Have a '96 JD 345 - Two Questions: 1) risk plastic gear failure _ 2) vs new mower

[AuCivil]

My '96 JD 345 has 1100 hours and has been a trooper. I don't pet it. Have trees and don't get too carried away picking up limbs. JD will chop them up. Have banged the deck into way too many things. All sorts of abuse. Still running good but I am getting more concerned about the plastic gear of death that tends to fail on this unit.

Should I go ahead and trade before the timing gear (or whatever it is) fails? Is it a given it will fail or only a 20% chance?

Are the new mowers comparable to the older one in terms of durability? Had the service guy at my local JD dealer say they were not near as good as my '96. He said the CEO of JD told the dealers that the days of JD's being a symbol of longevity were gone. Building to last was on the back burner - They were going to make money. (full disclosure - Guy said he was retiring but could just be disgruntled employee being forced out)

FWIW looking at X700 (maybe X500) series or ZTR.

 

[Egon]

What's it cost to replace the plastic gear?

 

[sklunk]

What's it cost to replace the plastic gear?

It's a pretty wide range. Some people on here have done it themselves for $500-$600. Others (including me) have paid the dealership to do it. If you change other parts at the same time (water pump, electric PTO, gaskets) it can run as high as $1200.

 

[AuCivil]

It's a pretty wide range. Some people on here have done it themselves for $500-$600. Others (including me) have paid the dealership to do it. If you change other parts at the same time (water pump, electric PTO, gaskets) it can run as high as $1200.

That's the number I'm scared of - $1200. Hard to sink that into a nearly 20 year old mower. Unless the guy at the dealer was right.

 

[bruceatlam]

I have an opinion ----- nobody necessarily asked for it, but I agree with the "JD guy". Put the money in your 345.

 

[sklunk]

That's the number I'm scared of - $1200. Hard to sink that into a nearly 20 year old mower. Unless the guy at the dealer was right.

Mine has been pretty well bulletproof. Yes, there have been some minor repairs, and I did the camshaft gear about 3 years ago. I just put a new seat from the X540 onto it this spring and plan on keeping it a while.

The JD guy is right - the newer models are not built as well. The higher models in the X500 line are supposed to be equal to the old 345/355 but they are not quite there. The X700 models are nice machines and mow well so you would not go wrong with those, but you are talking upwards of $7-$8K for a used one (and around $12K new!).

It all depends on what you want. I was in the same position a few years ago and decided to put the money into my 345 (also a 1996 model). I have been happy with my choice since the tractor should now last for a long while.

 

[Mach One]

I'm going to disagree with the others. An X5 is a good, heavy-duty machine that would last you a long time. The X530 and X590 (EFI) are equivalent to your 345 in terms of power steering, frame and transmission. You would not be disappointed if you traded up and got one of those.

If you're talking about getting an X7, those are top-shelf machines. Nothing cheap about them in terms of price or build quality. There are many X7's out there with thousands of hours on them still doing their job. The X7 is not equivlent to the older machines - it's better. It's better ergonomically (foot controls), attachments are better and go on and off much easier. I like old machines too, and I'm not trying to start a flame war. Just stating my opinion.

Your 345 has given you 20 good years. I'd retire it and upgrade before something bad happens.

 

[Topcat14]

Have to agree if your budget can handle upgrade to 530 or 590- both excellent machines that will give you another 20 years of good service if properly maintained.

 

[cliffblue]

If you opt to replace, I am interested in it for parts.

 

[AuCivil]

If you opt to replace, I am interested in it for parts.

Thanks but will probably use it at the lake.