Worst mower, BEST price! Why I bought a John Deere Z445 Zero Turn
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- Опубликовано: 27 окт 2023
- This week I came across an unbelievable deal on a John Deere Z445 zero turn on Facebook Marketplace. It was such a good deal, I offered to pay the guy more than he was asking just to make sure I got it. This lawn mower is going to be my personal mower, and hopefully not require too much tinkering, but it looks like it will need a little work before it's running and cutting reliably. I'll have to change out the Kawasaki carburetor, replace the blades, and adjust the height on the John Deere deck to make it cut better.
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I'm in the business of hunting up old lawn mowers and other small machines, and either parting them out, or fixing them up and selling them for profit. Come along for the ride with my weekly vlogs, and how-to videos.
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I bought a Z445 in 2007, 54" 25hp from a John Deere dealer. I have never ever regretted it. I have owned it for 17 years and cut 12-15 acres every week until last week. Sure it's had a 4 carburetors on it in 17 years(has1650hrs and does not smoke) 9 set of blades, 5 sets of belts, 10 deck rollers, and a new seat and arm rest.
I also changed out one set of spindles and mulching kit. But, the engine and drive train has never been overhauled, just oil and filter changes at 1/2 the hours JD recommended. For someone to post "worst" lawnmower is not right. Maybe someone didn't take care of it like they should have. I know several people with the same model and theirs is still running good like mine. My great grandson is running it now.
I bought a Z960M to replace it, but didn't really need to.... just wanted something bigger. After 17 years it was time to ride something new.
The drop blades are meant to reduce risk of spindle damage when things get a little western. Shorter spindle = stronger
I bought one of these new several years ago. I've never had problems but I only use non ethanol. still runs fine.
That helps!
Some times people forget to check the Air pressure on the tires that can cause it to cut uneven
Yes, very true!
@@garagestory Yes it is a great thing to keep the tires pressure checked
I’ve had my z445 zero turn for about 16 years and I’ve never had any issues
That’s great!
Great video! Love the edit in the opening bit!
Your videos are so well done! Thank you for all your helpful tips.
I’m glad you enjoy them!
Bought my first zero turn mower Oct 6th.. my ramp came out while loading and we took a spill..so I've been down for 3 weeks with 3 broken ribs...glad I found your channel..really enjoy watching...I do the same thing your doing..except I buy and sell 2 cycle equipment here in alabama..really enjoy your videos
Oh no! I hope you are healing up ok!
Loading zero turns on ramps can be touchy, especially if you aren’t used to it. I’m glad you are enjoying the channel!
Oh yeah!! Nice find
Thanks!
i bought a very low hour Z425pretty cheap from a guy whose dad had passed away and he didn't need it. It's not near as good a machine as my bad boy but will be ok for a backup. The engineers that designed these evidently never mowed with them. The aluminum pivots in the steering arms were loose and needed replacing. And it is very hard to get on and off it because of the placement of the emergency brake handle. I am adding a roller in the front middle of the deck too. Plus the pressed deck is not nearly as heavy built. It was in great shape and well maintained so for the price I guess it will do for a backup. I sure wouldn't go out and buy one brand new though.
Yes, I think the Z425/445 are decent mowers, but not up to the level of a commercial mower. The transmission set up on the older ones does seem pretty robust to me, but there are still other factors like you mentioned.
I have a John Deere Z335E 48 inch cut zero turn had it 4 yrs bought brand new got 280 hrs I like it service it myself still looks like new.
That’s great!
If you drop the rear of your deck compared to the front, it helps to create a double cut. This can help with stragglers. Maybe drop the rear 1/4" below the front and you'll be perfectly fine.
Thanks! I may re-adjust it in the spring.
They make carb cleaners try that FIRST!
I’ve never had great success with using carb cleaner through the fuel system, but it certainly is one of the easier options. In this case, the seller sent me the OEM carb that had been cleaned at a shop, and it worked better.
Hey love those videos...do you happen to have a grass chute for a craftsman gt5000 50" logo
Just subscribed
Thanks!
I always blow off my deck with a blower
I have the same problem with deck height. Some how 3.5 " is actually 3.5mm.
🤣🤣that’s sure what it feels like! Thankfully it is a lot better now
Front of the deck is supposed to be a little lower than the back to help it cut easier 😊
At full height or at lowest height?
