Buying Advice JD 425 buying advice

Clabdor · Sep 18, 2010

I am looking at a used 1995 JD 425 tractor. It has a 54" deck on it. Hours are 1454. Gentlemen wants 3K, although he says he is negotiable.

Issues I saw/noticed when looking at it:

Missing the back tail light on one side (minor)
Missing the red plastic covers for the tail lights
Deck looks to be in pretty good shape. There are some scuffs and dings etc... on it, but that is to be expected.
The throttle lever is broken, but workable.

My cursory glance seemed to be a pretty solid machine.

My concern is the engine. At almost 1500 hours, I am not sure what the life on the machine is anymore. I have heard in multiple places that these engines are good anywhere from 1500 to 2000 hours (obviously depending on how they are taken care of). The engine was a little difficult to start in my opinion. After running the tractor for a little while (5 minutes), it died and we couldn't get it restarted. The two gentlemen who own the tractor said it was low/out of gas. However after the tractor sat for a while, it started up again.

My questions:

A. Is that a good price for this model. My research indicates yes, although the hours are high. I would think 2200-2500 more in line considering the hours.
B. Should I be concerned about what was going on with the engine.
C. What else should I be looking for when evaluating this tractor.

Thanks...

beenthere · Sep 18, 2010

:welcome:

I have a newer 425 (1999) and paid the $3K for it last year with 600+ hours (and mine is AWS).
I think your value is much more in line given the condition and the hours on the engine.

These are good, solid tractors (the best IMO and the 54" deck is super).

If really interested in this, then I'd suggest getting the serial number and visiting the local Deere dealer for a computer search of any mechanical things on record.

The back lights are a bugger to keep in, as they were thin plastic nubs that snapped into the steel fender deck. Any bump into something backing up would pop them out, and they wouldn't stay in without some "help". I would use silicone caulk to help hold them in which worked well for me. The lens were around $9 on eBay.

buckshot721 · Sep 18, 2010

Had a 425 since it was new, only have 350 hrs on it now. RTV the rear reflectors in, to keep them in. If mine has been setting for over a couple of weeks, it will take a little longer cranking to fire up. Warm just touch the key and it fires up. Run it for a while to warm it up, shut it down and pull the air cleaner to make sure the fuel is not boiling in the carb. On the mower deck try to check the oil in the gear box, a lot of people forget this (big bucks to replace). Price seems a little high for the condition you state, so maybe offer $2500. so you can replace the broken pieces and tune it up! Good luck

buck12 · Sep 18, 2010

Price seems high. My father bought a 425 AWS last summer for $2500 with a 60" deck. It was in great condition with 7?? hours. It had new plastic.

foggy1111 · Sep 19, 2010

How much more would a 425, such as described above, be worth if it had a real nice #40 loader on it? (the reason I ask....is my son-in-law is about to sell my old 425 machine (no aws) as described above.)