mowing it uses .5 ga. FPH and the same when blowing or plowing snow. The extra torque of the diesel is simply amazing.

I let him drive mine so he could see the mowing capability. He bought the x700 but didn't want to step up and spend the extra $ for the diesel. This winter, My neighbor with the X700 wanted to see how his compared to mine blowing snow so a couple of months ago, we went into the street and started side by side and at the end of 100 yards, I was close to 90' ahead of him.

We have private roads and I plow 1.1 miles of roads with my tractor. I have it set up with a salt spreader, an LED Plow light on a pole mounted pedastal off the rear hitch. My latest project is I picked up another JD 54" plow which was used I am using the plow board to "adapt" my stock plow with wings and I am increasing the height and roll of the front. I will have to post pictures of that when I am done. I am not going crazy wide and I am welding my wings in place so they will be at reasonably mild angles so I can still back blade with it. Plowing the roads, I just need a bigger plow and I got this one for $50 so it is getting chopped to add to my good plow.

I am swiping the quick tach mounts from the plow blade I am cutting up and mounting it to my 10 hp leaf blower so I can put the leaf blower out in front of my tractor and hydraulically angle the blower while driving back and forth on the yard, roadway, etc. Seems I have developed a cardiac problem and my days of pushing that beast all around the yard are over.

 

[Gittyup]

I have a 455 with 1,300+ hours on it and it has been one outstanding tractor. It was expensive when new as I bought the tractor, 60" deck, MC Collection cart, Quick Tach front unit, 54" blade and two stage snowthrower and it was all of $12,000 at the time. Mine is a 1998 model year and it is NOT an AWS unit. I would give it a score of 10 out of 10 for ownership satisfaction and quality.

Two of my neighbors (we all have 2.5 acre lawns) at first bought lawnmowers at the Box Stores. They just loved jabbing me about the cost of mine. Well, they each bought new John Deere's last year (after wearing their junk out), one the x500 series and the other the x700 series 4wd gas model. He had asked me about the Yanmar and I told him that mowing it uses .5 ga. FPH and the same when blowing or plowing snow. The extra torque of the diesel is simply amazing.

I let him drive mine so he could see the mowing capability. He bought the x700 but didn't want to step up and spend the extra $ for the diesel. This winter, My neighbor with the X700 wanted to see how his compared to mine blowing snow so a couple of months ago, we went into the street and started side by side and at the end of 100 yards, I was close to 90' ahead of him.

We have private roads and I plow 1.1 miles of roads with my tractor. I have it set up with a salt spreader, an LED Plow light on a pole mounted pedastal off the rear hitch. My latest project is I picked up another JD 54" plow which was used I am using the plow board to "adapt" my stock plow with wings and I am increasing the height and roll of the front. I will have to post pictures of that when I am done. I am not going crazy wide and I am welding my wings in place so they will be at reasonably mild angles so I can still back blade with it. Plowing the roads, I just need a bigger plow and I got this one for $50 so it is getting chopped to add to my good plow.

I am swiping the quick tach mounts from the plow blade I am cutting up and mounting it to my 10 hp leaf blower so I can put the leaf blower out in front of my tractor and hydraulically angle the blower while driving back and forth on the yard, roadway, etc. Seems I have developed a cardiac problem and my days of pushing that beast all around the yard are over.

30% faster. Really? That's a lot. I'm certain this would vary depending on the load.

But, taking into account warm up time, the gasser would finish first (if you warm your diesel properly). Yeah the diesel is way more powerful. But, the warm up time is why I'd rather have a gasser unless you are doing a lot of plowing/blowing/mowing (which it sounds like you are). Of course a block heater can pretty much even up the warm up times. I just wanted to point out that a gasser has that advantage when you only have a limited about to plow/blow. Same goes for all tasks. I start and stop my tractor a lot. With a diesel, it'd be hard to keep it warm enough without leaving it idling. And I hate how loud they are, while idling. I own both a diesel and a gasser. For most yard work, I prefer a gasser because it warms quickly and is much much quieter. I've never been lacking for power.

 

[beenthere]

........But, taking into account warm up time, the gasser would finish first (if you warm your diesel properly). Yeah the diesel is way more powerful. But, the warm up time is why I'd rather have a gasser unless you are doing a lot of plowing/blowing/mowing (which it sounds like you are). Of course a block heater can pretty much even up the warm up times. I just wanted to point out that a gasser has that advantage when you only have a limited about to plow/blow. Same goes for all tasks. I start and stop my tractor a lot. With a diesel, it'd be hard to keep it warm enough without leaving it idling. And I hate how loud they are, while idling. I own both a diesel and a gasser. For most yard work, I prefer a gasser because it warms quickly and is much much quieter. I've never been lacking for power.

I don't find my 455 needs any extra warm-up time, nor that it is noisier than either my gas X485 or the 425. I find the diesel (3 cyl) quieter than the 2-cyl's.

So can't agree with your take, but if that works for you, fine and no problem with it at all.