455 Diesel vs. X485

[vincent721]

Does anyone have an opinion of the advantages and disadvantages of a 1996 455 Diesel vs. an X485? Local dealer wants $7000 for a slightly used X485 but I also have a chance at purchasing a 1996 455 Diesel from another dealer for under $5,000 in excellent shape (600 hours). I know the age and hours is one disadantage of the 455 but the price is lower as well.

 

[bigtiller]

I have owned both and I liked the 455 better. It will out perform the X485 with any type of ground engagement implement. It will start a 60 inch mower deck at idle speed and the X485 needs to be at half throttle or more to do that. The 455 gets about 40% better fuel economy and R1 tires are an option that the X485 doesn't have.

 

[BarryinMN]

I have a 455 did not want to spend more for newer. 455 has better outer radiator debris screening. I put the cat 0 3pt hitch on & have several small attachments for road repair, trailer moving etc.

The 485 can have the mower deck and front hitch on simultaneously.

Ask at weekendfreedommachines.com for more complete differences.

 

[vincent721]

Big Tiller,

Since you have owned both, you would be a good person to ask this if you used it for mowing. Which one did you like the best for mowing? And also, I think I will be taking the deck off after each mowing to make the best use of my garage -- so with that in mind, which one was easier to take the deck off? Finally, how did you like the seat in terms of comfort while mowing?

 

[BleedGreen]

vincent,

If the condition is similar on both machines, I would go with the 455 hands down. A brand new X740 w/62C mower deck should sell for $10,500.00, if that helps you at all...

 

[jeffinsgf]

vincent:

I won't be able to add to the comparison, but I am a very happy 455 owner who shopped late model JD LGT's hard about 18 months ago. I don't think you can beat that little liquid cooled Yanmar diesel any way you go about it.

As for your deck, I doubt that you will find removing the deck something you want to do every week, regardless of which model you choose. Even standing the deck on edge, the deck takes up more room removed from the tractor than it does attached. Further, it is not an enjoyable task, even on the easiest models. The shaft drive systems are better than routing and fighting with belts, but lining up and attaching a PTO shaft in a very restricted space isn't something I would choose to do on a weekly basis.

Comfort? I am pretty sure the models you're looking at use exactly the same seat and seat adjustment. I was all set to buy either a JD or Kubota ZTR, until I mowed with both of them. They're certainly faster than a tractor, but they demand constant attention to the hydro levers and even the best bounce quite a bit. My 455 tracks perfectly, requiring very little attention to steering. I am a big guy, and I find the 455 to be perfectly comfortable for the hour that it takes me to mow an acre. Yes, I could be done in 1/2 to 2/3 the time with a ZTR, but my nerves would be frazzled and my joints would be rattling. Instead, after the hour of mowing, I am looking for other jobs I can do with my 455.

 

[bigtiller]

quote:

Since you have owned both, you would be a good person to ask this if you used it for mowing. Which one did you like the best for mowing? And also, I think I will be taking the deck off after each mowing to make the best use of my garage -- so with that in mind, which one was easier to take the deck off? Finally, how did you like the seat in terms of comfort while mowing?

_________________________________________________________________


vincent,

For mowing, there was no difference. I was happy with both but if a guy was wanting a manicured lawn this is not the mower for that. You would need something with a higher blade-tip-speed. But it does a good enough job at cutting that most people don't complain but rather brag about them. The 455 was easier to put the deck on in my opinion. It had a hole in the lift arms that a spring loaded pin slipped through. All of the X series replaced that hole with a "V" notch that was supposed to be easier and faster but in reality it was harder to line up than the holes were. Connecting the drive shaft was the most difficult part of putting the deck on for both models. But taking the deck off or on is really not a big deal as long as you are healthy and don't mind being on your hands and knees for a while. I have up graded to a 2305 but it is basically the same deck and I take mine off and on at least 20 times a year since 1993 when I bought my tiller. The seats are all about the same and the only thing I do is put a wire cushion on in the summer for air flow to cool me off.

 

[dirtworksequip]

The 455 is one of the best tractors Deere ever made. I've got one that I mow across the back of a pond dam slope and it's 35 percent grade. I doubt that there are many tractors that will do that. I know I wouldn't try it with my neighbors X485 and he wouldn't either. That little 455 has truley impressed me as to what it is capable of. Fo with the 455 you won't regret it!

Sincerely,
Dirt

 

[jcmseven]

Go with the 455. I have had a 485, 495 and 595 and the diesel units are much, much more powerful and economical than the gasoline units. The Kawasaki engine in the 485 has good power but slurps fuel like crazy and a good lifespan would be 2000 hours for one. My local dealer took trade on a 455 from a local college last year with 5200 hours on it and it still ran well, and burned very little oil. Even with that many hours, I bet it still had more power than a 485 would. To this day, the 595 I had has been the best LG tractor I have ever operated.

John M

 

[vincent721]

quote:

Since you have owned both, you would be a good person to ask this if you used it for mowing. Which one did you like the best for mowing? And also, I think I will be taking the deck off after each mowing to make the best use of my garage -- so with that in mind, which one was easier to take the deck off? Finally, how did you like the seat in terms of comfort while mowing?

_________________________________________________________________


vincent,

For mowing, there was no difference. I was happy with both but if a guy was wanting a manicured lawn this is not the mower for that. You would need something with a higher blade-tip-speed. But it does a good enough job at cutting that most people don't complain but rather brag about them. The 455 was easier to put the deck on in my opinion. It had a hole in the lift arms that a spring loaded pin slipped through. All of the X series replaced that hole with a "V" notch that was supposed to be easier and faster but in reality it was harder to line up than the holes were. Connecting the drive shaft was the most difficult part of putting the deck on for both models. But taking the deck off or on is really not a big deal as long as you are healthy and don't mind being on your hands and knees for a while. I have up graded to a 2305 but it is basically the same deck and I take mine off and on at least 20 times a year since 1993 when I bought my tiller. The seats are all about the same and the only thing I do is put a wire cushion on in the summer for air flow to cool me off.

Thank you so much for the wealth of information in your post. You mentioned about needed a faster blade speed for a good mower. Which tractors would have this???