JD 770 good price/enough tractor?

   / JD 770 good price/enough tractor? #1  

xcsm

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Joined
Oct 23, 2007
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Saw a 94 JD770(2wd) today with 390hrs. Looks like new as owner garaged it all its life. Tractor was used only for mowing (finish mower). Asking price is $6700. How's that sound to you and is the 770 a good tractor? I would use this tractor mainly for clearing my property for homesite(2acres). Nothing super heavy required, just small stump removal, brush cutting, boxblade work and eventually tilling about 1 acre for lawn(don't see me using anything larger than 4' implements). My main concern is slope(maybe 25-30 degrees) on small portion of property is too steep for 2WD. I may just leave this area natural so it isn't that big a deal however, I'm curious to hear from the experts. The tractor has turf tires so switching to R4's or Ags may help if needed. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
   / JD 770 good price/enough tractor? #2  
770's are great tractors! Might be a bit light for pulling stumps though.
25 to 30 degrees is pretty steep and I do think you'd have problems there without front weight (you don't mention a loader) and 4WD (more properly, MFWD). I've got the same kind of slope and I always use the front wheel assist.
The price isn't too bad. Maybe a little high for a 2WD machine. If the hours are low, you ought to consider it. However, you're looking at a tractor that is primarilly for lawn mowing. If you use it for brush cutting, you will need to buy front weights if you intend to raise the cutter.
 
   / JD 770 good price/enough tractor?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks Manly Man. Can't justify the big 790, do you think the JD2305 is enough tractor for my needs?
 
   / JD 770 good price/enough tractor? #4  
that's pretty much what I bought my 2305 for, no stumps to pull though.
 
   / JD 770 good price/enough tractor? #5  
Xcsm,
I see lots of these kind of posts here and always think the same question: exactly how many stumps do you have, how big/small are they and how much time do you have. A 2wd, 2500lb, 24hp CUT (the 770) is a great mowing tractor, but is not going to be much use for what you're looking for, nor will be (in my opinion) a 2305. Unless the stumps are very small (like 6") or you have at least a FEL and better a BH on the tractor. Stumps are very tough and even 12" ones may give you fits.

Personally, If I had only a few stumps ( a dozen or two) and they're smallish 12"ers I'd rent a mini stump grinder. They rent for about $50-$100 per day out here and will take a 12" stump to nothing in about 20 minutes. I've used them a few times and they work great. I can also dig it up in 20 minutes with my BH but I spent about $5k on that(not including tractor and FEL). I use it for lots of other stuff in my side business though.

For light grading, boxblade, etc, I'd look for minimum a 25-30 hp CUT with 4wd and a FEL. Anything less and I think you'll be disappointed. Just my opinion based on experience.
 

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