JD 455 Purchase

[rdpaul]

HI all

Just picked up a JD 455 diesel All Wheel Steer off Craigslist for $2,300
It's a 2001 with 800 hours
Was not sure about the price but I took a chance because it was a diesel - should have a lot of good hours left - I hope
See pictures attached

Needs a lot of TLC but seems to run great so far
Just ordered a new JD high back off ebay for $127 delivered

In the process of changing all fluids and filters
Will refurb and paint the 60" heavy duty deck asap

Does anyone have a 455 operators/service manual they do not have a use for anymore?
Need to research fluid capacities, filters, and grease points
as well as routine maintenance schedules

Any advice on the 455 would be greatly appreciated
This is my first 455 - I'm updating from about a 1972 JD 140

Thanks in advance for your comments and advice on refurbing and operating this machine

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Nice score.........

Look on e-bay. Type in JD455..........

Good luck

 

[BleedingOrange]

Looks like a great deal. A bit of TLC, and it will shine again. Where did you find it ?

 

[Gumby542]

That looks like a great score! I would love to find one at that price, in that condition. You will love that upgrade

 

[rdpaul]

Looks like a great deal. A bit of TLC, and it will shine again. Where did you find it ?

Fella in Gilbert, AZ had it on Craigslist
He only had about 1/2 acre to mow
Had another Zero turn mower - had both up for sale and decided to keep which ever one did not sell
I grabbed on to the Deere right away of course
He was asking 2500 but we negotiated to 2300 because it needs a new seat,
has a slight leak from the oil drain valve and going to need a new battery soon

I have mowed 1 acre with it so far - so far seems to run and mow great!
Man it is a real mowing machine
Hardly took anytime to mow at all - compared to my old 140
Have 5 acres at another property - looking forward to mowing it

 

[rdpaul]

Nice score.........

Look on e-bay. Type in JD455..........

Good luck

Thanks
Will give e-bay a try for a 455 manual

 

[rdpaul]

That looks like a great score! I would love to find one at that price, in that condition. You will love that upgrade

Thanks
So far I'm very pleased with it

Definitely a terrific upgrade from a 140

 

[smitty9805]

I purchased a 1994 AWS 455 with 1200 hrs on it a couple years ago for $2500. Like yours it needed some TLC. After replacing some odd and end parts here and there it mows like a champ. As far as the manual goes, you can purchase a CD manual for around $10-$20 I believe. Congrats on your purchase. The 455 is a beast!

 

[rdpaul]

I purchased a 1994 AWS 455 with 1200 hrs on it a couple years ago for $2500. Like yours it needed some TLC. After replacing some odd and end parts here and there it mows like a champ. As far as the manual goes, you can purchase a CD manual for around $10-$20 I believe. Congrats on your purchase. The 455 is a beast!

Thanks for the good word Smitty

Found a couple of sites on Ebay for the manual
($9.00 to about $12) very reasonalbe - thanks will get one ordered

I agree it is a mowing beast
Very pleased with the purchase

Ordered a new high back seat off Ebay ($128 delivered)

Ordered some miscellaneous moldings, decals, steering wheel cap and engine drain valve, hydraulic plug cover kit from
GreenPartStore - Parts for John Deere Lawn Tractors, John Deere Lawn & Garden Tractors, John Deere Mowers, John Deere Attachments, John Deere Accessories

Had some oil sepage (I think it's coming from the engine oil drain valve)
so I ordered a new valve
(hope the new valve fixes the problem)

Do you have some pictures of your 455?

