Looking at John Deere 425 - 455 AWS

[beenthere]

Seems everyone must be looking for the 455's, as the used price is near the price when they were new. I'm looking, and can't touch one in good shape for much less than $6k.

I really like the AWS - for how rugged it is, how great it works on a slope, how quick it turns about, how easy it is to park in a tight spot, how great it is backing a trailer or wagon, etc. The list can go on and on.

Can't say I am impressed with Deere's change to a different style deck when Deere switched from the 400 series to the x400 series. The 54" decks just do not do as great a job as the older style 54's. So I picked up an older 425 AWS just to mow with and pick up leaves. A world of difference.

The plastic cams are history. Likely all have been changed out by now.
And I prefer the 54" deck over the 60", because I have too many trees to get between and around.
Different strokes....yadda yadda.

 

[kennyd]

You may want to do some research on this engine. The gas engines had some plastic cam gear issues with them breaking at around 1000 hours plus or minus 200 hours. A steel cam gear became a standard item around 1997-8. I never paid much attention since I have the 455 diesel. Very nice units otherwise.

The post you brought back to life is from 2007...

 

[pilot-werx]

I have a 455 and you I would not trade it for nothing. In addition to being stronger, the 455 uses half the fuel of the gas 445...

 

[couch-man]

The 54 inch deck on my 425 gives it all the work it can handle in heavy mowing conditions. I believe a 425 is under-powered for the 60 inch deck.

 

[AKfish]

The post you brought back to life is from 2007...

So... I'd read anything about the 455's... even from 2007!!

Would really like to find one of those beauties!

AKfish

 

[JB2]

Well Guys, I guess I am back under a new login in name, Still Jason B.


Anyway reguarding the 425AWS, I did end up buying it back in March of 2007, but found it was a pig on fuel and could not handle the 60" deck well. Ended up buying a 1995 John Deere 455AWS with 60" deck in July of 2007. Will have had the 455AWS 3 years this July.

I really love the power and quality of cut that the 455 with 60" deck does. Those Yanmars are very fuel efficant in deed. I bought her with 823hrs and she has 1141 hrs on her currently now with plenty of life left. Really a Great tractor.

Yeah, I was Scared of the plastic Cam Shaft gear breaking in my 97 425AWS, which was another reason for the switch. Those Kawiski gas engines are sure hard on fuel, at least my 425 was. Any Deere mower I buy from now on comes with a Diesel, got to love the fuel economy of the Diesel.

Take Care Jason B

 

[mjncad]

The 455 diesel is the only x400 series i'd even consider.

The 425, 445, 455 are not 'X' series tractors. The 'X' replaced the 4xx series.

 

[Retlaw 66]

Yeah, I was Scared of the plastic Cam Shaft gear breaking in my 97 425AWS, which was another reason for the switch. Those Kawiski gas engines are sure hard on fuel, at least my 425 was.

Any Deere mower I buy from now on comes with a Diesel, got to love the fuel economy of the Diesel.

I've got 1200 hours on my '94(?) 425 AWS, still has the plastic cam gear. I wish I knew of the issue when I had the front cover 2 years ago for a coolant leak....guess I get to do that job again!

I average 1 gallon per hour mowing..... how do the diesels compare?

 

[beenthere]

Retlaw 66
Much better. I now have a 455, and it seems to go forever compared to the 425, the X485 and my last 445.

Although tonight, a connection (elbow) coming out of the fuel filter assembly slipped out and it pumped some diesel fuel out. I thought I needed a new one. On closer inspection, seems the elbow is just a friction fit and was rubbing against a by-pass hose. I cleaned it with acetone, and super-glued it back in place. Will see how long it lasts. Will re-route the by-pass hose and hope for the best.

 

[JD755]

Retlaw 66
Much better. I now have a 455, and it seems to go forever compared to the 425, the X485 and my last 445.

Although tonight, a connection (elbow) coming out of the fuel filter assembly slipped out and it pumped some diesel fuel out. I thought I needed a new one. On closer inspection, seems the elbow is just a friction fit and was rubbing against a by-pass hose. I cleaned it with acetone, and super-glued it back in place. Will see how long it lasts. Will re-route the by-pass hose and hope for the best.

I did a previous post regarding that elbow joint. After repair I also put a safety wire from the elbow to the filter head. Hard to trust just a glued slip fit now without that. Positioned it similar to the temporary plastic tie in the picture.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/169622-fuel-filter-connection-failure.html