JDfor $3500 OR JD for $3500

[jeffinsgf]

There was a year in the mid-90's when they abandoned the plastic cam gear. You should investigate that, if you want to proceed on the 445 -- which I don't really think you want to.

Do you know about MachineFinder on JD's web site? You could locate a 455 on that. It will tell you how far from you it is. The list of available 455's comes up closest first and then works out.

 

[LBrown59]

Maybe you should tell your dealer that the next 455 he gets in with less than X hours on it you'll pay him $3500 for it.

I bet he'd give you a call the next time one came in. Especially if you left a deposit to let him know you're serious. Heck, he might call you before it even gets unloaded if he has a deposit.

It would be my luck the dealer would sell it to someone else for more money and just keep my deposit.
How would I even know that he ever got one in?

 

[LBrown59]

Maybe you should tell your dealer that the next 455 he gets in with less than X hours on it you'll pay him $3500 for it.

Good Idea - in fact I may do that with a couple of JD Dealers.
But no deposit though.

 

[LBrown59]

*There was a year in the mid-90's when they abandoned the plastic cam gear. You should investigate that, if you want to proceed on the 445 -- which I don't really think you want to.
**Do you know about MachineFinder on JD's web site? You could locate a 455 on that. It will tell you how far from you it is. The list of available 455's comes up closest first and then works out.

*I thought the plastic cams were only on the 300 series - looks like I was wrong on that.
**I haven't checked there in quite sometime so think I'll give it another shot.
Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Fordlords]

The defective nylon cam gears were only on a limited number of a certain model of Kawasaki V twin, it did not affect all of them and most of the ones in question have already been addressed.

-Fordlords-

 

[coasterez]

I have a 425, 1994 model. 800 hours. Not a single problem. Runs like the day I bought it new. That 445 is well worth the $3500.

 

[JohnSinVA]

*I thought the plastic cams were only on the 300 series - looks like I was wrong on that.
**I haven't checked there in quite sometime so think I'll give it another shot.
Thanks for the reminder.

Is there someplace I can shoot you an email? I have a Kawasaki service pdf file with the respective engine models and whether they were built using the nylon or steel gears.

The nylon gear issue might get you that $500 cut off the pricetag. If you take care of it, it shouldn't fail in the near term. There are reports of failures at as little 600 hrs and as many as 2000 hrs. I think much depends on how routinely the machines were maintained.

 

[mike223]

Man, you always seem to be almost there. Next time put some money down to at least hold it while you cogitate. Better yet, be ready to buy. I researched the 455 here and on "Weekend Freedom Machines" website as well as "Jim's Repair" website, and then started my search. As soon as I found one with low hours in the local area I jumped on it. I may not have gotten as good a deal as you've seen twice now, but I feel that I got my money's worth. Be prepared!

 

[jcmseven]

I agree with Coaster. At this point we are not debating the benefit of the now-gone 455. No doubt it was the better choice, but there is still a low hour 445 for what seems to be a really good price. The downside is they do not last as long from an engine perspective but they run really well. Assuming someone uses the 445 for 100 hours per year (which I doubt with LB's Kubota also being used) the 445 should last 5-8 years before entering the "needs some service" time. At $3500, that is $400-700 usage per year at a minimum, which to me is not that bad. If the 445 is in good shape I would consider that and not worry much about what cam gear it might have. This--of course--unless a 455 comes along soon. Hey, it's June, summer's 90% over already.

John M

 

[JohnSinVA]

1
a-The 445 just isn't worth the same money as a 455 to me.
( Why spend $20000 for a Pento when the same $20000 will get you a Linclon?)
b-I don't want anything with plastic cams or gears.

A - Well I would make a Cadillac/Buick analogy with respect to the 455/445.

B - I trust, then, you don't own a modern car or truck?