Thinking of upgrading from my 455

[KennedyDiesel]

My X729 AWS cuts a tighter circle than the much smaller 2WS LT180 (X300 size). Going from a 2WS 455 to a 744 should be a big difference in turning capability.

The 54X deck has exceeded my expectations in cutting tall, thick grass. And this was a big concern for me. Not sure how different the 54X is from your 54" deck. I do wish the deck would raise an inch or two higher.

The older decks were tall in front, but dished to the rear so there just isn't much "volume" above the blades. They are nice looking and well built, but poor performing. I remember back in the early days of ownership discussing with Deere's help line. Their suggestion was that we not cut more than 1/3 the length of the grass. In other words if the deck is set to 2" then cut at no longer than 3" tall. This would have us mowing every other day quite often. The new decks promote better blade overlap and there is also less "dish" to the rear area of the deck so there is more volume above the blades. I've always run the high lift blades. Recently I installed a set of std blades and it was much worse although I was cutting tall grass. I'd have to check my measurements, but I've been creeping my cut height up to promote strong turf and crowd out weeds. With the chute extension propped up there was no "clumping" just evenly spread clippings so it's not plugging up or anything.

Hi

I have both a Deere X744 and a Deere 455, both with AWS. I really love having the AWS on both tractors. I have the 48C deck on the X744, and it does a nice job cutting grass, but the 60" deck on the 455 spreads the grass better. Although the 62C deck on my 2305 Deere as well, spreads the grass well.

I have a 48" deck for my 455 Deere as well, and used it a few times, but was never quite satisfied with the quality of cut with it. I really love the 60" deck on the 455, and in my opnion would not run either the 48" or 54" deck on the 455, unless you don't need that big of a deck. With the AWS on my 455 with the 60" deck, I can manuever into tight spaces and cut areas that I used to be able only do with a smaller sized deck.

Just my 2 cents though.

Jason B

The 60" deck is a behemoth on the older ones as you well know. Probalem is, it does not swivel out easily like the 48 and 54. The old 60 is a deep deck with tons of volume. I suppose I do owe it to myself to try one, but the ease of R&R is a factor. I'm contemplating going to the new 62" deck. Waiting for a call back on a demo 744 with 54" and my other dealer is looking for a 740 with 62" deck. Another dealer has a 720 with I believe the 62" deck that I could demo as well. I already know what the diesel will do.

Have you tried teh high lift blades on the 48" deck? These might give you the "wind" that you need.

It would be hard to get a better tiller than your 450 so I would keep it and pocket the dollars for a new 647.

One of the gardens I till, the owned said that if I drove straight his potato rows would be straight. He would plant in the tracks that the depth gage feet left behind. With an AWS it takes some practice to do that! With the hydro-static power steering, the rear wheels turning on two planes and the back of the tiller 3 feet behind you, it all gets compounded when the wheel is moved the slightest bit.

So you have 4ws? I did not see what model you listed. The reason for new tiller is that I would potentially send the 455 to Ma and Brother and I till garden there so it would be handy for them to have one. In reality I'll probably stick to my 450.

With 2ws and the bar tires I can keep a pretty straight line. The 4ws concerns me.

Shoes? You still run shoes? Several years back I narrowed mine way up on the band saw. Worked much better, but still not enough to really get "into" heavy soils. Also if there is significant organic matter it really rides up. With the shoes off it still does a bit.

If you really want to mess with your guy take the shoes off and add a small extension (poly) to the leveling gate to the overlap side. You'll leave a nearly trackless bed for him to plant in. I snagged mine off so I leave a small ridge with each pass again.

 

[bigtiller]

So you have 4ws? I did not see what model you listed. The reason for new tiller is that I would potentially send the 455 to Ma and Brother and I till garden there so it would be handy for them to have one. In reality I'll probably stick to my 450.

With 2ws and the bar tires I can keep a pretty straight line. The 4ws concerns me.

Shoes? You still run shoes? Several years back I narrowed mine way up on the band saw. Worked much better, but still not enough to really get "into" heavy soils. Also if there is significant organic matter it really rides up. With the shoes off it still does a bit.

If you really want to mess with your guy take the shoes off and add a small extension (poly) to the leveling gate to the overlap side. You'll leave a nearly trackless bed for him to plant in. I snagged mine off so I leave a small ridge with each pass again.

I don't have 4WS now, I moved up to the 2305. But over the years I had 10 AWS tractors in models 424, 445, and X495.

I thought about messing with the feet like you but I am glad I didn't because I tilled enough with it that I wore out 2 sets of tines before I sold it and at that time the shoes were more than half way worn out.

I thought about changing the gate also but too many people liked to plant in the "row" that I left for them.

 

[Thram]

I'm running a 1999 455 AWS with a 60" deck. You're right, it is a behemouth. This past weekend I took it out and took off the Tricyclers that it came with and put Gatorblades on instead. Flipping that thing up and over is a pain at 300 lbs. But the cut now is nice, no windrowing (unless I already had big clumps). The deck is also easy to level.

 

[Gittyup]

I have a 425 AWS. On the 400 series, with AWS, JD used smaller wheels and tires, and larger ones on the 2WS. This might explain the max cutting height difference. All the way up, my 54" deck cuts to about 4".

AWS is awesome for snow removal with a plow blade. You can still steer when the blade takes the weight off the front tires, and the tight turning let's you plow sideways even on narrow drives, if you wish. Because of its manueverability, I use the 425 for snow removal rather than my much bigger 4WD Kioti CK25.

AWS linkages are probably no more than 3" off the ground on my 425. Surprisingly, this hasn't been a problem in the snow. I think they've moved those linkages to above the wheels on the X700 series, or did something to gain significant ground clearance. With the low clearance I have, tilling in some situations would seem to be difficult, but I have never tried it.

I wouldn't have anything but AWS on my property. Your case may be different. If you have a lot of obstacles and tight turns, AWS will be beneficial. Otherwise, not.