First post... new GT. JD425, 445 or Kubota.

[JurassicJet]

Hello everyone:

I am building a new house up here in Northwest Wisconsin which means my 1.5 acre lot (not all of it lawn though) will need mowing, my 140 foot driveway will need to be plowed or blown and other assorted tasks will need to be done.

Which means I NEED a garden tractor!! Growing up on a large dairy farm up here I have lots of experience with heavy machinery use (my one brother is still farming about 3000 acres). Looking forward to a new toy!

Soo.... I was going to buy a Kubota GR2100 (used) until I found out about the tranny problems (bushings instead of bearings in the rear end... come on Kubota). The new GR2110 has those problems fixed and I love the four wheel drive aspect but I still don't like the idea of all aluminum transaxles on both the front and rear. Seems like it doesn't hold much promise for potentially adding a loader or rear attachments.

I found a Kubota G2160 Diesel on ebay though. 2004 with 428 hours in what appears to be great shape for $4900 but I have to drive 8 hours each way to get it. Not sure if I want to do that. Its a diesel so that appeals to me but not sure what attachments could be put on this thing. Also, the nearest Kubota dealer is 45 minutes away from me.

Then I found a JD318. Since I'm new to JD (my family always had Cub Cadets) I started to do some research. Seems like the 318 is a great machine but this one has 1200 hrs or so on it and it is a '87. Haven't seen it yet but the guy wants $2300. Seems a little high for that vintage.

Also looking at a JD425 right in town about 3 miles away from my house. Seems real clean and has All Wheel Steer (that seems like a very cool feature). Has a 60 inch deck (almost too big in my mind). Its a 1998 with 700 hours on it for $4500. I told him to hold it for me until next monday.

The last one I discovered is a 445. AWS, with a PTO, with 3pt hitch, 600 hours on it, one owner. Sounds like the guy took care of it and looks good in the pictures. Only drawback is 48 inch deck, but that really doesn't bother me. They want $4800 for it (bottom dollar supposedly and pretty much at the top of my budget).
I really like the idea of fuel injection. So does my wife. I have daughters that will probably run it too and not having to mess with a choke is a big draw for me. I am gone for work quite often and having a tractor that starts right up is a big draw for me.

Would really like to have a diesel but then the price is getting out of my range.

Sorry for the long winded post...... just curious on any thoughts out there.

 

[TimS]

The 445 is a clear winner on the Deere side of the house. The 3-point and rear PTO sell used for about $400 each, and the hours look good. In the north country the fuel injection is a winner. One thing you'll want to check is whether the cam gear has been replaced - the Kawasaki came with a plastic cam gear that tended to break somewhere around 700 hours. I think they changed it over to a metal gear sometime in 1999 - if you get the serial number a call to a Deere dealer will tell you for sure.

I thought the 48" deck was fine until I traded up to a 60" - big difference in cutting time, not because of the width but because the uncut circle is so much smaller you spend a lot less time backing and filling. With the 60" on an AWS tractor I think the uncut circle is about 8".

Tim

 

[bontai_Joe]

I don't know much about Kubotas, so won't offer an opinion on them. I agree that the 318 is over priced unless it has a lot of options, like a 3 point hitch, rear PTO, and some attachments in addition to being in pristene condition. I agree with Tim in that the 445 you looked at is the best Deere on your list. For your lot size, I think the 48" deck will be an advantage, unless you have a totally flat lawn with nothing but grass.

 

[TimS]

I For your lot size, I think the 48" deck will be an advantage, unless you have a totally flat lawn with nothing but grass.

Gotta respectfully disagree with you there, Joe. I mow about 3/4 acre and it's not flat and has plenty of trees. I went from a 48" to a 60" deck and the latter is much better - smaller uncut circle means it effectively turns sharper, plus the deck sticks out more to the side so you can run it right up to edge of things - I trim a lot less than I used to. Unless you have some narrow spots to get through, I think the 60" is much better.

Tim

 

[JurassicJet]

Tim:
Sorry, I forgot to mention that the 445 is either a 2000 or 2001 model year so I am thinking that the camshaft gear should come as an all metal one.

My lot is somewhat hilly, defiantly not the "typical" suburban lot. Hills, trees, etc.

Now you guys have me fired up. I just hope it doesn't sell before I can get back home and look at it. I am going to have to call the dealer tomorrow and see if I can have him put a hold sticker on it or something.

 

[JohnSinVA]

Count me in as a 445 supporter, but then I am a little biased. Like Tim said, the 3ph and rear pto are worth a few hundred each on the used market. If you had no plans for using them you could sell them off to bring down your total outlay on the machine.

Fuel injection is nice for a couple of reasons. Starting is easier provided you follow the correct procedure. Also, the FI motor is more efficient than the carbed motor. Neither will touch the Diesel but finding a 455 in that price range is a daunting task.

 

[bontai_Joe]

My caution on using a 60" deck on a hilly or undulating lawn is that it is more prone to scalping off the high spots. Less Likely to scalp with a narrower deck. But what was said above about less trimming is true.

 

[TimS]

My caution on using a 60" deck on a hilly or undulating lawn is that it is more prone to scalping off the high spots. Less Likely to scalp with a narrower deck. But what was said above about less trimming is true.

That's not scalping Joe, it's "grading" - it all depends on you you look at it. And yes, the 60 deck does "grade" a little more than the 48, but after a couple of years you get the high spots knocked down...

Tim

 

[bontai_Joe]

That's not scalping Joe, it's "grading" - it all depends on you you look at it. And yes, the 60 deck does "grade" a little more than the 48, but after a couple of years you get the high spots knocked down...

Tim

They don't have smilies here, but you deserve at least a couple for "grading".

 

[LBrown59]

Hello everyone:
I found a Kubota G2160 Diesel on ebay though. 2004 with 428 hours in what appears to be great shape for $4900 but I have to drive 8 hours each way to get it.
Also looking at a JD425 right in town about 3 miles away from my house. Seems real clean and has All Wheel Steer (that seems like a very cool feature). Has a 60 inch deck (almost too big in my mind). Its a 1998 with 700 hours on it for $4500. I told him to hold it for me until next monday.
The last one I discovered is a 445. AWS, with a PTO, with 3pt hitch, 600 hours on it, one owner. Sounds like the guy took care of it and looks good in the pictures. Only drawback is 48 inch deck, but that really doesn't bother me. They want $4800 for it.

Here is what I found to compare with that you found.
2003 BX 1500
380 hours.
nice condition
diesel engine
4 wheel drive
power steering
3 point hitch
rear pto
48" MMM
$5250.

My opinion is In most cases
The BX Kubotas are a better buy over the G series just as the JD2305 is a better buy than the JD x700 series if buying new especially.