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Some Sad News!!!. On X360 54" Deck..

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Been There Twice

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Last Monday (1/20) I bought a 54" deck that was under a X360 tractor. The ebay seller wanted $574.99 or best offer plus $75.00 for shipping by Fastenal Freight. I offered $475.00 plus the $75.00 and the seller accepted my offer. I made arrangements with my local Fastenal terminal that they would be getting a John Deere mower within a week or so, and I would pick it up upon arrival.
Well!. this morning my email had a message from the seller that he was refunding my $550.00 to paypal and didn't want the "hassle" or headache. I see he has the mower deck back on ebay at the same original price as before. plus the Festenal shipping.

So, I'm back to "zero" on replacing the 54" deck on my '99 345. The deck on the 345 is in need of many parts...all the sheave pulleys on the rear where the draft brackets are and the at least two spindles need replacing, plus the idler pulleys. If I order all the parts needed to get it back in 100% running condition, I'm looking at approx. $432.00. Plus the fact the deck need sand blasted and primer and repainted, making the cost about what a new or good deck would cost if could be located.
Another thought here, why would I want to put $500-600 in a old 54" deck when I don't use the 345 much anymore. I have a 2012 JD 2320 with 60" deck that I mow about 7 acres, and my 2013 JDZ710A Ztrak with the 54" deck that I mow about 9 acres. I think it should give some thought selling the 345 and the deck.
 
#2 ·
All that over $100? Seems like he had an easy sale as it was. But, it may work better for you after all considering it seems you’ve already got a mower and and a work horse. Sell the 345 and buy gas for the other two ?
 
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#3 ·
Sometimes it takes a thing like that to help you see the forest for the trees. Seems like a no brainer IMHO.
 
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#5 ·
You could find a good 48 inch deck I wouldn’t be surprised if it used the same parts as your 54 uses. Just a thought if you were set on a 54. I see a lot more 48 inch decks for sale.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Here is the situation why I don't want to depart with the '99 JD345 with 987 hours. I have out in the garage a "new" FD611V engine in a factory crate. I bought this direct from the Maryville, Mo factory back in 2005 when this Kawasaki stop making the FD611V. I also have a new Tuff-Torg K70A transmission setting right next to the Kaw engine, also in a crate. Back then, I felt there would be a time that I would need both of these units to replace the factory installed ones that is still running good in the 345. I've considered selling both on ebay, but, my luck the next day one of the units in the 345 now would need replacing. So, when the time comes to depart with the 345, the new owner would get a new engine and transmission with the deal.
 
#7 ·
Why not just do what you said and it out the engine and transmission on eBay separately from the tractor? I have a feeling you’ll have a much easier time selling the tractor without the extra drivetrain - and I bet you’d get more for everything separate as well.
 
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#8 ·
Looking through the eBay list of items I am pretty sure the seller you originally purchased from is a seller that is well known in the collecting circles for saying he will ship and then canceling the sale because he doesn't want the hassle of shipping. I have two friends he has done that two on a cab and blade. Pretty shady individual......

Since you have other machines I would just keep looking locally to find a 54" deck. They are out there and more and more 345's are getting to the age where people just give up on them. There was a rash of cheap 345's locally last year..... I tried to buy, but was too slow, on three sub $1,000 running 345's last summer. For us in SD that number of machines is unheard of.... Not a huge population to have bought them new in the first place!! :p
 
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Discussion starter · #9 ·
mrbeef said:
Looking through the eBay list of items I am pretty sure the seller you originally purchased from is a seller that is well known in the collecting circles for saying he will ship and then canceling the sale because he doesn't want the hassle of shipping. I have two friends he has done that two on a cab and blade. Pretty shady individual......

Since you have other machines I would just keep looking locally to find a 54" deck. They are out there and more and more 345's are getting to the age where people just give up on them. There was a rash of cheap 345's locally last year..... I tried to buy, but was too slow, on three sub $1,000 running 345's last summer. For us in SD that number of machines is unheard of.... Not a huge population to have bought them new in the first place!! :p
Click to expand...
mrbeef, you and I go back along ways on this forum...even when I was under another username... and that is another story we won't get involved in.

The ebay seller may be the one you referring to in you message here. The next day..1/21. I sent a message to the seller that I needed him to measure the distance between the two deck lift brackets on the deck, as I wanted to find if I needed to also change the lift arms on the 345. He replied that he had already shipped the deck by Fastenal. I sent him a message that I needed the Fastenal freight shipping number, etc., as my Fastenal terminal here wanted this information. The seller replied that the deck hadn't been shipped yet, and this sent me alarm on something didn't seem right. I think he didn't have a 54" X360 mower deck to sell or ship, but, was hoping to get one. Anyway, I would guess it all turned out fine, and I got my $550.00 return to my account.
 
#10 ·
If you have a new engine and new transmission you obviously want to keep it. Look into a new deck or salvage yards to get a deck.
 
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#11 · (Edited)
TJR345 said:
If you have a new engine and new transmission you obviously want to keep it. Look into a new deck or salvage yards to get a deck.
Click to expand...
I don’t really understand this logic for this particular case (I’m not trying to be obstinate by saying that!). The NIB (NICrate in this case) engine and transmission were purchased 15 years ago - they’re a sunk cost. If there is no need for a second mowing machine, then it’s irrelevant the extra drivetrain is available. The new drivetrain and the machine are liquid “assets” just taking up space. There’s nothing to be gained in this situation by holding on to the stuff just because it’s there.
 
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#12 ·
I see decks listed all the time on craigslist. I would replace it with a newer edge deck if possible.


