John Deere 345 4.80 star(s) (13)

Overall A Very Good Tractor
Model Year: 2001

The plastic hood is not durable and it is expensive to replace.

Pros: Very good overall quality
Cons: When you have a problem the dealers are not very helpful and parts are expensive

Best Belt Driven Garden Tractor Ever Made
Model Year: 1998

I have owned this 345 for over 4 years and use it to mow grass and push snow in the winter. It's a well built machine with plenty of power to do any job I need it to do. The only problem I have had with it is the original fuel pump failed so I had to replace that. It is not bad at all for a 18 year old machine.

Pros: Well built and love the foot control hydraulics
Cons: Plastic hood

A Good Little Tractor
Model Year: 2000

I have put about 50 hours on this machine since I bought it at 520 hours. I changed the oil, oil filter and transmission fluid, all of which were very easy to do. I had to change the mower drive belt and that is a bit of challenge. You have to remove several pulleys. I mow about 1.5 acres and it is a great machine for that. I also use it to move brush with my 4x8 trailer and it bogs down a little but stills pulls the trailer loaded with brush. This is my first power steering lawn mower and its a great machine. The plastic hood is very flimsy and I cold stress cracked it on a cold October morning, but other than that its a solid well built machine

Pros: Good solid machine
Cons: Flimsy plastic hood

Reliable
Model Year: 1995

In the 18 yrs. I have owned this tractor/mower, it has been reasonably reliable. In the first couple of years, the mower clutch fell off the crankshaft due to a mounting bolt that was almost broken during installation at the factory, and lately the valve-covers have been leaking and will be replaced. The mower deck needs new idlers every 5 years or so, and the plastic hood parts sure are junky and easily damaged. Yearly cost of maintenance is low for mowing 3 acres of wooded lawn. It runs quietly and I have been happy with the unit.

Pros: Reliable workhorse.
Cons: Expensive plastic parts that don't hold up well.

JD 345
Model Year: 2000

Showing its age at 900 hrs. I have an electrical problem that I am trying to trace down, as it is intermittent and probably a bad ground or loose wire.

Pros: Tough, well designed machine.
Cons: My dealer charges the same rate for labor whether it is a lawn&garden tractor or a 100 hp farm tractor.

MY JD 345
Model Year: 1998

In a word: EXCELLENT. For 15 years now I've used my JD primarily for mowing 2.5 acres and plowing a 250 ft driveway. We get some big snow up here and it's never once bogged down or let me down under any circumstance. I use an 18 CF utility cart to move tons of dirt, rocks, and logs. Also drag a DR lawn vac around in the fall. Up and down hills, and it just keeps running. Change the oil and filters twice a year and it's never once had to go in the shop. The limited hydraulics have been flawless. Have always wanted to upgrade to something a bit bigger, but can not justify getting rid of this machine. It'll probably outlast me!

Pros: It's a workhorse all around.
Cons: Can't think of any.

Help
Model Year: 0

My JD 345 has a 18hp liquid cooled engine, Kawasaki FD590V. This engine is no longer made. I am trying to fine the replacement, 26hp Kawasaki FD731V-BS07, with vertical shaft 1 1/8 X 4 5/16. The best price I have found is $900.00 new. Although the tractor is in very good shape (no hood). Not sure about sinking that kind of money into this aged tractor. I am also in the market for a 2005 X495 with under 500 hours, 54" deck, and 3 point hitch. Thanks for any assistance! Mr. Watkins

Pros: The 345 is a very solid tractor!
Cons: No 3 point hitch, and I now need that feature.

My John Deere
Model Year: 1998

As a former cemetery sexton I have used John Deere equipment for 25 yrs. I believe that is no finer mower for cutting grass than a JD345. I have used 345s that had in excess of 2500 hrs. and still ran good. Like any mower you have to maintain them and give them care. The JD 318 was another fine tractor. They were great for plowing snow and mowing. I just think the 345 was better for cutting grass. My 1998 JD looks like it came off the showroom floor. The local dealer offered me well over $2,500 for it on a trade. I'm thinking of getting a new 540 with a 48"deck, although I hate to part with this old girl.

Pros: Ease of use.
Cons: None.

Never Gonna Get a New One; Worth the Money
Model Year: 1998

Great job at mowing.

Pros: Mows through tough stuff.
Cons: Turns.

John Deere 345
Model Year: 1999

Traded in a JD 140 to get this tractor in 1999 because I wanted a twin cylinder liquid-cooled hydrostatic drive tractor with power steering and a 54" mower. This tractor has been quite reliable with only the ignition module failing in its lifetime. It has handled all lawn and garden activities that I have trown at it. It pulls around my 48" plug aerator, lawn sweeper and 48" lawn roller with ease. The twin cylinder liquid cooled engine seems to be quieter than my neighbors JD air cooled engine.

Pros: This tractor is quiet and vibrating free. Very low maintenance costs.
Cons: No differential lock. Would have been nice to have this feature.

John Deere 345
Model Year: 1997

Fantastic garden tractor. Use it year round for mowing with 48" deck with bagger, picking up leaves in the Fall and snow blowing with 42" snow blower in winter. The only money I have put into it was for a new battery and general maintenance items.

Pros: Reliable.
Cons: No differential lock for extra traction.

Great Machine
Model Year: 1999

Been very happy with the mower. Only problem, clutch went out, 500 dollar repair.

Pros: Quality built.
Cons: None.

Got me another one
Model Year: 2005

I had a 2000- 345 that I put 2160 hours on in 10 years. I used it like a small dozer and put in many lawns with it. It was starting to show the wear so I wanted to replace it with a new one. My neighbor has a x540 so I started to look at it. IMO I don't think it is as heavy duty as my 345 was and I no it has not got the power of my 345 even no it has more HP. So in March this year I found a 2005-GX 345 with 112 hr on it that looked and ran like new. This is what I have now. The other up side to this tractor is all my attachment still fit. I am in no way saying that the x540 is not a great tractor it just wasn't the best fit for me.

Pros: very well built
Cons: Hard to find

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