Comparing the John Deere 425 and 445 Garden Tractor Models

The John Deere 425 and 445, as well as the diesel 455, are very capable garden tractors and still very popular. In this video I compare my 425 with my 445 and discuss the differences and similarities between the two models.

[@johnc7512]

Two of the best ones john deere ever made

[@robertduncan2742]

I got my loader for my 420 with vanguard 23hp and added a used cab, weight box coming soon to add to the tire weights. I sure enjoy your posts sir

[@tesser5250]

Thank you, and good luck with your equipment!

[@OldSchool-ot9rp]

Wow! You stole that 445!!! Lol... Bought mine in June, 2020 also down in Kentucky, from an older fella, south of Morehead... 60" Deck with updated Steel Gear, and 1200 hrs, for $2700 Rebuilt the top-end and she runs like a new one. Gonna get the Rear PTO, 3Pt Hitch and a Rear Tiller for her, along with the front loader... IMO the 4x5 Series are the best garden tractors ever made. Great videos, btw!!!

[@tesser5250]

Great, thanks! They are wonderful tractors, good luck with yours!

[@kentwood6099]

You should put the bigger tires on your 425. It will make the grass cutting ride much smoother. Great videos. Kent

[@tesser5250]

Thanks. Yes, I do plan to fit the bigger tires on the 425. Glad you like the videos.

[@beckerlara1792]

What bar do you have on the back of the 425 to hold the weights? Love all your videos!!

[@Georgiagreen317]

I always enjoy your videos which are some of the best on John Deere 4x5s. I would like to mention that the increase HP of the 445 mostly comes from an increase in compression ratio and not so much from the fuel injection. Not that it makes that much of a difference but should the day come to overhaul the 425 version, the 445 pistons and rods can be used which would bump up the power a bit. You mentioned the engines could be swapped which is true to a certain extent, but the wire harness and Fuel injection components would need to come with it. The chief advantage of FI is easy starting of course but I have never heard of starting issues with any Kawasaki engine. (So far) The downside is when things go bad. They are very hard to troubleshoot and expensive. As for the cam gear issue, I believe, but not really sure that both models came with plastic gears early on. In any case, it should be a show stopper as the replacements are very reasonable and rather easy to install. Reasonable unless you buy it from Deere. Keep up the great videos and thanks for your efforts.

[@Undyingnewt]

we have a 455 gaser v twin liqid cooled its a little beat up but it still runs great i got it stuck in mud several times

[@itproton]

Great videos. Wanted yo pick your brain, i just purchased a 425 with a 99 motor on it and runs and looks great. One issue though, the reservoir is leaking coolant from the overflow. Thought it was too full, and reduced the level of coolant, still leaking from the buttom. Thanks in advance for any insight. I just order a service manual hoping to get more familiar with the machine. All the best.

[@johnc7512]

My 425 does that also I have 1950 hours on mine. I just add coolant a couple times a year and don't worry about it.

[@jasonchristman9880]

Love my 445 aws it's even better than zero turn ,54 inch snowblower is awesome on this tractor

[@johnc7512]

These tractors are so much better than any zero turn.

[@FBIsurveillance62]

Love all your 4x vids

[@christiannorris7673]

Curious if you put bigger tires on the 425. Did you have to re adjust/calibrate deck height?

[@kennethkirschbaum1906]

Does your 425 or 445 use coolant? I have 2 445's and a couple times a year I have to add coolant. There is nothing that leaks on the floor or no indication of a slow leak on either engine. I'm thinking maybe a head gasket leaking by a coolant passage. But no white smoke when starting. Maybe this is somewhat normal. For both of them to do it has me guessing. 👍 job explaining differences in the two series. Thanks Ken

[@firstworldproperties1287]

Your information has been fantastic! Now I understand the differences between the three models. Based on your review I have decided to look for the 445 or 455. IF given the choice of a 445 with the metal crankshaft gear and a 455 in similar condition AND similarly priced which one would you choose? Please advise. I am on an active hunt!

[@tesser5250]

Since I don't like to mess with diesel and only store gasoline, I would go with the 445. However, others prefer diesel for perhaps a little more torque and because diesel engines are reputed to last longer...

[@theSword-]

I also have a 445 aws, and it is great. If you want to use it with a loader and or rear attachments, try to get the diesel 455 with a straight axle.

[@Loma-2022]

Hydraulics fluids leaking - what do you do?

[@rosschudzik5041]

What is the model of the loader? Thx Ross

[@khdetw]

Can these tractors handle mowing / brushhogging slopes up to 30 degrees?

[@johnc7512]

Yes they are good on the steep stuff just have wheel and suitcase weights on.

[@laurencebehopeful9090]

It is good to know that from 2000 onward the cam gear is made of steel. Thanks for that tip. By the way is that for the 445 model only?

[@tesser5250]

Yes, I believe that applies to both models around the same time. However, it is really the serial number that determines whether an engine/model has the plastic or or steel cam gear, so best to double check with a JD dealer.

[@ngzcaz]

I believe they switched in 1998. Engine serial numbers upward from 150198 on the 445 and 149283 on the 425's should be good. These are the FD620D engines.

[@kevkayla11]

I'm assuming 93 models of the 445 had the 23/16 tire setup because that's what mine is with original tires and I bought it from my neighbor the original owner He passed before I could ask

[@LukesJohnDeereGarage]

Yep the early 445's had the smaller tires originally.

[@jerryvaughn9618]

thanks for the time put into the video I have 2001 425 having backfiring badly then starts and runs perfect but sometime after starting to go 50' dies again but restarts after backfiring than it ok for hrs any ideas

[@tesser5250]

Sounds like it could be an intermittent ignition problem. I would check plugs, leads and coils...

[@bastiaansmit812]

Thanks for all the insight! I’m looking at buying a 425 with the 60” mower deck. With your 425 and 54” deck, how fast can you mow? I’ve bought a 5 acre property and probably about 3 acres of lawn to mow with some trees.

[@tesser5250]

I mow about 4+ acres of my property and it never seems to take long. 54" deck is perfect for my terrain which is partly uneven and hilly. With a wider deck I would be scalping the turf in many places. I find my 425 and 445 excellent for sharp speedy cutting because of the way they transmit power. The Kawasaki engines are torquie and being shaft driven, the decks seldom jam even with thick heavy meadow grass and scrub, so I can run at a good speed. Good luck with your purchase.

[@bastiaansmit812]

@@tesser5250 thanks! Yeah that’s what I heard you mention, how the engines shaft was positioned. That sounds promising. I would also like to use it for loading (nothing too crazy, some dirt, gravel, mulch) and also for snow shoveling/blowing. Do you think the 425 would be up for that? I know you mentioned the couple extra hp on the 445 probably made some difference.

[@tesser5250]

Regarding being shaft driven, I was referring to the fact the mower decks are directly shaft driven too (check out my video on servicing mower deck). As for power, these days I do all my mowing and snowblowing with the 425 and it performs just fine with plenty of power. However, I keep the LBL loader on the 445 and I do think the extra 10% more power is worth having if you get to choose...

[@robertduncan2742]

Are your loader bucket pivot point mount bend if so mine did

[@stripe14631]

Can you put a loader on a AWS model

[@tesser5250]

Yes, I don't think there are any issues with having a loader on an AWS model...