Should I buy this 425?

[weathda]

Just moved to a new homeplace this year with increased mowing acreage. My Home Depot John Deere L120 w/ 48" deck served well for our residential yard. But this season on our new rural property we've more than doubled the hours of our normal season. Although it's still running fine, I'm not sure how much longer it will last. Been wanting to get a zero-turn, but just can't let go of the cash for the commercial mower I want. Was hoping to get by for a few more years with the L120.

Sunday night before bed, I see a classified ad on nextdoor.com. Lady less than a mile away is selling her JD 425 for $1500. Only has one picture, but her description is intriguing. Well maintained, All-Wheel Steering, 60" deck and wheel weights. My gears start turning and I think if I could use this for 5+ years to get me by till I get the zero-turn I want, this might be worth it. I could sell the L120 while it is in good working order.

So I call her and go look at it yesterday. Cosmetically, it's in good shape. Has a few maybe minor problems. Battery leaking acid out the terminals. She pulled it out before I got there and she went to turn on the deck and the belt jumped off. I check the pulleys while I was there and the left side pulley was wobbly. She didn't know how to check the hours. It had 732 hours on it. She just had it serviced every season for $150. The spindles looked bone dry. Said she'd never greased them. Surprisingly, everything was very tight aside from the one pulley. The engine had normal dirty oil seepage, but ran very smooth and quiet. It was full of clear oil. I was shocked at how different this mower felt and sounded compared to my L120.

I told her I would think about it and went home to talk it over with wifey. She encouraged me to get it if I wanted a project. So is $1500 a good price? I might go back today and buy it.

 

[weathda]

Here's the picture.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Go get it ASAP. They are great little garden tractors. Of course, I would try to get it for less, but I would buy that in a heartbeat, even if I couldn,t talk her down on the price.

 

[Amvcane]

I would also buy that in a second. If it hasn't been done already, you might want to replace the plastic cam gear with the newer metal one. Tractor should last another 20 years.

 

[beenthere]

Would also buy it in a heartbeat/second. Even tho I have one already.
Half the price it should be.. IMO.

Looks to be the AWS all-wheel-steer which will do near the performance of zero steer, and so many other things that the z-steer will not do well.

Would help to know the serial number.. can id the year made. Only the early ones had the plastic cam..

Some baking soda will clean up the spilled battery acid, and new battery may be good along with fixing a spindle on the deck.

Don't think you can go wrong with that purchase. Just don't let someone else beat you to it.

 

[Amvcane]

Only the early ones had the plastic cam..

Thank you for clearing that up Beenthere.

 

[weathda]

Alright, you guys have talked me into it. Craigslist and ebay have confirmed what you guys are saying. Looks like a good deal at the asking price. I called her and asked if she'd fix the pulley and belt I'd give her the asking price. She then told me, that she'd just gotten off the phone with her best friend and her friend advised her that she'd priced the mower too cheap. I thought uuh-oh...I better get this before she posts this somewhere with a bigger audience. Told her I'd take it. I'm going by the bank at lunch and planning to pick it up this evening before trick-or-treating with the kids.

 

[weathda]

Would also buy it in a heartbeat/second. Even tho I have one already.
Half the price it should be.. IMO.

Looks to be the AWS all-wheel-steer which will do near the performance of zero steer, and so many other things that the z-steer will not do well.

Would help to know the serial number.. can id the year made. Only the early ones had the plastic cam..

Some baking soda will clean up the spilled battery acid, and new battery may be good along with fixing a spindle on the deck.

Don't think you can go wrong with that purchase. Just don't let someone else beat you to it.

Last night, I checked for the serial number on the tag by the front tire, but the sticker was mostly peeled away. She said her husband bought it new in '94 so it does have the plastic cam gear. Is there any harm in waiting till the teeth break? It's not going to drop a valve is it? Also, do you guys know if the whole spindle has to be replaced or can I get by with just bearings? I guess some of this depends on how bad it has galled.

