Price Check JD 455 Fair Price???

coachgrd · Feb 14, 2004

I have been looking for a John Deere 455 with low hours. I found one with a 60" deck and 200 hours on it for $6900.00.

The JD dealer also says he has a like new snow blower for it as well as weights & chains that he will include for an additonal 1750.00. The blower price seemed high to me.

I am located NW PA. Was wondering if any of you could lend me some pricing experience. Do these prices sound out of line?

Thanks and have a great day,
Gary

bigpete · Feb 15, 2004

That entire rig might have cost well over $13,000 new. The tractor price seems, +++/- $500, and front blowers are very expensive in general. If the front blower includes the quick hitch and hydraulics, you're not too far off. Just the front hitch and PTO would cost around $1,000 to repalce. Does it have a 3-point hitch or rear PTO? ...and 200 hours is nothing for that Yanmar diesel.

For what it's worth, you are looking at one of the all time best mowing machines, IMHO and from my experience. I miss my 445, sometimes. But not when I start to slip and throw in the 4WD; or use the loader and hydraulics. You are also looking at a 2WD set-up that is a truly awesome homeowner/estate machine, and may be very valuable to collectors in the next 5-10 years.

Will_C · Feb 15, 2004

If I remember properly, when I was tractor shopping in the spring of 2000, I got a price of $9500 or so on a 455 with the 60"MMM. I was informed by some real JD fans that was a great price at that time. Based on that, I would say you are looking at a good price.
If you think that snow removel would be a chore that need to do with that tractor, I would recommend buying the blower now if you can. The price sounds good there too.
Will

rancar · Feb 15, 2004

Gary,

Provided there's nothing wrong with that 455, that $6,900 is a very fair price. I have a 425 and paid over $9K for it new. 200 hours is not much. With regular upkeep and maintenance that 455 should give you relatively trouble free mowing for many summers to come. If I was in the market, I would seriously think on this one.

Snowblower sounds a bit high to me.

...Bob

beenthere · Feb 16, 2004

If that blower includes the quick tach and is everything ready to go, it is comparable in price to a new 54" blade and all the trimmings. So it is indeed a good price, IMO.

cowboydoc · Feb 16, 2004

I have the 455 and it is a great little machine. I have had zero problems with it. Always has plenty of power and starts easily even down to sub-zero weather. The price is inline with units that I see for sale in our area. The blower price isn't bad. I think that unit sells for over $3k new.

BarryinMN · Feb 16, 2004

I bought a used 455 19 hours in '02 60" deck. $9300. I put on a used 3 point pintle hook & use it to tow trailers around the farm, 72" rake & 42" box blade. It even lifts & pulls an ancient 2 wheel 16" wood chipper with Ford V8. Rear tires collapse 1/2 with the tongue weight fronts still steer without extra weights.

Local dealer has a 445 with loader & mower 600 hours for $7500.

Turf tires rarely lose traction. Our old mower was JD140 with bar tires when they do spin bars will dig ankle breaker holes - turfs are less damaging.

I also have a used 54" blade with new front hitch assy 2 way still in box for sale.

I found the rake moves loose dirt/gravel faster than attaching blade. (must remove mower)

If you get it be prepared for more free time & money. In my case cut lawnmowing time from 4 hours to 2 & fuel expense - disappeared.

coachgrd · Feb 16, 2004

well, based on the responses I got here (and I thank you) I took a ride today to the dealer to check out this 455 up close and personal. My first thought when I saw her was that someone had been playing with the hour meter. It look like the 167 hours must have been some pretty hard 167. I know these machines are like tanks and it very well may have lasted me a good 20 years but something told me it just wasn't the machine for me. Seat cover torn (after just 167 hours?) and the grill was missing. All cosmetic stuff but first impressions mean a lot. Anyway, I am passing. Thanks again and I'll keep looking!

Regards,
Gary

bigpete · Feb 16, 2004

Good call on your part. It's possible the hour meter was fine and it just had a bad home. It's probably better that the signs of abuse were obvious so they didn't sneak up on you a few years later. This is just me, but I'd rather buy new if here is any doubt about the machine history at all. There are usually promotional financing programs that help defer the extra price at little or no cost, and you know exactly who to hold accountable if something goes wrong. Lots of good used machines out there, though. Take your time.

Good luck finding the right one.