Used Deere 455

[DmansPadge]

I have been keeping my eyes open for something to mow my 3 not so manicured acres. Mostly been looking at commercial ZTRs but I came across this in the local classifieds and it sparked my interest. What do you guys think? What would a good price be? Not sure on the hours yet. Here is the writeup and the pic is attached. Thanks.

1995 455 John Deere Lawn Tractor 22 HP liquid-cooled Yanmar diesel, 60" deck, hydraulic deck lift, hydrostatic transmission, cruise control and power steering. This machine has been well maintenanced, shop kept and in very good condition.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with the "best machine built" both tractor wise and engine wise.

If hours are in the 500 range (often more than that) then $5500-6500. If 1200 hours or more, then $4500-5000. I finally found one (but with 54" deck and 450 hours and all-wheel-steer) 800 miles away that I bought for $5500.

They are well worth the investment. Deere changed the style with the x-series and lost a lot of great features that the 400 (425, 445, 455) series had in their design. IMO.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I've had my 455 for 4 years now, and it has been a wonderful addition to the Deere herd. There's nothing in its class made before or since that I would trade it for.

 

[Gittyup]

Looks to be in good shape. I'd say get it, if priced right.

I have a 425, 17 years old now. Still runs like new. My total repair costs: $75 for an ignition module. Awesome tractor! Great mower, excellent traction, plows snow like a dream, pulls heavy loads. Outstanding stability - don't think I could turn it over. I love it as much now as the day it was new.

 

[LBrown59]

I have been keeping my eyes open for something to mow my 3 not so manicured acres. Mostly been looking at commercial ZTRs but I came across this in the local classifieds and it sparked my interest. What do you guys think? What would a good price be? Not sure on the hours yet. Here is the writeup and the pic is attached. Thanks.

1*1995 455 John Deere Lawn Tractor 22 HP liquid-cooled Yanmar diesel, 60" deck, hydraulic deck lift, hydrostatic transmission, cruise control and power steering. This machine has been well maintenanced, shop kept and in very good condition.

I agree with the "best machine built" both tractor wise and engine wise.

2*If hours are in the 500 range (often more than that) then $5500-6500. If 1200 hours or more, then $4500-5000. I finally found one (but with 54" deck and 450 hours and all-wheel-steer) 800 miles away that I bought for $5500.

1*The price would depend much upon the hours on it. 2* I was looking for one of these JDs from back in 2006.
Couldn't find one at a reasonable price so jumped on this for 5250* including a belly mower in 2007.
The front blade & the tiller are off of 1 0f my other tractors.

 

[Allsystemz]

I agree with everyone here, there's nothing in its class that comes close to the 455.
Wouldn't trade mine in for anything (except for a X748)

 

[DmansPadge]

Thanks for your replies. I heard back from the guy the other day. 1850 hours. He said the deck is an 8 on a 1-10 scale. New bearings, blades, etc. Said to run like a top with regular maintenance and last year a new water pump and belts. No existing problems. He wants $3150. I think the price is probably pretty fair. My hangup is how much I would be satisfied with that versus a commercial ZTR. I have always loved the conventional tractor (especially a diesel) but the ZTRs are quick. On the other hand, you have that free hand to hold the beverage of your choice on the tractor style mower! I'm sure the 455 with a 60" deck could make good time mowing. I wish I could compare it to a 48"-60" ZTR on my 3 acres, that during the growing season, gets cuts every 5 days or so. Any thoughts? LB, definitely not looking to go any bigger. I already have the B2620 for any tractor chores. Although you did good buying that machine. If I had turfs on my tractor I might consider a finish mower and use my walk behind or rider to clean up around the house, garage, etc. The R1's are just too hard on my soil for a manicured look. Any ideas on the overall width of the machine with the 60" deck? How about weight? Thoughts welcome... and I appreciate it.

 

[Allsystemz]

Thats a great price even with those hours.
But if you have a B2620 and this would be strictly a mower then i would get a ZTR.
Nothing cuts faster.

 

[jeffinsgf]

It's all personal preference, but I absolutely hate a ZTR. I sold one to buy my 455. I mow 3/4 of an acre in about 40 minutes, catching the grass. That's fast enough for me. I guess it's just too many years with a wheel in my hand instead of two levers.

 

[Gittyup]

That tractor should weigh about 1600 lbs with the mower deck. Price is about right for the hours. Looks to be taken care of.

I cut about 2 acres, with more than 60 trees, shrubs, and flower beds to mow around. I can do it in about 1.5 hours, if moving pretty quickly. 2 hours, if taking my good ol time. I have a 425, all wheel steer with a 54" deck. Next best thing to ZTR. It's very fast. The AWS does make a huge difference, as I have no trimming to do when finished. No real advatage for AWS if cutting open spaces.

The ZTR might be a little bit faster, but not by much. And you have the utility of an agile tractor that can do more things than just cut grass: tow a trailer, snow plow, till, plow a garden, leaf collect/mulch, hall a sprayer.

