That little Yanmar engine has been essentially bullet proof and I wouldn't hesitate in a second to grab the Diesel. Have the dealer service that unit (oil, filter (air and engine), and enjoy the ride. If you are going to purchase the 455, I would suggest asking the dealer to throw in two more service components: a) I would request he remove the deck and change the fluid in the gearbox, no telling how old that oil may be and would start fresh (good time to throw on Gator blades as well), grease everything and look over the deck bearings and b) request the transmission be serviced, new filter and new Low Vis Hygard.

What do you plan on doing with the machine? Are you buying it strictly for mowing or do you have other uses intended for it? Thinking about adding a FEL or other attachments? Also what size decks are on each machine?

I will use the tractor mainly mowing my 2 acre lot of solid grass. Also, moderate use during winters for moving snow. I am in Nebraska and we can get quite a bit of snow in the winter. My driveway is fairly long. I could probably get by with a smaller tractor but I want something that will last.

The size of deck on the 485 is 54" and size of deck on the 455 is 60". I don't have very many obstacles -- only three trees to navigate around.

In that event I too would go with the 455. The primary advantage the X485 would have(which is essentially an updated version of the 4x5 tractors) is the improvments to the design on the front end which enable the mower deck to come on and off independently of any front attachments. Your intended tasks really make this a moot point. I would save the extra cash by going with the 455, and put it toward getting a front hitch and plow setup, along with weights and chains, to do your plowing. The only downside to the 455 I see is the 60" deck. It is a really heavy duty deck, weighing in at over 300lbs, but it can be a bit of a bear getting on and off. It's not only heavy, but also has to be installed/removed with the front wheels cut hard left. The extra length of the 485 should make deck install/removal easier. If you have some way to raise the tractor to remove the blades for sharpening, you'll only have to deal with it twice a year. 2210 gave you good advice by having the dealer change the deck gearbox oil (it's 80W90 I think). I would go as far as having them perform the complete 600hr service which should include tranny service.

Thanks for all the excellent information that everyone posted. I am swayed towards the 455. You all I think confirmed that with the information you gave me... I was kind of leaning that way as well. One final question before I pull the switch --- does the 455 mow grass good? That is the primary purpose right now with a secondary purpose being moving snow in my long driveway in winter. My needs may change over time though.

The 4x5 tractors mow grass just fine. You can put them up against any in this class.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

I've only cut using the standard JD blades (I also have the 60" deck) and with sharp blades the quality of cut is very good. My problem is the rock farm I bought is still yielding bumper crops, so my blades don't stay sharp for very long. You can get a mulching kit for this deck, but it does a pretty good job of spreading clippings in side discharge mode.

If someone mowed (mowing a normal 1-2" off of the grass) with each of the unit you are considering without you watching them, you couldn't tell which one mowed what, because the quality would be similar.

Now, if that included knee high grass, you would be able to tell.

I've got a 445 going on 2000 hours. Excellent machine, only downside is they just don't seem to drop in price like you'd expect for being that old. As mentioned, the 60" deck is a bit of a pain getting on and off. I would drive the right front wheel up on a 2 x 4 to get enough clearence, but it's HEAVY. I solved the problem by converting it to a front mount, using the snowblower drive shaft to power it. I can now switch from mower to sweeper in a couple of minutes. I pull two 60" swisher tag alongs with it and keep 20 plus acres mowed. Picture doesn't seem to want to attach, maybe somebody can fix it.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/old_nodaker/P5140023.jpg[/IMG]

Picture for oldnodaker

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oldnodaker

Are you utilizing the entire front quickhitch, so you could lift the deck up/sharpen blades as well? What a slick looking set up and I bet it mows well, since you are cutting the grass well before weight of the tractor pushes it down.

JD2210 - No, not using the quickhitch. You maybe can see the cylinder in the center, its used for lifting and lowering the deck. To get at the blades I disconnect from the tractor and use a chain hoist to lift it. One pin, one hydralic line and the pto and it's loose. It did cost a little in traction not having the weight of the deck on the tractor so I have to approach the ditch banks a little differently in a couple of places.

Vincent721 - if you haven't consimated the deal yet, there is another thing you might get the dealer to throw in. The earlier versions of these models had a problem with a hydralic line that ran from the hydralic distibutor (they call it the steering valve, but it's got 6 lines running into or out of it, so it's really more than that, its on the end of the steering shaft.) One of the lines that goes over to the hydralic valves/ports, is not supported, and eventually will break off at the distributor. JD makes a kit, about $35 that runs a new line so it's fastened to the frame so it doesn't vibrate. It wouldn't be a big deal for him to fix it, not a fun job to do it yourself. It is possible that the 455 doesn't have this problem, but I'd be surprised if it didn't. I also don't know how often it happens, It happened to me at around 1500 hours. It must have been fairly common or they wouldn't have devised a fix for it.