@@garagestory to be honest I am not sure. I adjust mine at the desired cutting length for my grass. They say it clears grass and keeps from running it harder and more wear and tear. I think Husqvarna has a video explaining it on their zero turns. Would you like me to send a link for you to view?
The front of deck needs to be1/8 in lower than back
Good to know. Is that an official specification, or just what you’ve found works best? And 1/8” lower at the highest setting, or the lowest setting? It would vary since only the back is raised and lowered, the front just hangs.
I know this had nothing to do with the video.bit do u recommend any gas treatments.i don't use any stabilizer for the gas or ethnol treatments I never had problems with it 15 years old and still running strong la 125
Like techron or something like that for carbon and could I use it in a lawn mower to
I personally have never used a gas stabilizer. We always run %100 gas (no ethanol), so that probably helps. I’m sure fuel treatments could be helpful, I’ve just never used them except using carb cleaner or something when trying to fix a fuel issue.
If you left the mower lying down for a day or two will the vapor lock clear itself?
Usually vapor lock will clear up once things cool down
At 9:30 when you cranked it, it it didn’t really wanna crank at first, my z425 does that, any idea on a fix?
Good question. I’m not really sure. As long as it still works, I’m not to concerned about it. It’s possible that there is a dead spot in the starter, or maybe the compression release in the engine is a little sticky.
Try choking a little, not a lot. If still doesn't want to crank check fuel pump and filter. If not, change carburetor.
You have a home owner mower and you got the wrong blades you need high lift blades
Yes, it’s not a commercial model
WHAT MAKE IT IDLE UP AN DOWN
The mixture being off. It can be an incorrect setting or jet, or it can be a dirty jet, or it can even be air leaking in past the carburetor.
Man I just came across one for $800 with 613 hours. What’s your opinion, should I jump on it?
I would say it depends on the condition. At those hours it could be beat or it could still be nice
It sounds like it was the gas filter
I put the OEM carb on with and added a new fuel pin this year and it seems to be running pretty decent now.
I have the same mower; I think its finicky when mowing in the hot weather; I am not sure I like it
Finicky in what way? Is it vapor lock that you are dealing with?
@@garagestory it stops like it is overwhelmed; like I am cutting too long a grass and my grass is really short
@@garagestory what is vapor lock; I mown with it last time and now it’s not even starting
@@garagestory I took out the fuel line and it was blocked; I tried to restart it after I blew air through it; it did not start yet
Your opinion is John Deers are the WORST mowers... WHY? I see lots of contractors using them as well as farmers. ... so Im confused by your opening statement.... Hustler, Scag,Toro, kabota came afterwzrds as BRANDS.... a zero turn is not for the average home owner unless its a standard ride on type.....please EXPLAIN😮😮😮
Great question! My opinion is based off of my experiences with residential grade John Deere’s. From what I’ve seen, they tend to wear out faster, and are harder to work on. They also tend to cost more.
For commercial grade zero turns, I think Grasshopper, Scag, eXmark (and some Toro’s) and some Hustlers. Those are what I consider the top 4 brands in general. Brands like John Deere and Kubota, are tractor companies that sell zero turns, they aren’t zero turn companies first and foremost. The wide spread brand recognition would lead to a lot of sales, especially to farmers.
But, at the end of the day, it’s just my opinion based off of what I’ve experienced and seen. Others will have different opinions based off of there experiences.
Thanks for watching!
(P.S., do you think I should make a video ranking brands?)
I’m betting that they bought the Scamazon carb that includes a crappy fuel fuel filter and an even worse fuel pump. I bought one of those cheap fuel pumps and it never worked right. It would lose prime and barely pumped fuel making it hard to start and run lean.
Good point, I might want to try swapping to a better fuel pump. It’s continued to lose its prime, and it is a little annoying
I posted a new post today. Read my post.
He is buying used equipment that probably hasn't been taken care of properly and giving it a bad name because he has to fix someone else's neglect. Sure, things break, but most of the time it's from poor maintenance and neglect. I was a ch eng on tankers for 47 years and have always had JD equipment at home and never failed me. Proper maintenance is the key. And if he thinks JD is hard to work on he needs to work on a Caterpillar or foreign engine where you have to take 1/2 the side of an engine apart to change a water pump. He's a wus.
Do you have any kids
Are you a nerd? Mask to mow, that's kind of wimpy.
I got tired of the allergies from all the dust…🤷♂️