Looking at a 345 with MC519

[MarkCoburn]

Sorry that I don't have time to search and figure this out myself.

My in-laws subdivided a 2 acre lot next to them. It is a great gift and our two year old loves being next to grandma, but two years of using a push mower and I'm really wanting a GT.

About 1 acre is used to as pasture for my Father in-law's cows. I don't have to maintain that. The house is on a bit. Maybe 1/4th is yard. The rest is driveway and field type grass. We have large cedar/fir treas with pine cones and regular dropped branches/twigs. There are several years worth of landscaping to be done at our place.

I'd love to get something like a Kubota BX and have a loader and a rear PTO, but for now I have about $3000 to spend and I at least need a riding mower. Took me 3 hours to push mow the other day.

So, I'm between a new dealer-level Husqvarna with a reinforced deck and a bagger or a used John Deere GT.

I found a 1999 345 with an MC519 and Powerflow in CraigsList. The seller says it is his Mother-in-laws. The photos look like it is being stored outside, under a tarp. He says she has been using it on her 3+ acre place, is the second owner, and it has been professionally serviced. They are asking $3500.

I think that is high for a 13 year old tractor in it's circumstance. I'd love to know what you think.

 

[Carl Bert]

Sorry that I don't have time to search and figure this out myself.

My in-laws subdivided a 2 acre lot next to them. It is a great gift and our two year old loves being next to grandma, but two years of using a push mower and I'm really wanting a GT.

About 1 acre is used to as pasture for my Father in-law's cows. I don't have to maintain that. The house is on a bit. Maybe 1/4th is yard. The rest is driveway and field type grass. We have large cedar/fir treas with pine cones and regular dropped branches/twigs. There are several years worth of landscaping to be done at our place.

I'd love to get something like a Kubota BX and have a loader and a rear PTO, but for now I have about $3000 to spend and I at least need a riding mower. Took me 3 hours to push mow the other day.

So, I'm between a new dealer-level Husqvarna with a reinforced deck and a bagger or a used John Deere GT.

I found a 1999 345 with an MC519 and Powerflow in CraigsList. The seller says it is his Mother-in-laws. The photos look like it is being stored outside, under a tarp. He says she has been using it on her 3+ acre place, is the second owner, and it has been professionally serviced. They are asking $3500.

I think that is high for a 13 year old tractor in it's circumstance. I'd love to know what you think.

You can easily find a 2003 to 2005 GX345 with low hours, on eBay. They are selling for anywhere between $2500 and $4000 depending on the condition. I have one, and it's a great little machine for the money. I had a GT235, which was also nice, but doesn't compare to the GX345. I do suggest you try and find one with the limited slip dif. option. Mine doesn't have it, but I am told it makes a big difference when more traction is needed. The GX models have liquid cooled 20hp Kawasaki engines. The older 345's had 18 HP and I think they were air cooled like the GT, not 100% sure, but you definitely are better off with the liquid cooled. Anyway good luck shopping and keep us updated. Here's mine

 

[GGB]

Someone else can add to or correct me, but I believe the 345 series were all liquid cooled. The earlier models were only 18HP, but the later models (after 1999?) are 20HP, which is what mine is. JD also made 325 and 335 models, both of which I believe were air cooled, but otherwise the same frame. I think if you use the search function you will find the exact information you're looking for.

The big issue for early 345 models was the plastic cam gear, which often would give out around 600-800 hours, so if you are looking at the early 1996-1998 models, you'll want to be sure that has been changed to the metal cam gear which all later models used.

A nice machine-mine has about 755 hours and has been trouble free. I've got the 54" deck and a JD snowblade. I'm now only using it occassionaly as we moved to a larger place and now have a JD 2210 and JD Z820A. I was going to take the 345 up to the farm, but my Bride likes using it to pull the lawn trailer around. Just used it for general cleanup last night.

 

[MarkCoburn]

You can easily find a 2003 to 2005 GX345 with low hours, on eBay. They are selling for anywhere between $2500 and $4000 depending on the condition. I have one, and it's a great little machine for the money. I had a GT235, which was also nice, but doesn't compare to the GX345. I do suggest you try and find one with the limited slip dif. option. Mine doesn't have it, but I am told it makes a big difference when more traction is needed. The GX models have liquid cooled 20hp Kawasaki engines. The older 345's had 18 HP and I think they were air cooled like the GT, not 100% sure, but you definitely are better off with the liquid cooled. Anyway good luck shopping and keep us updated. Here's mine

View attachment 263369

Yours looks quite nice.

Nothing on eBay in my area. Do you think I should buy and ship; because I'm considering that.

 

[MarkCoburn]

GGB,

Your at least right about this one. It has the liquid cooled 20hp. Also power steering and deck lift.

I'm guessing that checking the cam gear is something I couldn't do with a few tools while checking it out?

How much are the metal cam gears? Do things get dammaged when the plastic one goes out?

