Latest work on my 955

[mr67gp]

Seems a little quiet over here, so I thought I would post an update. Well, not really an update, since all my old posts are gone with the other forum, but I degress.

I have been rebuilding the cylinders on my loader (70A) and my backhoe (7). The kits are not cheap, but not too bad (~$35-$40 each at my local JD dealer). The hardest part I have found to be is to remove the ridge that builds up at the outside of the retaining clip groove. Once that is gone, you just follow the diagram and ease the seals in place.

The loader is about done (one boom cyl left to do) and the BH is next. I am starting with the swing cyls, then the stabs. I also bought a new main swing pin, since I have a ton of play in it. The BH was not maintained as it should have been. Hopefully the cyl walls are not scored in the swing cyls, as my dealer said new ones were about $400 each!

I also have to fix a leak at the hyd hose connections for the loader. It drips from them pretty steady. I think those are just o-rings.

Oh well, that is all.

Jim K in PA

[bontai Joe]

Sorry about the lost posts in the other forum, but no one has access to them anymore. Glad to hear that the refurbish is continuing! :Tractor2:

[JDFANATIC]

Those 55 series tractors are great machines. I had a 755 for a number of years, and the 955 is the granddaddy of the series. How many hours are on it?

Cheers

JDFANATIC
JD2210

[mr67gp]

Thanks Joe. No need to apologize. You did not drop the ball.

JD - my 955 has about 1430 hours on it. The tractor itself is in great shape, but the loader and the BH have seen A LOT of use. I am repairing and refurbishing while still using them, just a few parts at a time. I had hoped to pull the BH off during the winter and go through everything, but the cold made me wimp out. I must be getting old.

The wife finally drove the tractor the other night while we were moving some brick across the property. She loved it! It is so easy to handle, I knew she would. It was the first time I got to watch someone else driving my machine. Wierd.

Jim K in PA

[slipshod]

Jim,
Big mistake letting the wife drive the tractor. She sees how much fun it is and you will become the ground grunt.

[Keweenaw4310]

Letting the wife know that the tractor isn't as much work as she thought is one of the biggest mistakes we, as husbands, can make. :fing20:

I only have about 125 hours on my 4310 but so far I can say my wife hasn't tried to operate it yet. She still thinks I'm out there doing hard work with it.

My local dealer has a couple of 855's for sale. I almost bought one of those used before ordering my 4310. The 855 with loader seemed pretty powerful. At the time a 955 wasn't available anywhere, but if it was, I'm sure I would have gone for it instead of the 4310.

Nice that you have a backhoe. I will probably buy one someday, but I have a hard time justifying the extra cost at this time. I've seen a couple of used ones in the mid 4000.00 range. Maybe when I'm ready, I'll try to get one of those used.

[guest]

Looks like you are making some great progress with your machine since the last time you posted on TF. I wish there was some way that we could have salvadge the old posts from TF. Are you buying your parts kits from your local dealer or the jdparts website? My wife has hinted a time or two about learning to operate my 4410 but she is still a bit leary of it. Works for me! :trink40: Glad to see you found us and I look forward to your posts outlining your progress and experiences with your 955. Welcome back! :trink39:

[mr67gp]

Yeah, I considered the possible "backlash" of letting her drive it, but she is an incredible woman. She understands the rationale for having one, and sees how much work it saves both of us. She will be fine tooling along over open ground, but she wont be doing any loader or BH work. She watches me dive into things and swing the machine in, around and through stuff that she would never attempt, and she appreciates my skills. That is why we just ordered a set of pallet forks for it yesterday! Our first new attachment. I have a load of 6"x8"x20' beams coming in a few weeks.

My real problem is looming, though. My 12 and 10 year old boys want to drive it! The 12 year old is almost big enough, but I sure as hell won't tell him that! He can use my old Ford 120 for a while longer. I just picked up a freebie Sears 10hp lawn tractor for the younger one.

Chief - I have been been ordering and buying the parts straight through my local dealer, and I am sure I have not gotten any "discounts". He is a nice guy, but I would not mind finding a cheaper alternative. Is it cheaper to order stuff through the Deere parts web site?

It is good to find you guys here again. Glad to be back (thanks to Archdean).

Jim K in PA

[guest]

Jim, this is the toll free number to my buddy Ricky at Hutson Ag. 1-800-726-7172 They are one of the largest Deere dealers in KY. Ricky is the parts manager for their Russelville KY store. I buy all of my Deere parts from Ricky as well as some parts for other stuff. I have not seen anyone who could beat his prices. He overs a nice discount to referals from me and MTF members. I can't guarantee Ricky will be cheaper but he has not been beat yet......certainly can't hurt to give him a try and see what kind of pricing he can give you. Ask for Ricky and tell him Randy sent you.

[Argee]

Isn't letting your other half drive your tractor one of the terrible sins in Tractorland ROF

[Ingersoll444]

Well I cant say anything about that, becouse the 224 is realy my wife's. She kinda lets me use it.:D