John Deere 850 4.70 star(s) (14)

Good Workhorse
Model Year: 1988

Purchased this machine with a loader off the lot, new. I've kept up on preventative maintenance. I have had to replace one hydraulic line and one steering component. Great for manure handling and snow removal. It does have calcium in the tires which helps. I also use it to grade and move snow on my driveway. (1,000 ft)

Pros: Always starts, always reliable.
Cons: Should have purchased a backhoe for it when I bought it.

JD 850
Model Year: 0

Used for 2 years on golf course and just purchased, runs well but would like to a hydraulics as will be using to put in crops.

Pros: Runs well.
Cons: No hydraulics.

A Good Un
Model Year: 1981

I bought this tractor used it came with the front end loader, 5 ft. JD finish mower, and a 5 ft. blade. I had to overhaul engine in 12/2007 because it got water in one of the cylinders and bent a rod. But after $1,400 in parts it's running like a new one. I'd love to have one of those new JD's but this ole tractor will probably be with me for the rest of my days. Which I hope is a long way off.

Pros: Just the right size for me and my 10 acres.
Cons: It's getting old and the hydraulics bleed off on the bucket.

JD 850
Model Year: 1988

I just purchased a John Deere 850 with loader to replace my old Ford 1600. I had the Ford nearly 30 years, it did everything I asked it to do. Finally the engine died. Due to difficulty getting parts and cost of repair I decided to upgrade. It was sad to see the "old girl" go but I am looking forward to having an easier time working in the woods and fields with the new J.D. The four wheel drive and power steering are a big improvement over the manual steering and two wheel drive on the Ford. The J.D. seems to have more than enough power and traction to meet my needs. I am sure I have made a good choice.

Pros: Runs like new, perfect size for my needs, four wheel drive, power steering.
Cons: I have not had this machine long enough to comment. I do not anticipate any problems with it.

It's a Deere. What Else Can I Say?
Model Year: 1982

Got the tractor used. Others if the same vintage and model tend to be in better shape and cost more. So, I got what I payed for. The tractor seems to have had limited care with the previous owner. Most everything is all original. The tires are the original Firestones. They are in poor shape. The starter died in the first month. Upped the starter from a 1.4Kw to the 2.0Kw type. Hoping this will alleviate cranking it so much and long. The tractor over heats. Going to flush the cooling system. When the cap was off, it smelled so bad like a car sitting in a scrap yard for years before prying the cap off. The fuel lines leaked, so the tractor would start run for 100 feet and then die. Replaced the fuel lines and it runs until the tank runs low. Happy it's a diesel. Has a "live" PTO and the draft works. The Hi-lo is a plus.

Pros: It runs like a Deere (haha).
Cons: It was not the Ford 4000 diesel I was originally looking for.

Big John
Model Year: 1984

The best piece of equipment I have ever owned. Twice a year, it is pressure washed and waxed and always kept under a shelter. The biggest thing I use it for I cutting my 3 1/2 acre yard with a 6' grooming mower. In the 26 years I have owned it, I've only had to put on new brakes (one time), and new seals in the lift. My tractor has a John Deere top, power steering and turf tires.

Pros: I have nothing but good things to say.
Cons: None.

JD850
Model Year: 1987

I noticed some are reviewing the 4 wheel drive 855. Mine is a 850 2 wheel drive. It does all that I have ever tried to even pulling a baler when the big tractor was down. Not bad bad for a 3cyl. 25 hp class unit.

Pros: John Deere.
Cons: Calsum eat up the rear wheels after 26 years.

Love Tractor
Model Year: 1986

For my farm and life the 850 was a great buy. I only wish I had bought two.

Pros: A joy to work with.
Cons: Some days more power.

1983 John Deere 850
Model Year: 0

Used it about 3 weeks now, and for the money, found it to be well worth the slightly higher used cost. Looked for over 4 months at used tractors that had been "refurbished" using nothing but spray cans of paint---very disappointing. JD dealer got this one in trade only a couple of hours before I showed up. Well kept, very strong, clean and quiet for a "Yanmar" diesel. Pulls a big disc with no problems except the turf tires which want to spin. May change to AG tires later on.

Pros: Cost, operating cost, reliability.
Cons: JD parts cost from dealer; very high when compared to others.

Review After 4031 hrs on Machine
Model Year: 1986

I have owned and used this JD 850 since Jan, 2001. It had 612 hrs when I purchased it. Now has 4031. It has been a good machine. I use it mostly for mowing (approx 300 hrs a year) I also use it on disc, blade and misc. I mow with a 7 ft rear mount mower and it does quite well. After these hrs it will use about 1.5 quarts between oil changes (100 hrs). I am thinking about trading it for a JD332o cab tractor.

Pros: Handy and power.
Cons: Tight operators platform, but its a 1986 year model.

JD 850
Model Year: 1988

I have had my 850 for about two seasons of garlic farming. I like it alot but it is an old tractor and has age associated problems. In particular, cold starts are very difficult despite the thermostart feature. Also, the second stage of the clutch for the PTO is seized so engaging it can be difficult. These problems are minor and likely more costly to fix than they are worth. All in all, it is a good tractor for what I need.

Pros: Small, light weight.
Cons: Small, light weight.

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Backhoe and Loader
Model Year: 1979

Work very well.

Pros: Tremendous value for money.
Cons: Subframe is not easy to remove backhoe for pot implements.

My New to Me 87 JD 850
Model Year: 1987

Just purchased this 850 3 cyl. diesel 4wd tractor for my year, which is less than two acres. Tractor is a little bib but the deal was awesome so I had to buy, got it for 5500.00 with 60 finish Befco mower. Runs great, not to loud, steers nice and goes in and out of the 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears just great plus the high low work awesome. Also the clutch can be pressed half way to keep pto going but yet stop tractor or press all the way down to stop pto and tractor both. At 750 hours this isn't even broken in yet at least it appears that way. Mine has turf tires which are great for me and I'm looking to add a loader in the future. I couldn't get a mower for this kind of money that's is built this well no way in todays market, I would have to be somewhere in the 20,000 to 25,000 range.

Pros: Quiet, powerful, heavy duty.
Cons: Tall for some mow jobs around trees, you will need to trim up the lower branches.

Great Tractor for the Money
Model Year: 1984

Bought it with a loader and a like new King Kutter rough cut mower for $6,000. Seems to have been well maintained, with good rubber. Starts great and runs great. Has two additional rear hydraulic connections. I use it primarily for making and maintaining trails. It is stable on the hillsides, and has good traction. The frame is larger than more current models, but that is not a big deal. It does everything I want it to.

Pros: Very affordable compact utility tractor. Gear shift transmission and slightly larger frame make it a bit dated, but still a great value.
Cons: Only one- the PTO clutch is a bit touchy - hard to engage it slowly.

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