JD 420 rider

[jantman]

I'm looking at the JD model 420 riding mower (circa 1983-91, not the 420 tractor) and have a few questions about it.

First, any overall opinions for a lot about with about 2-3 acres of grass, and a few crazy slopes (an L-shaped indentation, so however I cut it the tractor will be on angle).

tractordata.com lists both front and rear PTOs. Since it has a belly mower, I assume there's a mid PTO as well. Is this right?

What type of mower lift does this have? Adjustments?

Unfortunately, it seems that JD doesn't have this model on their site in the non-current equipment section, and the few I've seen on craigslist don't give much in the way of description.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[farmboy12]

We had one before we got our 455. I was 2 when we got rid of it, but I can tell you a lot of information on it.

We had the 60" deck, with hydro lift. The one we had had a hand drive hydrostatic, not sure if it was available with a foot hydro. We had this when we also had a 72" Ford 1520, but it probably cut about 4 or so acres a week. I can speak very well for this tractor, my dad and grandfather loved it. We had a 54" front blade for it too, did a lot of plowing in it's day as well. Overall a very nice tractor and probably good for up to 3000+ hours on it.


KYle

 

[Whitey]

You didn't say what you are paying for it.............I do not think you can compare it to anything on the market today. They are a fine machine. Well built........to last! We have one at church and it is used everyweek with a SCAG to cut grass. The SCAG has been to the shop numerous times the JD..........nuff said. From what I can remember there is a hydraulic lift for the mower deck with a finer adjustment through the gauge wheels. It also has hydraulic lines to the front of the tractor for a plow. I believe it is a shaft driven mower deck which would be forward of the rear end. It does not have a rear PTO.........probally a kit or option. I think it maybe diesel? You might want to check that.........I believe that JD should carry current parts...they do for our older 425.......if I were in the market i would buy a used one like that before I would ever get a newer one.

 

[farmboy12]

You didn't say what you are paying for it.............I do not think you can compare it to anything on the market today. They are a fine machine. Well built........to last! We have one at church and it is used everyweek with a SCAG to cut grass. The SCAG has been to the shop numerous times the JD..........nuff said. From what I can remember there is a hydraulic lift for the mower deck with a finer adjustment through the gauge wheels. It also has hydraulic lines to the front of the tractor for a plow. I believe it is a shaft driven mower deck which would be forward of the rear end. It does not have a rear PTO.........probally a kit or option. I think it maybe diesel? You might want to check that.........I believe that JD should carry current parts...they do for our older 425.......if I were in the market i would buy a used one like that before I would ever get a newer one.

They aren't diesel. The diesels of that era were the 332 (some), the 455, and the 430.


Kyle

 

[Acehardly]

Jantman, You would be better off looking on the Weekend Freedom Machines site. There you will find a bevy of info on that L&G tractor. I own this tractor and I can tell you that it is in my opinion, the best L&G tractor made by Deere. It is just like the 318 but on steroids.
BTW, JD has discontinued some parts on it but you can find pretty much anything you need online.

Good luck!!!