Need to pull the deck and refurb it next

Thanks to all

Ron

Have you had any trouble with the AWS
I was reluctant at first but after reading TBN - the AWS does not seem to give any problems

 

[smitty9805]

Ron,

I don't have any pics of the 455. I wish I would have taken a few before and after pictures, but I diden't. I still need a new seat and I have thought about repainting the tractor. However, my mower looked very simular to yours. The deck was rusted up pretty bad and had some cracks in it here and there. I had the deck sandblasted, welded the cracks up, rebuilt the spindles, and I repainted the deck. It does a great job mowing. I had to put a new oil sending unit on the engine(old one was leaking) and a valve cover gasket and the engine runs great. Very pleased with the mower. My uncle bought a new 430 in the mid 80's and probably has close to 10,000 hrs on the little yanmar diesel. They are hard to beat in my opinion. As far as the AWS, mine kind of lurches a little on tight turns, but I have read on this forum that it is a common problem. However, after getting used to the AWS, I have found that it is great for mowing around small trees and other objects. Best $2,500 I have ever spent! Happy mowing!! Eric

 

[rdpaul]

Ron,

I don't have any pics of the 455. I wish I would have taken a few before and after pictures, but I diden't. I still need a new seat and I have thought about repainting the tractor. However, my mower looked very simular to yours. The deck was rusted up pretty bad and had some cracks in it here and there. I had the deck sandblasted, welded the cracks up, rebuilt the spindles, and I repainted the deck. It does a great job mowing. I had to put a new oil sending unit on the engine(old one was leaking) and a valve cover gasket and the engine runs great. Very pleased with the mower. My uncle bought a new 430 in the mid 80's and probably has close to 10,000 hrs on the little yanmar diesel. They are hard to beat in my opinion. As far as the AWS, mine kind of lurches a little on tight turns, but I have read on this forum that it is a common problem. However, after getting used to the AWS, I have found that it is great for mowing around small trees and other objects. Best $2,500 I have ever spent! Happy mowing!! Eric

HI Eric

Here is e-bay site that I got my seat (joelstractors)
NEW HIGH BACK JOHN DEERE 335 445 GT235 LX173 LT GT GX LAWNMOWER SEAT& BRACKET | eBay
Worked out to be about $127 with freight
Very pleased with the seat I think it is even an OEM JD seat - fit perfectly
He shipped out very promptly - got it in 5 days (I just selected the economy shipping = $17)

Not had any lurching issues with the AWS - so far so good on everything

So glad I took the plunge -
No regrets whatsoever with the 455

My 60" deck just needs some sanding and painting
Have not seen any cracks or anything that needs welded
Originally thought a deck that big would get in the way - but I was pleasantly suprised at how agile the tractor is with AWS
Now I would not be without AWS - I'm sold on it

Is it a big job to take the deck off - looks like it is going to be a heavy brute

You mentioned you bought a CD manual on ebay
Did you get the Technical shop manual or the Owner's manual
Do you by chance have a web site for the manual you purchased?

Thanks

Ron

 

[smitty9805]

Ron,

The deck is not that big of a deal to take off. Just unpin the deck hangers and slide the end off of the pto shaft. However, my dad just bought a new 1026R with the auto connect deck and man am I amazed at how fast you can take the deck on and off. I never bought a manual. I just saw them on ebay and I believe my dealer even sells them. The CD manuals are much cheaper than the books. If i'm not mistaken, I believe my dealer told me an owners manual for the 455 was about $100 new.

 

[rdpaul]

Ron,

The deck is not that big of a deal to take off. Just unpin the deck hangers and slide the end off of the pto shaft. However, my dad just bought a new 1026R with the auto connect deck and man am I amazed at how fast you can take the deck on and off. I never bought a manual. I just saw them on ebay and I believe my dealer even sells them. The CD manuals are much cheaper than the books. If i'm not mistaken, I believe my dealer told me an owners manual for the 455 was about $100 new.

OK Great
Will get started refurbing the deck soon (when it cools off)
Been about 110 + almost everyday here is AZ

Found a JD owners manual at Green Parts | Where doing Green Makes Sense for $25
The Technical shop manual is $150
Ordered the owners manual (can't quite justify the $150)

Thanks for your help

 

[smitty9805]

Glad you found an owners manual. I hear ya on the weather. Been hot and dry here in Tennessee all summer. Just now starting to get some adequate rainfall. Take care!

 

[denver r]

That looks like a 60 in deck just like mine. I have used it for years and no problems still have the same belt it came with. keep the belt ways and pulleys clean and spindles greased and should last u for years and years. I have a 455 year 93 built still going strong. all I do is put in fuel and grease and keep fluids up. have a good one