JD 455 Lifespan? Help Needed!

[Klorinth]

Thank you all for any help on this you can give.

I am going to go look at a JD455 tomorrow or the next day. It is the only one I have seen yet that I might be able to afford to get.

1994 JD 455, Diesel (of course)
1647 hrs, 60" deck
being sold at a dealer
Originally advertised July '07 for $6900
Now he is offering it at $4200

What kind of a lifespan should a 455 get? Being a diesel makes me assume a long one, but how long?

I have been to multiple dealers and looked at several different machines. Given the solid build of the 400's they are my preference, since I cannot afford go go up to the 790 range or the new X500/700's or 2305. I need to either go with used or only get an LA model, and I do not want to do that and regret it later because it is totally under built and powered.

I will need to get a used blade or snowblower for this 455, but that is fine as long as it is reaonably solid. I can't afford the ones at other dealers that do have implements. I am always willing to get a PTO for it later. WFM has really opened my eyes to the network of JD people out there. So i'm not so worried about getting everything I need right away.

That all being said... I am still concerned about the number of hours on this machine... 1647!!!

 

[ChuckinNH]

I had a Simplicity with a 12.5 hp gas motor, and without pressurized lubrication. I took good care of it and traded it for a good price at just under 1500 hours. The engine was still fine. I would think the diesel would be good for twice that if cared for, but as with any engine, care is everything. Hopefully that one will have been well cared for, and it will show. At 50-100 hours a year it probably will last many more years.

 

[kennyd]

If well maintianed, then 1600 hours is nothing. Ask the dealer to run the serial # for a possible service history.
Check:
Deck is solid
Blades in good shape
Tires in good shape
Fluids look clean
Slop in steering
Belts on engine and deck good-no cracks
Fresh grease around zerks

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I don't have that many hours on my 455, but I have to say that mine (bought new in 1996) has only ever needed maintenance, and a bearing in the alternator which I bought at Car Quest for a pretty reasonable price. Still running the original belt on the mower and the alt/water pump.

I'm contemplating trading for a x740, but I like the 455 so darn much...

 

[Klorinth]

Does AWS effect lifespan? Are there any increased problems with this system compared to 2WS? I have no experience with this of course.

I would be putting at least a blade on it if not a snowblower. More wear and tear...

I'm going to look at it this morning.

 

[RollTideRam]

I have read, on here, about 455's doing commercial mowing and having 5000 hours on them. I only have 200 on my x495, so 2000 is a long way off. I would love to get a new model with 4 wheel steer, but better wait out the economy first. JC

 

[LBrown59]

I don't have that many hours on my 455, but I have to say that mine (bought new in 1996) has only ever needed maintenance, and a bearing in the alternator which I bought at Car Quest for a pretty reasonable price. Still running the original belt on the mower and the alt/water pump.

I'm contemplating trading for a x740, but I like the 455 so darn much...

Why consider a740 when you like the 455 so well.?

 

[Klorinth]

Just came back from seeing the 455.

Clean, quiet, and smooth riding. I'm actually impressed. Much quieter than the Simplicity Sunstar I saw yesterday. AWS is definitely fun

It was a trade in just over a year and a half ago. The dealer then decided to keep it for their own use. It has been used to maintain the grounds, mainly mowing and very little hauling. Nothing else. They replaced the rear ball joints last fall, and the hood after one of the guys scraped it. Otherwise they have just done the basics to it.

Dealer has decided to use one of the 1420's(i think) to do the grounds, because of the 72" deck over the 60". He doesn't need/want it anymore. He has a few other newer machines on the lot already and would rather be selling those. This is an Ag dealer. They don't really do much sales of garden tractors. They actually had no new machines smaller than a 2520 on the lot. This is not a city dealer, it's 45 minutes outside of the city in the heart of farmers fields.

I am very tempted. This is as big as I am going to be able to afford for quite a while. Feels like a step up from the Simplicity Sunstar. The down side is that it does not have any implements. Sunstar had a blower and tiller. Adding a new quick attach and blade to this bumps it up $1000 over the Sunstar.

Do I need to go with the new quick attach and blade? Or would it be easy to get a used one? Is the quick attach necessary? Can I do a manual blade for less?

Everyone seems to agree that the +1600 hours on a machine like this is not an issue as long as regular maintenance is kept up. I'm glad to hear that. All the other 425, 445, 455 that are here are at least $2000 more if not $5000. I even looked at one that had a smashed up hood and both tail lights out. It was still over $5000.

Dealers don't seem to want to move many machines. They have been really uninterested in me. Do they not need my $5000? Sorry rambling.

 

[kennyd]

Sounds like a great deal to me...

The QA Blades and the hitches turn up quite regularly on eBay and Craigslist, it should be no problem finding one. You can also search MachineFinder to look for used stuff from other dealers.

I say GO FOR IT!

Just as a reference, the 455's in my area go for about $6000 or so from what I have seen for sale.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Why consider a740 when you like the 455 so well.?

Just wanting something new. I've depreciated this one down to nothing, and I could use another expense. Thinking of trying something same but different. The new mower decks are claimed to be better, but then I also hear some of the same complaints that I have still with the new decks.

 

[gunmaker]

I've had my 425 since 93, with minimal problems. I've got 850 hrs on the meter now. One thing to look at on this era of the 400 series is the seals on the hydrostatic transaxle. The problem areas seem to be where the connections to the forward/reverse pedals enter the trans axle. These seals will wear/harden and start to seep, then leak. This repair is a bit more expensive, or one could just do a re-build over the winter. They are great tractors, and I've always wished I'd gone for the 455 instead of the 425.

 

[jcmseven]

Our local college traded in a 455 with over 5000 hours on the clock last year to our local dealership. The machine was sold to another customer within a week for $4900 or so, if I recall. These machines, with proper care, have very long lifespans. Ther machine you are looking at would last 10+ years more in normal use. I assume the AWS would be slightly more-likely to cause trouble than the standard rear axle, but I have no experience there. KD--unless you just need that new machine, I would not trade your 455. I wish I could find one locally. My neighbor has a pristine one, but he ain't selling.

John M

 

[Klorinth]

I took the leap and agreed on the JD455! I am now a a Green owner. lol

I decided that the possible life span of this machine was worth the expense. I'm only getting the tractor and deck, but at a much better price than any other 400 series I have been able to find, in this condition. I enjoyed the smooth, quiet, responsive ride too much to walk away

So I have been able to get the machine I need and have AWS as an added bonus. Once I have finished with site preparation on the new property, I will have as many as +500 trees to take care of. Imagine the turning LOL

Anyway... Thank you all very much for all of the help you have given me. I'm sure I will need more help soon. I am of course still very much a newbie

Rayan