adding power steering to 950

[jacksdad]

I am looking at buying a 950 2wd w/ FEL and approx. 1800 hrs. The tractor does not have power steering and i don't know if it can be added or if i should keep looking till i find it.

i will be using the tractor to bush hog and mow approx. 3 acres, maintain a medium sized veggie garden and, initially, move around 10-20 loads of fill to get my grading right (we are having a house built). It will also be used to maintain about a 160' driveway.

i thought about the 790 but it's considerably more expensive (i believe i can get the 950 for $6k) and probably not worth the money for power steering and 4wd. Our lot is very flat (maybe a 2-3' elevation change over 400 feet).

So can power steering be added? Is it expensive? Am I ok with 2wd?

Thanks for the help,

Erik

 

[BB_TX]

I have a 1984 JD 950 MFWD (4wd), FEL, and PS. I have seen a used power steering kit on ebay a couple times, but not lately. Not sure what it would take to actually add it on.
As far as the 2wd, that may be a problem in dirt work. I have ag tires, but my traction is not that great in 2wd, even with the diff lock. Significant difference in 4wd when trying to push into a pile of dirt to load the bucket. Now I will say that my rear tires appear to be the original and the rubber seems to have hardened and is pretty slick. I have new tires on the front and there is an obvious difference. That may be part of my problem.

 

[jacksdad]

thanks bb. i will watch out for a cheap kit.

i bought the tractor and love it already! entire thing was sandblasted, primed and repainted and looks great. i paid $6,500 and think i got a very fair - excellent deal. didn't steal it, but happy with the price.

do you know if the 950 will pull a 7' finish mower or should i stick with 6'?

thanks,

erik

 

[BB_TX]

Yeah. I really like my 950 also. Don't know about the finish mower. I run a 6' rotary cutter on mine and it cuts pretty tall and thick grass fine. I would think it would run a 7' finish mower OK for cutting short grass.
As a side note. The muffler on mine was loud and badly rusted and rattling inside. I let it go for several years, but replaced it last month. The result was a significant boost in HP!!. I guess it was restricting or otherwise messing up the exhaust flow. Made quite a bit of difference mowing tall grass.