New Owner of a John Deere 2355

2014Newbee · Apr 21, 2014

Good morning! I'm the (proud) new owner of a gently used John Deere 2355 is my first tractor :cool2: and I can't wait to start clearing the brush off 10.5 acres that we (me and the wife) bought last year :dance1:.

I have a few questions as far as the tractor goes, I know how to operate it as far as moving it and using the FEL but at this moment that is it. I will be buying a bush hog and box blade for it in the near future. Now I would like to know what manuals do I need? I want to know the function of every lever and maintenance that I'm supposed to do to it as I use it. Also if there is a Factory Service Manual or I think is called shop manual for tractors (the one with repair instructions as well as torque specs, adjustment procedures etc). Any suggestions as far as what size implements to buy are welcome. I will be doing hobby farming and mainly will be to clear the brush around the pine trees, the land bought was owned by a paper company so the trees are evenly spaced and would look nice to just clean around them, and that's my plan for now since I'm not building anything there yet. Thanks in advance!

Tx Jim · Apr 21, 2014

IMHO you picked one of JD's best utility tractors. I'd recommend a 6'-8' rotary mower & 6' box blade. I've owned a 4255 since '93.

Operator's Manual OML57751 2355, 2555 Tractors
Technical Manual TM4434 2355, 2555, 2755 and 2855 Tractors - Repair book form or Technical Manual CD-ROM TM4434CD 2355, 2555, 2755 and 2855 Tractors - Repair
parts catalog is available online at JDparts.com

dusty3030 · Apr 21, 2014

There is a lot of heft to that tractor, I had one and it was a solid machine.

Implements at least 6 foot wide 7 foot better, except for the bush hog. I had a 7 foot single blade that would choke mine down. I think I would have been better off with a twin blade 8 foot or a single blade 6 foot.
I had 6' box blade and it would keep digging down with it till you hit bed rock or China whichever came first.

If the rears aren't filled I would suggest liquid ballast as well as you definitely need a good deal of counter weight on the 3pt for it. It was pretty easy to get the rear end light since it will lift heavy load.

Congratulations and good luck! Great machine you bought.

2014Newbee · Apr 21, 2014

Thank you Jim and Dusty! Definitely will look for those sizes and the manuals! I will start with the manuals and then look for the implements! Yes I read they are very good tractors and I like the fact that is all metal and built like a tank! I will try to clean up some of the surface rust as time permits but it will be a working tractor, not a show tractor.

RG1 · Apr 21, 2014

Congrats on your new (to you) tractor! Is yours 2wd or MFWD? That makes a difference in the size of rear implements you can and/or should buy when the time comes.

2014Newbee · Apr 22, 2014

RG1 my tractor is 2wd I wish I could have found a MFWD but for the price I could not pass. What size implements do you recommend based on that? I'm still waiting on my manuals and then off to read a ton about it.

RG1 · Apr 22, 2014

I agree with Tx Jim, although that tractor should be able to handle a fully loaded 7' box blade fine.

2014Newbee · Apr 22, 2014

Thanks RG1! I will look into it, price will play a part in my decision but I will try to use good judgement when the time comes.

2014Newbee · May 6, 2014

Picture time!!! Here it is it took me a little while to get some decent pictures, but here it is at it's resting place until I swap the tires and buy the bush hog. :dance1: Now I can start fixing small issues and stuff, or just drink a beer while I look at it :drink: lol

If anybody is interested on the turf tires let me know, we might be able to work out a deal.

RG1 · May 6, 2014

Sweet! Take it for a ride first, then drink the beer.

That will look so much better with the R1's on it. Are you swapping the fronts too? Those look like the rear will be way high with the R1's on it if you keep the fronts as is.