John Deere 655, 755, 855, 955 series

I've been doing some research on a 755 (way too big for what I need day-to-day) as a do all sort of tractor for the 5-10 acres I hope to buy in the future. Yes, I know that's cart before the horse. I'd also do some bush hogging with it for a little side money.

I cannot find a doggone thing wrong with the 755. New enough that parts and service are no problem, plenty of parts and accessories, yet small enough to store and work on in the exurban garage/shed. Also as you note, price is pretty good as well.

Hook,

I had a 755 for a number of years and it was a great tractor -- just a little big for my needs. It's hard to compare these series to today's tractors, but I would put the 755 very close to the 2520. I really liked the balance and weight distribution, speed of hydraulics, and comfort. Little things like the two sets of lights, location of the 4WD lever, and ability to climb off and on the tractor without shifting to neutral and setting the brake were nice.

I have an 855 for all the small stuff around the farm...
Plus...no funky fan for the transmission...
...fairly bulletproof...as i use it like my AG tractors...have raked and tedded with it...
Minus...
The two sets of forward lights were made semi-useless with the FEL in place...

Some parts are no longer available new, you would have to get them thru a parter

Before getting a job in corporate America, I sold Deere L/G and CUT equipment
at a local dealer. The 655, 755, 855, 955 were new at that time and we sold many of them. The only issue that I recall is that the 655 is somewhat short on power for FEL use; the Hydro uses enough that the tractor is nowhere as powerful as the larger 755, 855, 955. With that said, choose your tractor with size and intended use in mind.

danvan54 said:

Before getting a job in corporate America, I sold Deere L/G and CUT equipment
at a local dealer. The 655, 755, 855, 955 were new at that time and we sold many of them. The only issue that I recall is that the 655 is somewhat short on power for FEL use; the Hydro uses enough that the tractor is nowhere as powerful as the larger 755, 855, 955. With that said, choose your tractor with size and intended use in mind.

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:MTF_wel:

Nice info on the 655...

Don't be a stranger now...

I am amazed with what our 855 has done since new in '95. Other than fixing flat tires, replacing worn tires, a few dead batteries, a few broken hydro hoses and snapping off the front right axle/knuckle the thing has been used and abused and keeps on chugging. It stays outside uncovered year round (cant stand this, it is my dads machine, everything of mine is washed and usually under a cover stored in the garage...I wonder why?) and other than physcically breaking something, it has never just "broke" down on us. It has been used as a skidder clearing house and tower lots, wooded areas from blown downs (100'+ tall red pines) excavated foundations for towers and one 40' x 60' hole after blasting for a house foundation. A few years ago, I hauled enough red pine out of the woods with it to cut up over 3000 board feet into 2x6's. Every year it is used to mow,split and haul firewoor, and clear snow.

Maybe others can give input, but I am not quite sure my 155C will hold up as well as the 855 has! LOL

I've read nothing but great things about the 755. There's one here locally that the dill hole JD dealer can't sell because he's a jerk and is asking way too much. I looked at it and it's a very nice machine. Just was too big for what I needed or otherwise I would have asked my good JD dealer to find one for me.

I have a 950 which is the gear transmission, older version of the 955. It is a very capable machine and I would buy another in a heartbeat.

As has said above, routine maintenance is about all that I've had to do to mine. The only significant issue that I've had is a gasket failure between the bell housing and transmission, allowing the loss of hydraulic fluid. It took me about a day to replace the gasket and the lock washers that allowed the bolts to back out causing the failure.

The Yanmar engines are very dependable. I have almost 1700 hours on mine and it doesn't use a drop of oil between changes. It sips fuel too.

In summary, if you can get a good deal on a 55 series, you won't be disappointed.

Kind of thinking out loud here!

I'm mulling over the idea of replacing my JD 58-520, 2554 Bush hog ZTR (54" w/25 HP Kohler), & JD 69-140 H1 w/Johnson loader with a 955 or similar JD tractor w/loader. I would like to, at least, "break even" on the deal. Looks like around $10,000!

I would probably need the 30+ HP to mow some heavy brome grass & weeds (2'-3' tall) at the farm once a year. How wide of a brush cutter could I expect to pull? I don't have to be in a big hurry to mow it, just field edges.

Would mostly be used for loader work, with some mowing & blade work.

Any thoughts? ~~ grnspot110

What about the 855? I see a lot of price difference (CL) for the 9 HP. Would it handle a 4' cutter, are the smaller cutters hard to find? I've been using a 6' Rhino on my 520, I know the smaller tractor won't handle that, but the smaller equipment would be easier to transport. Farm is 30 miles from home, I have the trailers I need.

Little history, I grew up farming with two-cylinders & have changed my collecting habits to garden tractors. Just don't need the bigger tractor anymore, except for 1-2 days mowing/year! ~~ grnspot110

mercdv said:

I've read nothing but great things about the 755. There's one here locally that the dill hole JD dealer can't sell because he's a jerk and is asking way too much. I looked at it and it's a very nice machine. Just was too big for what I needed or otherwise I would have asked my good JD dealer to find one for me.

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Hey...

If you're not going going to buy the 755 in SC, can you fill me in on what city it's in so I can take a look as well.

Thanks

I have had 655, 755, 855 and cant say anything bad about them. 655 was a little underpowered but I now use it for a spray tractor only and it has over 2300 ours on it. 755 and 855 have over 2500 hours on both of them. they are a tank, and todays 2305, and 2520 dont compare. The 2520 I have seems top heavy, and the 2305 just doesn't measure up to the tank like attitude of the 55 series.

I'm still researching this!

Could somebody get me the width & length (w/loader) of the 955?

Also considering a gear drive, maybe 790, 870, or 950. Wouldn't be as handy for loader work, I know. But I'm kinda' "old school", I like the taller back wheels! Also see more ag & industrial tires on the gear drives, a must for me & expensive to replace the turfs.

Thanks, grnspot110

Mad Dog said:

Hey...

If you're not going going to buy the 755 in SC, can you fill me in on what city it's in so I can take a look as well.

Thanks

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I'll be driving by there tomorrow. I'll swing by and take some pictures for you and post them if he still has it. I haven't seen it parked out front the last few times I've been by so not sure if it's gone. I know his JD contract was recently pulled and he was removed from their dealer locator. Since then, he's only had a gator and an excavator out front. I'll let you know what I find out once I get by there. I bet if he's still got it that he probably wants to get rid of it quickly.