870 Insights, good or bad??

[marks]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the purchase of an 870, with 700 hours. This tractor is a 'lease return' in that it has been leased to the local strawberry/lettuce farmers for sole purpose of pulling carts through the fields. Hence, it has received regular maintenance by the local JD dealer during the past six years. With a purchase price of $9,000 (a new FEL and box for an additional $4,000) it's a good fit for my occasional needs of less than 30 hours per year. Do you guys have any experience with this model?

 

[Green4Me]

Purchased one new in 1995. Sold it in 2003. 700Hrs. I loved mine. Really tough little tractor. I had the 440 loader. I think the 790 is about the same tractor now. The 870 however has a fully syncronized xmission which none of the new "advantage" tractors have. Nice feature. The only downside for me was that it wasn't hydro. I used it to skid logs, buzz up slab wood, 5 ft tiller, 6ft Landpride finish mower, post holes, 5 ft rotary mower, log splitter. All with ease.

green

 

[jd110]

The 870 is an excellent tractor. If it has been maintained and hasn't been abused, it should give you many years of reliable service. The only thing I would be careful to check is clutch condition. They have a two stage clutch that can lose the ability to release the pto clutch if the traction clutch gets worn. If you can release the pto clutch completely when the pedal is pushed all the way down, and there is no slippage in the traction clutch, you should be fine.

 

[bmocad]

I have two 870's very solid and tuff. I have a 440 loader on one. Use it to skid logs andpulp. I am amazed at what I can pull. I have not had a bit of trouble. Starts right up even at
10 below.