JD 855 help.

[855Idiot]

Hello,

Noobie here. I just got a John Deere 855 4wd with a Front End Loader. Got it for the "Deal of the century". I plan on picking up a rear blade, harrow and brushhog later this month. My intended uses are keeping the brush at bay, landscaping and moving snow.

The problem is, I don't know much about Tractors, I have no owners manual and the lens covering my dashboard idiot lights is missing.

Question: Anyone with an 855 know what each of the dashboard lights do/mean? There are bulbs in 5? of the slots but I have no idea what they mean as the plastic lens covering them is missing?

Any deals on owners manuals around?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[madpogue]

Weird; the manual should be online on the Deere web site, but it's not. Found this pic on the internet; if that's your dash, it may clue you in: http://www.compacttractor.co.uk/Pho... 544/John Deere 855 compact tractor 544 5.jpg

I'm thinking: Top row, oil pressure & coolant temp. Bottom row, alternator, pre-heat, ?????

 

[slaveToHorses]

I'm thinking: Top row, oil pressure & coolant temp. Bottom row, alternator, pre-heat, ?????

and PTO indicator.

I used to have them all memorized because for the longest time my panel screen was missing too. They fall out fairly easily.

I gave all my documentation to the fellow that purchased mine. I may still have the CD version loading on my pc, I'll check later.

 

[kilobravo3]

I have an 855, and the picture is exactly what my panel looks like. madpogue and slaveToHorses gave the same description of the lights that I would give based on my panel. Enjoy your new tractor. If you don't mind me asking...what did you pay for your 855?

 

[Dennisfly]

Here is a picture of the appropriate page from my manual. This is the first time I've done an attachment on this program so I hope it works OK. I found my manual on Ebay. I like the tractor but then it's my first one so I may be naive

 

[Dennisfly]

The engine preheat only works when the ambient temperature, as detected by a sensor in the engine compartment, is cool. During the summer you should never see the light. When the temperature drops into about the 60's the light will illuminate when you turn the key on. You should wait for the light to extinguish before you crank. The light going out indicates the preheat cycle has been on long enough to attempt a start. Mine has an air heater and no glow plugs. I think most if not all 855s are that way.

I use an electric block heater when the temp gets below about 40. I only heat for about 30 minutes. It makes for much easier starting and saves on starter wear and tear.

 

[855Idiot]

The engine preheat only works when the ambient temperature, as detected by a sensor in the engine compartment, is cool. During the summer you should never see the light. When the temperature drops into about the 60's the light will illuminate when you turn the key on. You should wait for the light to extinguish before you crank. The light going out indicates the preheat cycle has been on long enough to attempt a start. Mine has an air heater and no glow plugs. I think most if not all 855s are that way.

I use an electric block heater when the temp gets below about 40. I only heat for about 30 minutes. It makes for much easier starting and saves on starter wear and tear.

....uh......so.....
Lets say a "friend" of mine had an 855 and he just turned the key to on and waited 30 seconds (maybe 45 seconds) and then tried to crank the motor. Some times it started, some times it would not crank or even attempt to crank? Is there some sort of ignition/starter lock out until the light goes out?

Did my "friend" not let the glow plugs heat long enough?

 

[kilobravo3]

I don't know of any lockout, but I could be wrong. But, one thing to keep in mind is that when the preheat is needed, the light is only on for about 30 seconds anyway (well, that is how mine works in Florida winter temps). If it wasn't cold outside it should start with no trouble at all without the preheat. My 855 has over 2400 hours on it, and starts up in about 3 revolutions of the engine without fail.

 

[855Idiot]

Ok, the "friend" was me

I pulled the starter and had it tested. It is good.

Why is it not always starting when I turn the key?

I get 3 lights, now identified as Oil, Battery and Preheat.
Waiting 30 to 45 seconds has no effect on the lights.
I then try the key... Some times it starts right up and some times nothing.
No clicks from the starter, just a click from the fuel shutoff solenoid.

I get the Preheat light every time. Temps have been 60 - 85 outside.
Do I just need to wait longer for it to go out?

Are there any switches (safety?) from the key to the starter, that may be intermittently failing?

Thanks,

 

[Havoctec]

A safety switch may be the problem. Not sure about the 855 but it may need to be in neutral, parking brake engaged, pto off, person sitting on seat to depress the switch under it, clutch pushed in.....

Is everything on the tractor the same each time you try to start it?