Newbie - Looking at JD 345

pilot-werx · Oct 14, 2008

Hi All,

Please bear with me as I am new to the world of tractors... Anyhow, for the fall and winter I am looking to pick up a do all type of tractor for mowing 2-3 acres and to snowblow the driveway. Up here in Maine I have found a used JD 345 that comes with a 48 deck with the powerflow discharge, a 42 inch snowthrower (hydraulic lift and electric chute control), and a garden cart. Couple questions...

1. How well does the 42 inch single stage snowthrower actually work? I have always had two stage walk behinds...
2. Did the 20 hp 345's have the plastic cam gear like the 400 series?
3. Although the owner has all the service records and the tractor is very clean, would 2300 hours scare you?
4. What should someone pay for that?

I am interested because it seems to have everything that I would need but I have never been down this road before and I am only looking to spend $3000 or less.

Thanks for any help,
Chris

LBrown59 · Oct 14, 2008

pilot-werx said:
2* Did the 20 hp 345's have the plastic cam gear like the 400 series?
Chris

2*I turned down a used JD 300 series a cpuple years ago because of the plastic cam gear .
I bought a new CC GT2554 garden tractor ( a real nice tractor) instead.
I now have a Kubota BX1500 and don't need the CC anymore.

James Loehr · Oct 14, 2008

I had a 335 John Deere witch has an air cool engine otherwise the same tractor. Can't comment on the engine but the 42 inch single stage snowblower was the best I've used. 2300hrs is a lot of time on this machine but if well maintained could be fine. Hope it works out for you.

fgross335_2210 · Oct 14, 2008

1. How well does the 42 inch single stage snowthrower actually work? I have always had two stage walk behinds.

I have run the 42" on a 335, 345 and 355 and it works great! You won't be lacking for power with the 345 just keep the RPM's up. (The 335 is aircooled and is a bigger CI motor. 355 is a diesel so more torque. 345 makes power via RPM's, a little more peaky. But by far the quietest of the three.)

2. Did the 20 hp 345's have the plastic cam gear like the 400 series?

Yes my dad had a 1997 or 1998 345 (last year without RIO) and the cam gear went out at 350 hours in 2005. It was a $600 or so repair, not cheap!

3. Although the owner has all the service records and the tractor is very clean, would 2300 hours scare you?

Are you sure that isn't 230.0 hours? I've never seen a small gas engine with more than 1500 or so hours. I would think 2300 hours is just about the limit.....

4. What should someone pay for that? The 345 with 54C deck and 42" snowthrower I would guesstimate at $3500-4000 if it's mint. 2300 hours is really HIGH. And 230 is LOW. If it really has 2300 hours, you're looking at a lot of worn bearings, etc. Subtract $1000-1500 at least.....that's just a lot of hours for garden tractor....

Shimon · Oct 14, 2008

If it has 2300 hours I would pass on it no matter how good a deal you may think you are getting. That should be a liquid cooled engine which will last longer than an air cooled but no matter. Too many things are going to be close to wearing out and you may end up spending more time trying to keep it running. You may get lucky and it works fine for years but you also may get very unlucky with this purchase. In my humble opinion, keep looking.

pilot-werx · Oct 16, 2008

Does anyone happen to have any leads on any mower/blower tractors with a cab? I am open to jsut about anything in good shape. It seems everything that I have seen used is pretty beat up... How are the 455's with the diesel?

Shimon · Oct 16, 2008

pilot-werx said:
How are the 455's with the diesel?

A top notch, highly sought after machine. They can be pricey but if you find one I think it's worth the money. I think there is also the 445 which is a gas version...but the diesel is nicer...because it's diesel.

Can't help you on leads...but Craigslist is the best bet followed by checking with local dealers and letting them know what you are looking for and a good dealer may keep you appraised as used machines come in. I personally would avoid E-bay...I use it for lots of buying/selling but I wouldn't buy a used tractor on it unless it was local where I could try it out before I bid. Way too much of a crapshoot. Good luck.

epic6500sr · Oct 19, 2008

I have seen a 345 with 1950 hours, not quite 2300 I know, but still a good amount, and it was going strong, but it had a head gasket issue, as what I understand was common for this engine, and it would not run if it was cold, maybe just that machine, but it seemed to be too common just for that one. In regards to a 455 I have one, its a fantastic machine, sips fuel compared to the 445 which gulps it, never gets stuck, overall its just a great machine, if you find one with 2000 hours, its no big deal for it, I have seen them go 4000. Either way, a 345 is a great machine to use if it runs properly, just as is the 455, but the 455 carries a much higher cost premium, however, if you can afford it I think it is well worth it.

LBrown59 · Oct 19, 2008

pilot-werx said:
How are the 455's with the diesel?

epic6500sr said:
In regards to a 455 I have one, its a fantastic machine, sips fuel compared to the 445 which gulps it, never gets stuck, overall its just a great machine, if you find one with 2000 hours, its no big deal for it, I have seen them go 4000.
the 455 carries a much higher cost premium, however, if you can afford it I think it is well worth it.

The 455s are nice but I like this better especially for less money. http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk286/lb59/100_2316.jpg
I was looking for a 455 when I found it.

pilot-werx · Oct 20, 2008

After spending the weekend driving around looking, I have come to conclusion that:
1. there is a lot of junk out there that people want a premium for
2. diesel and a shaft drive is going to better suit my needs.

So the search for a diesel with shaft drive implements is what I am going to focus on.

I like the kubota! Have a feeling that is a little out of my price range though...