318 four $1900 or 455 for $3500

[jeffinsgf]

Yeh, I guess if the guy has so much money burning a hole in his pocket that he needs a dedicated tractor for every job... he wouldn't care what it costs to add 3pt. and PTO to a GT....

Where we're not seeing eye to eye on this issue is that you are talking new compared to new, and I am talking used compared to new. If you look back a few posts I said specifically that if I had bought new I would have gone with a BX. But, for somewhere around 5000 I have a machine with exactly the same horsepower rating, PTO and hitch. I might have gone with a used BX, if you could find one. But the 455 was produced in the same design for 8 seasons -- that's a lot of available used tractors.

I only objected to your implication that anyone who chose to equip a 455 with PTO and hitch is an idiot. It sure makes a lot more sense to me in certain situations, including mine. Yeah, if it is your only rig, a BX23 makes a lot of sense -- and John Deere has SCUT's, too. But I have 4wd, loader and backhoe on my 4410 --- I just need a great mowing GT that can also give me PTO and hydraulics so that I can get more work done without constantly reconfiguring my CUT. I think Mr. Brown is working along the same lines. Less time swapping implements means more time actually getting something done. Getting that capacity for less than half the price of new is where I think your "I would NEVER add..." argument loses ground.

 

[Fordlords]

I agree the 455 is worth 1600 more, but your last statement is not accurate. The 318 has a high speed rear PTO, making attachments harder to come by. I am not sure that any new equipment is made for that system. The 318 and 455 have very few common attachments, and what few there are require very different mounting systems (front blade as an example).

I was mistaken about the attachment adaptability, thanks for clarifying that. Yet you are implying 455 attachments would be easier to come by, especially as it is a newer model tractor. To me, that would be another big plus. If the 455 was only taken out of production in 2001, I would figure finding a tiller, blade, snowblower, big deck, anything else one might want to be easy-- Jeez, I can still find those type of items in good shape at reasonable prices for my 1980 Cub Cadet

The 455 is a super garden tractor, not a SCUT. But still, you could look around and get that tractor with about anything you wanted to hook up to it and reasonably use it for- for under $6,000, a new comparable X7xx diesel is going to run you near $13k just for the tractor alone.

-Fordlords-

 

[jeffinsgf]

I was mistaken about the attachment adaptability, thanks for clarifying that. Yet you are implying 455 attachments would be easier to come by, especially as it is a newer model tractor. To me, that would be another big plus. If the 455 was only taken out of production in 2001, I would figure finding a tiller, blade, snowblower, big deck, anything else one might want to be easy--...-Fordlords-

That is part of the point I have been trying to get across to Rick. Unlike the older, more "collectible" JD GT's, the 455 accepts many third party implements, there are tons of late model, low hours used JD implements for it (because of its long and successful production run), and many of the implements sold for the new X5XX and X7XX will fit it, too.

 

[LBrown59]

. - I just need a great mowing GT that can also give me PTO and hydraulics
1*so that I can get more work done without constantly reconfiguring my CUT.
*I think Mr. Brown is working along the same lines.
2* Less time swapping implements means more time actually getting something done.
Getting that capacity for less than half the price of new is where I think your "I would NEVER add..." argument loses ground.

1* Doing it all with just the BX23 would mean changing implements about every 30 minutes on most landscaping task I've done. In a days time that's a huge loss of time that could have been better spent on actually performing the task.

*You got it.
2* Quite True: Here is another Side benefit of having the second tractor.
Another operator will really speed things up.
My wife and I already practice the 2 operator method occasionally to really speed up mowing the yard. One of us on the BX23 and the other on the CC2554 for a 9 1/2 foot cut.
9.5 ctting swath + 2.33 acres = quick yard mowing.
__________________

 

[LBrown59]

Rick, all 455's are diesel. The gas models are the 445 (fuel injected) and the 425 (carbureated).

That is a screaming deal on the 455 if the hours are true and it is in good shape. I am not that familiar with the 318, other than I know it is highly sought after by the collector market. The hand operated hydro is a deal killer to me. The 4x5 series has twin touch pedals for the hydro.

I was looking at a 318 and a 445 today.
The 445 is quite a bit bigger than a 318.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I was looking at a 318 and a 445 today.
The 445 is quite a bit bigger than a 318.

Is this the same one you started this discussion about a few days ago? So far you've been saying 455 -- now you've written 445. If it is a 445, then 3500 is a good deal, but not the screaming deal several of us have told you it is.

Yes, the 4X5 is a larger tractor than a 318. Larger, newer, more capable and more universal. If you're buying it just to mow, the 318 may be a great choice.

 

[LBrown59]

*Is this the same one you started this discussion about a few days ago? So far you've been saying 455 -- now you've written 445.
If it is a 445, then 3500 is a good deal, but not the screaming deal several of us have told you it is.

Yes, the 4X5 is a larger tractor than a 318. Larger, newer, more capable and more universal.
**If you're buying it just to mow, the 318 may be a great choice.

*No that one was the 455.
I went back to the dealer today to talk to them about the 455 but they were closed due to today being a holiday .I didn't see the 455 But there was a really nice looking 445 with 340 hours on it. and the 318 setting outside beside each other.
When I was there the the other day a guy had a 445 on a trailer and the salseman said he was going to trade it in.
Maybe that's why I didn't see the 455 today because maybe the guy with the 445 traded it in on the 455.
**If I could buy the 445 for less than 3500 dollars to use for just mowing that might be an even greater choice.

 

[LBrown59]

*No that one was the 455.
I went back to the dealer today to talk to them about the 455 but they were closed due to today being a holiday .I didn't see the 455 But there was a really nice looking 445 with 340 hours on it. and the 318 setting outside beside each other.
When I was there the the other day a guy had a 445 on a trailer and the salseman said he was going to trade it in.
Maybe that's why I didn't see the 455 today because maybe the guy with the 445 traded it in on the 455.
**If I could buy the 445 for less than 3500 dollars to use for just mowing that might be an even greater choice.

update
Went back to talk to the Dealer today about the 455 and they sold it Friday or Saturday for $3500.
I just looked at it Friday so it must have been a steal at $3500 to go that quick.

 

[Fordlords]

When you see one of those JD Yanmar diesel GT's at a reasonable price in good shape, you gotta jump on it- they are sweet. In a couple of years we will start seeing some X700's on the used market that will be going for half thier new price and be great bargains for the used buyer.

-Fordlords-

 

[jeffinsgf]

update
Went back to talk to the Dealer today about the 455 and they sold it Friday or Saturday for $3500.
I just looked at it Friday so it must have been a steal at $3500 to go that quick.

Isn't that what we said? Sorry you missed it. Is the one in your new post comparing a 445 to a 455 a different 455?