[wally2q]

This is a sequel thread to my "i'm a sick man" thread.... but this one is more directly on-topic....

Problem statement: I

​

need to buy another Deere diesel.
Wants & Needs: 54" or 62" deck, diesel, shaft drive transaxle, foot-pedal fwd/rev control, power steering, power deck lift, diff lock or 4wd.
Budget: $5000 preferred. I can do $5500. If the machine is truly pristine, I can push it to $6000 - $6500, but really hoping not to have to do that.

I looked at an x495 today... 700hrs, and in need of some cosmetic tlc. although the transmission had lots of torque (tested going up hill), and everything worked fine, the speed was 9kph max (vs 13-14 per spec). I figured it's pedal adjustment but maybe not? But when the guy gave me the bogus line about having to charge me tax (because he's a farmer) - on top of the $5800 price (making it $6600 total) i said "see 'ya". Something about the guy, and the machine felt wrong.

There is a 455 AWS (would be neat to have AWS, but not a drop-dead necessity) for sale. 1500hrs. 54" deck. $4,400. Everything works but needs paint. and at least 1 new tail light. Is that a good deal?

There is another X495, but "the hour meter doesnt work - estimated hours at 400-500". With soft cab. $6,200 with 48C deck (i NEED a 54 or 62), or $6500 with 62" deck. From pictures the machine looks immaculate. 3hr drive away. Pictures below. I will call the guy (emailed and waiting for phone number) to get more info on this unit.... but assuming it is as good condition as it looks, is that a good deal?....

looking for some more experienced help!!

 

[cnymowinplowinsailin]

$4800 USD for a X495 in good shape with reasonable hours isnt a bad deal but I wouldnt say its good let alone great. Maybe if the cab is worth something to you? I'd take a real close look at a machine that old that someone is estimating at 4-500 hours. I would assume 1000-1500 unless there is strong evidence to back their claim up.

 

[wally2q]

yea - i figured the same about the hours on a machine that has that many years.
thing is that he also has numerous other machines including an x720 which he is selling... so not sure he used this machine as much. If you look at the machine itself and the deck - it looks pristine... question is: did he repaint the deck though? Wheels look clean.. tractor paint looks unfaded etc... so it may in fact be as low-hours as he says.
but i need to talk to him.

the soft cab means nothing to me, so although to him it's value (and price), to me - I am paying for something I dont need.

 

[wirlybird]

I'd go for an X595. I have an X585 and love it but would like the diesel version.
I went from a 332, still have it, to the X585 and the 4X4 is the bomb, love it. this is a solid, beefy tractor.

 

[wally2q]

what about hte 455 AWS?... looking at it all, it seems identical to the X495, except a styling difference... and the X495 uses the 62C deck...
but otherwise same?

OR are there any nuances that differentiate the 455 from the X495 - that make the X495 more desirable?

 

[mrbeef]

Why not a 60" 7-Iron deck if you are looking at the X series. I think in your price range you should be able to get into an x740.

I don't have a lot of experience with the 62" deck. The experience I do have is that the 60" deck on the 455 is the a better deck than the 62" on the X4/5-5 machines. The 54" is ok.

 

[wally2q]

ok cool - thanks.
Yea there is an x740 for sale, but it's 1700 hours, and $6,750 (would get it down to $6500).
Thought about that - but I'm going away quite far from the $4000-$5000 i was hoping to limit myself to spending....

 

[Stryker7200]

Why not a 60" 7-Iron deck if you are looking at the X series. I think in your price range you should be able to get into an x740.

I don't have a lot of experience with the 62" deck. The experience I do have is that the 60" deck on the 455 is the a better deck than the 62" on the X4/5-5 machines. The 54" is ok.

This is true. My dad gets a better cut out of his 60" deck on his 445 than I get out of my 62" deck on my x485. Could also be that he sold JD for 33 years and knows the machines and deck better than I do though. Not real sure haha.

 

[cnymowinplowinsailin]

It seems like there is a lot of variety in the JD deck designs. The 60" on the 20hp gas Onan front mower would mow a hayfield down all day long while the 72" on the 28hp diesel Yanmar would leave a perfect cut but puke on the big stuff. I used the 62C on the 595 today for the first time and it seems somewhere in between. Seems like a topic that doesnt get enough attention.

 

[eKretz]

I have used the 62C with my x595 for almost 20 years and I find that it leans more toward the "pukes in the big stuff but finishes nicely" category. There's an easy way to get around that though, just mow with the deck all the way up in the big overgrown stuff (growth a foot or two high) and it handles it pretty well. Go back for a second lower pass a week later and you're all good. For finish mowing I haven't had a machine with a more even cut on flat ground. Many seem to have issues getting an even cut but mine has been awesome.

 

[jerryh20]

my 455 aws does everything i need and 60" deck has great cut. i have owned it for over 5 years never misses a beat, starts fast, doesn't use oil, great fuel economy and pulls a 12ft flat bed trailer full of dirt / rocks no problem. has over 900 hrs and have just done routine maintenance. love aws.

 

[wirlybird]

I have used the 62C with my x595 for almost 20 years and I find that it leans more toward the "pukes in the big stuff but finishes nicely" category. There's an easy way to get around that though, just mow with the deck all the way up in the big overgrown stuff (growth a foot or two high) and it handles it pretty well. Go back for a second lower pass a week later and you're all good. For finish mowing I haven't had a machine with a more even cut on flat ground. Many seem to have issues getting an even cut but mine has been awesome.

