Need help looking for a JD lawn tractor/rider?

Hi 1lawnboy ,

318 , 425 , 445 , would all work great for your tasks , these are all gas
models , D-Dogg can give you all the in's and out's on the 318 ... I used to
own a 1999 445 great tractor and had no problems ... If you don't mind
Diesel the 455 is a hard worker and the Diesel will be easier on fuel , all can
be had within your price range ... You did'nt mention if you'd be plowing or
blowing snow or any other various chores ...

I seen on Machine Finder the other day , a couple of nice JD 430's that are
also Diesel , in the $4000.00 price range , they are a stout contender ...

Good luck in your shopping !!!

Later,x595

The gx345 are a nice machine. They have power steering, hydraulic deck lift,locking differential, liquid cooled 20 hp kawasaki, 54" deck I just love mine. Mine is 2004 model with 200 hrs and paid 4600. canadian for it. The kawasaki engines have proven themselves, and is the one JD have been using in most of the higher end gas machines for at least 20 years.

1Lawnboy, I have a 318 with just over $5000 on everything in my signature.

The 318 will do you just fine, though as stated, if you have $5K for a tractor up front, you could be looking at a 430, 445, 455, and even some rough 755s.

x595 makes a good point about diesels. While I love my 318, it loves the gas.

D-Dogg said:

1Lawnboy, I have a 318 with just over $5000 on everything in my signature.

The 318 will do you just fine, though as stated, if you have $5K for a tractor up front, you could be looking at a 430, 445, 455, and even some rough 755s.

x595 makes a good point about diesels. While I love my 318, it loves the gas.

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It would be $5k cash for a nice used one, thats my limit. I dont need anything super heavy duty, a 318 would probably do the job for me. What motor is on your 318?
I stick with a gas machine, I already have 3 different gas cans for lawnboys mixed at different ratios and one can of regular. I sure dont need a diesel can sitting around too. I need to look a little harder locally, there are lots of JD's, but nobody wants to sell them.

I have the P218G Onan engine in mine. You can determine this by verifying the last 6 digits of the serial number are 420001 or higher. Nothing wrong with the B43G engine in the earlier models, but they have points versus electronic ignition.

The only two things I am not wild about with the 318 are the hand operated hydro (as I use a front end loader) and the 2000 RPM rear PTO.

I've seen very nice 318s go for a low of $900 to a high of $2400. That's including a mower deck. I would recommend you look at a unit with less than 900 hours, and preferably 500 or less in a more expensive model.

The 445s have water cooling, fuel injection, differential lock and a 540 RPM rear PTO. You can get a rougher one for $3000 and a pretty decent one for $5000. The 60 inch deck is the most common deck I have seen with these, and might prove a little big for an acre or so yard.

Here is a search link I use quite a bit. There is a high hour unit in Silex right now for which the owner is asking twice too much. I may be worth looking at.

A brand new Kohler/Briggs/Honda engine for a 318 would run you about $1700, so lets say you bought a high hour unit for $800 and just slapped a new engine in it, you would have $2500 in a tractor that will outlast you. That's cheaper than a new Craftsman GT which the 318 would eat for breakfast (no offense to Craftsmen or their owners - I started with one myself).

The 318 is probably one of the most popular classic GTs out there, so there is no shortage of parts or expertise.

slkpk said:

I would be looking for a 425/445. Both are liquid cooled easy to work on, parts are easily available and built to last. Ergonomics are great and they ride very well. slkpk

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For what you have to spend on a used tractor, I'd agree with the above, and add the 455 into it, go with the diesel. Never have to change a spark plug again.

shadow1961 said:

My father just traded a 2002 425 in on a new 2320 and they gave him $5K trade in value. He had taken very good care of it and it was a relatively low hour machine (around 300 I think). Something like that would be ideal IMO. Good luck, the hunt is most of the fun!

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Does anyone have a pic of a 425/455? Specs too if possible. Thanks!

Depending on your yard and obstacles, I would consider a 425/45/ with aws if you have alot to go around, or 2 wheel steer if its wide open. $5,000 should get you a really nice used one if your patient.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1215821853.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1210139864.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1191677050.html

Cat385B said:

Depending on your yard and obstacles, I would consider a 425/45/ with aws if you have alot to go around, or 2 wheel steer if its wide open. $5,000 should get you a really nice used one if your patient.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1215821853.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1210139864.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1191677050.html

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Wow, lots of options in MN. Little harder to find here in Se Missouri. Most Ive found locally have 800-1000's hrs on them. I like the 4 wheel steer option, that would be good to have around my landscaping. Only thing is, I kind of look at that as a potential problem that would probably be expensive in the long run. Ive got some good trimming mowers, so I could do without.

If you want something that is gas powered, will fly and will perform garden tasks then look no further than a 420 w/60 inch deck. They have a 2 speed transaxle, tighter turning radius that a 445/455, and are air cooled which I like better than water cooled (less stuff to break). They have that sweet sounding Onan twin, lots of low RPM power. And, with the dual swivel wheels and deck rollers on the 60 inch deck, when set up properly, they will give the kind of cut that looks like a sheet of glass when you are done.

You should have no problem finding one-a good one-for 3000-4000 dollars. I just bought a pristine 420 with 400 plus hours (no deck) for 3000 on Epay, it had never mowed grass or been in a garden (pulled parade trailers all it's life,lol) and has a factory installed rear PTO.

I now have 4 of the 420's, and when I mow a 7 acre church yard with trees, buildings, fences, ditches, etc it takes at the most 3 hours, usually a little less. They are a pleasure to operate

For $4749 list price, you can get a BRAND NEW Deere X340 with a 54" deck, with a warantee and you would be the first original owner.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductC....ProdCatProduct?pNbr=SKU21850&tM=HO&link=enav
I know you said 5K was the limit, but the X500 is all the tractor you will ever need for cutting grass and a little towing. You can get an X500 tactor with 54" deck new for $5899 list price.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductC....ProdCatProduct?pNbr=SKU22128&tM=HO&link=enav

What I am saying is that you have a big enough budget to get a new machine vs. a used one, and I agree that the used Deere models mentioned above are VERY good machines, but the newest 318 you are going to find is 17 years old