How many hours is ok on a used JD?

iluvdez · Feb 10, 2004

Hi-
We're new to the used garden tractor market, and we're looking at buying a 1997 JD 345. It has 600 hours on it. How do we determine if that is an acceptable number of hours? Are we better off paying more for a newer model w/ less hours, or do these JD's really run 'forever'? Thanks!

Hambone · Feb 10, 2004

I don't think that is bad if it was maintained properly. That is the key.
I have a 2000 JD 335 with 250 hours. It runs, cuts, and looks like the day it was new.

What price are they asking and what area are you in?

jayhawkRoy · Feb 10, 2004

I have a 1996 325 and the only items I have replaced are filters and battery, in 300+ hour of operation. Check owner's manual and make sure that the 600 hour service for that model is done before you buy it. As I recall, there may be some additional checks,, fluid changes and/or tasks to be done, compared to 300 hour service. I would also purchase a second set of blades for the deck. I have sharp blades on the deck and one pair being sharpened at all times so I am 100% operational cutting grass. 2d set of blades cost about $35-$40 for my 325. Expect about the same for the 345.

iluvdez · Feb 10, 2004

Steve -

I'm in central Iowa, and I THINK that one was priced at $3900...(hubby told me about several so I'm not positive I've got that right). Also, the tractor is sitting under several feet of snow at the dealer, so he didn't get a look at its condition yet.

Hambone · Feb 11, 2004

That sounds a little high. How much grass are you going to be cutting? Are you going to be doing other things? Tilling ect?
The 345 is a liquid cooled engine. The dealer told me unless you are going to be using it for extended periods, over 5 or 6 hours, that you really did not need the liquid cooled model. The next one down, 335, is the same except air cooled. The 325 doesn't have power steering.

iluvdez · Feb 11, 2004

I spent all day yesterday surfing the net for info, and (gulp - you JD people aren't going to like this), decided that we'd be better off with a new Cub Cadet over a used JD. But hubby was stuck on the liquid cooled thing. Steve, thanks MUCh for adding the liquid cooled opinion. You're the second one I've found who believes it's not neccessary unless the tractor is going to get heavy use. So, why a Cub Cadet? Several things 1) hubby takes really good care of his 'toys', so starting out new insures that his tractor is/always will be in top shape 2) the price of a new Cub Cadet isn't much more than a used JD of the same size/type 3) Cub Cadet has that tantalizing 'no interest until April 2005' offer, so we can buy more tractor than we could with cash in hand right now....anyone think we're nuts? (probably the wrong question to ask on a JD forum).

Hambone · Feb 11, 2004

One thing to add, please don't forget to think about resale value. Green means green when selling.

iluvdez · Feb 11, 2004

Steve -
Good point, and we considered that, but we normally keep our toys 'til they die. That's another reason we decided to go new...

art · Feb 11, 2004

The Cadet line as well as the Deere are both about the same for longevity as well as resale. The question as to how many hours is open as who put the hours on and there maintance schedule!