JD 955 price/suitability

[ajspence]

I've been searching for a low hours JD, prefereable a 4100/4110 or even a nice 755. Hydro, 60" MMM, FEL (EZ on/off). I will initially use for some brush hogging and leveling (box blade) to expand yard to 3-4 acres. After that primary use will be mowing, and a little landscaping, etc.

I have a local individual selling a 955 with 72" MMM & FEL. VERY nice, only 390 hours, no leaks, etc. He's asking $16000 which seems a bit high, but the unit looks very nice.

Questions: Is $16k reasonable, assuming the rig checks out as good as it looks? Also, are there any known issues with the 955s? And, is a 955 with a 72" MMM too much bigger (than the 4110/755 with 60" MMM which seem about right) for mowing?

Thanks for any thoughts you may have.

-AJ

 

[RoyJackson]

The price seems about $3000-$4000 too high, even with low hours.
I checked Machinefinder.com. The dealer prices average around $14K. A private owner should be asking less then a dealer's price.

Of course, this is somewhat dependent upon where you live, as tractor prices vary widely regionally.

If you really want this tractor (and the x55 series are really nice), offer him $14K.

 

[RWEST]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, are there any known issues with the 955s? )</font> Yeah, people grab 'em as soon as they see 'em /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

My 2 brothers have had 755's for 8 - 10 years, and aside from normal maintenance, zero problems. I've put 500 hours on my 955 in the last three years (the wife got it for me as a birthday present, with 140 hours on it, FEL, soft cab and 5' Lucknow PTO blower for $18.9K; yeah, she's a keeper /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), and, it's performed flawlessly.

I'd say dicker a bit, then go for it.

 

[sjhuls]

This is my first posting on this site. I live on 12 acres 100 miles NW of Minneapolis. Regarding 955's - I have two. Both have been absolutely flawless performers. I have the same uses for my tractors you are planning to use a tractor for. I like the light weight (2000 pounds) for my lawn work. I mow a 6 acre yard with a 72"MMM, plus maintain a 1200' gravel driveway. I also brush cut my neighbor's 7 acre field. I used the FEL to help set boulder retaining walls, rock rake my lawn areas, seed lawn, and help take care of a 4,000 sq. ft. vegetable garden. I paid $11,500 for my first 955 (280 hrs on the clock) 4 years ago. It came with the 59" front snowblower. I put $500 into getting it in mint condition. Now has 420 hours - never any problems. I paid $14,900 for my second 955 (75 hrs on it's clock) 3.5 years ago, also in mint condition. It came with 70A FEL and 60" MMM. Unit now has 280 hrs, again with no problems. Both units are extremely reliable, have never leaked any fluids. 955's have outstanding reliability records. They are light in weight and very manueverable. I believe their design mission was as a commercial grounds maintenance machine. You never see one for sale in central MN. Good luck on your decision.