JD 755

Robert_in_NY · Jul 15, 2003

How many of you fellows have owned or still own a John Deere 755? A friend of mine just bought one and it has about 500 hours on it. Hydro, turfs, 60" MMM, and 48" snow blower. He gave around $7500 for it.

Is there anything he should keep a eye on that might be a problem area in the future? I know little about this machine so any thoughts you guys might have would be helpful. Take care.

tdenny · Jul 15, 2003

Robert,

I have an 855 which is almost identical with a few exceptions. I bought mine with approx. 300 hours on it and now am getting close to 500. A couple of weeks ago I had to change out the fuel filter (must've gotten some bad diesel) but other than that it has been perfect. When I got mine I went through the manual and checked out everything, filters, greased all the zircs, oil, hydro fluid, check the tires to see if they are filled (loaded with liquid for weight) and just get familiar with everything about it. I wasn't very familiar with tractors so it was all fairly new to me. Oh yes and lastly have them read everything they can on TBN as well as join up and send in some pictures. The 755 is a fine machine and 500 hours isn't much. With good maintenance it should run and run and run. Other than that nothing I know of to beware of - my 855 is work horse. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

OkieG · Jul 15, 2003

The JD Parts Catalog shows serial #s for 755s from '86 to '97. Two friends of mine have x55 tractors. One has a 755 and one an 855. Both have many hours and suffer from inadequate maintenance more than design flaws.

My 855 just turned 500 hours. At 400 hours a front axle spindle bearing broke and punched a hole in the axle housing. My loader is maxed out alot and I sometimes forget to shift out of MFWD when on hardtop. One or both of these operator errors may be responsible. Responses to my thread on this incident suggest front axle problems are not too uncommon for any tractor doing hard loader work (ie overloading the front axle). So, I tend to write it off as owner abuse on my part. No other problems at all in 500 hours. My tractor is running strong.

I have not heard of any inherent problems with these tractors. My only suggestion, per tdenny, would be to buy an owner's manual and follow the maintenance schedule.

OkieG

tdenny · Jul 16, 2003

OkieG,

I figured you'd have more to add here. I haven't had any front axle problems yet (picture me knocking on my desk) and I also tend to forget /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif to shift out of MFWD when transitioning from my back yard to the driveway. One other thing to add which is a design flaw, IMO, is that the front headlights are in the rear fenders which, if your tractor has a loader on it, severely detracts from the headlights capabilities. I added more lights to help out with this.

OkieG · Jul 16, 2003

<font color="blue"> the front headlights are in the rear fenders which, if your tractor has a loader on it, severely detracts from the headlights capabilities. </font>
Yes, that's right. I have heard that complaint mentioned before, about poor front lighting with loader attached. I, also, added ROPS lights and they do help. The original lighting, though poor (with loader), is serviceable. Any more than occasional after dark work, however, and the extra lighting is especially nice.

OkieG

755inNY · Jul 19, 2003

Robert,

I have a 1987 755 (purchased new in spring of 1988) with over 1200 hours. No major problems, few minor problems. Mine has turfs, 60" MMM and 52 loader. I also have a 60" rotary cutter (JD 503), Post hole digger and 7' backblade. This unit has done a lot of work for me. It is used primarily for mowing in summer and snow removal in winter. The tractor is outside all the time. It has never been back to the dealer for any warranty issues. I've done all servicing myself.

Minor problems have included a water pump that leaked at 700 or 800 hours, a tachometer and cable that went bad at 900 hours and replacement of the glow plug relay last year. A hydraulic hose fitting on the loader broke 2 years ago. I think I got it caught up on some small trees I was clearing out of a ditch. I purchased a belt for the MMM after 2 years because my neighbor needed to replace the one on his Ford of similar size and age. I did not want to get stuck on a weekend with a broken belt. The belt hung on the wall for 10 years before I finally needed to use it. The original belt never did break.

I have changed all the fluids and filters at half of the recommendations in the manual. Oil gets changed twice a year (spring and fall) regardless of hours and the oil filter gets changed only in the spring.

If the 755 your friend purchased has been maintained properly during its first 500 hours, he should have no problems with it. A block heater is a definite plus if in cold weather. Mine starts fine down to freezing but gets more difficult when the temperature is below 20 F. The block heater makes a big difference. Plug it in for 20 to 30 minutes and it fires right up.

Jeff