1545 Front Cut

[jcmseven]

To All:

Need some opinions on this machine. I have had a hankerin' for a JD front cut mower for some time now. I really prefer the 1500 series from the pix and stats over the 1400 series. I do not mow that much, currently about 4 acres for my folks and another 4 for my aunt and uncle (every two weeks on the aunt's place) and I occasionally help my friend at his place; he has 11 acres and mows 9. I currently have an essentially brand new 950 that I am using mainly at the folks' place and trailer elsewhere. It is a fine machine and mows really well. Try as a might I just am not enamoured with the ZTR concept. This 950 is the best ZTR I have ever used but it is a highly specialized machine for mowing. I have never used a front cut JD and know them to be a little slower mowing, but I really like the option of a front broom, etc, and the heavy duty nature of them and the diesel engine. The downside, as it always is seemingly, is the PRICE. These are expensive machines and my dealer says they do not trade very well due to their price and the easy availability and known mowing speed of the ZTR mowers. I have been on the lookout for a local, low hour 1545, but I am not enthused about used and they seem to be non-existant on dealer lots or even Machine Finder, new or used. What say the group about these machines??? Are they "worth" the dollars or is the ZTR simply leaving them behind??

John M

 

[gjsnow]

Hi John,

We spoke a long time ago when you had your second 3720 for sale.

I now also have a 2320, a perfect little tractor that I used for mulch and dirt.
I also have an early model 4wd 1435 front mower with a 60 in deck, a curtis cab, a 60 inch front snowblower, a 60 inch rotary broom, and the MCS 600 high dump collector.
Due to hp concerns, I engine swapped and put in a yanmar 36 hp, the same one that was in the earlier 1565.
The machine is now a beast. Even under heavy load the rpm don't drop at all.

You cannot buy a better mower than this machine. The newer ones seem to have more electrical stuff and the engines are more environmentally friendly but all in all, they are very similar. The 1500 series seems a bit more beefy than the 1400 series but for your use the 1445 should be more than adequate. The last I checked, hp and engine are equal in both the 1545 and 1445. There are plenty of 1445s out there.

If you strongly want a 1545, you should go right to the 1565 for max hp. That is certainly what I should have done from the beginning. The MCS fully loaded and running with a three blade deck requires a lot of hp.

The attachments go on and off easily except the MCS which is more fussy.
Keep me posted.

GJSnow.

PS. I know you are very particular with your machines like me. These machines are used by municipalities and may not have been babied over their lifespan. If you can afford new you might save some aggravation. They unfortunately do not hold their value the same way tractors do. As always, attachments are expensive but of amazingly good commercial quality.

 

[Engine_Tech]

JD front mounts are awesome. It's sad that FM's don't get the attention they deserve these days. Although more expensive than your average ZTR's, they will outlast them many times over. And as you stated, they can do so much more.

A broad way to think about it: A front mount is really just a compact tractor turned around backwards.

 

[James Laspina]

Hi John ,
My name is Jim from western PA i have a very clean John Deere 1545 4WD /72 front mower
give me a call on my cell at 724 787 1112
thanks,
JIM

 

[beenthere]

James
:welcome: to TBN

But note that you are responding to a thread that is almost 5 yrs old.

And FYI, not a good idea to put a cell phone # on a public forum.

Use the Personal message feature for that.