Cub Cadet SZ Tank 54
Cub Cadet Zforce SX 48
John Deere 1025r FEL
(2) 80 carts
15 cart
Frontier ss1023b
Frontier af10f
Land Pride FDR1660 mower
Land Pride GS0548 plane
Land Pride RTR 1258 tiller
Land Pride QH05 quick hitch
Victory EF 155 flail mower
48” sand filled lawn roller
 
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Discussion starter · #13 · (Edited)
Some on this forum " doesn't know the value of an item, when it's not available". So, what happens when you have a machine...such as a good running '99 JD 345 with 987 hours lawn tractor that appears to never been used, but, there's not a engine or transmission available to replace a broken, or worn out unit. When I made a trip to the Kawasaki factory in Maryville, Mo in 2005, the plant manager made the comment the Kawasaki FD611V engine had been discontinued, and no longer would the dealers would be able to get any, unless John Deere would have any in the supply areas to replaced. He, also mentioned they had a few at the factory if I wanted one. I bought one for $1,100.00. In 2006, my K70A I thought sounded like it may be going out, as it was show going up a upgrade, but would run great on level or downgrade areas. I call my dealer, and there also I find that Tuff-Torg no longer made the K70A. I called Tuff-Torg in Tennessee and a good technical person give the sad news that there where very few parts they could ship, unless the dealers might have some I could purchase. But, they had several K70A that they had to go back and replace couple gears but they where new units. He wanted $900.00 plus shipping. So, that is how I have an extra engine and transmission here. If and when I decide to tear down the JD345 and install the two units, I could say I have almost a new 345.


My John Deere dealer told me yesterday there is a good metal fabricator in Kansas City that will take my 54" deck and make it look like a new one. They have had several done for customers that need rust areas removed and replace and primer and repainted for 1/3rd the cost of a new deck. I'm going make a trip down to KC tomorrow.
 
#14 ·
I understand why you bought the spare drivetrain, but just because you have them is irrelevant to keeping the tractor. Just sell everything if you decide you don’t need the 345.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
I mow about 17-1/2 acres of my 20 acres. The 2320 with those AG treaded tires don't do justice to a lawn. The 60" deck on the 2320 is more suitable for the 7 acres that was at one time a overgrown grass field, and I have spent hundred of hours getting it into shape to mow it... The bucket on the 2320 has been a saver moving and leveling dirt.
My 2013 JD Z710A Zero Turn does the 9 acres from the highway back to what was the fence line for the yard. Never know when the Z710A gives that last gasp of running and I will need the 345 as a replacement. Best to have a spare when you need it.
 
#16 ·
I hope that you are able to leave a negative review for that seller. A one-off changing of his mind would be annoying however he earned a negative review after lying about shipping it then canceling the order. Future buyers should be warned.

As an aside, I've used Uship a couple of times with good luck/cost for items that are difficult to crate. Typically, they will pick-up at the seller's location.

Lastly, you could probably sell that FD611v on eBay for a pretty penny.
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
UPDATE: As it turns out....The Sad News about not getting the 54" mowed deck, turns into some good news the ebayer didn't ship the deck for $450.00
I made a trip to Kansas City on Monday to a meta fabricator who my JD dealer recommended to have my 54" 345 deck repaired, less all the anti-scalp wheels, blades, belt, pulleys, spindles., etc. When I arrived the owner or main person there wanted to know how I learned that they repaired mower deck. I was lucky that my dealer gave me his business card with the address of the repair shop. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to leave the deck there, as they only work with John Deere dealers on rebuilding mower decks. I would guess they have a contract(s) with these dealers on what price to charge, and no individual gets that price.
Making the story short here, The repair shop said my deck wasn't all that bad and was in good shape for having 987 hours. But, due to the fact I hauled my deck in my Tahoe and had the dealer business card, they would do the repairs. Here is the procedures they will perform... sand blast the underside and top to remove any rust and paint. They will dip it in a chemical solution to remove any other material. They will coat/spray a coating like that of JB Weld, only it is a liquid spray form on the underside of the deck. The top side will be primerd and powder coated with the Yellow JD color. Any rust areas will cut out and replaced with welded metal of the same thickness and weld ground down smooth to the matching surface. The person there told me I wouldn't be able to see where they didn't any repairs to the deck. It would appear to be like new. I'm to pick it up in three weeks, and I will pay the dealer the repairs costs. He said the cost would be less than $320.00.
In the mean time I will replace the bearings in the spindles and in the drive deck (dbl.one) pully at the rear and will replace the two idler pulleys when the get the deck.
Maybe, I lucked out after all.
 
#18 ·
It sounds like a blessing in disguise as I'm not convinced that the newer deck would have fit.
 
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#20 ·
Been There Twice said:
Here is the situation why I don't want to depart with the '99 JD345 with 987 hours. I have out in the garage a "new" FD611V engine in a factory crate. I bought this direct from the Maryville, Mo factory back in 2005 when this Kawasaki stop making the FD611V. I also have a new Tuff-Torg K70A transmission setting right next to the Kaw engine, also in a crate. Back then, I felt there would be a time that I would need both of these units to replace the factory installed ones that is still running good in the 345. I've considered selling both on ebay, but, my luck the next day one of the units in the 345 now would need replacing. So, when the time comes to depart with the 345, the new owner would get a new engine and transmission with the deal.
Click to expand...
Put the new engine / transmission in your tractor and sell your old eng/trans or pick up a 345 in need of an engine and / or transmission, make th swap and sell it.
 
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Hot Rod John
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