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Martian · Feb 7, 2012

kiotiken said:
I traded my 955 for my current CK30. The 955 had FEL, JDP Cab and loader. I liked the tractor, but it had 1800 hrs and needed a lot of tinker time. These machines are 12 to 20+ years old at this point. They are very light and the 33 hp is misleading. To get that hp rating, JD measured it at 3200 rpm. At that range, she's more that a little loud and I promise, you won't work it there for long. In reality, you'll be around the 2500 rpm range like most other diesel tractors (I prefer 2000-2200 on my CK30), and down under 30hp. Now, having said that, that's still way more hp than this tractor can put to the ground, I could easily spin all wheels with the diff lock engaged in high range (2 speed HST) and R4's.
This is also a pretty high price for this tractor. There are plenty of them in the $8K range with similar hrs. It's not a bad tractor, but probably equivalent of a CK20 in the Kioti line and the CK27/35 all blow it away in terms of the work they can do. For $11K, you could fine something like that much newer and fewer hours. I got a little more than that for mine as a trade, but it had the cab, an extra set of tires and I fully restored it.

What an excellent job on that restore! You have two very fine machines!!

RoyJackson said:
Good decision!

I think quite a few tractor buyers change their minds frequently before actually buying...

Waiting is always a good idea. I acquired some more land last year at the beginning of fall and originally thought I wanted a full size TLB to work it. After doing some rethinking and getting some opinions on here, I'm looking to purchase a JD 110 TLB - which is about 43hp, about half of what I was looking at before. All for the better though. Take your time and you'll find that it is much cheaper to wait and get the perfect machine than to rush and have to upgrade in the future.

kiotiken · Feb 7, 2012

Martian said:
What an excellent job on that restore! You have two very fine machines!!

Many thanks, it was a lot of work, not just the restore, but fixing everything I found by peeling the sheet metal off!

I sure wish I could have keep it, but that picture was the only time they were together, I traded it for the CK30 and the dealer took her away right after I snapped a few for the memory box.

Gittyup · Feb 7, 2012

kiotiken said:
I traded my 955 for my current CK30. The 955 had FEL, JDP Cab and loader. I liked the tractor, but it had 1800 hrs and needed a lot of tinker time. These machines are 12 to 20+ years old at this point. They are very light and the 33 hp is misleading. To get that hp rating, JD measured it at 3200 rpm. At that range, she's more that a little loud and I promise, you won't work it there for long. In reality, you'll be around the 2500 rpm range like most other diesel tractors (I prefer 2000-2200 on my CK30), and down under 30hp. Now, having said that, that's still way more hp than this tractor can put to the ground, I could easily spin all wheels with the diff lock engaged in high range (2 speed HST) and R4's.
This is also a pretty high price for this tractor. There are plenty of them in the $8K range with similar hrs. It's not a bad tractor, but probably equivalent of a CK20 in the Kioti line and the CK27/35 all blow it away in terms of the work they can do. For $11K, you could fine something like that much newer and fewer hours. I got a little more than that for mine as a trade, but it had the cab, an extra set of tires and I fully restored it.

I've been tracking 955 pricing locally and nationally for 3 or 4 years. I've never seen one with a loader that wasn't beat to death for under $10K. This one has a loader, tiller, post hole digger and looks to be taken care of. I doubt the owner will have any trouble selling it. They are very popular. His asking price is in-line with what he'll get for it.

I do agree it doesn't pack the weight or modern amenities of a new CK, but it's thousands cheaper and plenty enough tractor for the OP's use. And so is the smaller bota.

Of course, nothing compares to new..... until you count the green left in your pocket

. I bought new and should have bought used and kept my money.

Martian · Feb 7, 2012

kiotiken said:
Many thanks, it was a lot of work, not just the restore, but fixing everything I found by peeling the sheet metal off!

I sure wish I could have keep it, but that picture was the only time they were together, I traded it for the CK30 and the dealer took her away right after I snapped a few for the memory box.

Either way, excellent craftsmanship. Wish I could say the same for myself.

I have to ask, I know its not the "luxury" cabs of now a days, but how was it going from a cab tractor to open station? May not heat up to well in the winter, and probably to hot in the summer, but at least it would help with the wind.

kiotiken · Feb 8, 2012

Martian said:
Either way, excellent craftsmanship. Wish I could say the same for myself.

I have to ask, I know its not the "luxury" cabs of now a days, but how was it going from a cab tractor to open station? May not heat up to well in the winter, and probably to hot in the summer, but at least it would help with the wind.

:laughing::laughing: Here's a picture of how well that transition went! Kioti had them on sale for $1500 off, I couldn't resist.

Thanks again for the compliment. It was the first time I'd ever done something like that, I just took my time (just ask my wife) and it came out really nice.

The JDP cab on the 955 was very nice and I restored it too. I made a great contact at JDP and they sent me everything I needed. It had a radio, ducted heat, work lights, wiper and even a dome light. It was a really nice set up and like I said, I think the 955 is a great tractor and I'd still have it if I didn't have to put as much tinker time in to it.

kiotiken · Feb 8, 2012

Gittyup said:
I've been tracking 955 pricing locally and nationally for 3 or 4 years. I've never seen one with a loader that wasn't beat to death for under $10K. This one has a loader, tiller, post hole digger and looks to be taken care of. I doubt the owner will have any trouble selling it. They are very popular. His asking price is in-line with what he'll get for it.

I do agree it doesn't pack the weight or modern amenities of a new CK, but it's thousands cheaper and plenty enough tractor for the OP's use. And so is the smaller bota.

Of course, nothing compares to new..... until you count the green left in your pocket. I bought new and should have bought used and kept my money.