John Deere 555

Kirkman · Sep 27, 2008

Rumor has it that ALL 1979 thru early "80"s John Deere 555 model Transmissions are basically junk. I located one and ran it briefly. IT seemed to run fine but am nervous that it will be a money pit after purchase. Can one tell before purchase that the transmission is sound or headed for disaster even though it sounds fine?

Jonathan in MA · Sep 27, 2008

Try running it until its hot. Hold the foot brake on in 2nd and 3rd and shift back and forth to help heat it up..Also run it back and forth to warm up the stteering clutches.Then check for slipping or odd behavior in all speeds forward and reverse..It should want to overpower the foot brake in 1st forward and reverse at high RPM. I'd even go so far as to buy a transmission filter and swap it out with whats in there. Inspect the oil in the bottom of the filter canister and then cut open the filter element when u get home and look for anything that shouldn't be in there..Even if you can do the work yourself, the transmission parts are very expensive and getting to them is a job you won't soon forget. Undercarriage and engine are OK???

Roy Suomi · Sep 27, 2008

About 4 years ago I found a donor machine and converted a 555 into a 450-D... This guy was elated to get a useable machine out of it..It still was cheaper than repairing the 555 trans..

ryand · Sep 29, 2008

i have a 555a dont know what year it is but the ser.# is 348299t. i worked at a local john deere commercial dealer for a couple of years and never had the plesure of woking on this paticular macihne (and trust me ive heard nothin but bad things) but i now have the plesure of working on one. when did john deere change the transmision in these machines and if i am lukey enough to have one those brit. transmissions were migt i be abel to find parts?

Jonathan in MA · Oct 1, 2008

All 550's and 550B/555B had those transmissions with a few minor changes through the years. It was changed when the 550G/555G came out . I don't know where , other than a dealer, you can get parts.

Roy Suomi · Oct 2, 2008

About all you can get aftermarket is clutch plates and seals...I have yet to rebuild one that didn't need clutch sealing ring hard parts...Last one I did years ago cost 9 thousand dollars ......mostly parts......I don't care to do any more.....

ryand · Oct 5, 2008

thanks appriciate the help. i know yall are probbly tired of talking about these machines. im just trying to make the best out of somthing thats bad. i think im going to wind up swapin the transmission out for a 450. found one real cheap and from what ive found out it will probbly be the chepist way out.

John Deere 555

Kirkman

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Jonathan in MA

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Roy Suomi

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ryand

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Jonathan in MA

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Roy Suomi

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ryand

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