John Deere 455 Attachments

Zagar · Nov 9, 2016

Hello all,

I am inheriting an older John Deere 455. I'm not sure of the year on manufacture, but it runs well, and seems to be a good little machine.

I am interested in getting a 40 loader for it and a 47SB snow blower. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of when looking for these items?

Also, if anyone is selling either of these, please let me know. I've seen a CTC 4150(?) loader for the 455 that seems very nice. Any thoughts?

If there is any other information that anyone needs to give me a more informed response, please let me know. This is my first post, though I've been following and reading here for a little bit.

Thanks!

Greg

bigtiller · Nov 11, 2016

Welcome to TBN.

Sorry for your loss, inheriting anything has got to be the absolute worst way to acquire anything.

I gave the 47 blower a try and didn't like it. I thought it was a little to much weight for my 455. I went with the single stage 46 snowblower and was very happy with it.

Zagar · Nov 14, 2016

Ok, great! Thank you for the welcome and the info. I don't want to overload the machine as I don't know its full history, so I don't want to overtax the system.

bigtiller · Nov 14, 2016

Don't worry about that, the 47 and 46 were both a good fit for the 455. I preferred the 46 because it was lighter, making front wheel traction better while blowing and turning at the same time. It also took less weight off the rear axle when the blower was raised up.

If there is a good 47 close by with a fair price on it, buy it. I think it will blow straight through a 6" taller drift than the 46 will, without backing up and taking a second bite.

ovrszd · Nov 14, 2016

455s are good tractors. A few changes between the early and late models, but all were very reliable. Let us know what you decide and post pics when you can.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Nov 24, 2016

My father has a 99 445 and it's been a very reliable and solid garden tractor, I used it a lot for a lot of different jobs, super handy little tractor and an awesome mower, that V twin Kal is a great engine. The only attachments he ever bought for it was a 60in belly deck and a 4ft grader blade, those tractors have a rear PTO also you just have to remove a plate and buy a adapter kit to access the rear PTO. For a 2wd lawn mower that deff lock sure comes in handy. I have found myself in 6-8in of mud on the bottom of a 40 degree or so hill with turf saver tires and managed to get myself out and back up the hill.

If you inherited it from a loss, were all sorry for that loss but treat that tractor well and you will have it for years, my dads has just over 1000 hours on it and the only thing that it's been in the shop for was a hydraulic leak in the rear, turned out to be where the deff lock goes in the rear, was a $10 part but a pain in the azz to get to so we paid someone todo it lol. Other than that just normal maintenance. Post some pics when you get a chance

Zagar · Dec 6, 2016

Here are some pics as requested. I didn't get a chance to clean it up much yet. It will probably be stored for the winter unless I'm able to find attachments for it before hand. It's a really clean machine... usually. It needs some polishing.

Thank you all for your help!

BrokeFarmerJohn · Dec 6, 2016

Good looking machine, if I were to guess, mid to late 90’s

ovrszd · Dec 6, 2016

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
Good looking machine, if I were to guess, mid to late 90’s

Yep. Late enough to have the better steering. Bummer it don't have 3pt. But a good find still.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Dec 6, 2016

I just looked closer at the pics, from the looks of the hood, looks like that tractor has done some heavy mowing in tall brush, that's crazy just 46 hours on it, that liquid cooled diesel should be good for 2000+ hours.

Not sure how good the loader would be on a 455, but that tractor could handle a blower with no probs, my father has the 445 and he always pushed snow with a rear blade and no chains, that deff lock works wonders.

The 400 series tractors are capable of a ton of stuff you just have to buy the linkage and adapters for it all. For example the rear, if you got everything for the 3pt and bought the adapter to access the rear PTO you can run a rear tiller or most any smaller rear attachment.

The 400 series has enough front hydraulic hook ups for power up, down, left and right on a blower or blade.

The sky's the limit on what that little tractor can do, all I know is if you keep all the fluids changed that tractor will last a very very long time.

I personally would only set it up for mowing with a 60in belly deck and set it up for pushing or blowing snow. But like I said the sky's the limit. Very capable tractor.

ovrszd · Dec 6, 2016

I bought a used 322 20 years ago. I was in the local JD dealer one day visiting with the Parts guys. I said "boy I'd like to have a 3pt for my 322". They said you wouldn't want to pay the money it would take to purchase the parts thru us. About that time the manager came walking by and joined in the conversation. He said go back in that open sided building on the back of the lot and dig around in there. Seems like I saw the pieces of a 3pt laying back there that might work. I spent 30 minutes digging thru dust and bird poop covered parts and found everything but the rockshaft. I took the handful of parts back to the Manager and said how much? He said $40. I paid him. Went home and modified the existing rockshaft by adding arms to lift the 3pt arms. I had everything else. Man that was a great addition!!!! I built a 3pt blade, 3pt Boxblade, 3pt tote box and I was all set!!!! That little tractor served me well. Finally gave it to my Eldest Son who used it for several years and then gave it to my Youngest Son who still uses it. Those tractors made thru that 20 some year span were extremely underrated. Very capable indeed.

Zagar · Dec 7, 2016

Thanks all. The hour meter isn't right. Before I got it my sister had to have the display panel replaced. I'm not sure how many hours are on it, so I need to contact the dealer that did the replacement to see if they documented the hours from the old panel. The pics don't really do it justice. It needs a very thorough cleaning and it looks like new.

I thought it was a 1996 model, but I'm not sure. I want to verify that at some point. I have the 60" belly mower for it, but I had to remove it to trailer it. I will say this... that thing fires right up and has a mountain of power. I'm looking forward to finding attachments for it as the wallet allows and make the most of it.

Zagar · Dec 12, 2016

Ok, found this on Craigslist relatively nearby. This would suffice for the winter without breaking the bank. What do you think? Is the price reasonable and is there anythinf special I should be aware of with this? I know I would need wheel weights as well as maybe some suitcase weights/bracket.

Thanks!

Zagar · Dec 12, 2016

Sorry, forgot the link...

"I also have several 4 way 54 inch power blades That fit JD 425 445 455..."
Snow blowers, snow blades, for John Deere garden tractors

ovrszd · Dec 12, 2016

I think I paid $1025 for a new 54" blade and all the brackets to fit my JD2210. In my case there were two flat plate brackets that bolt to the frame rails of the tractor. Make sure you are getting those. Might even do a Google search and see if you can find the parts list for a new blade for your tractor so you know what you need. The seller isn't going to care and is going to tell you he's "pretty sure" they will fit your tractor.

Zagar · Dec 13, 2016

Ok, great idea. I will do that. So if everything is included with this, other than the weights, it may not be a bad choice. It would definitely help for this coming winter. Thank you!

beenthere · Dec 13, 2016

Zagar
good CL find, but be sure to get the Quick-hitch that fits the 455 frame.. that the blade snaps onto. That quick hitch will go directly on without any extra brackets, (as well as fit the 425 and 445 tractors).
The serial number will identify the year... year 98 has "60" in the number, and goes up and down from there.

Zagar · Jul 31, 2017

Hi again all,

Well, after using this machine all year, I have to say it's amazing. Now I'm looking to get the 46" blower in prep for this winter. Also still trying to find a 40 loader for it, to no avail.

The reason I'm back is someone here had all of the service manuals for the 455, and I'm thinking now that it would be a good idea to have them. I searched my PMs and emails, and can't find it. Please send me an email or a PM and let me know if you still have those books.

Thanks!

Zagar · Aug 2, 2017

I found the technical manuals for this machine.

One other question - Can the 40 FEL be used in conjunction with the 60" belly mower? Or does the mower need to be removed in order to use the FEL?

Thanks!