Thinking about a JD 425

[98ramtough]

Hello again. I am thinking about getting a 1995 JD 425 with a 54" mower deck and shaft bagger setup. It also comes with a snow blower. It has 250 hours on it. Dealer wants $3499 and I think I got them down to $3200. I already have a 2305 with a 54" mower deck, front end loader, box scarper, rotary tiller, spray tank etc.

So here are my questions, will the 425 mow as good as the 2305? Will it be a more comfortable machine to mow with? Does it mow as fast as the 2305? I can mow pretty fast with the 2305 but it beats me up. I also don't like taking the front end loader off twice a week to mow. I have 2.5 acres of grass.

Hows the deal sound? Any advice? Comments? Am I crazy to want a 425 and a 2305?

 

[98ramtough]

And here is pics of the beast in question. Dealer says it runs perfect, no problems, PTO and hydrolics work great. Deck is 2 years old.

 

[pennwalk]

I have a 425. It is a capable machine. Really great with the 47 snowblower in the big snows we had this winter. The plastic timing gear is a cloud that hangs over them. If the repair has already been done then in my mind that tractor is worth more. Also there is an expensive ignition module that can go out.

On comfort, The seat on the 425 is hinged in front with springs under the back. I found the action over bumps hurt my back. I replaced the seat with the suspension seat from a 445. Expensive but much more comfortable.

A 425 going for less than $4000 is rare around here unless it is a rag.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

Hello again.
1*I am thinking about getting a 1995 JD 425 with a 54"
Dealer wants $3499 and I think I got them down to $3200.
2*I already have a 2305 with a 54" mower deck, front end loader, box scraper, rotary tiller, spray tank etc.
3* will the 425 mow as good as the 2305?
4*Will it be a more comfortable machine to mow with? 5*Does it mow as fast as the 2305?
6**I can mow pretty fast with the 2305 but it beats me up.
7*I also don't like taking the front end loader off twice a week to mow. I have 2.5 acres of grass.
Hows the deal sound? Any advice? Comments?
8* Am I crazy to want a 425 and a 2305?

1*Nice tractor but i wanted more than a garden tractor so I bought a 2003 BX1500 Sub Compact for $5250 to use as a second tractor to my BX2300.
2*I have a BX23 60'' MMM as my main tractor.
3*About the same.
4*about the same
5*About the same .
6*It shouldnn't do that to you ; at least my BX23 nor BX1500 does not do that to me.
7*I don't remove the FEL to mow my 2.33 acres.
8*No but a BX1500 would be better

I think you'll find the two units very similar in performance and ride for the lawn cutting. A 60" deck would be faster.
9*The only drawback on the 425 and 445 is that they have a plastic or nylon cam gear that tends to break around 1000 hours plus or minus 200 hours.
The problem was solved with a steel gear installed sometime around 1997-8.
10*You can retrofit the steel gear in older models.

9 and10* An expensive proposition.

 

[mjncad]

That 425 looks to have been well cared for, and I'm guessing it will serve you well.

I would love to acquire a 455 AWS; but finding used ones in Colorado is next to impossible.

As far as mowing quality and comfort compared to your 2305, only you can judge that.

 

[coobie]

Hello again. I am thinking about getting a 1995 JD 425 with a 54" mower deck and shaft bagger setup. It also comes with a snow blower. It has 250 hours on it. Dealer wants $3499 and I think I got them down to $3200. I already have a 2305 with a 54" mower deck, front end loader, box scarper, rotary tiller, spray tank etc.

So here are my questions, will the 425 mow as good as the 2305? Will it be a more comfortable machine to mow with? Does it mow as fast as the 2305? I can mow pretty fast with the 2305 but it beats me up. I also don't like taking the front end loader off twice a week to mow. I have 2.5 acres of grass.

Hows the deal sound? Any advice? Comments? Am I crazy to want a 425 and a 2305?

If you are any where near michigan PM me my friend has a 425 for sale and 455 all wheel steer.coobie

 

[mjncad]

If you are any where near michigan PM me my friend has a 425 for sale and 455 all wheel steer.coobie

Dang, I wish your friend with the 455 was closer to Colorado. Oh well.

 

[98ramtough]

Well I brought her home this weekend. Just like new. 240 hours. Runs nice and cold. Original thermastat even. Which I heard on the 425 was a better running engine with the colder thermastat. Mower deck was two years old no rust. I mowed my 2 acre yard today. I'm real happy.


Only problem I found is there is a small hydraulic leak on the front where you hook hoses in. I'll have to clean it up and find what o ring etc needs replaced. Any guesses???

 

[beenthere]

I started with a 425 around the same age as yours. Moved up to a 445 and then to an X485. The 54" mower deck does a much better job mowing, so I bought another 425 last summer. Am very happy with it, and think it is a rock solid tractor. I prefer the AWS and am looking for a 455 AWS with a 54" deck (close by ).

 

[mjncad]

Congratulations on getting the 425! Enjoy it!