Buying Advice Looking to buy a 445 need advice

locknut4 · May 22, 2005

I'm looking to purchase a John Deere lawn/ Garden tractor.
I have found a 96 445 with about 400 hours on it. It comes with the power collector, thatcher, wheel weights, and 3 point hitch for about 5,000. I am also thinking about maybe a new LX280. This is my first purchase of this kind of machine, I am moving to the country and have about 2-3 acre to mow. Any help would be great. Thanks All Locknut4

beenthere · May 22, 2005

Those are certainly low hours for a tractor 9 years old. Check to see if the engine has been updated with the 'problem' parts, as I think there was a plastic cam or cam follower in there around that time. It may already have been changed.
Stop by a Deere dealer with the serial number, and they may be able to do a search and track the history of this machine.

It is a lot of tractor and pretty bullet-proof, thus the high used value compared to new.
I sold my last 445 to my son, and upgraded to an X485. I am now looking for another 445, with all wheel steer, low hours, and a recent vintage, to either go with the X485 or replace it (may trade with my son if he will stand for it). I like the way the 445 handles and the way the screens and shroud keep the engine, radiator, and the air filter clean.

hhw · May 23, 2005

If that 445 is in decent shape and all updates have been taken care of, that's a good deal. The 445 is a great machine, and so is the 455, if you want diesel. The three point hitch, which is a cat "0" is an expensive option, as is the power-flow system. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

GeorgeC · May 23, 2005

Personally, I would always buy new.
Although the 445 may be a good deal, you really don't know how well it was taken care of, do you..
Oil/filter, grease etc..

If it were me, I would buy the 280.
Everything is new, and you know exactly what you have, plus a warranty to boot.

rancar · May 23, 2005

<font color="blue">...Check to see if the engine has been updated with the 'problem' parts, as I think there was a plastic cam... </font>

You're correct. I had to replace the plastic cam shaft in my 1995 model JD 425 at about 900 hours. The dealer said all of these types of garden tractors made during this period have these plastic cam shafts and the cam gears start to 'shred' at around the 800-900 hour mark. It was replaced with a metal cam shaft. Dealer assured me the new cam will last for the remaining life of the tractor. The tractor now runs like it was new. It was more cost effective than buying a new lawn tractor.

...Bob