JD 770

Anonymous Poster · Jul 15, 2001

Hey guys I need help. I am looking for my 1st tractor and came across a JD 770, '96 model with 303 hrs. It is 2WD with turf tires. I am gonna be doing yard work , a little bushhogging and small dirt work. The asking price is $7500. I live on the TX/La. border. Is this a good deal or bad?

RobS · Jul 15, 2001

Hey NoClue, I don't have many more clues than you but I do have a JD 790 which is a slightly more powerful and newer version of the 770. Not sure about your price but I'd caution you about the 2wd. These tractors are pretty light and traction can be limited in 2wd. If all you are doing is brush cutting it may not be bad, but if you have any slopes and/or plan on using a loader with it you may want to hold out for a 4wd version. Other than that, it'll be a great, solid little tractor. Hope this helps /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Buck · Jul 19, 2001

I agree with RobS. You need 4 weel drive. Nearly every excursion so far with my 790 has resulted in me turning on the 4WD. This will especially be true if you are doing dirt work. My JD dealer told me that he won't sell 2WD...

mlmartin · Jul 19, 2001

<font color=blue>Nearly every excursion so far with my 790 has resulted in me turning on the 4WD.</font color=blue>

You turn 4WD off? I only use 2wd on pavement.

Matthew

Buck · Jul 22, 2001

Well I'm still kinda new to this. Does keeping four weel drive on tear up the grass any more than 2WD?

Buck

glennmac · Jul 23, 2001

Buck,

4wd definitely has more a tendency to tear up (or "scuff") lawns than 2wd. It happens most on turns, where the front wheels are tying to turn faster than the tractor is going. The front wheels end up spinning and scuffing. I always mow lawns in 2wd. I only turn 4wd on when I know I need it: eg, mud, snow, slippery gravel, hills. I also use 4wd when brush cutting to get the extra power and because scuffing is irrelevant to the mess you are otherwise making.

mlmartin · Jul 24, 2001

Oh yes indeedy it does. My lawn is too small for my tractor to play on, so turf scuffing (already minimized by my turf tires) is a non=issue for me. Staying in four wheel drive maximizes traction, which is the limiting factor in when using passive implements.

Matthew

Anonymous Poster · Jul 24, 2001

Thanks for the help guys. I bought the tractor and so far so good. Every once in a while I lose traction not having the 4WD but not bad enough to regret the buy. Glad to join the JD family. Thanks again.