She said the wheel weights were used when they plowed snow in Illinois where it was bought new. They moved it to TN where it cut 5 acres and then AL where it now cuts a 1/4 acre lot.

 

[beenthere]

Note: to open the hood, lift the front leading edge first, then the rear of the hood can be tipped up and forward. A trick that some do not know until the hood is broken.

The spindle should only need bearings.

And hopefully you can resurrect the serial number, maybe from some original paperwork from the sale. If the dealer where purchased is known, they may have the information needed. If a dealer changed out the cam, there should be a record in Deere's files that was made of that transaction. But running the serial number is the best, if maybe the only, way for Deere to track it down.

 

[Gittyup]

You got a steal, I think. I used a 425 for twenty years. You'll hate your old tractor in like 1 minute after using the 425. Great tractors, even if you do have to put a cam in it. Replace the bad spindle. change the fluids and battery and put it to work. Do the cam only when in fails. Mine failed at 998 hours. Enjoy.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Did you pick up your new tractor yet ?

 

[weathda]

I got it yesterday. The lady lives about 0.5 mile away, I could've driven it home

Couple of pleasant surprises too. She found the manual to the mower and the deck. The mower had the purchase date. She'd originally told me they bought it in '94 but she was unsure, but the manual stated, 12-27-99. If my research is right, that means it should have the metal cam gear. I still plan to call the dealer and see if they can get me the serial number.

Also, the spindle was wobbly because the nut was loose. It was only finger tight. I haven't had a chance to tighten it or put the belt back on, but hoping to Saturday. I did manage to grease every zerk I could find. Probably hit 10 and I'm not sure I got them all, but they were all pretty thirsty.

Front and back lights work! Really excited about it.

A little beefier than the 120.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Congrats, you got yourself an excellent bargain, on a great garden tractor.

 

[weathda]

Thanks. I'm planning to change out coolant and rear fluids on Saturday. Engine oil looked clear so I would imagine it has < 20 hours on it.

Still tracking down the serial number. Dealer couldn't give it to me today based on previous owner since it's been over 7 years. He said given the engine serial number or the deck serial number they could track it down. They have to come out and visually inspect the tractor before they can grant a new tag.

 

[weathda]

Note: to open the hood, lift the front leading edge first, then the rear of the hood can be tipped up and forward. A trick that some do not know until the hood is broken.

The spindle should only need bearings.

Thanks for the info on the hood - you probably saved me from breaking it.

 

[weathda]

What you would you guys say the L120 is worth? Thinking of asking $600. It's in excellent shape.

 

[beenthere]

Certainly a fair price.

If you are not going with a snow blower, then the wheel weights are likely not necessary.

:thumbsup: you have a great deal and IMO the best tractor of any brand, and one of the better models in the Deere lineup.

Didn't know that Deere would grant a new tag, but sure glad to hear that your Deere dealer is willing to go the extra step to do that.

 

[Richard001]

Wow, that tractor looks great.

Is that a horse hitching post in front of the barn?

Also, what are you using on the floor with the pictures of the tractor inside?

Richard

 

[weathda]

Certainly a fair price.

If you are not going with a snow blower, then the wheel weights are likely not necessary.

:thumbsup: you have a great deal and IMO the best tractor of any brand, and one of the better models in the Deere lineup.

Didn't know that Deere would grant a new tag, but sure glad to hear that your Deere dealer is willing to go the extra step to do that.

I will probably take the weights off. My property is mostly flat and the added weight is just more wear and tear on the trans.

Local dealer made out like they could not re-issue a tag. I'll find out more when I get the engine serial # for them to match.

 

[weathda]

Wow, that tractor looks great.

Is that a horse hitching post in front of the barn?

Also, what are you using on the floor with the pictures of the tractor inside?

Richard

Yes, it's a hitching post. Previous owners had horses as well as stalls in the barn. I removed all the stalls and poured concrete. Nothing on the floor. I need to put down a sealant but it's way down on my project list.