New 425 tractor owner seeking DIY attachments

[STNCLAY]

Hello!
As my first post, I probably ought to introduce myself and my equipment. This fall we moved from our "starter" home to a place with a 2 acre lawn area. Being a tight-fisted person, I set out to find a tractor to mow and perform other duties, such as snow removal and a few other things. I'm also one of those "buy it once and buy it right" kind of guys, so I wound up with a used John Deere 425 with around 825 hours on it. It has some rust here and there, and I plan to restore it over the winter here.
I am fairly handy with restoration and fabrication; my primary hobby is probably motorcycling. I always do my own maintenance and have built and restored several motorcycles over the last few years. I have my own equipment and can cut, weld, do bodywork and paint. So, finding a mechanically excellent 425 AWS that needed restoration was exactly what I was looking for. I knew the reputation of the 425 (and it appears this one still has the plastic cam gear), so I knew I was getting a quality machine with great capabilities.

My question is about attachments. I saw at least one thread about a guy building his own loader- I PM'd him asking for details, since a loader would be great for snow removal. Being a fabricator I am interested in knowing what other attachments have been home-built, and if anyone has plans and/or pictures/measurements they'd be willing to share.
Also if anyone has good detail pictures of your model 40 loader, I'd love to see some detail pictures of the mounts and connections.
Thanks all- this looks like a great place!

BTW- Moderators, I put it here because I was wondering about 425-specific attachments. I hope that's OK.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

A loader would be neat, but that's a mighty small tractor. I'd suggest a 54" push blade.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

Not to send you away, but the Machine Builders site has LOTS of info on building small loaders and backhoe's.

 

[Funkster]

I actually have a brand new but weathered front hydraulic hitch for the 54" blade if your interested. Never was used. I sold the 455 before I got to use it. If interested, make me an offer. I'm in Indiana.

-Funkster-

 

[Barely Smokin']

Hi Stnclay,

If it's snow you're worried about, I'd get this attachment:

http://michigansalesjohndeere.com/osc/images/1254326703.jpg

Otherwise, I'd recommend staying away from a front end loader on this tractor. It's a great tractor, but light. I don't think it's got the mass to handle a meaningful load without having some issues. The weight of the front end loader (FEL) itself is not insignificant. You would want to check the weight ratings of things like axle castings and tires (etc) before you commit to a FEL. Factor in your anticipated payload and a big safety factor. Occassionally a FEL will get "stuck" under something or experience a huge offset load and essentially lift the tractor off the ground.

Balance is another issue. Ideal conditions are one thing, but when you're sideways on a hill, or stopping going downhill, or lifting the bucket high while turning....you get the idea.

Traction driving into a pile, lift capacity, digging ability, bucket size....all limitations of a tractor in this size range.

I don't mean to belabor the point, it's just you said you were relatively new to tractors, so I'm just sharing some short cuts and things to look out for. Plus, FEL work is plain dangerous. Building a loader would be cool, but man, difficult. If they're not precise, they're going to self-destruct. I'd spend the same money on a snow plow for a truck, if you have one, or a snow plow for your tractor. I'd invest in rear wheel weights, chains, and maybe a soft cab. Or the blower above. Maybe a four-wheel hydraulic dump bed trailer. That'd be cool. DR has some neat earth-engaging attachments for this tractor and I bet JD does too. You could always copy those. Good luck!

 

[foggy1111]

I had a 425 JD tractor and 40 series loader. I gave it to my son in law for use at his new home in the country. In addition to the loader, he has the 54" mid mount mower and a front mounted two-stage snow blower. All are in great working order.

I assume you have a two wheel steer model....as the four wheel steer will not work with a loader.

I had put fluid in the tires and rear wheel weights on it. It also has tire chains and I hang four 40 lb weights on the 3 point hitch (Which I also added - always wanted to add a tiller). Thus equipped it has good traction with the snow blower and for loader use.

OH....and I added 8 ply tires to the front to eliminate tire/bead problems. Also added slime to the fronts to eliminate tire problems at the building site.

Now this little loader is not going to set any lifting records.....but I did build a very nice boulder wall with it and assorted other dirt moving projects while building my home. I told others that it would outwork about 4 guys with a shovel. I believe mine would lift about 400 lbs or so....about a full bucket of soil. I could skid some pretty big boulders with mine.

Care should be used when working on side-hills....as you can get a little tippy. I did turn mine on its side once.....but no harm was done.

The 425 is likely one of the best lawn tractors JD made. Putting the two-stage snow blower on it (shaft drive) is dynamite on our winters here. Great for driveways and sidewalks at my biz. I dont think the loader would be much good for snow removal in our area. ....not sure about yours....???

 

[nmu98]

I have a 445 (fuel injected 425) and I no longer use the 47" snowblower. Its like brand new. If you interested, PM me. I am only 2 hours away.

I have always used my larger tractors for snow removal.

 

[foggy1111]

Heres a picture. I added the rollover top to the JD frame. I was going to put a sun-shade on the top...but never got around to it. It does add a little to the "top heavy" issue on this little tractor.....so adding the tubes was probably not the wisest move.

 

[RoyJackson]

Heres a picture. I added the rollover top to the JD frame. I was going to put a sun-shade on the top...but never got around to it. It does add a little to the "top heavy" issue on this little tractor.....so adding the tubes was probably not the wisest move.

Nicely done!!!

I did read one or two posts stating the 425 loader probably wouldn't be of much use. Well, for moving mulch, chips or material of that nature (which would be pretty typical for a residential user), that #40 loader with it's lifting capacity would probably be a great choice. Doesn't seem to have any provision for rear ballast though, other then filled tires and wheel weights.

 

[foggy1111]

I have read too about the limited use of the 425/40 loader. But, mine did a pretty darn good job after getting it weighted down. It was perfect for digging soft black dirt and for placing "river rock" around the perimeter of a house.

After addding the 3 point I had wanted to add a ballast box....but never got that far. Between the fluid in the tires, wheel wieghts, and hang on weights I spose I added 300+ lbs. Still, for heavy loader use, I added my tire chains and used the diff lock quite a bit.

For me the best part was that this little tractor was very portable. I took it up to my cabin (200 miles away) on an aluminum trailer. I did lots of smaller projects with it.

This would make a good "estate lawn tractor" for somebody with a couple of acres and small size projects. But.....it does not compare to CUT's or to SCUT's.

Prior to this tractor....I had a 318 JD. One day I was driving down the road and spotted this tractor with the loader. The dealer was anxious to sell it....and we made a trade a few days later....at one heck of a deal for me!!! (I still cant belive the deal he made)

This 425 was an absolute cream puff then.....and it still is today. It only has 425 hours on it and I believe it was built in 93(?) as it does not have cruise control on it (the early models did not offer it).