Thanks again to all who provided input on my questions. Well... on Saturday, I made the purchase of the 455. The 455 was a better bargain than I thought. I was trying to decide between the X485 from a local JD dealer or the 455 from a JD dealer about 9 hours away driving distance. I located the 455 on machine finder.. it just came up for sale 3 days before I contacted the dealer that I might be interested and if he could hold it until I made the inspection of it. I rented a trailer just in case I liked it and drove over there and looked at it Saturday morning. It had 650 hours on it like it was advertised and it was a 1996 model. I could not believe how good a shape it was in. Up to that point, I had just seen pictures of it on the machinefinder website and sometimes pictures can be deceiving. Well... in this case, the pictures did not do it justice. If I did not know that it was a 10 year old tractor, I would of thought that it was only 3 months old. It looks like the previous owner took meticulous care of it. And even better, while I was at inspecting the tractor, I noticed a 54" blade next to it and asked if it was for sale. The blade looked even newer.... it did look brand new and not even 3 months old. I asked if it went with the tractor and the salesman looked at the tag and it said it was off a 455 (must of been off the same tractor). I asked the sales person what he would do for the combined purchase (tractor and blade). He said..... $4,800. I said ... I'll take it. I loaded it in the trailer I rented and drove it back and boy does it run smoooooothly. Everyone that advised me to go for the 455... now I can see why. I am now a proud new JD tractor owner. In fact, this is my first l&g tractor purchase as I never had a need for one until now. Again... thanks for the advice given by everyone. I have alot of questions about the operations of it but I am hopeful that the owners manual will be able to help me out. The tractor did not come with an owners manual so I guess I will have to buy one. I plan on going to the local dealership tomorrow and ordering one.

Is that a two way hydraulic blade? I would say you got a heck of a deal if so. Deere has owner's manuals online for some older models. I was going to check if 455 was available but that part of their site was down. Congrats.

I am not sure about whether it is two-way. I believe it has hydraulics but only to control up and down. It is angle left and right but it is a manual cylinder adjustment I believe.

vincent,

Congrats! Recommend you get a Yellow Diesel fuel can and some PowerService to treat the fuel.

Cheers

JDFANATIC

There's an almost identical 455 w/blade on ebay right now for $6700. I'd say you got one of those deals we all hope to stumble upon. It doesn't look like they have a 455 manual online but the dealer should be able to get you one. Congrats again.

If it's a JD blade, it should have come with the quick attach setup. Normally that would have both lift and angle cylingers, but if it doesn't, you can get the cylinder for angling. The tractor is setup for dual cylinders, but the other problem is the lift cylinder is on the same line as the lift for the deck, so it will allow the deck to move at the same time, not a good thing. JD sells a valve to put on that line so you can shut off the deck lift, but if the blade is off that tractor, it should already be installed, on the back of the hyd valve under your left foot. The lift cylinder should be controlled by the bottom lever on the dash (and the bottom two hydralic ports.) It has a float position by pushing it forward to where it snaps into place and stays, but if it hasn't been used for awhile, it might be sticky.

Congrats on the 455, looks like the guys over at the WFM site helped sway you in that direction as well. Get to know those fellows, they are a wealth of information, as are the contributers here.

Though the blade may have come from that tractor, it does not follow that the optional rockshaft cylinder shutoff valve would be installed. Since the lift arms can be locked in their highest position using the deck height adjust knob, it isn't necessary to have the shutoff valve installed for front blade operation. That valve runs about $85.

Also, the angling cylinder is an option on the JD quick hitch (JD does love to soak you on the "options"), so the previous owner may have not bought it. It is about $130 for the angle cylinder kit, IIRC. Even without a shutoff valve and angle kit, you got a screaming good deal.

1*Does anyone have an opinion of the advantages and disadvantages of a 1996 455 Diesel vs. an X485?
2*Local dealer wants $7000 for a slightly used X485
3*I also have a chance at purchasing a 1996 455 Diesel from another dealer for under $5,000 in excellent shape (600 hours).
4*I know the age and hours is one disadvantage of the 455 but the price is lower as well.
5*I would request he remove the deck and change the fluid in the gearbox.
6* Also what size decks are on each machine?
7 * One final question before I pull the switch --- does the 455 mow grass good?
8*The tractor did not come with an owners manual so I guess I will have to buy one. I plan on going to the local dealership tomorrow and ordering one.
9* There's an almost identical 455 w/blade on ebay right now for $6700. I'd say you got one of those deals we all hope to stumble upon
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1*445 hands down winner.
2*To much money for me I'd buy a new bx1500 for $6250 or $5700 without mower first.
3* I just missed a deal of a life time on a JD 455. Nice shape and only 511 hours.
Dealer had it for $3500.
4*But the 455 still has it all over the 485 due to it being JDs most highly acclaimed most sought after garden tractor.
5*I would request he remove the deck and knock off the value of the deck from the price. I don'd need another mower to mow with. I want one to set up with a front blade and rear tiller.
6*I'd buy it without a deck.
7*What makes you think the 485 does?
8*You shoulda had the dealer throw in the manuals as part of the deal.
9*I just missed one of those stumble on kind of deals on a 455 . Nice clean shape only 511 hours $3500.

Posted by old_nodaker (My Page) on Fri, Feb 9, 07 at 8:41

I've got a 445 going on 2000 hours. Excellent machine, only downside is they just don't seem to drop in price like you'd expect for being that old. As mentioned, the 60" deck is a bit of a pain getting on and off. I would drive the right front wheel up on a 2 x 4 to get enough clearance, but it's HEAVY. I solved the problem by converting it to a front mount, using the snow blower drive shaft to power it. I can now switch from mower to sweeper in a couple of minutes. I pull two 60" swisher tag alongs with it and keep 20 plus acres mowed. Picture doesn't seem to want to attach, maybe somebody can fix it.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/old_nodaker/P5140023.jpg[/IMG]
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Boy o boy that's some mowing out fit ya got there.
How long and how wide is that rig anyhow?

I particularly like the front mounted mower. I sure could use something like that to keep my ditches and banks trimmed up with.