I put a regular tow hitch receiver on mine and attach one of those hitch-carry-alls where I place a sprayer that runs off the tractor battery. Works great. The tractor also has hydraulics (not sure the one you are considering has the aux ports). I use the hydraulics to operate a hydraulic dump trailer. All in all, a tractor is just way more useful. But, it is a personal perference.

 

[Gittyup]

Maybe a better photo.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks for your replies. .......1850 hours. He said the deck is an 8 on a 1-10 scale. New bearings, blades, etc. Said to run like a top with regular maintenance and last year a new water pump and belts. No existing problems. He wants $3150. I think the price is probably pretty fair. ......... ............... Any ideas on the overall width of the machine with the 60" deck? How about weight? Thoughts welcome... and I appreciate it.

Price is about right for the hours, as has been mentioned by others.
Also agree that an AWS will come closer to the performance of the ZTR. The diesel will make short work of your grass cutting with its power, speed, and great cut. You will be able to go as fast as you can sit comfortably on the seat.
Overall width will be very close to the 60" of the deck, and not much more than another 2".
And you will have the two pair of hydraulic couplers on this 455 (under left side foot rest).
Also, it will be an investment that you can recover if not what you are happy with. These JD tractors do not lose much value over time, as you prolly already have realized.

 

[Dutch445]

Maybe a better photo.

That trailer looks so much better in Green!!

 

[jcmseven]

I know I likely will get some pushback on this, but a ZTR is not going to gain you a ton of time on a 455 over three acres. I have had both X series tractors (the equivalent of a 455 in current models) and ZTR's, including two 757's and now a 950. I really like the 950, and it is fast cutting, but on my parents lawn--about three acres--it only gains me about 15 minutes time over my 595 that I had (and less over the 2320 I have now). If I were a commercial mower and had several lawns per day to maintain, 15 minutes here and there may add up to two or three extra lawns per day. I am not a commercial mower and likely waste that much time doing things around mowing. I am not against ZTRs and even own one myself, but I just do not see the tremendous appeal for those without super large lawns and/or commercial aspirations. A good, efficient and in this case diesel powered tractor will come surprisingly close to a ZTR in mowing speed on this lot size and has many other reasonable uses.

John M

 

[LBrown59]

1*The AWS does make a huge difference, as I have no trimming to do when finished.
2*No real advatage for AWS if cutting open spaces.

1*You must not have any ditchs or banks.
2*True.

3* He wants $3150. I think the price is probably pretty fair.
4*ZTRs are quick.
5*LB, definitely not looking to go any bigger.
I already have the B2620 for any tractor chores. 6*Although you did good buying that machine.
7*The R1's are just too hard on my soil for a manicured look.

3*Sounds reasonable.
4*But quick isn't always everything.
5* About the same size as the JDx455
6*Thanks I know I did, and here is the clincher it has PS 4 wheel drive with locking rear differential rear PTO and rear 3 point hitch.
7*R1s on this size tractor are not a problem for me as It's smaller than your B2660.

8*Thats a great price even with those hours.
9*But if you have a B2620 and this would be strictly a mower then i would get a ZTR.
10*Nothing cuts faster.

8* I think I would go for it at that price.
9*ZTRs are a to limited type machine for my liking.
10*Faster isn't necessarly better.

 

[Gittyup]

1*You must not have any ditchs or banks.
2*True.

3*Sounds reasonable.
4*But quick isn't always everything.
5* About the same size as the JDx455
6*Thanks I know I did, and here is the clincher it has PS 4 wheel drive with locking rear differential rear PTO and rear 3 point hitch.
7*R1s on this size tractor are not a problem for me as It's smaller than your B2660.


8* I think I would go for it at that price.
9*ZTRs are a to limited type machine for my liking.
10*Faster isn't necessarly better.

1 - You don't know what you are talking about.

 

[td555]

I just picked up a 455 aws, 60" deck with 1110 hours on it for 3800. It's in great shape but I can't locate the serial number for it. Everyone I know that has one of these tractors just loves them..

 

[LBrown59]

1*You must not have any ditchs or banks.
4*But quick isn't always everything.
5* About the same size as the JDx455
6*Thanks I know I did, and here is the clincher it has PS 4 wheel drive with locking rear differential rear PTO and rear 3 point hitch.
7*R1s on this size tractor are not a problem for me as It's smaller than your B2660.
9*ZTRs are a to limited type machine for my liking.
10*Faster isn't necessarly better.

***1 - You don't know what you are talking about.

***What I don't know is what you are talking about?:confused2::confused2:

 

[LBrown59]

I just picked up a 455 aws, 60" deck with 1110 hours on it for 3800. It's in great shape but I can't locate the serial number for it. Everyone I know that has one of these tractors just loves them..

Does it have the rear PTO and the 3 point hitch ; if not that's about a $1000 add on.

 

[JSR LLS]

Price seems reasonable to me. You say the 3 acres is not manicured. I would think you would have a more comfortable time on the 455, but I'm no expert on ZTRs, as I too always prefer 2 hands on the wheel. But, if the 455 rides smoother, it would most likely equal less mowing time. Good luck in your decision.