JD 455 buying advice please

[shanehobson]

I'm looking at buying a John Deere 455 with rear 3PL and PTO fitted.
Price is $NZ6500 (about $US4500).
You can see pictures online here : John Deere 455 | Trade Me

Intended use is :
Replace my Kubota F1900 4WD 60" mower
Replace Kubota B2150 tractor used with tow hitch for moving trailers
Replace Iseki SG15 mower (which doesn't get used)
Provide hydraulic flow to a McHale 995LM bale wrapper

I've checked the hydraulic flow requirements and it should run the wrapper ok (needs 6L/min @ 60 Bar)

Questions :
Will I be disappointed with the mowing performance compared to my F1900 ?
Can it lift 300kg (600 lb) on the rear 3PL ?

Are there any weak parts in the 455 design that I should look at on this particular machine before buying ?

Thank you

 

[beenthere]

Rock solid tractor.. and mowing is what I find it does best, and not less than other chores.

IMO, the 455 is better than any other model (edit: of lawn/garden ) Deere has produced since.

(..and agree with CADplans, and might be best to add a PTO hyd. pump, as the PTO will run on continuous basis)

 

[CADplans]

The 455 is still a GT,, with hydraulic flow being supplied by a hydrostatic transmission charge pump,,,
rather than an actual gear pump.

The flow is intended for occasional use, like steering, and mower lift,, not continuous use.

It is a great garden tractor,, maybe not the replacement for the multitude of machines you list,,,:confused2:

 

[shanehobson]

So it's not going to run my wrapper for 6 hours continuously.

Is the PTO rated for high duty cycle or is it also expected to be occasional use only ?