770 vs.755

[bgshgrr]

Enough lurking, time to jump in. Hello to all. I thought I would throw this out there for those who care to add their .02. I am in the market for a used Cut. 2 choices I have right now are a '92 755 from a JD dealer. The unit was owned by a local hospital since new. It has 1675 hrs. on the clock. I made contact with the maintenance manager at the hospital and learned that this tractor had a service each spring and fall, new hydro (4500.00 bill) due to a bolt that came off inside the hydro(?). It is 4wd, allied 40 loader, includes a 50" blower that hasn't had much use, and a heated Jodale cab, w/turfs. I learned that the hr meter was replaced at 1000 hrs so actual hrs are 2675. It was mostly used to clear snow from the hospital sidewalks. The downside is has a fair bit of rust from the salt on the sidewalks. Under the tractor doesn't look bad, but the front engine screens and rear fenders under cab are rotted. Mechanically it seems good and had a fairly easy life. The service history seems good also. Dealer has gone through it. I can get it for 9500 cdn + tax.
My other option is a 770 with about 1000 hrs. This is a private sale. Owner has had it for 100 hrs for landscaping jobs on his property. Unit was previously owned by Dept. of Defence. 4wd, jd 70 loader, and a box blade with ag tires. This tractor is much prettier to look at. I have about 9 acres. 2 in bush, 2-3 acres if cultivated field I just want to keep black. The rest is grass pasture, corral, yard site, and about 450 ft of gravel driveway. My 332 takes care of the grass. We get alot of winter up here in Manitoba, and the 755 would be a nice set up for snowclearing. The 770 will be about 13k and I don't like the ag tires for landscaping projects. Other than learning how to ask shorter questions (next time I promise), any suggestions here. I am farmiliar with the main differences between the two. Thanks for the help and sorry again for the long post.

Note: To those affected with the flooding in the Fargo, Grand Forks areas, our thoughts are with you. I will be sandbagging for neighbors less than a mile from my home.

 

[RobS]

Hi bgshgrr,

Welcome to TBN. Looks like you have done your homework on these units and you've come to a great place to get info. I'll give you my input and I hope others chime in as well.

I don't have any experience with the 755 but the 770 is just an older version of my 790. My biggest concern from your post is the rust on the 755. I know what rust does to cars/trucks and it can be disastrous. Also very expensive to fix. For that reason alone, I'd shy away from that machine. The price on the 770 seems a bit high to me, you can get a new rig for nearly that. Maybe it's time to keep shopping?

Again, hope others provide inputs to you as well.

 

[Whitey]

I would be concerned about the rust and hours on the 755........I own a 770 and they are almost bullet proof. I will say that the 755 with hydro maybe more of a comfort to operate since the 770 is a gear drive but the 70 loader on the 770 will handle more of a load than the 40. I would certainly recommend a test drive for both. Now we do not use ours for snow removal (425 AWS / FMP) we do use ours for landscaping and various other projects around the house which entail the operation of this unit by my wife and she will tell you that while it is not as easy to operate as her hydro it is not very difficult none the less.

 

[bgshgrr]

Thanks for the responses! I know you guys are right but man that little heated cab would be nice. Good used units are few and far between around here, and come at a hefty price. I really would like a 855 or 955 if I could find one. I know I need to be patient but I have the tractor bug. I just bought the property last fall, and can't wait to get to some of the projects we have planned. I just can't bring myself to buy a new machine for 50-75 hours a year of use. I haven't had a chance to look at the 770 yet, but was surprised to see a 750lb difference. Are the physical dimensions of the 770 that much greater than the 755? I don't want anything too heavy. Thanks again folks!

 

[bgshgrr]

I agree totally. I might also add that in snowblower operation, the RPMs will usually be near the peak operating point of the engine as opposed to somebody that may do their work near 1400-1800 RPM.

Interesting. When learning to operate a skid steer I was told to run them at or near WOT, to assure the hydro pumps had sufficient pressure. They are designed to run at these rpm's or so I was told. I do the same thing with my 332. Should I be doing different?

 

[irwin]

Thanks for the responses! I know you guys are right but man that little heated cab would be nice. Good used units are few and far between around here, and come at a hefty price. I really would like a 855 or 955 if I could find one. I know I need to be patient but I have the tractor bug. I just bought the property last fall, and can't wait to get to some of the projects we have planned. I just can't bring myself to buy a new machine for 50-75 hours a year of use. I haven't had a chance to look at the 770 yet, but was surprised to see a 750lb difference. Are the physical dimensions of the 770 that much greater than the 755? I don't want anything too heavy. Thanks again folks!

Yes, the 770 is a larger, stronger tractor, don't let Deere's numbering confuse you.

Three years ago I bought a 770 with a 70 FEL and 400 hours for $8900.00. Last year I sold it with a little over 500 hours on it with a Taylor Way 766 Backhoe on the back (with a homemade subframe) for $12500.00.

I needed something bigger, the work I needed done was and is, heavy rocks and large stumps dug up. The 70 Fel will lift about 750 to 800 lbs, I was beating it up pushing 1200lb rocks around.

I guess they're asking too much for the 770. Doesn't sound like they know what it's worth or they're trying to hit a homerun from someone who also has no idea of it's worth. Some difference in pricing is expected in some areas..but not that much..

 

[irwin]

Here's a picture of the 770 and backhoe shortly before I sold it..wish I still had it..not the backhoe (only because I have a bigger more powerful hoe now) the tractor sure would come in handy at times, and it was bulletproof, what a well made machine.

 

[yankeerider]

Didn't check the current currency conversion, but the price for the 755 sounds high for that number of hours (over 2600 estimated.) As owner of a 755 since new, I am less concerned about the rust than the other guys. The paint prep on these wasn't very good, so I've had chunks of paint coming off in a variety of places, but the metal is thick enough it's still solid and the rust is merely cosmetic. I'm not saying the machine you looked at is in the same condition. But maybe you could talk him down some and repair cosmetics if that's the extent of the issues.

 

[bgshgrr]

Whitey, what size tiller would be a good fit for the 770? The guy with the 770 for sale new little about it. Couldn't even tell me the size of the box scraper. I would guess a 5 ft. I am also a little concerned about the hoops I may have to jump through switching the R1's to R4's.

Irwin, that 770 sure seems to have a great reputation. I am still waiting for the owner to be available to show it. Do you think it would be too heavy to cross my lawn now and again? The ag tires are a problem for me, so new tires would have to factored in. The standard tranny sure has mixed opinions. I don't mind using a clutch, and I do like the simplicity of it. Thanks for the pic.

K7LN, Point taken on the hydro. My 332 with chains is a littler beast pushing snow. I haven't mowed with it yet. I bet that 455 would be nice!

Yankeerider, you are right about the paint prep. The front screens are rotted along the bottom and one rear fender actually has a rust hole under the cab mounts. Bloody salt!! I like that it has a good service history, though the hours are on the higher side, and it has some nice options. Seems good mechanically. I should probably pass on it.

Price wise the used tractors are expensive here. Considering I can get a 2520 w/ loader for about 21k, I would prefer a used one but need to find the right deal. Patience is not a virtue of mine.

 

[Whitey]

I would have to look at the information I have for a tiller and get back to you........it has a rated 20HP @ the PTO. As far as the R4 tires are concerned.........I bought titan R4s for my rear AG rims (12-16) but I did have to buy new rims for the front. The whole shebang was just under 1K. I drive mine over the lawn all the time and leave minimal damage as long as I do not drive over the same area more than once. The weight of the tractor (especially W / BH) will kill the grass.