When I was looking at a new machine I read up on the 62" and there were a lot of complaints about keeping it level. Maybe it was the drive over deck that was the problem? Many seemed to prefer the 54".

I ended up with an X585 with the 54" and it does a nice job, has been trouble free and is plenty big.

 

[eKretz]

I have used the 62C with my x595 for almost 20 years and I find that it leans more toward the "pukes in the big stuff but finishes nicely" category. There's an easy way to get around that though, just mow with the deck all the way up in the big overgrown stuff (growth a foot or two high) and it handles it pretty well. Go back for a second lower pass a week later and you're all good. For finish mowing I haven't had a machine with a more even cut on flat ground. Many seem to have issues getting an even cut but mine has been awesome.

When I was looking at a new machine I read up on the 62" and there were a lot of complaints about keeping it level. Maybe it was the drive over deck that was the problem? Many seemed to prefer the 54".

I ended up with an X585 with the 54" and it does a nice job, has been trouble free and is plenty big.

Yeah, I don't know. I've seen that from others from time to time too, but I leveled my deck when it was installed the first time when I bought it new and haven't touched it since. It's been off and on at least once every season since 2003. I can barely tell where my mowing passes overlap except by the difference in the way the light reflects. I do run my gage wheels so they *just* touch the ground on level ground rather than hanging in free air like most recommend though. Maybe that's the difference? Dunno.

 

[wirlybird]

Yeah, I don't know. I've seen that from others from time to time too, but I leveled my deck when it was installed the first time when I bought it new and haven't touched it since. It's been off and on at least once every season since 2003. I can barely tell where my mowing passes overlap except by the difference in the way the light reflects. I do run my gage wheels so they *just* touch the ground on level ground rather than hanging in free air like most recommend though. Maybe that's the difference? Dunno.

Yea, I was figuring it may be more the tractor than the deck and probably the user!

I decided that $13,000 for a X758 was a lot especially considering the leveling complaints and some other issues new customers posted at the local dealer's site.

Ended up throwing $2700 (no payments!) for a nice X585.

 

[eKretz]

Yeah, I don't know. I've seen that from others from time to time too, but I leveled my deck when it was installed the first time when I bought it new and haven't touched it since. It's been off and on at least once every season since 2003. I can barely tell where my mowing passes overlap except by the difference in the way the light reflects. I do run my gage wheels so they *just* touch the ground on level ground rather than hanging in free air like most recommend though. Maybe that's the difference? Dunno.

Yea, I was figuring it may be more the tractor than the deck and probably the user!

I decided that $13,000 for a X758 was a lot especially considering the leveling complaints and some other issues new customers posted at the local dealer's site.

Ended up throwing $2700 (no payments!) for a nice X585.

Good possibility, I think most of the complaints I saw about the 62" deck were with the newer machines too now that you mention it. The other nice thing about the older machines is that they have a factory loader available...I love mine, very glad I bought it.

 

[mopar65pa]

There is a 455 AWS (would be neat to have AWS, but not a drop-dead necessity) for sale. 1500hrs. 54" deck. $4,400. Everything works but needs paint. and at least 1 new tail light. Is that a good deal?

My neighbor had a 455 AWS 60" deck for sale with 1000hrs on it for $3K USD. It was in good shape needed a seat and one rear light. so it's roughly .75$ Canadian to $1 usd. so exchange rate would put the one here at $4k Canadian, and the one up there you are looking at $3300 down here. Still not a bad price but I would try to haggle because everyone puts their prices at "haggling" prices. :tango_face_wink:

 

[wally2q]

i got the 455 AWS.
1500hrs.
Got him down to $3600... so that's $2700 USD.
Engine sounds smoother than my 2305 that has 1300 hours that I put on it...
Everything works.
Needs a bit of paint, some good cleaning.... new seat... new gauge wheels, new tail light.
Will also give it all new transmission oil, engine oil, coolant flush, air filter, fuel filter (it all adds up...)

AWS feels weird - never drove aws before - but I can swing the deck around in an un-cut circle that is approximately 1" diameter! Cool!

 

[FTWingRiders]

Congrats! I love the 455s, they’re a heck of a machine. I’ve never had an aws either, as I don’t really have the need for it, but the ability to cut in so close must be awesome. Yeah, cleaning them up and making them pretty can add up, but then you have a machine that you’re proud of and could realistically be the last one you need.. mine still brings a smile to my face every time I open the door to its shed.

 

[cnymowinplowinsailin]

That is some solid haggling...congrats on the machine.

 

[wally2q]

ok so i've got the 455 torn apart.... painting in progress....
here are some findings so far:
1. loose fitting on hydraulic couplings was leaking fluid slowly. Tightened it up. Leak stopped
2. diff-lock actuator seal was popped out of the transmission case... I pressed it back in (after cleaning everything thoroughly) slow oil leak was there before - now stopped.
QUESTION: should I be concerned?... why did the seal pop out in the first place?... it looks good, but should it be changed?... should I secure it inside the tranmission with something?.. fab up a retainer bracket?... or use some gasket-RTV to glue it in?... any experiences from anyone else on this topic?
3. deck-lift arms are coupled in a strange way. It looks like the previous owner had them off (different clips / pins / bolts in there). There is a bracket welded onto the frame. Hole punched through the bracket and the frame. The lift-arm is attached to the outside of the bracket... but it looks like it could fit in between the bracket and the frame?... whats the correct way?
See pictures:

Should the lift arm be installed "in that gap"?... or is the way it is now, the correct way to have it?

thanks!!!!