Thanks,

Mark

Someone else can add to or correct me, but I believe the 345 series were all liquid cooled. The earlier models were only 18HP, but the later models (after 1999?) are 20HP, which is what mine is. JD also made 325 and 335 models, both of which I believe were air cooled, but otherwise the same frame. I think if you use the search function you will find the exact information you're looking for.

The big issue for early 345 models was the plastic cam gear, which often would give out around 600-800 hours, so if you are looking at the early 1996-1998 models, you'll want to be sure that has been changed to the metal cam gear which all later models used.

A nice machine-mine has about 755 hours and has been trouble free. I've got the 54" deck and a JD snowblade. I'm now only using it occassionaly as we moved to a larger place and now have a JD 2210 and JD Z820A. I was going to take the 345 up to the farm, but my Bride likes using it to pull the lawn trailer around. Just used it for general cleanup last night.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Just checked info ont the tractor I'm looking at. It is a 1999, is the cam gear not a problem on this one?

Someone else can add to or correct me, but I believe the 345 series were all liquid cooled. The earlier models were only 18HP, but the later models (after 1999?) are 20HP, which is what mine is. JD also made 325 and 335 models, both of which I believe were air cooled, but otherwise the same frame. I think if you use the search function you will find the exact information you're looking for.

The big issue for early 345 models was the plastic cam gear, which often would give out around 600-800 hours, so if you are looking at the early 1996-1998 models, you'll want to be sure that has been changed to the metal cam gear which all later models used.

A nice machine-mine has about 755 hours and has been trouble free. I've got the 54" deck and a JD snowblade. I'm now only using it occassionaly as we moved to a larger place and now have a JD 2210 and JD Z820A. I was going to take the 345 up to the farm, but my Bride likes using it to pull the lawn trailer around. Just used it for general cleanup last night.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Update. The rig in question has 346 hours and we are at $2700 for the set.

I'm going to look. About an hour each way. Hope it isnt a waste of gas.

What should I look for?

Thanks

 

[GGB]

Mark, if it has the 20HP engine, you should be fine-it appears that all the 20HP engines from 1999 and up used the metal cam gear.

Regarding the hours and price, it sounds reasonable to me if it is in good condition. Here are a couple of things to ask about and look for, just as you would a used car:

I) General condition. If it looks like it's been rode hard and put up wet, it probably has been. If it looks clean, there's a better chance that it has been taken care of. Of course, that's not always the case, but a good starting point.

2) Service records. Just like with a car, look at the service records. If they don't have any, and particularly if it doesn't start easily and run smoothly, you may want to have a compression check done to make sure it doesn't have a ring problem because dirt got by the air filter. Here again, a compression check will give you good information. (I can't recall the acceptable cylinder pressure range off the top of my head-90-110 lbs if I recall correctly is acceptable, but you also want to see if both cylinders readings are reasonably close).

3) Ask if it has been stored inside or left sitting outside. If they say it has been stored inside, try to verify. If it's been stored inside, you're less likely to have electrical issues down the road.

I hope it checks out good for you. They're a good machine if they have been well treated, just like a lot of things in life. Good luck!

 

[Carl Bert]

Yours looks quite nice.

Nothing on eBay in my area. Do you think I should buy and ship; because I'm considering that.

This model comes up on eBay, just about every other day. Not sure how familiar you are with eBay, but you can save a search and they will notify you by email, each time one comes up.

I had mine shipped. It added about $500 to the price, but was well worth it for me. I'm in NY and these tractors cost quite a bit more up here then they do elsewhere, so the shipping was pretty much a wash. Not sure where you are or what the JD prices are around you, but you should definitely take that into consideration when shopping.

The only options on this model, that I remember, are the limited slip dif. and deck size (48" or 54"). The power steering, hydraulic lift and liquid cooling are all standard. You should easily be able to find one with around 250, which is just broken in. I see them on eBay regularly, so take your time and find the right deal. Good luck.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Carl,

This is really good advice. However, I didn't get it untill after I went backand bought the setup for $2500.

Thanks a bunch to all the help with the whine. I'm betting it is one of the drive pullys and that I can fix it fairly easy.

345 High Pitched Whine Normal? - TractorByNet.com

This model comes up on eBay, just about every other day. Not sure how familiar you are with eBay, but you can save a search and they will notify you by email, each time one comes up.

I had mine shipped. It added about $500 to the price, but was well worth it for me. I'm in NY and these tractors cost quite a bit more up here then they do elsewhere, so the shipping was pretty much a wash. Not sure where you are or what the JD prices are around you, but you should definitely take that into consideration when shopping.

The only options on this model, that I remember, are the limited slip dif. and deck size (48" or 54"). The power steering, hydraulic lift and liquid cooling are all standard. You should easily be able to find one with around 250, which is just broken in. I see them on eBay regularly, so take your time and find the right deal. Good luck.