I looked at a 425 with 800hrs on it and it comes with a 54in mower, blade and snow thrower for $5000.00. I also saw a guy that has a 332 with 1100hrs on it with a 47in mower, cab, blower and bagger for $4500.00. My question is which one should I buy, I know the 425 is newer but it is gas powered and the 332 is a diesel. Cosmetically they are both in really good shape. Which one given the hours on it and attachments would be the best buy. I really don't need a cab but its a nice bonus. Your thoughts and opions please.

Dave

My opinion is slightly biased because I own a 332, but I have a few tidbits to offer. I would favor the 332 unless you have a large acreage, but the 47" mower is not the best available for that tractor. The 50 is a better deck. The 3 extra inches aren't as beneficial as the design of the deck. Put the available high speed pulley on the 50 and it's hard to beat. It will keep up with many of the commercial mowers.

It sounds like both tractors are similarly equipped so that's not a major factor in the decision. The blade and the bagger are probably worth about the same. If you have more than 2 acres to mow you may be better off with the 425, but the 332 will outlast the 425 by a hefty margin. Also that little Yanmar diesel will only use about 0.5 gallons of diesel per acre mowed where the 425 will use more like 1 gallon of gas per acre. My advice would be to take a spin on both tractors and see which is more comfortable or suits your needs. Manuverability may be a deciding factor as one is more nimble than the other. Add up all the factors (fuel consumption, comfort, resale value, storage space, acreage to be mowed, etc) and go for the one that suits you best.

If I were getting one of those newer series 400 tractors, I would not buy no gas-powered one. The 445 and 455 diesels are bigger and better choices (abeit, more expensive). I would prefer the 332, but get the heavier 50 inch deck like 720 said. All the 332's torque on hand would be wasted on a low speed 47 inch deck.

In actuality, your picks aren't the bext combinations i've seen.

however, the 445 all-wheel steer does mightily close to that of a zero-turn, but nothing can beat a good zero-turn!

Thanks for the advise! I know that the Yamar Diesel is bullet proof but what about the trans axle - hyd pump? with 1100hrs on it do I have any thing to be concerned about? Is a 332 that much better on fuel than a 425 gas? How about the problems with the low sulfer fuel that is on its way to meet the Keoto acord in 2007 will a older diesel like this need an additive?

Dave

QUOTE (Dave @ May 22 2006, 06:54 PM)

I know that the Yamar Diesel is bullet proof but what about the trans axle - hyd pump? with 1100hrs on it do I have any thing to be concerned about?

Dave,

As long as the oil and filter has been changed with some regularity, that hydro unit is nearly as bullet proof as the Yanmar. I have around 1100 hours on my '87 model and she's going strong. It has done it's share of hard work also like towing a 5 ton trailer around the yard with and without a load of firewood! It has also spent many years mowing hilly terrain with ag bar tires loaded with antifreeze and often even wheel weights. During the winter months it has earned it's keep with the 54" snow blade with the wheel weights, fluid ballast, tire chains, my 250 lb rump and a 240 lb counterweight on the 3 point hitch. After all this abuse and complete service top to bottom every 50 hours, she still works like a new one. Unless you plan on putting more than 100 hrs per year on it, I don't think longevity should be a concern.

QUOTE

Is a 332 that much better on fuel than a 425 gas?

From what I've seen, yes! My 1 gal/acre quote may even be conservative. If you work the 425 hard expect to burn more than that. The 0.5 gal/acre on the 332 should be the max. I have a hard time burning close to that with mine and it doesn't lack for fuel at the injectors if you know what I mean. If you lean on it, it liberally puffs the black smoke, yet it still uses next to no fuel. The only thing that comes close to it's fuel economy around my place is the 720 that won't burn more than 2 gal/hr at nearly 4 times the hp as the 332.

QUOTE

will a older diesel like this need an additive?

I don't know what effect the super low sulfur fuel will have on the Yanmar pump, but I plan to add about 8 ounces of ATF to a tank (5 gal) of fuel when I can no longer obtain regular diesel. That doesn't add much to the cost of the fuel maybe $0.10/gal. I know that adds up over time, but even if you ran 100 hrs/year @ 0.5 gal/hr, it would cost you $5 for the additive. The gas version using twice as much fuel will likely cost over $150 more to operate.

Once again, I think your biggest concerns are going to be more related to how the different sized tractors meet your needs rather than the mechanical aspects of the two. I guess you could always save some money and buy yourself a Craftsman mower. The only problem is you will need 3 of them to last as long as either of those used Deere will last.

Thanks for the reply. Size wise the 332 would be fine. I just didn't know if I should spend the extra money and get a newer machine with less hours. I really like the idea of a diesel and the mower on the 425 is only 7 inches wider and I beleave that the 332 is more manoverable. How hard do you thiink it would be to get a 50 inch mower for it as I am beginning to lean toward the 332. Is a 47 inch mower ok or should I look for a 50inch as soon as I can?

Thanks again for the insight.


Dave

Thanks for the reply. Size wise the 332 would be fine. I just didn't know if I should spend the extra money and get a newer machine with less hours. I really like the idea of a diesel and the mower on the 425 is only 7 inches wider and I beleave that the 332 is more manoverable. How hard do you thiink it would be to get a 50 inch mower for it as I am beginning to lean toward the 332. Is a 47 inch mower ok or should I look for a 50inch as soon as I can?

Thanks again for the insight.


Dave

That 50 inch deck was used on several models the most popular of which was the 318. They are out there, you just have to look and it may take some time. The easiest solution would be to buy an old 318 with the 50, make the swap and sell it again. You should even be able to do that for even money or if you're lucky you could make a dollar on the deal.

The 47 should work fine. We're not talking the difference between a Camaro and a Corvette, more like a Camaro and a Mustang.

That 332 is a good solid, smaller tractor that isn't big and clonky like the long-nose 430 (I like the 430 but they look a little awkward like an elephant from the side). If I had to buy a new gas tractor, I would buy a "disposable" one like the crappyman sold by Sears or the toy-bilt or the crap-cadet by TSC. It would not be an expensive John Deere, because they won't last that long, either. I've always wanted a 332!

I have a 322(the gas version of the 332) and it has about 1080 hours on it and is set up like 720's 332. It gets used year round and is a good machine. I wanted a 332 myself, but this 322 was a cheap investment to spring board into a 332 someday. The diesel is no doubt the way to go. This 322 eats the gas, but the diesel version of the same engine sure is a lot better on fuel than the gas version.